In response to Edgar Allen Beem’s “Kindergarten blues,” I was born and raised in Yarmouth, and I’m from a family of educators. I had a great experience going through the Yarmouth schools in the 1980s and ’90s, and I returned to Yarmouth to raise my own family because of the school system’s excellent reputation.

I worried about my son going to kindergarten. I worried a lot. My son is an active boy, younger than many of his peers. I worried about the length of the school day. I worried about the academic expectations. I worried he would be forced to sit still for too long. I worried he wouldn’t get a chance to play.

I wish I hadn’t spent all of that time worrying.

The students play on the playground several times per day. They have movement breaks inside the classroom. They often have gym class twice per week. They have quiet time and free choice time. Besides all of the traditional academics, the staff spends a great deal of time discussing, modeling, and practicing good behavior with the children.

It has been such fun to watch my son begin to read and to hear all of his fantastic stories from the school day. I know I am fortunate that he has loved every day of his school experience so far. I am also not naive. I know there will be many ups and downs over the course of his education, but so far, I give the Yarmouth School Department an A-plus.

Kate Shub
Yarmouth