Boohoo or yahoo? Parents meet for breakfast on first day of kindergarten

Parents of Curtis Elementary kindergarten students celebrate their children’s first day of school last week.

Curtis Elementary held its first ever “Boohoo or Yahoo breakfast” for kindergarten parents last Monday.

A “Boohoo or yahoo” breakfast describes parents’ reactions to their kindergartners’ first day of school.

People had been discussing how to get kindergarten parents connected with other parents, school principal Susan Pereira said, adding that she thought that a “Boohoo or yahoo” breakfast would be a great first introduction to other parents at the school.

“We know this is an emotional time for kindergarten parents, whether it’s their first baby going to school or their last,” Pereira said. “It’s a milestone moment, and we just want to be available to alleviate any concerns or emotions they may have.”

Parents ate breakfast courtesy of Panera Bread, mingled and posed for photos representing whether each one was a “Boohoo!” or “Yahoo!”

Tyler Darner was a “Boohoo” about his daughter, Claire, while her mother, Megan Noel, was a “Yahoo!”
Noel said her feelings at a recent open house were, “I can’t believe this is actually happening. Now I think I’m more excited for [my daughter]to move forward and go to school,” she said.

Although Darner had some feelings of excitement, he was mostly nervous about his daughter’s first day of school. Both agreed that the breakfast was a good idea and that it eased the feeling of leaving their child behind.

Another excited mom was Connie Florendo, who had mixed feelings but was mostly excited for her son, Gregory Florendo, to start school.
“It’s good. I think it’s a chance for parents to be able to see other parents … and then to also see faculty and staff here at Curtis,” she said.

On the flip side of things was Monica Sheehan, who cried on and off during the breakfast. She was sad about not having her daughter, Kaitlyn Sheehan, home with her all day.

Elizabeth Stefanko, director of Elementary Leadership at Chesterfield County Public Schools, was on hand to show support.

“I think that any time you can get people together to sit down and have a little fellowship and make relationships, it’s a positive way to start the school year and [have]that relationship with the school,” Stefanko said.