Potticulous with RegressionRevolution

[Ishigreensa]

Barbara Williams was going into the sixth grade, and was quite excited to finally be at the top of the pyramid of elementary school power.  She walked to school on this fine sunny day, and entered the school yard, looked around at the other kids, and then started to play.

While Barbara Williams was on holiday over the summer, they visited an old part of the world, and she had found quite a collection of interesting toys while she was there.  Now, she hoped to show her class her toys, but she would have to keep it a secret that from the teachers because they don't allow toys at school.  For that, she had a plan for sharing her things with her classmates.  (evil chuckle)

[RegressionRevolution]

A first day is always an event. The first day of a new school year is an event shared by children all over by for Erinn McAlee it was the be the first day of a new school year, at new school, in a new country.

Maria McAlee,  Erin's mother, was driving, glancing surreptitiously at The sat-nav, still unfamiliar with the layout of the city. She was also rattling off a reminders for her only daughter, whilst concentrating on the fact she was driving on the opposite side of the road to how she had been taught in the UK. 

"... Did you pack your pencil case, and those new notebooks we bought yesterday."

"yes mum."

"Did you remember to pack your lunch?“

“Packed lunch... Mum, stop worrying your making me nervous. More nervous I mean. I'm already nervous. What if I don't make any friends?“ Erinn responded, looking dead ahead for the building she hoped to recognise from brochure for her new elementary school. She had spent a long time trying on different outfits today. Before they moved away from Derry, it hadn't been something she'd had to think about, all the schools had a uniform, but her she could wear what she liked, which meant she had to try to look cool. The problem was she didn't have any American friends to tell her what looked cool, and she knew it defiantly wasn't cool to listen to her Mum's advice, so she'd eventually settled on a pair of black leggings and a blue and white striped blouse. Her medium length blond hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail. 

They arrived outside the school and the pair were both quiet for moment, listening to the engine whine down and each contemplating there thoughts. 

"There's soo much space here. Everywhere." Erinn commented, looking out across the carpark, then past the lawns and playfields to the playground and finally the silluotte of the school building itself, all washed in sunlight from a wide bright sky. 

"Yes." Maria remarked simply, she was caught off guard by the strange statement but she saw her daughters point. Everything was bigger in the USA. Maria herself was making the adjustment from working in an office of 11 people to one with almost 200 employees. Likewise her daughter would find the school was bigger than what she was used to, Maria knew that making adjustments were never easy for a preteen.

"This is a fresh start sweetie. You'll make new friends and maybe even reinvent yourself a little. This is a really good chance to grow. Plus, there's going to be boys at the school."

"Okay Mum, stop please." Maria insisted, eyes widening. She'd attended an all girls school prior. She'd been looking forward to co-education but she didn't need her mother embrassing her about it. 

"Well all I'll say is that I remember having my first crush around your age. Anyway, it's time to go now Erin. Be brave. Your Mammy loves you."

"I love you too Mum. I'll see you after school."

....

Erin had found her way to the playground, where there were groups of kids playing. She wasn't sure were she was supposed to go next. Her Mum had suggested that she find the school office and they would likely introduce her to her new class. Erinn glanced towards to nearest entrance to the school. It didn't look like any other kids were going inside yet, would she stand out if she went in by herself?

Unsure of what to do she stopped to first person she crossed paths with and awkwardly introduced herself, speaking fast in an Northern Irish accent, to which the other person probably wasn't accustomed. 

"Top O' the mornin' to you." she announced cheerfully thinking it might garner a laugh and them immediately regretted it. 'why did I say that?` she thought to herself crossly.' it's what Americans think Irish people say right? `, well she knew for a fact she'd never said such a thing before in her life. With a look of anxious terror on her face she nervously started her introduction again. "Hi. Um, hi. I'm Erin. I'm new to Cheyenne. I'm enrolled her at the school but it's my first day. I don't really know where I'm supposed to go. Do you think you could show me around. I'd really appreciate it." 

 

[Ishigreensa]

The first person that Erin had happened upon was Angela, a real brat at times, really.  But at the moment, she was playing kind of nice.

"Top of the morning?" she asked with a laugh.  "What, are you supposed to be from Scotland or Ireland or something?" she asked not really knowing where that phrase came from.  Yeah, I'm Angela.  I can help you around if you want."

She stood back a moment and looked at how the girl was dressed.  It wasn't too bad, but she would certainly not be the most popular with the style she chose.  Then again, she wouldn't be called a nerd, or at least not yet.

"So, where are you from?" Angela asked.  "What grade are you going into, fifth or sixth?"

The blond girl with blue eyes wore her hair in braids on both sides of her head.  She had on a nice dress for the first day of school that was purple and pink.  It wasn't as cute as what little kids wore, but it was nice because her mother had insisted on it.  ACtually, she didn't mind anyway.  She liked the attention she got when envious people looked at her because she could afford such things.

[RegressionRevolution]

 

"Northern Ireland. I lived in Derry, the famous 'walled city'. My parents moved  us here in the last month of Summer, we're still sorta settling in. I'm going into the the 6th grade. I would have been starting P7 back home, which is the last year of Primary school before you go to Secondary school. Do you have something before Elementary school? I feel like I should be going into 7th grade but it's just that our school systems are organised differently. To be fair I think in England they have a prep year so I'd be in P6 there." Erin explained to Angela and then realised her appearl was under scrutiny.

"I like your dress. It's pretty." Erin commented. She wondered privately if it was more common to wear a dress in Wyoming. It was kind of considered formal where she was from but supposed the climate was warmer her. Maybe it was more practical to wear a dress or skirt most days?

“So which grade are you in. Will you be in my classes?“

 

[Ishigreensa]

"I really don't understand the difference between p6 and regular sixth grade," Angela said honestly.  "But in America, if you are in sixth grade, you have been going to school for seven years here, too.  They don't really count Kindergarten as one year because in Kindergarten, you are just getting used to knowing what school is, and so what they expect of you is pretty limited in that."

Angela smiled.

"But anyway, I doubt it matters that much."

When the conversation turned to her dress, she smiled.

"Thank you.  My mom insisted I look nice on the first day, otherwise, I'd just wear some jeans or something like everyday."

She shrugged when the new girl asked if they were in the same class or did she classes?  Surely she knew that you only have one class, unless they did things different in Europe.

"I'll take you to the principal to see where you are supposed to be," she said.  "We have three sixth grade classes at our school, so I'm not sure if we are in the same class or not."

[RegressionRevolution]

Erin nodded attentively to the information Angela was giving her. 

"Okay. Thanks. Three sixth grade classes? How many kids are there in a class. My old school only had one class per year but I suppose it was kind of a small school. We had about 25 pupils in each class. I hope we're in the same class."

They entered the school together. Erin was keey looking around for hallmarks of what she had come to think of typical American school life from movies and TV shows she had seen. She also felt the need to make small talk. 

" Hey, do we get lockers to put our stuff in or is that just in high-school?“

[Ishigreensa]

"Lockers?" Angela laughed.  "You Europeans must be spoiled or something.  No, in elementary school, we only have our desk and a cubby at the back of our classroom to put things in.  Whatever you have seen in the movies, forget it.  Most of it only shows what we wish school was like."

She smiled at the little confused girl.

"You'll get used to things soon enough, trust me."

"There are 32 students in my class.  I doubt we'll have the same class because we have the most students.  You'll probably go to the class that has the least students with 25 in it."

She came into the office.

"This is a new girl at our school," Angela said.  "She's not sure where she's supposed to go?"

 

The principal nodded and took the little one into her office to talk to her first.

"Are you the foreign girl that has come for a year to stay and learn what America is like?"

[RegressionRevolution]

Erin hung her head, a little disappointed to find out her expectations were false. She had liked the idea of having her own locker to personalise but it transpired the accommodation was going to be similar to her old school. 

"oh I see. Well, thanks, I hope I get used to all these changes sooner than later." Erin returned Angela's smile. 

Angela introduced her to the principal and then Erin was invited to speak with principal alone. It was intimidating for Erin, she wished Angela was with her but she had no reason to believe the principal would be mean to her. 

"Yes mam'. My name is Erin McAlee. I'm from Northern Ireland. I'm supposed to be joining the 6th grade today. Can you please tell me which class I'll be joining and who my teacher will be? “ Erin was cautious to be polite in front of the principal. Erin had almost addressed her new principal as 'Sister' out of habit, because her pelrevious school had been a Catholic all girls school, in which the head teacher had been a nun. 

[Ishigreensa]

"Your new teacher will be Mr. Webb, the class now with twenty-six students in it," the principal informed her.  "I know things were probably different at your old school, but I will expect you to do your best to fit in with your new class.  Understand?"

She smiled at the young lady.

"Here, we expect students to treat all the teachers and each other with kindness and respect.  If we find out that anyone has broken any of the rules meant to help you understnad how to be kind or show respect, then the penalties are severe."

The Principal got to her feet and showed her out to the main office where she had a paper waiting for her.

"Show this to Mr. Webb this morning as proof that you are his new student, and then do as you are told, okay?"

The principal then walked with her halfway down a hall and pointed out the room to her.

"I think he should be in the room if you want to go and say hi to him.  Otherwise, you can come back in when the school bell sounds to start school."

 

[RegressionRevolution]

"Yes. I understand. I'll be doing my best to fit in with the class." Erin answered contritly, though morbidly she wondered what the consequences might he should she fail to do so. Conincidently the principal then informed her there would be punitive measures if she broke the rules. Erin nodded sharply, feeling a little ill at ease. Hopeful the rules wouldn't be hard to follow. 

After receiving her note from the office and being shown to Mr Webb's classroom Erin decided she wanted to introduce herself to her new teacher ahead of the rest of the class joining them, so as not to make a spectical of herself as classes began for the day. 

Tentively she peered through the square window to check someone was in the room, an upright figure commanded a desk at the front near the windows on the far side of the room. Erin knocked and waited to told she was permitted to enter, mindful of protocol after the principal warned her regarding breaking the rules governing respect. 

"Good morning Mr Webb. My name is Erin McAlee. I'm joining your class today." she walked towards his desk and offered the office note for his inspection. "I know I'm early to class, I hope you don't mind, I thought I would introduce myself before the bell sounds."

 

[Ishigreensa]

Mr. Webb was a nice jolly guy in his mid forties.  He had a full beard, and was so heavy set, he could have been Santa Claus, if Santa was about 400 years younger.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Erin," he said with a smile.  "There are only seats open in the back of the room right now because I arranged the other students to sit as close to the front as possible.  Don't worry though.  We'll rearrange the tables to make sure no one is left sitting by herself or himself soon enough.  Kids do much better when they sit by friends so long as they don't talk so much that they disrupt the class."

he smiled.

"So, why don't you chose one of the seats in the back, and I'll have someone sit with you when they come in so you are not so lonely, okay?"

[RegressionRevolution]

Erin simply nodded, the blind gold of her pony tail bobbing like the plume of an ornate helmet from the ancient world. 

She walked between the elise of desks, row on row, until coming to the last row and simply pulled the chair from beneath the first one on her left. She didn't know if it had already been claimed by someone else, or rather allocated to someone else, it sounded as if Mr Webb had arranged a seating plan based on already established peer groups from the 5th grade.  Thus Erin didn't unpack her school bag as she might be expected to move again shortly as she paired with another misfit. She felt a little pity for herself. Everyone else would already have friends, she would have to make all new ones and possibly have to try and fit in with an existing peer group. 

[Ishigreensa]

Eventually, the students all came in, and just as Erin had thought, most of the kids were arranged in cliques.  The desk she was currently at had no owner, nor did any of the desks around her.  

Mr. Webb smiled as the other kids came in, and he shook each of their hands before sending them to their seats.

"This morning," he said looking around.  "Put your books away.  We'll do Independent reading time later.  Right now, I want you to meet someone."

He gestured towards the back of the room.

"We have a new student with us.  She's a foreigner from Ire Land, so I'd like each of you to make her feel welcome in our class.  Miss, would you stand and say something short and sweet about yourself?"

[RegressionRevolution]

Erin stood, subconsciously took a breath and thought about what she wanted to say. 

"Hi. I'm Erin McAlee. I'm from Londonderry in Northern Ireland. Me, my sister and our parents moved over here for something different. I can certainly say more sunny here." Erin grinned. 

"Uh, so I look forward to meeting you all and learning about the United States of America. Maybe I'll learn some good lessons for the dis-united Kingdom." she laughed nervously. Would people here even be aware of Brexit? Maybe it wasn't a good joke. 

"uh. That's enough from me for now sure. Supposed to keep it short and sweet and here I am able talk the hind legs off a donkey." Erin blushed at her own awkwardness and at a nod from the teacher she sat down, hurriedly unpacking her bag so as not to have to make eye contact with any of the other students. 

[Ishigreensa]

The teacher looked around the class.

"Anyone want to volunteer to show our new friend some American hospitality?"

One girl rose her hand.

"I will."

She was kind of fat, with plain brown hair and had a plain-Jane face.  Some even called her ugly, though not around any teachers.

Barbara stood up and walked to the back of the room.

"My name is Barbara Williams," she told this person from the Dis-United Kingdoms."

She smiled and nodded at her.

"Dis-United Kingdoms?" she laughed.  "I've heard that the Irish, the Scots, and the Brits don't really get along that well, and that you have a kind of Civil War over there from time to time even though the world thinks you are all one people."

She smiled.  "Is that why you told that joke?"

[RegressionRevolution]

Erin stared blankly for a moment. It was as if Barbara knew all the right words but had spoken the sentence in the wrong order. 

"Uh, sorta." Erin compromised meeting Barbara halfway. "I guess it's true there have been wars. But know l guess we have political disagreements instead. What I was actually referring to was Brexit, the UK leaving the European Union. There was a referendum which the majority of people from Northern Ireland and Scotland voted against leaving but England and Wales mostly voted to leave. England is the biggest country, so it has most votes. It just seems unfair to me. That we're led into something not everyone wants just because England is bigger and kind of in charge." Erin was pensive for a moment." I guess you Americans know all about England being unfair. Do we learn about the American War of Independence in Middle School?“ Erin thought it would be quite interesting to learn about historical events from the 'other camp' so to speak. She was unaware she was kind of flaunting her nerdy side. 

[Ishigreensa]

"Well, we learned about the Explorers and quite a bit about the Revolutionary War in fifth grade, so I'm not sure about that," she said.  "I think I heard we are going to learn about world history, or at least a little of it in sixth grade."

She shrugged.

"I still remember some of the major points of that lesson though if you are interested in knowing what America was thinking about it."

She thought a moment, maybe more than a moment, and then she smiled and looked at her new classmate with a big smile.

"I did remember something about England not liking the way the money was being used in Europe or something, and that they thought the pound was better for some reason.  My dad talked about it a little bit, and he said he thought England was kind of right because he thought the Euro money was sort of doing stuff that I didn't quite understand what...."

She smiled at her.

"But that's all I really know about it."

[RegressionRevolution]

Erin nodded as she listened to what Barbara had to say. 

"I don't really understand money stuff either." Erin admitted to reassure her friend. "At least dollars and cents are easy to use but my mum says I have to be careful when ordering at a cafe or restaurant because Vat isn't included in the bill and you have to work it out yourself. Is that right?“ Erin was aware that her mother's factoids on American customs may have been out of date or just plain wrong. 

[Ishigreensa]

"I'm not aware of what a vat is, unless you mean the tax or the tip?  But if you are talking about tips, you usually only pay tips in high end restaurants, and in America, normally you only go to those kind of places with parents.  If you go to McDonalds or something, there is no tip.  You do have to pay tax, but that's with most things, right?"

She smiled.

"Don't worry.  If you hang out with me, I'll teach you everything you need to know.  The taxes are not that hard to figure out, either because in our state, it's only 5%.  That means five cents on one dollar.  If something costs 20 cents, you pay one more cent for tax.  If something costs 22 cents, it's usually just 23 cents with tax.  You'll get the hang of it in no time."

She reached for Erin's hand.

"Here.  I found this when I was on vacation.  I want you to have it."

She gave her a hair clip that was shaped sort of like a Sea Otter.

"You and I are now best friends, okay?"