I played bus driver for the first day of school, but this will not become part of my morning routine.

The route is long. We have a daughter at all four of our neighborhood schools, from kindergarten to high school.

I’m not sure what that means other than here we are. I swear three of them attended the same elementary school last year. 

I recently brought our situation up to my EdNews colleagues, who at least helped me key in on something useful. 

Reporter Ryan Suppe suggested the girls pass down their advice to those entering a new school.

Hat tip, Suppe. Maybe. 

They wrote letters, and I read them. Here’s some of what the girls came up with. I bear no responsibility for their advice, but I learned a few things about how they see school (and themselves) — and that they’re paying attention to some life lessons.

Our sixth grader gets a danger briefing

“A lot of things will change,” our seventh grader told our sixth grader, including peer pressure and “more girl drama.”

Then Emerie, 12, dropped a distilled TED Talk on her little sister in a sentence: “People will like you for you. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.” 

Not bad. I’d just add: Maybe they won’t like you for you, and that’s OK, too. 

A few other Emerie-isms: 

1. • You’ll love “kicking boys’ butts at basketball and races.”
   • But then this right after: “Don’t be afraid to be friends with boys because they actually are pretty chill and fun, too.” OK.
   • And “Don’t be shy … class is way better if you’re laughing and interacting with others.”

Emerie is also apparently a study in unchecked confidence. 

Signed: “The Goat, Junior Caitlin Clark, and the best sister of all time, Emerie.”

‘Pizza is 10/10’ 

Our freshman’s advice for The Goat was firmly in the middle of the bus lane:

• Be everyone’s friend.
• “Study, study, study.
• Just have fun.

Still, in typical high schooler fashion, the wisdom came on her own time. I only asked her a bazillion times to share it with her sister. 

Of course, food was the centerpiece. Mountain View Middle School pizza is “10/10,” she wrote. “They serve pizza rippers about once a month, and they are so good. It was the only school lunch I tried all year.”

Then there was this more serious nugget: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I know you’re the shy type, but you’re there to learn. There are no dumb questions.”

The Goat. The shy type. Got it.

‘Dear Baylie … ’ 

The most important assignment fell to our sixth grader, who advised our incoming kindergartener. 

I forgot how big the first ever day of school is for a 5-year-old. Baylie was full of questions all week and could have asked about the first day of school until the bell rang.  

Thankfully, her advice transcended food. 

“School will be different than preschool this year,” our sixth grader wrote. 

Then some good stuff: 

• • Listen to your teacher. 
  • Respect everyone. 
  • Don’t let people be mean to you. 

Most importantly: “Have fun and learn new things.” 

And never underestimate the pizza ripper. 

Tell me about your child’s first day of school. We love to hear your stories. What advice would your child pass down? Email me at devin@idahoednews.org