New Coat and First Day of School

The following day her mother, noticing that the young girl felt cold, took her with her siblings to purchase a new coat. A strange heavy outer garment that she was not used to but appreciated once she wore it. On the same journey there was a trip to meet her mother’s father who had lived in England for many years and was preparing to return to the island that she had just arrived from. The young girl did not know her grandfather but had heard a lot about him. It was a bitter sweet reunion because she knew that she would not see him again because he would be sailing back home soon.

A routine was set and within days her mother, again with her siblings, began the task of getting the young girl into a school. Several schools were visited and the young girl was given an academic test on each occasion; passing with flying colors. One school actually suggested to her mother that the young girl is placed in a more challenging environment because her education is outstanding. Mother appreciated this recommendation and the young girl was finally registered in a mixed gender school not far from home.

Her first day at school arrived and her mother accompanied her to the principal’s office. The young girl had been accustomed to wearing a school uniform so being able to continue that trend made her happy. She was escorted to her homeroom and greeted by a class of Caucasian boys and girls of the same age. The teacher, a male, was also Caucasian and she noticed one other black child, a boy, in her class. The principal spoke to the teacher then left. She was introduced to her new classmates and assigned a seat beside a group of girls who would take care of her for the next 2 years in school. Little did she know that this had been prearranged to make her feel at home in her new school and country. Instead of a math lesson, the teacher had planned a welcome party with music and discussion that the young girl could associate with; music and discussion relating to the country of her birth. For the first time since her arrival in this foreign country she felt accepted.