The first day of School

Today was the first day of school. With our move, our summer began a bit early. Uhh... quite a bit early I should say. So after three and a half months of having my children right at my side, I released two of the three today to a new elementary school.
Now, we just came from Texas- a state that takes great pride in it's educational system. We also came from one of the best school districts in Texas. We have since moved to Hawaii. A state that, by reputation and statistics, is among the worst in the nation. While there are pockets of good schools, most fall significantly under the national standards. Of course, there is private or homeschooling, but with three kids in elementary school, either option would overextend us.
First impressions: There is a noticeable difference in the way Hawaiians do things. They are an extremely casual culture. I thought I would enjoy that, but when it comes to matters of safety, especially my children's safety, I tend to lean towards a more conservative route. Despite the normal chaos that the first week of school brings, there were still huge logistical holes in how the facilities are run and how the kids are received and dismissed. It's not that there is a bad plan, it's disturbing that there has never been a plan to begin with. Strange. Just like in Mr. Mom- "South to drop off, North to pick up!" This isn't a new idea people.
Upon entering their classrooms, the kids met their teachers (no "meet the teacher day" or dropping off your school supplies early, so we had to add both those monsters onto the first day of school jitters). Both teachers seem less than thrilled to meet my child or myself and offered very little in the way of reassurance or welcome. What was crazy-weird was walking into a room of 2nd graders that was completely silent. All the kids were in their desks and looked scared to death. I was imagining the horrible things the teacher had said just prior to my arrival in the room.
What hit me (with the usual first day of school tears I always get) was the fact that these people are obviously not going to love my kids the way I do. I had just spent over three months without them leaving my side. I had to trust that this year would still be a blessing despite the uncertainties of the outcome. Some of my original concerns like staying at grade level with the mainland are falling quickly to a secondary priority now. Currently, I am concerned for their basic well-being- something that I am not used to thinking about as seriously. I have abandoned any thoughts of convenience from my repertoire now that I need to get three kids not only to the curb of the school safely, but all the way to their classrooms, and the reverse at the end of the day. Not to mention, trust that the teachers will cherish the innocent souls of my kids despite the first impression I received that they may actually hate children.
This morning I left the school compelled to pray for them today. The work around the house didn't even compare to the urgency of praying for their safety and innocence today. What came back in answer to these desperate cries, was the encouragement that my job is going to not only be following their work closely, but also heaping tons of love on them at the end of each day. Our home may be their only safe place. I want this to be their haven for refreshment, security, trust, guidance and encouragement.
I sure hope they come home and say how great their day was. I pray that this year in Hawaii is a good experience for all of them, because right now, I want to run back to the safety and predictability of good ol' Texas schools.