Rayyan is a very social boy. He prefers to be around people than stucked at home with mommy. Mommy tried asking several daycares, but the fees were so high we couldn't afford it. When he was the only child, we went out almost everyday to the nearby playground. And every week to the Waterloo Public library, so that he can meet other children.

May 2000, Rayyan was 3 1/2 years old. Mommy's friend started a once a week playgroup. Rayyan went for several times. But the discouraging participant from parents forced her to quit it. Rayyan was so sad, but he always remember his first 'school' and always asked about it.

The playgroup was held at the classroom section of this mosque.

September 2000. We enrolled Rayyan in a once a week library program. The class was on Thursday, started at 2 pm. While waiting, mommy would be in the children section of the library, reading books for Aisyah.

Rayyan was so happy, everyday he would asked whether it was time to go to school. He couldn't grasp the concept of a day or a week yet, so waiting for the next class seemed like an endless time for him.

In November, several participants already skipped the class.

In November, mommy asked around and finally discovered that public schools in Waterloo has their own preschool programs. This is very different from Malaysia, where school only started at grade 1. Mommy called Brighton Public School and was glad they had an opening for Rayyan.

The class was from 8.45 am to 11.45 am. Mommy had to apply for a working visa first so that Rayyan would only have to pay $20/month. Not knowing this, we sent Rayyan to his first day of school, and received the unexpected news.

That very first day at Brighton.

The visa would take about a month and a half to be processed. Rayyan had the understanding that Brighton would be his real school, that he would go there everyday. He was so crushed when he discovered he wasn't going to the school anymore for a long long time. Rayyan didn't understand the whole legal process, and would insist on going to school everyday. Finally, mommy had to lie and told him the school was closed for the upcoming holiday. That made him feel secure and stopped asking the 'why' question.

January 17th, 2001: Rayyan was finally accepted at the junior kindergarden at Brighton. But he suffered from a sore throat and cough for a week, and missed the school. To encourage him to take the medicine, we only had to mention about the school. He would eagerly take them all.

Rayyan rides this school bus on the way home.

Rayyan was so happy on his first day of real school. He smiled all the way home. His teacher, Mrs Brazeau, gave Rayyan a folder to take home, to share what he had learned in the class with us. Every Thursday, he would go the library and borrowed a book. It was amazing to see the kind of books Rayyan selected, because it was as if he was presenting his own minds.

News: On the week of February 27, Rayyan is going to be the 'Star of the Class'. He has to bring one favorite toy everyday and talk about it to the class. His picture and a bit story about him would be posted on the school billboard. We are very proud. We plan to send his website address along with his info to the school.