I hear the alarm clock go BZZZZZZZ! BZZZZZZZ! BZZZZZZZ! And again BZZZZZZZ! BZZZZZZZ! BZZZZZZZ! It’s 7:15 AM. Today is the first day of kindergarten! Mommy came into my room and gently said “Budi se vrijeme je za skolu.” [Wake up time to go to school my love.] Tired I said, “ok mama!”

I got out of bed, got dressed, brushed my hair, and walked into the dining room to have breakfast. For the first day of school I decided to wear a light pink shirt with white and pink striped overalls. I decided to wear my favorite pink sneakers with socks. For breakfast, we had a Montenegro classic: scrambled eggs, cheese, tomato, and roasted red pepper spread. My favorite! Before mommy and daddy took me to school, I brushed my teeth! 

Manhattan Westside Elementary School is just 10 blocks away from my house. My parents walked with me to school. I held both mom's and dad’s hand as we crossed the busy streets of Manhattan. Many people were either going to work or school. It was morning rush hour! My dad said, “Previse naroda.” [There’s a lot of people.] My dad does not like this time of day. My mother and I together would giggle at my father. 

We arrived at Manhattan Westside Elementary at exactly 8:00 AM. Manhattan Westside Elementary is a big school. I was nervous. I tugged on my mom’s dress and said “Mama, malo sam nervozna zbog skole.” [Mom, I am nervous about school.] Mama kneeled and said to me “Ne budi nervozna, sve ce biti u redu.” [Don’t be, everything will be okay.] Mama gave me a hug for reassurance. 

Ms. Allen is my teacher this year and my classroom number is K-102. My parents and I went to the courtyard to find Ms. Allen. When we arrived I was shocked, there were so many children. 

I found Ms. Allen. She held up a big sign that said Kindergarten, K-102, Ms. Allen. My parents would give me one last hug and kiss. Together they wish me good luck! And they left. It was at this moment I realized I missed my parents so much. I was really scared and anxious.

After a few minutes, Ms. Allen took us to the classroom. The room was colorful, clean, and tidy. I saw a desk that had my name written on a tag. This was where I would be sitting for the schohol year. Next to me sat a pretty girl named Molly Spencer. She said “Hi! Nice to meet you!” I was too shy to say anything. I did not say anything back to Molly.

At school I became more nervous. Ms. Allen is asking questions like “What is your name? How old are you? What is your favorite color?” I did not know English well enough to participate in class. I did not feel good toward the end of the school day.

Back at home my mom was preparing dinner, corba. [Soup.] Dad is working at the construction site. He would be home in time for dinner. Mama asked me “Kako je bilo skoli?” [How was school?] I replied “Teško. Ne rezumem Engleski.” [Hard. I do not understand English.] Mama looked at me and said “Sve ce biti uredu. Ne odustaj.” [Everything will be okay. Do not give up.] 

I went to sleep worried. I was thinking to myself can I learn English? 

Over the school year, things took a turn for the worse. I was not doing well in school. Since I do not understand English well enough. My family does not speak English. I grew up learning Montenegrin. Being taught in a completely different language is hard. No matter how hard I try I struggle. This does not make me feel good.

In Ms. Allen’s class we would learn the alphabet and write words. I found this to be hard. Molly notices that I am struggling and offers to help. She often asks me “Elena, do you need help?” Since I do not know how to speak English I struggle to answer Molly’s question. 

To make matters worse my parents just received a letter from my teacher Ms. Allen. Ms. Allen expressed her concerns for me. I was failing reading and writer's workshop. My dad was disappointed in me. He urges me to keep going so he says “Uci samo uci.” [Learn keep learning.] Not only is this frustrating for my parents but this also frustrates me. 

One day I decided to be brave. I knew I was failing readers and writers workshop. I decided to speak up and ask for help. But how do I ask for help? My English is not that good. It took a while but I was signaling the teacher for help. Ms. Allen saw and came to help me.

Tonight was parent-teacher conferences. My mother decided to bring my uncle Freddie along. He understood English and would translate for my mother. Me, uncle Freddie, and mommy went to see Ms. Allen. When we all were in the classroom together this is where everything unfolded. Ms. Allen explained to my uncle and my mom that “Elena was failing two classes. This puts Elena at risk of not graduating kindergarten.” She wanted to know why. Uncle Freddie told Ms. Allen “Elena is a first-generation American. English is not her first language.” After a long and meaningful conversation, there is a plan arranged to help me learn English and improve my grades. This all started with me learning English at home with my mom.

At home my mom and I would learn English together. Each night we would repeat the alphabet, read books every night, and together we did my homework. My mom started speaking in English saying, “Good job my love.” I would hug my mom and give her a kiss saying, “Thank you, mama.”

Ms. Allen realized that I am a first-generation American. That English is not my first language. These are the reasons why learning has been a challenge for me. Ms. Allen decided to work one-on-one with me to build on my English language skills. We would do daily flashcards, and another teacher would visit and help me learn English. Ms. Allen asked Molly “Can you help Elena with writing and reading?” Molly of course says, “Yes, I’d love to help Elena!”