Army School

Tova has been more than eager to go to school. Her sisters go to school and she has felt left out. Through a boring series of events I ended up finding a playschool on the army base that was reasonably priced, not too far, and would allow her to feel she too gets to leave the nest. Sure it is set up for army families but if they have more room they let in civilians too. I was a little creeped out that they called us civilians. It also didn't bode well that driving into the base we passed numerous people marching around with bayonets or oversized brass. But the playschool was entirely impressive and well organised otherwise so we signed our daughter up. 

It is all surreal. Every time I drive onto the base with its wide empty roads, suburban style houses, and uniform clad pedestrians I feel like I am on a MASH set. The other parents chat about deployments and relocations and use word like mess hall or mission. The library has books about airplanes and absentee fathers and history. I receive pamphlets inviting me to events for the army officers wives group. But actually the playschool is really nice and has a supportive community vibe.

It is generally agreed upon that countries often invest into their armies at the expense of education but now I know this doesn't apply to education for army families. 

As it turns out, due to changes in visa rules we are all of a sudden eligible for public education so we signed Tova up for her entitled part time preschool. Both her and I really like the army school though, so she insisted on still going once a week.

An excited schoolgirl 

Tova looks like she could be in Led Zeppelin