Just when I think we live in the Big City, something changes and it feels like we live in a really small town.
The kids came home with a permission slip to go to cheer on the girls high school basketball team at the state quarterfinals game. My first reaction was no. Why would our 6 year olds need to go on a bus to cheer on a team they haven't seen before (sorry...we went to the boys games instead)? So no. Then the texting began. "Are your kids going?" "I don't know. Let me check with..." "Their kids are going, so maybe." "Ok, mine are going." In the end, both A & C decided they wanted to go (A-once she realized there would be cheerleaders there), and we decided it was ok.
We also found out that both of their teachers were going. That's right, the school staff was chaperoning the "field trip." I don't know exactly how many kids went from their school, but I do know that 1,800 tickets were sold to STUDENTS in the district and that they had 38 buses from elementary schools, the middle school and the high school that went to the game today. You read that right...1,800 students were bused to the game. Crazy!! That's when it felt like a small town to me.
I think it's fantastic that the school district coordinated the event to get all of the students to the game. I commend the staff that went with to chaperone the kids-they probably didn't watch too much of the game, as they were probably worried about the kids (at least that's how I would have been). I've heard of out of town teams bussing fans in, but I've never heard of local teams doing it.
Small town...that's what it felt like today as I knew my kids were cheering loud at 10:00 sharp, knowing they were there with their classmates as the girls basketball team came away with a WIN!
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Saturday, December 15, 2012
The Unimaginable
The unimaginable happened yesterday. The unthinkable. Yes, I'm referring to the school shooting in Connecticut. It leaves me speechless to think about it. To think about it as it happened, after it has happened, and even this morning, as everyone wakes up. There are parents left without their children. There are children without their parents. There are students without their classmates. There are students without their teachers. It is unimaginable.
As a teacher often we're told we aren't doing enough. Look at the test scores. Look at the bullying that happens. Look at this new thing we should be trying. As a teacher what you don't know is that I have students that call me Mom. My own kids call me their teachers' names when they're home. What you don't hear is the story they have told me about where their Elf was this morning. You don't know the confidence they have in me as their teacher when they are in my classroom.
We talk about making our classroom a safe place to be. We talk about respect. We talk about listening. We talk about speaking with kindness to one another. We don't talk about guns.
Kids are not supposed to go through something like this. Neither are teachers. Neither are parents. It is unthinkable and unimaginable.
The thing about yesterday is that I wasn't even at school. I was at home with my kids. They didn't have school so I took the day to be with them. We stayed in our jammies until 11:00. We read books. We had cinnamon rolls. We went sledding. We had lunch. We met Mamma and did some shopping. I didn't even hear details about the shooting until I was home and turned the TV on at 5:00. I managed to go through the whole day without hearing anything. I wonder how my colleagues reacted yesterday. I wonder what they felt as they were going through the day. I wonder how many kids from my class went home and talked about it. I wonder how many kids from my class went home and still don't know about anything. That would be my kids. Unless my kids see something on TV or hear something at school (which they probably will), they're not going to know about it. I'm not going to talk about it with them. They don't need to hear that other kids their age aren't going to have a Christmas.
What my kids are going to hear is that I love them. They are going to get squeezes from me. They are going to have a normal routine. They will continue to know that school is a great place to be.
And on a final note, I pray, as hard as I can pray, for all of the families, all of the teachers, all of the people in the community they live it, that they would be comforted as best as they can during this time.
As a teacher often we're told we aren't doing enough. Look at the test scores. Look at the bullying that happens. Look at this new thing we should be trying. As a teacher what you don't know is that I have students that call me Mom. My own kids call me their teachers' names when they're home. What you don't hear is the story they have told me about where their Elf was this morning. You don't know the confidence they have in me as their teacher when they are in my classroom.
We talk about making our classroom a safe place to be. We talk about respect. We talk about listening. We talk about speaking with kindness to one another. We don't talk about guns.
Kids are not supposed to go through something like this. Neither are teachers. Neither are parents. It is unthinkable and unimaginable.
The thing about yesterday is that I wasn't even at school. I was at home with my kids. They didn't have school so I took the day to be with them. We stayed in our jammies until 11:00. We read books. We had cinnamon rolls. We went sledding. We had lunch. We met Mamma and did some shopping. I didn't even hear details about the shooting until I was home and turned the TV on at 5:00. I managed to go through the whole day without hearing anything. I wonder how my colleagues reacted yesterday. I wonder what they felt as they were going through the day. I wonder how many kids from my class went home and talked about it. I wonder how many kids from my class went home and still don't know about anything. That would be my kids. Unless my kids see something on TV or hear something at school (which they probably will), they're not going to know about it. I'm not going to talk about it with them. They don't need to hear that other kids their age aren't going to have a Christmas.
What my kids are going to hear is that I love them. They are going to get squeezes from me. They are going to have a normal routine. They will continue to know that school is a great place to be.
And on a final note, I pray, as hard as I can pray, for all of the families, all of the teachers, all of the people in the community they live it, that they would be comforted as best as they can during this time.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
First Grade Photos
I love watching the progression of school photos as the kids get older. Here are this year's photos, cute as always! (at least to this biased mommy)
I always analyze these photos, wondering if we need to do retakes. A sits up so straight in this one, but I can only imagine the photographer saying, "Ok, sit up straight!" And then there's C, big boy smile and missing teeth to boot. Man, when did they start growing up?! Stop already!!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
First grade, here we come!
J & I are having a good start to the year too. Good classes. Minor technology snafus. Days that sometimes seem to go quickly, but of course, can also seem extremely long.
We're full swing into homework every night-reading, spelling, math, sometimes writing. The kids are really diligent about it every day, too. Makes us happy, seeing the kids loving to learn.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
A Letter to the Editor
I am published! Well, I suppose I was technically published a year ago with the Minnesota Writing Project. But now I'm really published. Some of my friends have probably read my letter. That makes it a little more real.
I took the time to write to the Sun-Current (our local newspaper) in support of my kids' elementary school. There had been positive press about other elementary schools in the area and I wanted others in the community to know about how great our school is too! So I wrote. I've never written to the editor. And then to have it published. Pretty neat if you ask me! I only hope the staff at the school really knows that it comes from the heart and I meant every word I said. Read on!
To the Editor:
I am a parent of two children who attend S.H. Elementary School. I have just returned from attending their Open House and we are all smiles around our house. There was certainly a lot of positive energy in the building tonight!
S.H. has done amazing things for children and will continue to do so this upcoming school year. My kids have a love for learning all things. This is, in large part, due to their kindergarten experience at S.H. It was remarkable. And here we are again, at the beginning of another school year, with great things about to happen. I am thrilled to be at S.H. for another year filled with success of not only my children, but also all of the children at the school.
State test scores were released today and our decision to send our children to S.H. was confirmed, once again, by the success of the school and the teachers. The growth in scores is simply amazing. Kudos to the teachers and administration at S.H. for putting the needs of students first, and empowering them with the tools to succeed. Thank you to all of the faculty, as you really have a positive influence on all students you teach.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Kindergarten Drama
I'm not ready for this. Really. I'm not. Where was this in the parenting book? I think I missed it. Drama. The 5-year-old type. And yes, I know, it is all just beginning. But I'm still not ready.
This week we have had some kindergarten drama in our house. Times 2.
Drama with girls-I was prepared for this and knew it would happen sooner or later. But I was prepared for later. It's the whole, "She called me this. I tried to do this but she wouldn't listen to me. But I didn't try to do that-it just happened!" Drama.
Drama with boys...a bit different. This drama is about doing what is cool or what your friends are telling you to do. "Say this word. Do this with your finger. I order you do try this." Drama, boy-style.
I know some of this comes with being a kid. I get it. Your kids get exposed to new things they never see or hear at home. I'm not going to shelter them from EVERYTHING...but I'll try! No, but really, it's kind of a reality check to hear A & C say the things they learn or see at school. Some kids have different boundaries at home than we do. I expect that.
As a parents our only hope is that we have given them the tools to use in order to make good decisions when they are away from us. Right now they are being tested. What do they give in to? What do they say to stand up for themselves? Who can they trust? All really difficult questions to answer when you're by yourself as a 5 year old.
And this is just the beginning. Lord, please give me the strength to get through thesenext few 13 I don't know how many years. Amen!
This week we have had some kindergarten drama in our house. Times 2.
Drama with girls-I was prepared for this and knew it would happen sooner or later. But I was prepared for later. It's the whole, "She called me this. I tried to do this but she wouldn't listen to me. But I didn't try to do that-it just happened!" Drama.
Drama with boys...a bit different. This drama is about doing what is cool or what your friends are telling you to do. "Say this word. Do this with your finger. I order you do try this." Drama, boy-style.
I know some of this comes with being a kid. I get it. Your kids get exposed to new things they never see or hear at home. I'm not going to shelter them from EVERYTHING...but I'll try! No, but really, it's kind of a reality check to hear A & C say the things they learn or see at school. Some kids have different boundaries at home than we do. I expect that.
As a parents our only hope is that we have given them the tools to use in order to make good decisions when they are away from us. Right now they are being tested. What do they give in to? What do they say to stand up for themselves? Who can they trust? All really difficult questions to answer when you're by yourself as a 5 year old.
And this is just the beginning. Lord, please give me the strength to get through these
Monday, January 23, 2012
Inspired
Sometimes we need to be inspired to write. Right? Right. Today I was inspired by my husband. I read through his post on his blog where he usually writes about school and his classroom. But today was different because he wrote about our kids. Something I do (almost) every time I write. And I became inspired by his topic: READING! (thanks, honey!)
Setting the Scene:
Sitting on the couch, fireplace on, football game on in the background, cozy in jammies...
A says she wants to read some books. I told her I would but that she had to read a book to me first. This is a habit we're trying to get into each night. They have books from school that they bring home, and those change about once a week. We are trying to find other books they can read to us that are already in our house. And it's happening! They are able to pick books off the bookshelf and read them to us! Yes!!
Last night was the first night that it "officially" happened. We read for about 45 minutes where A would read a book then I would read a book and so on. The boys did the same thing! C's choices were Danny and the Dinosaur and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. A read Polar Bear, Polar Bear..., The Foot Book and 2 "baby" board books. She thought it was funny that she picked those. As I sat there listening to both of them read, I wondered when it happened. Did it just happen? Did it happen in November or December? How did it happen? When did they learn to read?! And at this level, too?!
Sometimes people look at us with that well-you're-a-teacher-so-you-know-how-to-teach-them-to-read look. Honestly people, we didn't "do" anything. Well, anything different from the average "parent in the know" about how reading to your child is important. We've been reading to our kids since they were babies. Since they were old enough to see the pictures. You know, you start out with those black and white picture/pattern books. The ones with nothing else because they can't see much else? Yup. We started with those and quickly moved into story books because why not? We haven't sat with our kids and made them do flash cards. We haven't drilled our kids until they've known their sight words. Nope.
I'll let you in on a little secret...I think it's been their teachers. Shhh...don't say anything! It was their Fun For 4's preschool teachers. This year it's their kindergarten teacher who meets with them in reading groups each week and sometimes twice a week. Those are the people who are fostering their love of reading. Yes, J and I do our share at home with encouraging reading, but we can only do so much. There is such a partnership between school and home and I am seeing the positive product here and now, in our own home. And I love every single minute of it.
I wonder what we'll be reading tonight...perhaps some Robert Munsch or Pinkalicious?
Setting the Scene:
Sitting on the couch, fireplace on, football game on in the background, cozy in jammies...
A says she wants to read some books. I told her I would but that she had to read a book to me first. This is a habit we're trying to get into each night. They have books from school that they bring home, and those change about once a week. We are trying to find other books they can read to us that are already in our house. And it's happening! They are able to pick books off the bookshelf and read them to us! Yes!!
Last night was the first night that it "officially" happened. We read for about 45 minutes where A would read a book then I would read a book and so on. The boys did the same thing! C's choices were Danny and the Dinosaur and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. A read Polar Bear, Polar Bear..., The Foot Book and 2 "baby" board books. She thought it was funny that she picked those. As I sat there listening to both of them read, I wondered when it happened. Did it just happen? Did it happen in November or December? How did it happen? When did they learn to read?! And at this level, too?!
Sometimes people look at us with that well-you're-a-teacher-so-you-know-how-to-teach-them-to-read look. Honestly people, we didn't "do" anything. Well, anything different from the average "parent in the know" about how reading to your child is important. We've been reading to our kids since they were babies. Since they were old enough to see the pictures. You know, you start out with those black and white picture/pattern books. The ones with nothing else because they can't see much else? Yup. We started with those and quickly moved into story books because why not? We haven't sat with our kids and made them do flash cards. We haven't drilled our kids until they've known their sight words. Nope.
I'll let you in on a little secret...I think it's been their teachers. Shhh...don't say anything! It was their Fun For 4's preschool teachers. This year it's their kindergarten teacher who meets with them in reading groups each week and sometimes twice a week. Those are the people who are fostering their love of reading. Yes, J and I do our share at home with encouraging reading, but we can only do so much. There is such a partnership between school and home and I am seeing the positive product here and now, in our own home. And I love every single minute of it.
I wonder what we'll be reading tonight...perhaps some Robert Munsch or Pinkalicious?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Follow me to college!
Follow me to college!
Yes, I think we will! Love that this is the back of the kids' school shirts this year. They'll wear them every Friday, where I will remember one of my goals for them: to be a supportive an encouraging parent in order to set them up for success in school so they can go to college. It's a huge goal, but oneI'm we're ready to undertake.
Yes, I think we will! Love that this is the back of the kids' school shirts this year. They'll wear them every Friday, where I will remember one of my goals for them: to be a supportive an encouraging parent in order to set them up for success in school so they can go to college. It's a huge goal, but one
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The First Day
...in pictures...
Monday, September 5, 2011
Kindergarten, here we come!
It's here. Are you ready? I'm not sure I am. School starts tomorrow and we will have...2 KINDERGARTENERS! I don't know how I'll feel tomorrow as I drop them off in the morning. I don't know how I'll feel when they get off the bus (or when I watch the video of them getting off the bus). I'm SO excited for A & C, though. I have no worries about how they'll do. Lunch will be fine. Recess will be great. Listening to stories is sure to be a favorite. I hope they make at least one new friend, too!
It is so hard to believe that we are here already. 5 years into this "parent thing," we are here! 2 kindergarteners are ready to go tomorrow here in our house. Is your house ready for school?
It is so hard to believe that we are here already. 5 years into this "parent thing," we are here! 2 kindergarteners are ready to go tomorrow here in our house. Is your house ready for school?
Monday, August 15, 2011
Getting ready for Kindergarten
for something else in our house
it's coming up soon
we practiced riding the bus
balloon animals made
a juggler juggled
and our kindergarteners had a night filled with fun as they thought about school...and J and I couldn't believe we were actually bringing our 5 year olds to something like this...getting ready for kindergarten!
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