When Norah started at our zoned public school last year we were uncertain about how it would go. The school had gone downhill over the years and then, after a number of years with a great Principal, and just when they started getting our neighborhood to start attending again, it went through another rough patch - three Principals in just 5 years.
Norah's first year was the same year a new Principal started, so we just weren't sure how things were going to go. Plus, we heard of several neighborhood families who were leaving, which wasn't a good sign.
Norah had an amazing pre-k teacher, and we all had a great experience her first year. The Principal has turned out to be awesome. Seriously awesome.
Several months ago at a PTA board meeting she started talking about bringing a dual language program (Spanish) to the school next year. We were very excited for Macy who will be starting in Pre-k, but unfortunately it would only start with Pre-k and Kinder, so Norah would miss out.
One of the great things about our Principal is she isn't quick to take "no" for an answer and is always thinking outside of the box. While the district's model for dual language is to start with only Pre-k and Kinder, she decided to figure out a way to include First grade after receiving a lot of requests.
The primary issue with First grade is that they don't have the language background. The way she is dealing with this is to hold mandatory Spanish classes for half days, four days a week throughout the month of June. They will also provide the families with resources and tools to use over the summer months.
Back to the awesomeness of our Principal, she knows our school has perfect demographics for dual language (bi-lingual classes through second grade already, which also means bi-lingual teachers) and also that dual language will be a huge draw. As soon as they made it public that they would have a dual language program they starting receiving a lot of calls from people asking for more information.
She was definitely right - dual language, in addition to all of the great things happening at the school has resulted in significant increases in applications, for both zoned and non-zoned kids. In pre-k alone they received more than 70 applications compared with 10 last year. There will be additional First grade and Pre-K classes next year.
So next year both of our kids will be in the dual language program. The classes will be made up of 50% native English speakers and 50% native Spanish speakers. Half of the day they will be instructed in one language and the second half in the other language. I have been reading about all of the benefits of dual language programs (it's hard to find any negatives), and we are just very excited that our kids will be able to participate.
The main hurdle for us in the meantime is figuring out how to get Norah from language class in the morning to her summer program in the afternoon when both of us are 30-45 minutes away. I figure it is a short period of time and a relatively small sacrifice compared to what she will gain in the long run.
Hasta luego!
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Black History Month Lesson
Norah's school had a Black History Month program last Tuesday. I reminded her about it that morning and asked whether they had been talking in class about the fact that it is Black History Month.
She said yes, paused, then looked at me quizzically and asked, "But Mommy, where would you go?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean your skin isn't brown, but it isn't really white either. So where would you go?"
Let's break this down:
1. Well aren't you sweet. This shirt must be a good color for me since you don't think my skin is white.
2. Clearly you are talking about segregation in class.
3. Thank you for creating a perfect opportunity for us to discuss how there are all kinds of visible differences among people, like skin tone, hair color, and height, and how none of that really matters.
That evening Norah proudly stood on stage with other Kindergarteners and sang "Sing about Martin."
Here is a link to a video: http://youtu.be/xeUKEvyXAyY.
She said yes, paused, then looked at me quizzically and asked, "But Mommy, where would you go?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean your skin isn't brown, but it isn't really white either. So where would you go?"
Let's break this down:
1. Well aren't you sweet. This shirt must be a good color for me since you don't think my skin is white.
2. Clearly you are talking about segregation in class.
3. Thank you for creating a perfect opportunity for us to discuss how there are all kinds of visible differences among people, like skin tone, hair color, and height, and how none of that really matters.
That evening Norah proudly stood on stage with other Kindergarteners and sang "Sing about Martin."
Here is a link to a video: http://youtu.be/xeUKEvyXAyY.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
January Round Up
I am going to ignore that my last post was in September. And that the topic of the post was our summer vacation in July. On to 2015…
We had a pretty relaxing holidays since we didn't travel this year, but toward the end I felt ready to get back into the routine. Right now it goes something like this:
- Girls are up between 6-6:30. They color or work in their Brainquest workbooks in our room while we get ready. I leave around 7:30 and Seth and the girls soon after. (Seth does drop off.)
- Macy is at the same school all day. Norah attends her school's after-school program for two hours, during which there is homework time, outside play, a variety of games and activities. As part of the program she also participates in Let's Dance, Artsy yet Crafty, and Drama Club--each one day per week.
- I pick them both up by 5:30-5:45 and we start the dinner, bath (every other night) and bedtime routine.
- Tuesdays is meeting night for me. Once a month I have PTA board, PTA general, Plaza Tots (babysitting co-op) and Plaza Moms meetings. The PTA board meetings are early enough that I catch bedtime and the others are late enough that I only miss the end of bedtime.
- Wednesdays are swim night. The girls LOVE swim lessons and have progressed significantly in the past year. We don't plan to stop these anytime soon.
- Bedtime is around 7:30. Norah tends to fall asleep really quickly, while we suspect Macy spends some time playing with and arranging the 20+ stuffed animal friends she insists on having in her bed. She also often comes back out to go potty. Overall bedtime is great these days, particularly compared to some phases we have had in the past.
- Seth and I then have 1 to 1.5 hours before heading off to bed.
___
We were proud of Norah for receiving the Student of the Month in her class for demonstrating the International Baccalaureate (IB) profile of Principled. The IB approach includes a focus on 10 profiles, such as Caring, Knowledgeable, Inquirer, Thinker, Open-Minded, and Principled. Each Student of the Month is chosen based on one of these profiles. She stood proudly with her Principal:
In other Norah news, she has her first loose tooth. Since many of her friends and classmates started loosing teeth already, she has been waiting for this to happen. Let the toothless grin phase begin!
By FAR, the activity that the girls do the most at home is play school. To us it appears to be the same thing over and over again, but they can literally spend hours doing it on the weekends. One is the teacher and the other is the student--typically the teacher's helper for the day--and it is nap time. Other students are played by stuffed animals, and the teacher tells them all where to lay. Then various students do things that result in the teacher moving them to a new nap location. Occasionally there are threats of sending a note home to mom and dad. And that's it! Doesn't that sound like a blast?
We have started having family movie nights lately. Especially since the girls don't watch a lot of TV (none at all during the week), they love it. We most recently watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the original). We typically make popcorn and they get to eat it on the couch while watching.
Hopefully there will be another blog entry soon...
We had a pretty relaxing holidays since we didn't travel this year, but toward the end I felt ready to get back into the routine. Right now it goes something like this:
- Girls are up between 6-6:30. They color or work in their Brainquest workbooks in our room while we get ready. I leave around 7:30 and Seth and the girls soon after. (Seth does drop off.)
- Macy is at the same school all day. Norah attends her school's after-school program for two hours, during which there is homework time, outside play, a variety of games and activities. As part of the program she also participates in Let's Dance, Artsy yet Crafty, and Drama Club--each one day per week.
- I pick them both up by 5:30-5:45 and we start the dinner, bath (every other night) and bedtime routine.
- Tuesdays is meeting night for me. Once a month I have PTA board, PTA general, Plaza Tots (babysitting co-op) and Plaza Moms meetings. The PTA board meetings are early enough that I catch bedtime and the others are late enough that I only miss the end of bedtime.
- Wednesdays are swim night. The girls LOVE swim lessons and have progressed significantly in the past year. We don't plan to stop these anytime soon.
- Bedtime is around 7:30. Norah tends to fall asleep really quickly, while we suspect Macy spends some time playing with and arranging the 20+ stuffed animal friends she insists on having in her bed. She also often comes back out to go potty. Overall bedtime is great these days, particularly compared to some phases we have had in the past.
- Seth and I then have 1 to 1.5 hours before heading off to bed.
___
We were proud of Norah for receiving the Student of the Month in her class for demonstrating the International Baccalaureate (IB) profile of Principled. The IB approach includes a focus on 10 profiles, such as Caring, Knowledgeable, Inquirer, Thinker, Open-Minded, and Principled. Each Student of the Month is chosen based on one of these profiles. She stood proudly with her Principal:
In other Norah news, she has her first loose tooth. Since many of her friends and classmates started loosing teeth already, she has been waiting for this to happen. Let the toothless grin phase begin!
By FAR, the activity that the girls do the most at home is play school. To us it appears to be the same thing over and over again, but they can literally spend hours doing it on the weekends. One is the teacher and the other is the student--typically the teacher's helper for the day--and it is nap time. Other students are played by stuffed animals, and the teacher tells them all where to lay. Then various students do things that result in the teacher moving them to a new nap location. Occasionally there are threats of sending a note home to mom and dad. And that's it! Doesn't that sound like a blast?
We have started having family movie nights lately. Especially since the girls don't watch a lot of TV (none at all during the week), they love it. We most recently watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the original). We typically make popcorn and they get to eat it on the couch while watching.
Hopefully there will be another blog entry soon...
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Good-bye Pre-K, Hello Kinder
I'm having a hard time believing that school is over and summer has officially begun. The year went by so quickly and it seems like just yesterday that we were sending our little 4 year old off to the big school for pre-k.
We all had a lot of adjustments. Our morning schedule needed modifying since the girls were at different schools. We had to start packing a lunch and snack every day (which, truthfully, continued to feel like a chore throughout the whole year). We had to learn the system at new school, and for the first time a public school. The homework, school events, after school care, uniform, PTA, dance class, Tuesday folders, holiday schedule, field trips, teacher communication, fundraising--everything was new.
Norah seemed to make the adjustment with ease. She had an amazing teacher, Mrs. Lillich, and we were pleased with her progress throughout the year. She never complained about going to school and, in fact, received an award for perfect attendance.
Seth and I survived as well. Our biggest struggle was figuring out how to feel connected to the school without being on campus during school hours. But with a year under our belt I feel much more prepared to handle that next year (PTA board, here I come).
Overall we had a great year and are looking forward to what Kindergarden has to offer.
Now…let the summer begin!
Norah on her first day of pre-k (August 2013)
We all had a lot of adjustments. Our morning schedule needed modifying since the girls were at different schools. We had to start packing a lunch and snack every day (which, truthfully, continued to feel like a chore throughout the whole year). We had to learn the system at new school, and for the first time a public school. The homework, school events, after school care, uniform, PTA, dance class, Tuesday folders, holiday schedule, field trips, teacher communication, fundraising--everything was new.
Norah seemed to make the adjustment with ease. She had an amazing teacher, Mrs. Lillich, and we were pleased with her progress throughout the year. She never complained about going to school and, in fact, received an award for perfect attendance.
Norah on her last day of pre-k (May 2013)
Overall we had a great year and are looking forward to what Kindergarden has to offer.
Now…let the summer begin!
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Settling In
With four weeks under our belt we are starting to sense a bit of normality in our routine. The ongoing struggle for balance between work and family, however, continues.
The big change for us with Norah's new school is based on our foray into the public school system. (Hello, PTA!) I think I have mentioned before that her elementary school has gone through some tough years recently. While our hope is that our kids can attend the neighborhood school (our zoned school) we definitely consider this a bit of a test and plan to apply for transfers to other schools for next year in case we feel like we need another option.
Some days I remind myself that one year can't possibly do a significant amount of damage. Other days I wonder if we have Norah in a "good enough" environment.
Along with pubic school has come "public" before and after school care in the form of the YMCA. They come to the school to provide this care for parents like us who work a "traditional" work day. I have heard positive things about this program both from parents who have used it for several years and also Norah's teacher. Now that the kinks have been worked out and we know the drill we feel pretty good about it.
One of the biggest challenges for me is that I feel a bit disconnected with her daily experience in the classroom. Seth drops her off with the Y and I pick her up with the Y, which leaves very little interaction with her teacher. People have reminded me that many schools don't even allow parents to drop off and pick up their kids at the classroom, but I still know that it could be possible for us. Other parents are doing it, yet we can't.
I get the feeling we are not the only ones struggling, wondering and questioning right now. Within the past two weeks several articles and blog entries have come my way that were really timely for me.
In one blog entry, the busy mother of 5 who was questioning her parenting skills repeated something that she recently heard another parent say: "If you are worried about being a bad parent, you are probably a good one."
Yep. I am going with that.
I also know I need to give it time. Monday is the start of week five, and overall I think the adjustment has gone really well. Norah has been FINE the entire time. She has never complained about going and is always upbeat when I pick her up. It took a bit for her to get comfortable with the drop-off situation so Seth continued to park and walk her in. But by week three she was ready to be dropped by the entrance, which means climbing out of the car by herself and meeting the Y person at the gate.
Last week some after school activities started, which will provide a good variety to her schedule. I think it will be good to break up her time a bit, particularly on Wednesday's which are early-release day. We signed her up for an arts class, dance (ballet, tap and jazz), and health and fitness, so three days a week (if it all works out) she will have something after school. I love that she is getting exposure to some new things, but we don't have to commit precious evening or weekend time to make it happen.
Norah's new best little bud at school is Caroline:
Caroline just happens to live only six (yes, just six) doors down. Her family is also part of our babysitting co-op, so it is nice to have connections from multiple angles. Caroline and Norah are constantly asking to play after school and on weekends, and they had their first sleepover at our place a few weeks ago.
At school they line up according to shirt color, so Norah and Caroline are starting to coordinate so they can stand next to each other. Even that wasn't enough the other day - Norah had to work hard to keep it together when Caroline walked in with pigtails and she had a headband.
When I was in their room for open-house last week I noticed their "About Me" project. Caroline's favorite activities are "Playing with Norah and dance class." Norah's favorite activities are "Playing with Caroline and dance class." Huh. Ironic.
The vibe at the school with the new principal is really positive, so I am optimistic for a good year. I may have underestimated the transition for Seth and me, but at least Norah seems to be handling it with ease.
Packing lunches? That's a whole different story--one for another day.
The big change for us with Norah's new school is based on our foray into the public school system. (Hello, PTA!) I think I have mentioned before that her elementary school has gone through some tough years recently. While our hope is that our kids can attend the neighborhood school (our zoned school) we definitely consider this a bit of a test and plan to apply for transfers to other schools for next year in case we feel like we need another option.
Some days I remind myself that one year can't possibly do a significant amount of damage. Other days I wonder if we have Norah in a "good enough" environment.
Along with pubic school has come "public" before and after school care in the form of the YMCA. They come to the school to provide this care for parents like us who work a "traditional" work day. I have heard positive things about this program both from parents who have used it for several years and also Norah's teacher. Now that the kinks have been worked out and we know the drill we feel pretty good about it.
One of the biggest challenges for me is that I feel a bit disconnected with her daily experience in the classroom. Seth drops her off with the Y and I pick her up with the Y, which leaves very little interaction with her teacher. People have reminded me that many schools don't even allow parents to drop off and pick up their kids at the classroom, but I still know that it could be possible for us. Other parents are doing it, yet we can't.
I get the feeling we are not the only ones struggling, wondering and questioning right now. Within the past two weeks several articles and blog entries have come my way that were really timely for me.
In one blog entry, the busy mother of 5 who was questioning her parenting skills repeated something that she recently heard another parent say: "If you are worried about being a bad parent, you are probably a good one."
Yep. I am going with that.
I also know I need to give it time. Monday is the start of week five, and overall I think the adjustment has gone really well. Norah has been FINE the entire time. She has never complained about going and is always upbeat when I pick her up. It took a bit for her to get comfortable with the drop-off situation so Seth continued to park and walk her in. But by week three she was ready to be dropped by the entrance, which means climbing out of the car by herself and meeting the Y person at the gate.
Last week some after school activities started, which will provide a good variety to her schedule. I think it will be good to break up her time a bit, particularly on Wednesday's which are early-release day. We signed her up for an arts class, dance (ballet, tap and jazz), and health and fitness, so three days a week (if it all works out) she will have something after school. I love that she is getting exposure to some new things, but we don't have to commit precious evening or weekend time to make it happen.
Norah's new best little bud at school is Caroline:
Caroline just happens to live only six (yes, just six) doors down. Her family is also part of our babysitting co-op, so it is nice to have connections from multiple angles. Caroline and Norah are constantly asking to play after school and on weekends, and they had their first sleepover at our place a few weeks ago.
At school they line up according to shirt color, so Norah and Caroline are starting to coordinate so they can stand next to each other. Even that wasn't enough the other day - Norah had to work hard to keep it together when Caroline walked in with pigtails and she had a headband.
When I was in their room for open-house last week I noticed their "About Me" project. Caroline's favorite activities are "Playing with Norah and dance class." Norah's favorite activities are "Playing with Caroline and dance class." Huh. Ironic.
The vibe at the school with the new principal is really positive, so I am optimistic for a good year. I may have underestimated the transition for Seth and me, but at least Norah seems to be handling it with ease.
Packing lunches? That's a whole different story--one for another day.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
A New Chapter
Big changes are taking place in the Gunden Kauffman household this week in the form of Norah starting pre-k in public school.
The elementary school to which we are zoned has been a bit inconsistent over the past five years, and where to send Norah has been a really tough decision. There is a strong desire by many of us in the neighborhood to send our kids (with confidence) to our zoned school, but the inconsistency in leadership and sometimes questionable direction has given us doubts.
We, along with several other families, decided to go for it. So far the new principal seems great and we lucked out by getting the really awesome pre-k teacher that I have been hearing people gush over since we moved into the neighborhood. Plus Norah is in class with the two other little girls she already knows.
On the first day of school Caroline and Norah walked hand-in-hand to their room.
Then when they found Tracy they grabbed her hand and together the three of them entered their classroom. So big!
Norah did not cry when Seth left. In fact, she seemed pretty okay with it. I am confident the situation would have been entirely different if she wasn't there with Caroline and Tracy. It also helped that Caroline and Norah spent the week and a half leading up to school together when we shared child care between the last day of the previous school and the first day of the new school.
Once they reached the classroom the eager beavers found seats together.
So the teacher situation and generally the hours between 8 and 3:30 feel positive to all of us.
The before and after school care, however, is taking a bit longer for Seth and me to fully embrace.
Norah is part of the YMCA program, which is available both before and after school. I really do think it is simply a matter of gaining trust in the program. I have heard positive things about it in general from both experienced parents and Norah's teacher. It also helps that since the first day, when Norah seemed to be the youngest one by far, 4 kids (2 sets of twins) from her class have joined the program. By the end of the week we are feeling much better about it. Plus, I should mention that Norah has seemed completely fine with the entire situation and has not once complained or said anything negative about any part of her new situation.
Overall I would say that while Seth and I were feeling a bit uneasy the first several days of the week, we have had a pretty good transition so far from "private" daycare to "public" school and extended care. Next week will be focused on settling into a new routine that includes getting Seth and I to work a bit earlier.
The elementary school to which we are zoned has been a bit inconsistent over the past five years, and where to send Norah has been a really tough decision. There is a strong desire by many of us in the neighborhood to send our kids (with confidence) to our zoned school, but the inconsistency in leadership and sometimes questionable direction has given us doubts.
We, along with several other families, decided to go for it. So far the new principal seems great and we lucked out by getting the really awesome pre-k teacher that I have been hearing people gush over since we moved into the neighborhood. Plus Norah is in class with the two other little girls she already knows.
On the first day of school Caroline and Norah walked hand-in-hand to their room.
Then when they found Tracy they grabbed her hand and together the three of them entered their classroom. So big!
Norah did not cry when Seth left. In fact, she seemed pretty okay with it. I am confident the situation would have been entirely different if she wasn't there with Caroline and Tracy. It also helped that Caroline and Norah spent the week and a half leading up to school together when we shared child care between the last day of the previous school and the first day of the new school.
Once they reached the classroom the eager beavers found seats together.
So the teacher situation and generally the hours between 8 and 3:30 feel positive to all of us.
The before and after school care, however, is taking a bit longer for Seth and me to fully embrace.
Norah is part of the YMCA program, which is available both before and after school. I really do think it is simply a matter of gaining trust in the program. I have heard positive things about it in general from both experienced parents and Norah's teacher. It also helps that since the first day, when Norah seemed to be the youngest one by far, 4 kids (2 sets of twins) from her class have joined the program. By the end of the week we are feeling much better about it. Plus, I should mention that Norah has seemed completely fine with the entire situation and has not once complained or said anything negative about any part of her new situation.
Overall I would say that while Seth and I were feeling a bit uneasy the first several days of the week, we have had a pretty good transition so far from "private" daycare to "public" school and extended care. Next week will be focused on settling into a new routine that includes getting Seth and I to work a bit earlier.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
First Day of New School
We survived. The day wasn't without tears, but we all made it just fine. In fact, it was really good overall.
Seth and I both took the girls into their new school this morning. We all went to Macy's room first, and it was me who shed the tears as I said goodbye. I think it was because she is so innocent and just has to go wherever we take her. I was feeling guilty (despite the fact that she was completely fine) for leaving her in an entirely new situation with a person I had only met 2 minutes before.
Her teacher, Miss Amy, was super sweet. She assured me that she would take good care of Macy and pick her up if she was fussy at all. When it was time to go, Amy reached out her hands and Macy reached for her as well.
Off to Norah's room with Miss Gloria (her main teacher is on vacation this week, but Miss Gloria will be in her classroom a lot of the time even when she gets back). As we walked toward the room Norah had on the same brave face she has been sporting for the past several weeks as we prepared for the transition, but as soon as we entered the room it was gone. She froze.
Miss Gloria asked if she wanted breakfast and Norah shook her head yes about an eighth of an inch. Miss Gloria said, "Okay, let's wash your hands and then we'll get you some french toast." We pretty much had to push Norah over to the sink and then none of us could get her to lift her arms. She just stood there with her limp arms at her sides. After a few minutes of all three of us working on it Miss Gloria helped her, commenting on her bright orange nail polish as she washed.
As soon as Norah sat down at the table she started crying. Hard. We didn't hang out too long - gave her a quick pep talk and a hug and we were off. She was bawling as we left the room.
As we walked out we checked on Macy from the window and saw her sitting at a table with a big plate of food and a fork in her hand. Such a big girl!
When I picked them up Norah was her usual, bright and cheery self. She was excited to show me around her room, tell me where she took her nap, where she sat for lunch and who she sat next to. I asked a lot of questions. Miss Gloria commented several times that Norah had a really, really good day. Apparently the only small issue was how concerned Norah was when she continued to get sand in her shoes on the playground. Tomorrow we'll try socks and tennis shoes!
The two of us set off to get Macy and as soon as we walked in she lit up and said what I think has recently become her version of "Norah." Miss Amy gave Macy a glowing report as well and said did a great job all day. She ate well (no surprise there) and slept well. They only take one nap a day and they sleep on mats. We can't imagine her staying put on a mat, but apparently she slept for 2 hours and had to be woken up to go outside. She was happy as can be, trotting around her new room as I talked with her teacher.
She blew Miss Amy a kiss goodbye and we were off.
So that's it. The much anticipated day is over. Seth predicts that Norah will have a hard time with us leaving for a few more days before she is completely comfortable. Time will tell.
This picture is of Macy giving Norah a kiss - a new favorite past time that we are all enjoying...
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