7 quick takes (vol. 2)

--- 1 ---

Continuing with the school themed posts here. On Thursday I was fortunate to be able to attend a salmon release field trip with my daughter at Taku Lake. We also went to Potter's Marsh boardwalk for a number of presentations by ADF&G. It was cold, hovering in the high 40s, overcast sky. I had a small group of 3 kids, including Perpetua. The lines were long (as in, we waited 25 minutes to participate in one activity; at several learning stations the point of access was 2-3 children deep, another popular station had a wait of upwards of one HOUR. We were there for two hours total and supposed to eat lunch as well!) If someone was looking for input from me, a regular parent? It'd be that the folks putting on the event - which is really great - need to extend it to two days instead of one and halve the number of schools/attendees on each day. It would REALLY make a difference to the participants and the enthusiasm of the kids.

--- 2 ---

I read elsewhere the term "April Angst" regarding schooling choices for the next year. I have one child exiting elementary and entering "middle school" (7th grade) in fall of 2013. Our school is unfortunately situated right on the boundary line for two middle schools. The north side of major street sends kids to one middle school and the south side to another. Splits the 6th grade class roughly in half. I had a strange, random interaction with a staff member I met that morning that "really likes (my son) and that I need to watch out for him at middle school because he's one of the quieter kids. It struck me as odd because - ALL schools, ALL forms of school, have their drawbacks. The things to watch for. We don't live in a ghetto and I've had limited experience with students of both schools. The perception is that one school is THE one to go to - except for the kids and parents I know that have referenced a kind of exclusive social mix there, and the problems that might entail. We did tour our zoned middle school and the children seemed outgoing, confident and excited about their activities. Allen was offered the choice of electives he seemed excited about participating in and we are going to give it a try while reserving the option to change our minds at any point - just the same as we approach school for each of our other kids!

--- 3 ---

All the stuff in point #2 above? Goes for Kid #2 who will be trying out a new school in the fall. There are a lot of reasons we've decided to move in that direction, many specific to that child. It's a place I hope he finds encouraging. We have had a really good fourth grade year at our current school and I'm taking the long view towards hoping this is a place he can stay through high school. Yes, we did apply at that same charter school for kid #1, but the lottery system was not (ever) in our favor and he is currently at spot #14 on a waiting list for a seat. I have been reluctant to discuss our choice with people because I can sense the questions as to why we decided to make this change and I can't seem to answer them in a non-loaded fashion. The reasons are positive and hopeful, you'll just have to trust me. And if the school isn't a good fit? We will exercise our option to remove him from it.

--- 4 ---

I had the pleasure of attending the Spring Chorus/2nd, 4th and 6th grade choir concert. Allen and Perpetua both participate in an extracurricular chorus. Allen has participated since his first year at this school (4th grade) and really enjoyed it. Last year he em-cee'd a school concert and it's given him an area to develop his interests in. Perpetua has participated since first grade, the youngest this activity is open to joining so this is her third session. The teacher did a good job of organizing the kids, involving the audience, playing the accompanying music, and even making recorder playing by the 4th graders interesting.

--- 5 ---

By some minor miracle that might have involved me crawling under the boys' bunk bed to get forgotten library books, we are not currently in arrears with the school library. My kids love reading and we always have books out from the municipal library, same goes for the school library. They are supposed to turn them in weekly but tend to keep them out longer. Sometimes for a really. long. time. However, all's well that ends well and I didn't have to pay any fines, or replace any books! I feel so accomplished!

--- 6 ---

The last day of school is May 23rd. That week especially is filled with special parties, schoolwide BBQ lunches, class parties, field trips, graduation ceremonies.... GEEZ. Having a kid finishing their first year in Kindergarten and exiting the school as a 6th grade graduate - it's a lot. And then throw in two more kids finishing up a fantastic second and fourth grade year, along with 3 kids ages 4, 2 and 1 to have along on these outings. Wow. Deep, cleansing breaths.

--- 7 ---

I know I've mentioned it before, but I feel like we just hit our stride in school in the last month and now it's ending. I would never trade my free summer time with the kids away for "more school" and it would really slay me to have any formal indoor school during the Alaskan summertime which is meant to be spent almost entirely outside... it's hard to see years that largely went well for ALL of the kids to end. I know, statistically, that this may not recur. We got lucky this year even though some kids had a few bumps with assignments being turned in. It's all a process. Here's to living in the moment through the next two weeks and appreciating each day for what it is.

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