...you know the rest of the rhyme, but doesn't apply here!
These are the women that are responsible for raising my kids for the majority of their days. I appreciate them more than they will ever know. I could go on and on about the impact they have had on my kids, but I'm sure you all know from your own experiences with your childrens' teachers.
Mrs. D - I don't know how she does it, her entire class is comprised of kids just like Loch, never ending questions and a desire to learn that is never quenched, but she does it very well, and with a always with a smile, but I bet she rolls her eyes a lot on the inside :)
We have some "big news" that I kept putting off sharing, but I can't keep it to myself any longer - Loch was selected to attend the Math & Science Academy for the Gifted starting in the fall. We knew he was a little smarty-pants but what do we know, we're his parents - of course we think that! He was identified as gifted through district testing back in 1st grade, and attended the in-school gifted class in 2nd grade, but Mrs. D urged us to apply for one of the few spots available in the Math and Science Academy. With only 20 slots open and hundreds of kids district wide applying, I was cautiously optimistic, but we got the letter of acceptance over a month ago. He is already registered and ready to rock! The school isn't that much further away luckily, and they provide transportation to the students throughout the city so I don't have to worry about that either. I'm so incredibly excited for him - of course about the academics, but even more so about the social aspect of being around other kids that are much like him. I expect the bully/nerd thing he has been experiencing will ease up a bit for him. I'm so proud of Loch and so fortunate to have had Mrs. D urge us to apply and make sure Loch has been challenged and socially accepted within his classroom the past year, she's just awesome! :)
Mrs. P - the quintessential kindergarten teacher. Always smiling, greets each child with a hug or handshake, their preference LOL, each and every day. She's expecting her very first child of her own and I'm so excited for her. Finn was very sad to move on today and made me promise we'd go back to her class next year to visit so he can bring her a basket of garden goodies.
Proud Daddy - he missed Loch's events at school due to the past 2 deployments, but he was able to make it this time.
Finn's classroom. We are in the biggest elementary school in the district with 10 kindergarden classes alone, yet there are only 12 kids per class so I have been ecstatic about the quality time with the teacher he receives while he's learning.
Last but certainly not least - Ms. Angela! How the heck she does it with this smile on her face every day I'll never know. Bus full of screaming little kids, no A/C, 98 degree temps, always on time, yet she always looks as happy as this. Finn and Loch gave her a little patio tomato plant today to show our appreciation for all she does.
I feel fortunate to be so happy with our experiences with public school, in a city with a population of half a million people even! Not everyone is this lucky, and it is so important we change this, but I won't get started on the politics of education, it's just preaching to the choir. :)
Mrs. D, Mrs. P, Ms. Angela - thanks ladies, you rock!
Boy.....classrooms have gotten really fancy since I've been in kindergarden. I have to say though, being a child of the 80's was really awesome.
ReplyDeleteGreat teachers are a blessing.
uuuummmmmm....my google code word was "menses"....WHAT??????!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWTG Loch!! That is fantastic. Looks like your boys had very special teachers this past year. I hope next year they get equally as good ones.
ReplyDeleteThomas, no kidding! I don't remember my classroom looking like that at all, I only remember the kid behind me that ate paste LOL, and what's up with the word verification? haha
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Sparkless, I love their teachers so much I actually do fear that our luck peaked this year and I'm a little anxious to meet next years' LOL
Congratulations, Loch! And Finn, I know you are going to love first grade. Just think, you'll be one of the "big kids" next school year!
ReplyDelete:) I'm so glad for you and the boys that you've had such good experiences. Happy summer!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo!! Excellent. Good teachers at such an early age are so important. Good luck next year, Loch!
ReplyDeleteGood stuff all around, you are understandably one proud mama!! And only 12 kids!?!? Our district has 22-26 kids per K class, and Shaun's class had 22 without an aid. Then again, this is why I chose to homeschool.....22 5&6 year olds and one teacher does not make for an enriched classroom.
ReplyDeleteTell Loch & Finn happy summer vacation for me. :)
Congrats, Loch! I hope you all enjoy your summer vacation. And what a nice testament to the fabulous teachers out there!! Looks like your kids have some sweethearts!! :)
ReplyDeleteGran, I'm not normally emotional about the kids growing up, but I admit I'd like Finn to stay a little guy just a wee bit longer!
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Patty, it's unfortunate that good public schools are so rare these days, it's never the teachers' fault since there hands are usually tied by policy and politics :( we just got lucky since the Navy decides where we live :)
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Ribbit, teachers are awesome - yes, I'm talking to YOU! :)
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Kelly, our classes are that small and have assistants, too but just at the kindergarten level. I think you are doing a wonderful thing homeschooling. I was preparing myself to do that as well before I got to know the schools here. The parents are the best judge of what their children need and parents that step up to give it to them no matter the sacrifice are awesome too, so congrats!
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Mama Tea, they are definitely lucky - now for next year? LOL...
Way to go Loch!
ReplyDeleteHope you got that collage money staring to accumulate-your gonna need it for those 8 years of collage he'll be needing for his doctorate degree,but than Loch will probably do it in 6. LOL CONGRATULATIONS--YOU HAVE TO TAKE SOME CREDIT.
ReplyDeleteDani, we are proud of him!
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Judy, this might shock a lot of people, but we have no intention of footing the bill for college - he'll use student loans or go ROTC just like my parents, brothers and I did! There's no way we'd ever be able to save enough for college and student loans aren't so bad :)
Great big congratulations to Loch! But you can't forget where he came from. Those genes you provided have made him the super-intelligent little guy he is.
ReplyDeleteI keep forgetting Finn is just in kindergarten! He may be different than Loch but he has a LOT on the beam, too. Seems more mature in many ways than his age.
Methinks Loch will not have to worry about paying his own way through higher education. They will be courting and paying him to attend their schools!
You are very fortunate to have the good school system you do to give your boys a wonderful start to their educational years. That can make or break a child's desire to learn.
FANTASTIC! You guys certainly have lots to celebrate! What a wonderful opportunity to go to such a great school! And yes, thank goodness for wonderful teachers who encourage great things also. Very nice of you to tribute all the folks at school!
ReplyDeleteMama Pea, aw thanks... I think he gets it mostly from my mom, she's a very smart lady and it just comes naturally to her. I also say maybe it's because my doctor prescribed a couple of glasses of wine a week during pregnancy as well as little mini-shots of Guinness to help with anemia LOL!!!! Who knows? We are anxiously awaiting to see what Finn's "thing" is, I think this summer I'm going to watch carefully and see what he loves most, I sometimes feel he has the "2nd Kid Syndrome" haha.
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APG, I sure don't ever want to take the local schools here for granted, I know it's a rare thing to be satisfied with the school system. Of course it could all change in the blink of an eye, but at the teacher level, they are just amazing and have so much more patience than I ... that's why we need to treat them well:)