Last night was Meet the teacher at the school. The kids were so excited and looked forward to it all day long. We went to Taylor's class first. She will be in 3rd grade and she has Mrs. Hickey. She is a wonderful teacher, Travis had her and he loved her. She focuses a ton on writing and she made Travis the best story writer, and I know she will do the same for Taylor. A bunch of Taylor's friends are in her class so she is REALLY excited about that. I can't believe she will be in third grade, she is growing up so fast and is such a good girl. She is such a good student and so well liked....Good luck this year Taylor, you will do awesome!
We then headed over to Travis' class....he will be in 5th grade. He is actually going to be in a 5th/6th grade combo class. I was a little hesitant when then called a few months ago and asked if I would like him to be enrolled in this class. This class is made up of kids that are independent learners, they have to work in groups and individually quite often. They will have a lot of the same curriculum, social studies, history, etc. But they will have individual math and reading classes. I'm actually really excited about it after talking to the teacher last night. She has taught 4-6th grade for 26 years, she knows the curriculum and she is a wonderful teacher. Her name is Mrs. Nagel. Travis is really excited to have her and be in a class with 6th graders! Best of Luck Buddy!!
Last but not least, I found this story on a friends blog and I thought I'd share it with all of you....It's awesome! It talks about the things we are putting in our children's backpacks...not just supplies, but love, self worth, manners, etc. Take a second and read it, it's awesome! Thanks Jenn for sharing it with me!
Put values, not just supplies, in backpack"
By Deedee Abaroa published in the Gilbert Republic, 8-2-08
"My dollars are being spread thinner and stretched more than I can recall in my 50years of memory. The need to keep gas tanks, freezers and pantries filled is only pulling the Spandex dollar to an uncomfortable and unpredictable strain. As many parents are, I am filling my sons' well-worn school backpacks from last year (hoping the zippers will hold out a bit longer) with supplies that the schools struggle to provide. The supply lists include basic needs of paper, pencils and folders with bonus requests of facial tissue, cleaning wipes and antibacterial gel. All these items are critical for a healthy learning environment.
As an educator for more than a quarter of a century, I am hoping for a different sort of supply list, one that includes the pencil, the ream of paper and the folders but with a few extras that won't cost a penny more. This supply list also creates a healthy learning environment. How great it would be to have the stomachs of children free from hunger, worry, stress, or illnesses? How much more could a student accomplish if his or her own soul had been nourished with validating love, esteem and support? How amazing our educational communities would be if children could attend less indulged with needless fluff, could come to school from families with positive traditions,could arrive from homes where leadership actually leads rather than timidly submits to children's whims and wishes!
Being a teacher with a history in kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms, I can tell immediately those children whose backpacks are lined with love, packed with promise and filled with a firm foundation of self-worth. I always anticipate the first day of school to see how many of these little people with polite manners I can build and nurture while under my care. But alarmingly, more and more are coming with backpacks that are empty of encouragement and missing the morals of civility. Those are the children that will consume my thoughts, worries and time for the next school year, if not more.
Let's start the school year putting values back in the backpacks. I promise that schoolrooms will be well-stocked with the supplies that really make a difference, without adding more stress to the already thinning dollar."
By Deedee Abaroa published in the Gilbert Republic, 8-2-08
"My dollars are being spread thinner and stretched more than I can recall in my 50years of memory. The need to keep gas tanks, freezers and pantries filled is only pulling the Spandex dollar to an uncomfortable and unpredictable strain. As many parents are, I am filling my sons' well-worn school backpacks from last year (hoping the zippers will hold out a bit longer) with supplies that the schools struggle to provide. The supply lists include basic needs of paper, pencils and folders with bonus requests of facial tissue, cleaning wipes and antibacterial gel. All these items are critical for a healthy learning environment.
As an educator for more than a quarter of a century, I am hoping for a different sort of supply list, one that includes the pencil, the ream of paper and the folders but with a few extras that won't cost a penny more. This supply list also creates a healthy learning environment. How great it would be to have the stomachs of children free from hunger, worry, stress, or illnesses? How much more could a student accomplish if his or her own soul had been nourished with validating love, esteem and support? How amazing our educational communities would be if children could attend less indulged with needless fluff, could come to school from families with positive traditions,could arrive from homes where leadership actually leads rather than timidly submits to children's whims and wishes!
Being a teacher with a history in kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms, I can tell immediately those children whose backpacks are lined with love, packed with promise and filled with a firm foundation of self-worth. I always anticipate the first day of school to see how many of these little people with polite manners I can build and nurture while under my care. But alarmingly, more and more are coming with backpacks that are empty of encouragement and missing the morals of civility. Those are the children that will consume my thoughts, worries and time for the next school year, if not more.
Let's start the school year putting values back in the backpacks. I promise that schoolrooms will be well-stocked with the supplies that really make a difference, without adding more stress to the already thinning dollar."
Have a great weekend everyone, we are off today to the mall to finish our school shopping....does it ever end and Holy Cow, it's expensive!
3 comments:
So glad you liked the story! I saw you at costco the other day but couldn't get your attention. Did you really go in just for a fountain diet coke? Tee hee! Someone is always watching!
Kids are growing up so fast! Tear, sigh, awh. I love your cute kids! Good luck to them!
Mrs. Nagel is AWESOME (with all caps) My oldest son (now 29 yrs old-gaaa) had her YEARS ago when she first came to Madison, then she left for Wilson, now I guess she's back but you will LOVE her (so will Travis) I can't say enough good about her. (or are your kids at Wilson now-??)
Post a Comment