Delayed Post: I couldn't find the back-to-school photo!
Originally intended to post on Monday, September 12.
. . .
Caden has now had a week of school under his belt and he's loving it - having the same teacher as last year has really made it an easy transition in a time when nothing is easy. I am grateful.
It is now turn for the rest of the kids to head back!
CLAIRE is entering Senior 1 (Grade 11) and she is looking forward to a busy year. Her schedule has changed a few times with the flip flop between taking or not taking Physics. We decided three science courses would be too much and she's now settled on taking Drama instead. I think that is a good choice. She has gone back to the original plan to take kinesiology at University and that's how she chose her classes. Mid-term update: French was dropped and Media English is being studied instead. There is a plan to take French over the summer. We'll see how that goes! Claire seems to have settled in and is far more comfortable in the environment than she has been in a long time. She chose to be in music - singing in Appleby Rocks - for her first term elective and she was fantastic! Now she spends her weekends studying and practicing for the upcoming varsity volleyball season.
COLE is entering Upper 1 (Grade 9) and he is looking forward to his first year in high school. He doesn't have a lot of choice in his courses but he did make on interesting choice in his language elective: Mandarin. Um, okay. He never makes anything easy on himself. As of today the plan is to focus on engineering, though no one knows what discipline. No doubt that will change a few times in the next couple of years. Mid-term update: Cole is involved in two of the choirs and has just auditioned for the school play: Grease. Just today I received his first test mark for Mandarin ... 93%. He did manage to get hypothermia while in Temagami and within 24-hours decided to run instead of walk, the 21K walkathon, with no preparation. Sigh. I think this will be an interesting year for Cole as he figures out where he wants to fit in and the areas he wants to focus on.
CHLOE is starting her first year, Middle 1 (Grade 7) and she seems to be looking forward to this, her first day in a new environment. A uniform (she gets her tie at a ceremony today), a cafeteria - with hot meals, e-school (classes on computer), early starts and late days, 70+ new kids to get to know ... there will be a ton of adjustment. Chloé is a smart and engaging girl and I'm sure she'll find a great group of kids to hang out with. I know Claire and Cole will look out for her! Mid-term update: Chloé is settling into the long days and new routine with very little upset. She has a great group of friends and is very supportive of them and their endeavours. She played on the middle school basketball team and managed to walk the whole walkathon - in about four hours! The new community seems to suit my girl perfectly and I know she will thrive.
This is the first time in a long time, two years, I've had three kids in one school. Our mornings will prove busy as the olders head to school for first class at 8AM, Caden's first class is 8:45AM and I want to walk or swim every morning before my day starts. I'm also scheduled to volunteer at both schools which is a nice, and unexpected, change.
So though we are returning to routine in our days, our days have changed with new challenges and adventures ahead. I know the kids are looking forward to it, and so am I.
