Firsts

 

Well we are back at school . . . at least for the time-being! We are hopeful it will be as normal as possible and not-canceled permanently!

Lucy had her first day on Thursday - Emmy's birthday. She found out her teacher the day before, Mr. Stammler. I do not really know any of the 4th-grade teachers (none of them were there when the other 3 were in 4th-grade), but Lucy really wanted him and so was, of course, thrilled to get him. Some of her best-friends are not in her class, so that's a bummer. But she still LOVED school so much. So much! Only the 5th-graders are required to wear masks at school, so Lucy only wears one when she gets her temperature taken prior to entering the building (which is required). Apparently quite a few other kids followed her mask-less-ness when they saw her. Lucy stated that a girl at her table asked her if they had to wear masks. Lucy replied no, which is correct. So, per Lucy, the girl took her's down and quite a few (most per Lucy) of the other students followed . . . For better or for worse. I am definitely on the "for better" camp. :) I don't think her teacher was referring to this incident, but he did message me that afternoon telling me that Lucy did awesome that day and was a natural class leader. Ha. Lucy does wash her hands every hour. They do almost all their work on iPads. But other than that, Lucy loved it and thought it seemed pretty normal.

Jonas had his 9th-grade orientation that Thursday as well. 

As mentioned previously, Jonas will be taking one class at the high school (creative writing this quarter, PE next). But he still attended orientation and actually loved it. I think he's a little bummed now that he won't be at the high school more, but I still think it's good given his absurd schedule. I did tell him he could switch to the high school come next semester (if they have space for him . . . ). So he's not too upset about it. Plus, I reminded him 1. Everyone is home half the time anyways and 2. It won't be fun as orientation day when everyone is together, attending outdoor assemblies, etc. He ate lunch with friends at Subway - which I also have told him he can meet up with friends for lunch. He came home for a bit (while the others were at their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd period classes). He went back for 4th period as that is when creative writing is. He was the only student there that day - because he is the only freshman in that class. Huh, who knew it was for all grade levels!? So Jonas is actually excited that there will be 10th, 11th, and 12th graders in his class. He loved his teacher - a sort of hippy of a guy. :)

Emmy's first day of school (which was really more of an orientation day as well) was on Friday.

What an adorable 7th-grader. She, too, had a really good day. School turned out to not be as strict and restrictive as we thought - kids are changing classes, there is some variety in your classmates in each class, etc. She was happy about school and so glad to be back. This week she is remote - which we aren't really sure what that will look like. Her teachers are teaching every week - so it's like they check-in with the remote kids for 10-minutes, then they are to work on their assignments. We'l see how that goes . . . it sounds actually kind of lame and pathetic. Even some teachers (and the principal whom we spoke with as we dropped off Emmy) were less-than-excited about their remote teaching. But whatever! We'll take what we can get and are so grateful they are trying to do something!

So Miles had his 11th-grade orientation at the high school, so we'll count that as his first day of school. :) He is finishing up some summer courses he had to take, then we'll start next week on his full-load of 11th-grade classes from BYU. He's taking Ceramics and PE at the high school these next two quarters. 

Yay, seminary! Jonas' first year! The boys have the same teacher - the same one who Miles had last year. She's fantastic. They will take Miles' car once a week, but other than that, they will ride their bikes. It's good for their body and mind and uses way less gas. :)

Here's off to a great year, we hope! (We'll even take a good year, ha.)