Wrapping Up the School Year

George and the girls have really mastered distance learning. George likes to Webex his class while texting his best bud during the class. 

Classes are winding down, and we are awaiting the final activities of the 2019/2020 school year.  

These Weird Times

Sunrise at the bus stop 

The trio last attended school on March 13th, meaning it has been 40 days since we have seen a sunrise. 

These are such weird times. We try to focus on the positive, and we keep news light around the house, especially with the family. However, I have the national and state COVID dashboards running on my iPad at all times, and it's just such a weird and stressful time in a lot of ways.  We focus on the positives but are constantly aware that there are so many variables creating a long road back to normalcy.  

We try to focus on the aspects of this situation that we like. We like having everyone home. We actually like distance learning, although I know how much they want to see their friends. We miss people... family, church, friends. They do miss their sports and extracurriculars, but we love having time to ride bikes, play board games, cook, etc. 

Some things we don't miss at all... like getting up at 5:30am.  

ExtraCurriculars (Remote Edition)

We are grateful for the opportunity to continue our schedule as much as possible. 

Lauren and Grace have fallen into a comfortable routine of having their dance classes on Monday and Tuesday now via Zoom. This has been a great way to keep in touch with their friends from dance, stay active with stretches and technique and to try to learn the routines they were going to perform at the recital in May, which has been postponed indefinitely.  

The good news is that they still get to dance, and Grace is getting to use the new pointe shoes we purchased at the end of February (versus her just outgrowing them during the downtime). But seriously, they are enjoying continuing their schedules as much as possible. 

When school abruptly ended on March 13th, Lauren's instrument was left behind. We were able to go to school Tuesday for a "zero contact" pick up. The band director had left the instruments spaced apart on the sidewalk and was overseeing the pick up from approximately twenty feet away. In addition to dance, they have resumed instrument practice. 

Seeing the school closed and quiet was a little weird for them, but Lauren was excited to have her flute back. 

As mentioned previously, George works on robotics at home on Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

Lastly, George has gotten the girls involved in Minecraft so they spend some time working on that together. This has kept them busy for hours on end, and we can see some of the educational benefits of that particular game. 

How are you staying busy during the quarantine? Have you picked up a new hobby, or are you enjoying more time with a hobby you rarely have time to enjoy? 

Connected

Although our district will not officially start remote learning until Monday, George had some opportunities this week to connect. He had a robotics webinar wherein VEX announced its plans for the next year, allowing for programming from any device to accommodate our new situation. 

George also had a video conference with his class to talk about how next week will work, what will be expected and how work will be assigned. His class will meet once per week for a video conference. George enjoyed seeing his class and participating in school again. 

Lauren and Grace have continued to have online work, as that is how their school normally operates. Today they received their schedule for next week, and their classes will be online. 

We remain so impressed with our teachers and their efforts to continue teaching their students. We live in the largest district in our state, and they have cobbled together an impressive strategy in such a short time. We are thankful for continued learning opportunities. 

PS: While George was busy being studious, Lauren and Grace put together a short film wherein they explore where their friends' and teachers' personalities intersect.  

Annual 5K + Service Day

Today was supposed to be the sixth annual Bulldog 5K Run at George's school. The girls ran the 5K many times, and George has been looking forward to the run for a long time. We decided to proceed with a 5K at home. George was so excited, and Lauren and Grace were good sports to do it with him. We ran the 5K in our quiet neighborhood, practicing social distancing. This was just for fun, and we didn't keep times. Our "track" involved six uphill climbs, which tested their commitment, but they stuck it out.  

Today was also supposed to be "Service Day" at Lauren and Grace's school. The girls were scheduled to volunteer with the Cahaba River Keepers. They were going to canoe down the Cahaba to some remote locations and pick up debris. They had been very excited about the assignment and were disappointed with school was closed. 

The service day assignments shifted to finding a service project at home. Skip came through with them with a weeding project. They were charged with weeding the front and side flower beds. Since the girls helped George with his 5K recreation, he pitched in and helped them with their service project. 

After the 5K and some yard work, they were basically done for the day. So proud of their hard work. 

Stream Night

Last night, George's school had "STREAM" night, a quick come-and-go event where we looked at the science, technological, reading, engineering, artistic and mathematics activities they have been working on. Also, it gave everyone a chance to check out the newly opened building. The new building houses third, fourth and fifth grade classrooms so George is one of the lucky ducks who get to finish out his elementary years in the new space. 

We loved getting to see his new classroom and new work space and remain thankful for this investment in his school. 

Growth at George's School

For the past 18 months there has been construction at George's school. The school will expand, by some estimates almost doubling in student population. Certainly, these are exciting times at our little school. Today there was an official ribbon cutting ceremony, a tour and a small reception.  

I thought I had successfully avoided the camera, but there I am, third from left (in black, of course). 

George's class is so excited about moving in. George is also third from left (below) with gold sleeves.  

We are so happy for George's school for all of the opportunities that growth will bring.

Car Pool

Pixie's favorite thing to do is be in the car, participating in all of the drop off/pick up errands. She usually gets to go, but because she panics and barks at everyone, sometimes she loses privileges. Today, she got to go again, and her intensity while waiting for one of "her people" to walk through the door is at high alert. 

Pixie loves her humans.  

School Supplies 2019-2020

Although we are still not ready for summer to be over, the trio have been looking forward to the school supplies lists being posted. We finally have both school's lists, and Lauren was the ringleader on getting us organized for the shopping excursion. 

JCIB Awards Day 2019

The last couple of weeks have been incredibly busy at middle school. There has been the usual homework, and there have been group projects in every class. Lauren and Grace have tried to stay competitive, and they have been working to finish strong. 

They have learned the pros and cons of working with a group, and they have learned that when a classmate drops the ball, someone has to do the work or their grade will suffer. Although unfair, in the end, if they want an A, they have to do the work. This has been a tough lesson over the last two weeks. One night Grace was up until 11:30 editing video and making corrections to other's work.  Their hard work has paid off. 

When the school year began, we talked with them about expectations... that they might not make all A's in their new, rigorous environment... that they might make B's... that they might even make a C. What we told them has been reinforced by teachers and counselors. The goal of their school is to challenge students, and they instruct students to focus more on the process than the grade they earn.

They worked so hard this year, and they were both ecstatic to receive a letter saying that they would be honored at awards day this morning.  

Grace proudly received the A-B Honor Roll certificate. She made all A's and a few B's in math. We are so proud of her diligence and determination.  Outside of grades, she has grown so much over the past year into a confident and capable speaker. She has given so many presentations this year that she is comfortable speaking in front of groups of students.  Gracie also earned "highest average" in her English class.  

Lauren proudly received the A Honor Roll certificate. Lauren also earned highest average in her math, science, and social studies classes. She also received a sportsmanship award in PE. Lauren has also worked incredibly hard and has proven herself to be a true leader at her school. 

Grace and Lauren, you made it! And we are so proud of you! 

Game Day 2019

George's elementary school was working so hard to try to fit in May Day this year, but with weather and testing, this proved impossible. They got creative and decided to have a school wide play day for students. George went to school today armed with Uno cards and Jenga, and he had a big smile on his face the entire ride to school.

JCIB Field Day 2019

Today was field day at middle school! 

Because this event had been scheduled and canceled due to rain previously, they were excited to see the date finally arrive. They have been working exceptionally hard this last nine weeks, and needed some time outdoors to run around. 

Updated to add: Because of ALL of the rain (all the livelong day!), they were unable to mow the grass prior to the event, but when I ran an errand to school the next day, the yard crew was busy at work. 

They had a great day, proving that one is never too old to run around outside and have a good time. 

Pajama Day

Most fortuitously, today is pajama day at both the girls' middle school and George's elementary school. So happy to have a group picture for PJ day!

2019 Bulldog 5K

George participated in his school's sixth annual 5K recently. He was super excited, but maybe a little nervous. Last year was his first 5K at school, but he had his sisters (and their cool guy friends) cheering him on. Or, as he said, "It's going to be a lot harder this year because I won't have 'D' helping me..." George reminded me that "D" ran his last lap with him last year. Lauren and Grace were very bummed about not being able to attend, but we all assured George he was going to have a FANTASTIC run!

As a second grader, George ran with the K-2 group. Skip was there to cheer him on while I helped volunteer at the finish line. All of a sudden, a friend gave me the heads up that George was on his last lap and heading for the finish line. We were all so surprised that he finished so quickly. George ran through the finish arch at 26:32, finishing first in second grade and posting one of the top times school-wide.

George, we love to watch you run and are so proud of how hard you worked!

PS: Remember past school 5K's?

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014