Ava was so excited to start school this year, as a first-grader at Murdock Elementary. Liam is in his Pre-Kindergarten year at Lighthouse Academy. He is excited to be "Big Man On Campus," in the oldest class at Lighthouse, now that the older summer campers are back to school.
We went to Murdock's class list posting party on Friday, August 3rd, to see who Ava's first grade teacher would be. Ava saw her buddies Issy Lacasella and Ella Wheeler. They all had to find out what class the other was in; Ava and Issy are in class together. :) Ava is in Mrs. Lane's class with 23 other students:
Natalie Alexis Allphin
Mariana Alvarez
Gal Amir (was in kindergarten with Ava)
Caanan True Armour
Klara Blanka Stefania Babinska
Jaret Ian Beck
Janae Veronica Lanoiox Bermudez
Ava Elise Carey
Krista Mary Foley
William Logan Groover
Elizabeth Brooke Katz (is in Girl Scout Daisies with Ava)
Adarsh Krishna
Isabelle Makena Lacasella (was in kindergarten with Ava / is in Daisies, too.)
Nathaniel Martin Long
Taylor Kate McCook
Romil Hitendra Mehta
Alexis Haley Needle
Taylor Mackenzie Owen (is in Girl Scout Daisies with Ava)
Brennan Arc Renna (the P.E. teacher's son)
Ava Michelle Rocco (who, from what I can tell, will be "Ava R.")
Dana Rose Shekastehband
Carter David Sirota
Samantha Elaine Tener (the computer teacher's son)
Liam Merric Tilden
At first, I was a little concerned, since Ava's class seemed to have the highest number of students enrolled (24). After speaking with Ava's friend's Mom, I was told that a few first grade teachers don't have any EIP students in them, so they have more students. (EIP- Early Intervention Program, for those students who might need more help during the school day). Mrs. Lane also doesn't have a para-pro (student teacher), so I assume her students would need to function well independently, with little assistance. I think Ava will do fine, but did remind her that she will definitely need to be sure to ask for help, if she needs it, given the number of kids in her class.
I think we probably lucked out, as someone else pointed out. Mrs. Lane's class consists of the PTA president's daughter, the gym teacher's son (Mr. Renna) and the computer teacher's daughter (Mr. Tener). Last year the children of Mr. Renna and Mr. Tener were also in the same kindergarten class. Coincidence? Probably not. ;-)
I did think it was pretty funny that Ava is in a classroom with:
2 Ava's
2 Taylors
1 Liam
She is doing so well with reading! We've read the first Ivy and Bean book, and a few of the Magic Tree House books. "Ivy and Bean" books seem to be her speed, since they're about two best friends who are girls and the fun they have together. We will definitely be focusing on comprehension and spelling this year. She seems to have a knack for reading.
We then attended Murdock's "Meet-And-Greet" the Thursday before school started. This allows students and teachers to sign-up for PTA, MESF, After-School Program, pay for lunch in advance, sign-up for any after-school extra curricular clubs, find their desk and meet their new teacher / classmates. We ordered our school supplies through the PTA this year, which was nice. We shopped for treasure box items at the dollar store. Ava is signed-up for KidzArt, to take place on Thursday afternoons. Her BFF Cosette will be attending, as well. Olivia, our neighbor, will be going, too, so it should be fun!
I'm so excited to see what is in store for Ava this year at Murdock, with Mrs. Lane! In my first grade journal, I ended every day's journal entry with the phrase "And I love Mrs. Panza." I hope the same rings true for Ava. :) Exciting times.
Liam is now in Miss Ebony's pre-k class at school. I am so thankful! She is a great teacher. I'm hoping introducing him to the Abeka reading program is as helpful to him, as it was to Ava. Pre-K will definitely be more learning and less free play. I've mentioned to Liam that we need to be sure to learn lots, so he's ready for kindergarten next year. He will be one of the youngest in kindergarten, since his birthday is in July. The cut-off here is September 1st. We've got our work cut-out for us this year! I'm sure he will do great, though. I love spending time with him in the morning, after Ava is on the bus, to read and work on motor skills / writing. It is our special time together. :)
At Lighthouse, he is with the same motley crew, including Aiden, Marissa, Frankie, Kwame, Trey, Taylor. Amazing how long these little ones have been together! This has been the only school Liam has ever attended. It will be nice to have no day care payment next year, and have Liam in "big kid" school. He was a little sad when he figured out he wouldn't be riding the bus with Ava and Olivia. Soon enough. :)
Speaking of the bus, this year the neighborhood bus stop grew from three students to five (Olivia and Meilani are attending kindergarten this year). You can see the busy-ness of our little neighborhood fairly early in the morning, now. So we now have a 4th grader (Nicholas Argentis), 3rd grader (Matthew Quinn), 1st grader (Ava) and two kindergarteners (Olivia and Meilani). Mr. Mike, the bus driver, won 1st in the state "Road-eo" competition, and then went on to win 2nd place in the NATION! On the first day of school, I congratulated him. I'm SO thankful we have him transporting our precious cargo to school.
Peace, love and first-day-of-school excitement,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
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