Ava's first official school picture: Kindergarten, Fall 2011
Liam's school picture from the Three Year-Old Class at Lighthouse Academy:
Fall 2011
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
The First Report Card
We met with Mrs. Mckenzie, Ava's teacher, during the afternoon of Thursday, 10/27. I was so anxious to see how Ava was doing in class! When we arrived, Mrs. Mckenzie mentioned that Doug was her second "Dad" of the day, so he got the big chair. ;-)
Mrs. Mckenzie is amazing. And wow, Ava is ONLY in kindergarten. But to know the skills she is expected to master... it's daunting! Going into the conference, I thought Ava was probably the best reader in the class, based on the popcorn word lists she has mastered versus her classmates. Mrs. Mckenzie mentioned she does have quite the range of readers in her class, with some even reading fluently right now. I thought Ava would be considered a fluent reader. Mrs. Mckenzie mentioned she would've put Ava in the #2 readers, but because Ava read the #2 book and couldn't answer questions about what she just read, Mrs. Mckenzie opted to put her in the #1 group, until Ava comprehended what she read. I honestly think Ava could've answered questions after she read the #2 book a second time, but alas, we will just continue reading every night and see where it takes us. I realized that I need to be reading with her more. We've been so busy lately with things, that I honestly haven't done as much reading with her as I would like.
So, it's definitely a learning curve for me, to get used to what is expected of students, how they determine reading level, etc. I bought some cheap readers from Lakeshore Learning Store and Ava is gobbling them up. I bought a huge range of reading levels, so she could build her confidence on easier books and then attempt the more difficult level books if she wanted to do so. She can read up through level G-H right now. I didn't buy any higher than the G-H level. For now, I think we'll concentrate on boosting the confidence level. She seems to be having fun with it, but does get immediately intimidated if there are too many words on one page.
Everything Mrs. Mckenzie told us was confirmation of what we've known already. It's very cool to see Ava's sweet personality and listen to what her teachers say about her. She is our creative, determined, focused, music-and-art-loving little princess. I was very glad to hear Mrs. Mckenzie say that Ava takes constructive criticism well. She has been sensitive in the past with crticism, but seems to really be embracing any criticism if it is given in a constructive way. With their writing assignments, Mrs. Mckenzie says each child in the class is given a "Wow" statement, as well as a "Wish" statement. The "wow" statement giving praise for something the child did, the "wish" statement allowing the teacher to give the student some constructive criticism. I love that every child gets this, that it is given in a structured way, so as not to make the child feel inadequate. Ava is blossoming in class. She can be playful at times, but when she is told to change her behavior, she does very well.
She really seems to love school! We let her pick out a few books at Target that night, to celebrate her amazing report card. :)
Peace, love and a GREAT first report card!
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
Mrs. Mckenzie is amazing. And wow, Ava is ONLY in kindergarten. But to know the skills she is expected to master... it's daunting! Going into the conference, I thought Ava was probably the best reader in the class, based on the popcorn word lists she has mastered versus her classmates. Mrs. Mckenzie mentioned she does have quite the range of readers in her class, with some even reading fluently right now. I thought Ava would be considered a fluent reader. Mrs. Mckenzie mentioned she would've put Ava in the #2 readers, but because Ava read the #2 book and couldn't answer questions about what she just read, Mrs. Mckenzie opted to put her in the #1 group, until Ava comprehended what she read. I honestly think Ava could've answered questions after she read the #2 book a second time, but alas, we will just continue reading every night and see where it takes us. I realized that I need to be reading with her more. We've been so busy lately with things, that I honestly haven't done as much reading with her as I would like.
So, it's definitely a learning curve for me, to get used to what is expected of students, how they determine reading level, etc. I bought some cheap readers from Lakeshore Learning Store and Ava is gobbling them up. I bought a huge range of reading levels, so she could build her confidence on easier books and then attempt the more difficult level books if she wanted to do so. She can read up through level G-H right now. I didn't buy any higher than the G-H level. For now, I think we'll concentrate on boosting the confidence level. She seems to be having fun with it, but does get immediately intimidated if there are too many words on one page.
Everything Mrs. Mckenzie told us was confirmation of what we've known already. It's very cool to see Ava's sweet personality and listen to what her teachers say about her. She is our creative, determined, focused, music-and-art-loving little princess. I was very glad to hear Mrs. Mckenzie say that Ava takes constructive criticism well. She has been sensitive in the past with crticism, but seems to really be embracing any criticism if it is given in a constructive way. With their writing assignments, Mrs. Mckenzie says each child in the class is given a "Wow" statement, as well as a "Wish" statement. The "wow" statement giving praise for something the child did, the "wish" statement allowing the teacher to give the student some constructive criticism. I love that every child gets this, that it is given in a structured way, so as not to make the child feel inadequate. Ava is blossoming in class. She can be playful at times, but when she is told to change her behavior, she does very well.
She really seems to love school! We let her pick out a few books at Target that night, to celebrate her amazing report card. :)
Peace, love and a GREAT first report card!
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
Monday, September 19, 2011
"One Rotten Apple Ruins Its Neighbors"
Ava has been LOVING school. This month, her apple has been "in the sunshine" more than not. Kids are allowed to put their apple in the "sunshine"only if they've done something outstanding, listened well, were kind to someone or followed directions well on that particular day. The teacher sends a calendar home in their Kinder keeper, stamping a sunshine on that day, if they did really well. If there is no sunshine, their apple remained in the tree, which is also good. If there is a number and a letter, it is a code (referring to a legend) relating to a type of bad behavior and number of occurrences. The apple can go down into the trunk, into the grass, onto the dirt and finally (drum roll please...) into the bucket. Bucket = bad.
Ava had been mentioning one little boy's name (Riley) for the first few weeks. She sits at a table with Riley, Hannah and Marek. Riley sounded like a smart cookie, reading "chapter books," an apple-in-the-sunshine kind of kid. One day a few weeks ago, Ava had to move her apple "down on the tree" (to the trunk), for not listening to instructions, which was surprising. She is normally a really good listener, so we assumed it was a one-time deal. The next day the apple had to move down again. We addressed the behavior with her that day, again.
I noticed she would mention Marek's name on the days her apple moved down on the tree. She mentioned that he had to move his apple down on some of those days, too. When I inquired more about the behavior situation, she said "Marek likes to get me in trouble...He likes to try to bite me..." The next day, on a Friday, her apple had to be moved down yet again. Yikes. I sent a message to the teacher (for another unrelated reason, as well), asking if I was hearing the entire story. She told me she would call me the following Monday.
In the meantime, I told Ava about horses and "blinders," telling her that horses wear them to focus on going the fastest they possibly can during races. I mentioned that if the horses don't wear the blinders, they probably wouldn't go as fast, because they might get distracted looking at something else. I put my hands up to my eyes and showed her what blinders were like. She did the same thing. I told her that she should pretend like she has blinders on at school, so she can focus on her schoolwork only. I also told her I probably should've mentioned that her new school is much more about learning than she was used to at Lighthouse Academy. I mentioned she could play at Lighthouse during the day, but at this new school we definitely needed to follow the teacher's directions and learn as much as we possibly can, that there were specific times set-aside for playing. She was game.
Ava's teacher is THE. BEST. In fact, when I picked her up yesterday from school, someone mentioned to me that she, too, loved Mrs. McKenzie, that "Mrs. McKenzie has the kids eating out of the palm of her hand...even though she expects quite a bit from them, they rise to the occasion." Very cool. So Mrs. McKenzie did call me that Monday. She mentioned Ava is a great student, that she loves having Ava in her class, but said she can be a bit "playful". I know this. Mrs. McKenzie did mention that she was going to move the seats around anyway, so she would be sure to move Ava's seat away from Marek, to minimize any distraction. She said she told Ava to not hesitate if Marek (or anyone else) tries to bite her. Love Mrs. McKenzie.
That same Monday, Ava came home beaming, saying her "apple was in the sunshine." Woo-hoo! It was only later I found out that Marek was out sick that day and the next, when Ava's apple was in the sunshine again. (Go Ava!) Hmm...are you sensing a pattern here? ;-)
I honestly would be fine if her apple wasn't in the sunshine everyday, as long as she wasn't required to move it down. If it is moving down, we definitely need to address the behavior. The consequence of an apple moving down is fewer minutes playing in the "fun centers" on Fun Fridays. I love that there are tangible consequences for the kids. Great motivation to change the behavior.
When I volunteered last week in Ava's classroom, I got to meet all of the kids. It was so fun! The kids learned all about apples. Marek was a mild-mannered boy. I did have to redirect his attention to the task at hand a few times, so I have a feeling that particular tendency most likely played into his interactions with Ava. He really did seem like a sweet kid. I'm not saying he is the bad apple, but thought the Chaucer quote was apropo here! ("One Rotten Apple Ruins Its Neighbors")
Since Ava has changed seats, she seems to be doing EXTREMELY well. Her apple has not since "moved down." She seems to be liking her new table, too. She wishes she sat at her friend Ella's table (as well as another friend), but I told her I'm sure that day will come, since they will be changing seats again later in the year.
Peace, love and sun-shiney apples for everyone,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
I noticed she would mention Marek's name on the days her apple moved down on the tree. She mentioned that he had to move his apple down on some of those days, too. When I inquired more about the behavior situation, she said "Marek likes to get me in trouble...He likes to try to bite me..." The next day, on a Friday, her apple had to be moved down yet again. Yikes. I sent a message to the teacher (for another unrelated reason, as well), asking if I was hearing the entire story. She told me she would call me the following Monday.
In the meantime, I told Ava about horses and "blinders," telling her that horses wear them to focus on going the fastest they possibly can during races. I mentioned that if the horses don't wear the blinders, they probably wouldn't go as fast, because they might get distracted looking at something else. I put my hands up to my eyes and showed her what blinders were like. She did the same thing. I told her that she should pretend like she has blinders on at school, so she can focus on her schoolwork only. I also told her I probably should've mentioned that her new school is much more about learning than she was used to at Lighthouse Academy. I mentioned she could play at Lighthouse during the day, but at this new school we definitely needed to follow the teacher's directions and learn as much as we possibly can, that there were specific times set-aside for playing. She was game.
Ava's teacher is THE. BEST. In fact, when I picked her up yesterday from school, someone mentioned to me that she, too, loved Mrs. McKenzie, that "Mrs. McKenzie has the kids eating out of the palm of her hand...even though she expects quite a bit from them, they rise to the occasion." Very cool. So Mrs. McKenzie did call me that Monday. She mentioned Ava is a great student, that she loves having Ava in her class, but said she can be a bit "playful". I know this. Mrs. McKenzie did mention that she was going to move the seats around anyway, so she would be sure to move Ava's seat away from Marek, to minimize any distraction. She said she told Ava to not hesitate if Marek (or anyone else) tries to bite her. Love Mrs. McKenzie.
I honestly would be fine if her apple wasn't in the sunshine everyday, as long as she wasn't required to move it down. If it is moving down, we definitely need to address the behavior. The consequence of an apple moving down is fewer minutes playing in the "fun centers" on Fun Fridays. I love that there are tangible consequences for the kids. Great motivation to change the behavior.
When I volunteered last week in Ava's classroom, I got to meet all of the kids. It was so fun! The kids learned all about apples. Marek was a mild-mannered boy. I did have to redirect his attention to the task at hand a few times, so I have a feeling that particular tendency most likely played into his interactions with Ava. He really did seem like a sweet kid. I'm not saying he is the bad apple, but thought the Chaucer quote was apropo here! ("One Rotten Apple Ruins Its Neighbors")
Since Ava has changed seats, she seems to be doing EXTREMELY well. Her apple has not since "moved down." She seems to be liking her new table, too. She wishes she sat at her friend Ella's table (as well as another friend), but I told her I'm sure that day will come, since they will be changing seats again later in the year.
Peace, love and sun-shiney apples for everyone,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Helping with the McIntoshes :)
I am loving Ava's kindergarten class. I wish I could've signed up to be a "room parent," but unfortunately wasn't sure how much time it would require. The room parent sent a message to all parents, asking for volunteers to help with classroom activities. Yay! I can do that! I picked a Thurssday and volunteered from 11:40-12:30. Ava was excited when she learned I would be volunteering. She said her friends were excited to meet me. (Ha!)
I helped with "apple centers" that day. There were four different tables (centers) where the kids had a different activity to do. I was responsible for a table where the kids weighed things on a two-sided scale. The kids had to determine if the item they were weighing was heavier or lighter than an apple. They then had to color in a dot on a sheet of paper, underneath the item that was the heavier of the two items. I felt bad for one little girl named Christina who said she couldn't write her name at the top of her paper (poor thing, she couldn't remember how to spell her name!). (One table was painting apple trees, another was making "apple mouth" snacks using two apple slices, some peanut butter and some marshmallows for teeth).
When Ava came home that afternoon, there was a thank you note from Mrs. McKenzie in her Kinder keeper for me. I was very impressed that Mrs. McKenzie was so prompt in thanking the parents!
I will definitely be volunteering in the future. It was fun! And I got home in time for my 1:00 p.m. meeting. :) All in a day's work!
Peace, love and all-things-apple,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
I helped with "apple centers" that day. There were four different tables (centers) where the kids had a different activity to do. I was responsible for a table where the kids weighed things on a two-sided scale. The kids had to determine if the item they were weighing was heavier or lighter than an apple. They then had to color in a dot on a sheet of paper, underneath the item that was the heavier of the two items. I felt bad for one little girl named Christina who said she couldn't write her name at the top of her paper (poor thing, she couldn't remember how to spell her name!). (One table was painting apple trees, another was making "apple mouth" snacks using two apple slices, some peanut butter and some marshmallows for teeth).
When Ava came home that afternoon, there was a thank you note from Mrs. McKenzie in her Kinder keeper for me. I was very impressed that Mrs. McKenzie was so prompt in thanking the parents!
I will definitely be volunteering in the future. It was fun! And I got home in time for my 1:00 p.m. meeting. :) All in a day's work!
Peace, love and all-things-apple,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
Mrs. McKenzie leading the class in the "Hi, My Name Is Joe..." song.
Ava participating in the group song.
Mrs. McKenzie has them put their hands on their head when they are supposed to be listening.
Wow, does this work!
Her thank you note to me...
Saturday, September 10, 2011
East Cobber Parade 2011
Ava recently received a flyer in her Kinder keeper, "Calling All Apples" to march in the East Cobber parade with Mrs. McKenzie, who is the featured "Teacher of the Year 2011" for Murdock Elementary. When I asked Ava if she wanted to walk in the parade, she said "no." When I mentioned that I could walk in the parade with her, she was excited about the prospect.
She wore her pink Murdock Elementary t-shirt. We brought some flags we had in the garage. Doug and Liam met up with Amy Hoffman and Mekhi, who were planning on watching the parade.
It was fun. The atmosphere was charged; the high school bands were playing, mascots and unicycle riders surrounded us. We met up in the parking lot, where Ava's principal (Cynthia Hanauer) let us pick out a piece of the "good" candy (chocolate) before the parade. (In this parade the participants throw out candy to the kids along the parade route). Mrs. McKenzie showed up a few minutes after we did, when they presented her with a pink feather boa and a feathered crown. She got a laugh out of that. She got to sit in a convertible car, up high, to wave at everyone. She thanked us for coming.
There were only THREE kids that showed up from Ava's class, including Ava! I honestly thought there would be a gaggle of them. I was very glad we went. She was a little skiddish at first, wanting to hold my hand as we walked along the route. The parade went down Johnson Ferry Road, toward the Olde Town plaza; in all I would say we walked over a mile. Ava did so well! Toward the end, she finally let go of my hand and would wave her flag. She was excited when we save Mekhi and Amy, Liam and Daddy cheering us on.
I'm glad we participated!
Peace, love and parade waves,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
She wore her pink Murdock Elementary t-shirt. We brought some flags we had in the garage. Doug and Liam met up with Amy Hoffman and Mekhi, who were planning on watching the parade.
Ava and her teacher, Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Meleesa McKenzie
It was fun. The atmosphere was charged; the high school bands were playing, mascots and unicycle riders surrounded us. We met up in the parking lot, where Ava's principal (Cynthia Hanauer) let us pick out a piece of the "good" candy (chocolate) before the parade. (In this parade the participants throw out candy to the kids along the parade route). Mrs. McKenzie showed up a few minutes after we did, when they presented her with a pink feather boa and a feathered crown. She got a laugh out of that. She got to sit in a convertible car, up high, to wave at everyone. She thanked us for coming.
There were only THREE kids that showed up from Ava's class, including Ava! I honestly thought there would be a gaggle of them. I was very glad we went. She was a little skiddish at first, wanting to hold my hand as we walked along the route. The parade went down Johnson Ferry Road, toward the Olde Town plaza; in all I would say we walked over a mile. Ava did so well! Toward the end, she finally let go of my hand and would wave her flag. She was excited when we save Mekhi and Amy, Liam and Daddy cheering us on.
I'm glad we participated!
Peace, love and parade waves,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
Other staff members who participated in the parade. Note Mrs. McKenzie's THRONE! ;-)
Ava sat in this motorized car near the Cobb County firemen's display, at the festival following the parade.
Mekhi riding in the car.
Liam and Mekhi petting the sweetest rescue dog. She was abused. I felt so sad for this dog!
Liam absolutely loves dogs.
The parade.
Mrs. McKenzie's banner and car, as she rides in the parade.
Here we come with Mrs. McKenzie!
She's got the parade wave down pat, now!
And I got to meet ELVIS that day! Elvis was at the festival after the parade.
Somehow he's not quite as "filled-out" as I remember? ;-)
Liam and Mekhi getting ready to slide down the inflatable slide.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Ava's "Me Bag" for School
Last week Ava came home with a little homework. She had to put things in a brown paper bag, to show at school. The bag had to include one item for each of the following categories:
She included a little pink teddy bear, which was an item of her favorite color.
- A picture of herself
- Something she loves
- Something that makes her proud
- Something that makes her happy
- Something that is her favorite color
This is a picture of Ava, taken about a month ago.
She LOVES collecting special stones and gems in her fancy Easter egg.
It makes Ava PROUD when she makes a basket in the basketball goal.
Ava said she was also PROUD of this cat, that she painted / they fired at a local pottery place.
She is HAPPY when Daddy comes home from work. This is a picture of Ava greeting Daddy as he gets out of his truck. :)
Ava folded up the picture of Daddy coming home and drew this on one of the folds:
This is a picture of our house, when Daddy comes home every day.
She included a little pink teddy bear, which was an item of her favorite color.
Peace, love and all-things-Ava,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Ava's First Day of School: August 15, 2011
Wow, is our daughter really a kindergartener? Where did the time go? It's funny... I didn't start tearing up until Ava's day care principal, who has nine kids of her own, started talking to me about Ava's moving on to greener pastures... I also teared-up a little when walking home from the bus stop, after Ava got on the bus the first day of school. Totally unexpected!
Fast forward five years. This is Ava's first day of school:
August 15, 2011.
I thought it very brave of her to want to take the bus to school. Such a big kid thing to do! I originally thought I would drive her for the first few weeks, so she could get used to one thing at a time. After talking it over with a few people, including my Mom, as well as going on a "trial run" (they offered the Friday before school started) on the bus with Ava myself, I decided I was okay with it... (I was most concerned with her learning things from older kids that might not be kindergarten-age appropriate). There were probably six kids that took the "trial run" bus ride, along with their parents. On the bus, they separate out the kids by grade on the bus (phew!), have assigned seating with the kindergarteners sitting up front, closest to the bus driver. Ava opted to sit right behind the bus driver when I rode with her. She says that's where she sits everyday, now. That first day, Ava hopped on the bus without hesitation. No tears, no frowns, no hesitation at all. I think I was the one with separation anxiety!
Doug and I watched her as she jumped on the bus for the first time, heading to "big kid school." Her bus driver, Mr. Mike, is actually the #1 Bus Driver in Cobb County. He has this huge 3 foot trophy at the front of the bus to prove it. He was #2 for four years running and finally became the #1 driver. I'm not sure if the bus drivers have a competition to decide this, or what? He says he hasn't ever had any kind of accident driving. (And obviously he knew exactly what to say to make this Momma feel better about the bus scenario....) Mr. Mike runs a tight ship / bus, so I felt better about Ava being under his watch.
With confidence, I can say that Ava's day care attendance played a major role in her preparedness for this big day. The bus arrives at our bus stop at 7:20. So, we officially have earlier wake-up calls AND lights-out. I dreaded this at first, but am finding I get more done during the day with a few extra hours of useful time.
The first two days of school, Ava went to "ASP" (After School Program). I thought she would enjoy this, rather than coming home to relax. She decided she wanted to take the bus home on days that I don't go into the office (every other Monday and every other Thursday). So, on those days when I am in the office, she will go to ASP. She has been taking the bus home on all other days. I really enjoy being there when she gets off the bus and walking the short walk home with her, asking her about her day. She holds my hand and tells me all about her school day. She LOVES it. She is thriving.
When I picked her up after school the first day, she walked into the cafeteria to meet me at the After School Program desk / pick-up area. She couldn't wipe the smile off of her face as she walked toward me. It was too incredibly sweet. I leaned down and gave her the biggest of hugs.
She came home with the following letter from her teacher, which I loved. I appreciated that the teacher let parents know exactly what they did that day. :)
She took her lunch the first few days, as well as the required healthy afternoon snack. They eat lunch at 10:40 in the morning, so she is normally starving when she comes home from school. She couldn't find her lunch one day (LOL, her backpack isn't that huge!), so she decided to get the school lunch (for which I had pre-paid). I was so proud of her... if I were her, I think I would've been intimidated / too shy to go with a different lunch / process. Not Ava! She seems so confident and is comfortably embracing everything that comes her way, so far.
There is a system of behavior reward and correction in Mrs. McKenzie's kindergarten class. (Who, by the way, is TEACHER OF THE YEAR!) Everyone has an apple on a tree on the wall. Throughout the day, if you have exceptionally great behavior, the teacher will let you move your apple into the "sunshine" (at the top of the tree). If you had poor behavior, your apple can move down to the trunk, then (with more poor behavior) the apple can move down to the grass, from the grass to the dirt, from the dirt to the bucket (with each occurrence one movement down). The apple starts out in the tree (good area) at the start of every school day. Ava's apple has been in the SUNSHINE TWO DAYS during the first 7 days of school! (Other days her apple has been in the tree). Yesterday she mentioned she was the only one whose apple has been in the sunshine more than once. Go Ava!
She has a friend she enjoys sitting with on the bus. It's hilarious...she CAN'T remember her friend's name, but it sounds like her friend is Indian and has a very long name. A funny story... Whenever Ava gets on the bus, I notice a little Chinese girl looking at me through the window, as the bus drives away. I wondered if this little girl was Ava's friend / seatmate, of whom she talks daily. I asked Ava if her friend looks like "Kai-Lan" (from the t.v. cartoon "Ni-Hao Kai Lan"), knowing Ava might not be able to answer if she was Chinese. She said her friend didn't look like Kai Lan. The next day, Ava came home from school, telling me her bus friend is Indian. I asked how she knew her friend was Indian. She said she asked her "Are you Indian?" No beating around the bush there! Ha ha. Not that her ethnicity mattered a bit to me, I was just curious if the little Chinese girl who waves at me from the bus was the friend Ava often talks about. I did explain that to Ava, so she would understand I wasn't trying to be judgemental, just trying to see if her friend was the person looking out the window! :)
I am THAT Mom when Ava comes home. You know, the one with a million questions! What did you eat for lunch...Did you eat all of your lunch... Did you read any books in class... What book did you read... Did you make any new friends today...What are their names... Did you have any special classes today...Where was your apple today on the tree...Did you nap... Did your snack work out well...Did you find the Jolly Rancher I put in your lunch as a special treat for you...Do you have any homework...How was your bus friend's weekend...The list goes on. I want to know as much as possible about everything she experienced! :) Especially when I'm used to talking to her teachers directly at day care. Now I'm getting word from Ava. I'm also hyper-conscious now about how hydrated she is, how much rest she is getting, if she is eating food that will help her in school vs. hinder her, if she is wearing comfortable clothes. Nothing that she is shying away from, but I'm definitely more tuned-in to these things now. I hadn't planned on being that way, but I just want to be sure she is primed and receptive to learning as much as she can every day, without the distractions with which I can help / remove.
We switched up Ava's "dismissal" so she can ride the bus home (instead of going to ASP). It's adorable...she rides the bus home, gets off at the bus stop, and isn't too cool to hold her good old Mom's hand during the entire walk home. How I love holding her hand the entire way. :)
Another outgoing interaction Ava had with her schoolmates... I asked Ava if anyone had been called on to read out loud, or if she knew whether any of her classmates could read. She said yes, that she and two other friends are the only ones that can read in class. :) She is sounding out very simple books at this point, but has read a few books completely with a little help from Mom. I asked how she knew that her friends could read. She said, "I asked them." I was curious, so I said "How did you ask them?" She said "Hi, my name is Ava. Can you read?" It was too funny to hear her tell the story. She said "Most kids said 'No, no, no, no." That they couldn't read. She mentioned that her friend Riley (a boy) and Hannah (girl) could read.
I am so excited to see what this year has in store for Ava. She seems to have adapted beautifully to this exciting new change. The teacher sent home a nice picture of the class, all kids standing on the playground smiling.
Click on the link below to see a slide show of first week pictures, taken by the teachers:
http://murdock10.typepad.com/mckenzie/2011/08/our-first-week-of-school-1.html
Liam goes to the bus stop with Ava and me every school morning. He enjoys getting to see Matthew, our 7 year-old neighbor. I am excited that I get to now spend one-on-one time with Liam, after we see Ava off on the bus. Since Ava takes the bus so early, I've been able to do flash cards and read more books with Liam. I am hoping that he will learn to read earlier because I am able to work more with him. It made me realize how little one-on-one time I have had with Liam, because Ava has always been around. At first I think it took some getting used to for him (like he was missing out on something), but now I think he enjoys the time. He runs home from the bus stop every morning. :)
We just got a note from the school mentioning our bus will be arriving at 7:07 a.m. starting Friday. Boo. The bus comes at 7:20 now. :( We haven't missed the bus yet. I'm hoping we can keep up this winning streak! (Our neighbor Carine says the car pool lane is a NIGHTMARE at Murdock. :(.)
Here is a fun picture Ava drew before she started school. A self-portrait, complete with her backpack. :) She looks happy!
Peace, love and Mckenzie McIntoshes,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
This is a picture of Ava on her first day attending day care, June 26, 2006.
Fast forward five years. This is Ava's first day of school:
August 15, 2011.
I thought it very brave of her to want to take the bus to school. Such a big kid thing to do! I originally thought I would drive her for the first few weeks, so she could get used to one thing at a time. After talking it over with a few people, including my Mom, as well as going on a "trial run" (they offered the Friday before school started) on the bus with Ava myself, I decided I was okay with it... (I was most concerned with her learning things from older kids that might not be kindergarten-age appropriate). There were probably six kids that took the "trial run" bus ride, along with their parents. On the bus, they separate out the kids by grade on the bus (phew!), have assigned seating with the kindergarteners sitting up front, closest to the bus driver. Ava opted to sit right behind the bus driver when I rode with her. She says that's where she sits everyday, now. That first day, Ava hopped on the bus without hesitation. No tears, no frowns, no hesitation at all. I think I was the one with separation anxiety!
Doug and I watched her as she jumped on the bus for the first time, heading to "big kid school." Her bus driver, Mr. Mike, is actually the #1 Bus Driver in Cobb County. He has this huge 3 foot trophy at the front of the bus to prove it. He was #2 for four years running and finally became the #1 driver. I'm not sure if the bus drivers have a competition to decide this, or what? He says he hasn't ever had any kind of accident driving. (And obviously he knew exactly what to say to make this Momma feel better about the bus scenario....) Mr. Mike runs a tight ship / bus, so I felt better about Ava being under his watch.
Waiting at the bus stop with our neighbor, Matthew Quinn.
With confidence, I can say that Ava's day care attendance played a major role in her preparedness for this big day. The bus arrives at our bus stop at 7:20. So, we officially have earlier wake-up calls AND lights-out. I dreaded this at first, but am finding I get more done during the day with a few extra hours of useful time.
The first two days of school, Ava went to "ASP" (After School Program). I thought she would enjoy this, rather than coming home to relax. She decided she wanted to take the bus home on days that I don't go into the office (every other Monday and every other Thursday). So, on those days when I am in the office, she will go to ASP. She has been taking the bus home on all other days. I really enjoy being there when she gets off the bus and walking the short walk home with her, asking her about her day. She holds my hand and tells me all about her school day. She LOVES it. She is thriving.
When I picked her up after school the first day, she walked into the cafeteria to meet me at the After School Program desk / pick-up area. She couldn't wipe the smile off of her face as she walked toward me. It was too incredibly sweet. I leaned down and gave her the biggest of hugs.
She came home with the following letter from her teacher, which I loved. I appreciated that the teacher let parents know exactly what they did that day. :)
She took her lunch the first few days, as well as the required healthy afternoon snack. They eat lunch at 10:40 in the morning, so she is normally starving when she comes home from school. She couldn't find her lunch one day (LOL, her backpack isn't that huge!), so she decided to get the school lunch (for which I had pre-paid). I was so proud of her... if I were her, I think I would've been intimidated / too shy to go with a different lunch / process. Not Ava! She seems so confident and is comfortably embracing everything that comes her way, so far.
There is a system of behavior reward and correction in Mrs. McKenzie's kindergarten class. (Who, by the way, is TEACHER OF THE YEAR!) Everyone has an apple on a tree on the wall. Throughout the day, if you have exceptionally great behavior, the teacher will let you move your apple into the "sunshine" (at the top of the tree). If you had poor behavior, your apple can move down to the trunk, then (with more poor behavior) the apple can move down to the grass, from the grass to the dirt, from the dirt to the bucket (with each occurrence one movement down). The apple starts out in the tree (good area) at the start of every school day. Ava's apple has been in the SUNSHINE TWO DAYS during the first 7 days of school! (Other days her apple has been in the tree). Yesterday she mentioned she was the only one whose apple has been in the sunshine more than once. Go Ava!
She has a friend she enjoys sitting with on the bus. It's hilarious...she CAN'T remember her friend's name, but it sounds like her friend is Indian and has a very long name. A funny story... Whenever Ava gets on the bus, I notice a little Chinese girl looking at me through the window, as the bus drives away. I wondered if this little girl was Ava's friend / seatmate, of whom she talks daily. I asked Ava if her friend looks like "Kai-Lan" (from the t.v. cartoon "Ni-Hao Kai Lan"), knowing Ava might not be able to answer if she was Chinese. She said her friend didn't look like Kai Lan. The next day, Ava came home from school, telling me her bus friend is Indian. I asked how she knew her friend was Indian. She said she asked her "Are you Indian?" No beating around the bush there! Ha ha. Not that her ethnicity mattered a bit to me, I was just curious if the little Chinese girl who waves at me from the bus was the friend Ava often talks about. I did explain that to Ava, so she would understand I wasn't trying to be judgemental, just trying to see if her friend was the person looking out the window! :)
I am THAT Mom when Ava comes home. You know, the one with a million questions! What did you eat for lunch...Did you eat all of your lunch... Did you read any books in class... What book did you read... Did you make any new friends today...What are their names... Did you have any special classes today...Where was your apple today on the tree...Did you nap... Did your snack work out well...Did you find the Jolly Rancher I put in your lunch as a special treat for you...Do you have any homework...How was your bus friend's weekend...The list goes on. I want to know as much as possible about everything she experienced! :) Especially when I'm used to talking to her teachers directly at day care. Now I'm getting word from Ava. I'm also hyper-conscious now about how hydrated she is, how much rest she is getting, if she is eating food that will help her in school vs. hinder her, if she is wearing comfortable clothes. Nothing that she is shying away from, but I'm definitely more tuned-in to these things now. I hadn't planned on being that way, but I just want to be sure she is primed and receptive to learning as much as she can every day, without the distractions with which I can help / remove.
We switched up Ava's "dismissal" so she can ride the bus home (instead of going to ASP). It's adorable...she rides the bus home, gets off at the bus stop, and isn't too cool to hold her good old Mom's hand during the entire walk home. How I love holding her hand the entire way. :)
Another outgoing interaction Ava had with her schoolmates... I asked Ava if anyone had been called on to read out loud, or if she knew whether any of her classmates could read. She said yes, that she and two other friends are the only ones that can read in class. :) She is sounding out very simple books at this point, but has read a few books completely with a little help from Mom. I asked how she knew that her friends could read. She said, "I asked them." I was curious, so I said "How did you ask them?" She said "Hi, my name is Ava. Can you read?" It was too funny to hear her tell the story. She said "Most kids said 'No, no, no, no." That they couldn't read. She mentioned that her friend Riley (a boy) and Hannah (girl) could read.
I am so excited to see what this year has in store for Ava. She seems to have adapted beautifully to this exciting new change. The teacher sent home a nice picture of the class, all kids standing on the playground smiling.
The Murdock Elementary
2011 Kindergarten class of Mrs. Mckenzie:
Mckenzie McIntoshes (aka the apple orchard!)
Click on the link below to see a slide show of first week pictures, taken by the teachers:
http://murdock10.typepad.com/mckenzie/2011/08/our-first-week-of-school-1.html
Liam goes to the bus stop with Ava and me every school morning. He enjoys getting to see Matthew, our 7 year-old neighbor. I am excited that I get to now spend one-on-one time with Liam, after we see Ava off on the bus. Since Ava takes the bus so early, I've been able to do flash cards and read more books with Liam. I am hoping that he will learn to read earlier because I am able to work more with him. It made me realize how little one-on-one time I have had with Liam, because Ava has always been around. At first I think it took some getting used to for him (like he was missing out on something), but now I think he enjoys the time. He runs home from the bus stop every morning. :)
We just got a note from the school mentioning our bus will be arriving at 7:07 a.m. starting Friday. Boo. The bus comes at 7:20 now. :( We haven't missed the bus yet. I'm hoping we can keep up this winning streak! (Our neighbor Carine says the car pool lane is a NIGHTMARE at Murdock. :(.)
Here is a fun picture Ava drew before she started school. A self-portrait, complete with her backpack. :) She looks happy!
Peace, love and Mckenzie McIntoshes,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
Friday, August 05, 2011
The Murdock Mustang Kindergarten Class List
I signed-up to receive PTA notifications from Murdock Elementary, the school Ava will be attending in less than two weeks! I received a notification for a "Class List Party" on Friday, August 4th from 5-7 p.m. Wow, I didn't realize there were PARTIES to celebrate such postings? It seems there is formality for things like this in our school district. I welcome it and find it surpisingly comforting that there is such structure and encouragement of all things school-related! Back in my day, we snuck up to / rode our bikes to the elementary during the late summer months and checked the outside window of our classroom, where a list was posted. If our name wasn't on one classroom, we wouldn't be in that class that year. We ran to the next classroom to see if our name was on that classroom's list. Question answered. Once we found our name on the list, we played a little on the playground and ventured back home.
I must say I have been seriously impressed with Ava's school, to date. We honestly lucked out in this category. When Doug and I were looking for our first home, we weren't too familiar with this area. Because Doug worked at Georgia Pacific on Powers Ferry (and I worked at Sprint near Cumberland Mall in Atlanta), we wanted to stay as close in as possible. Young and naive, we landed at 2402 Hembree Station Court, not realizing the goldmine of a school system into which our future daughter would eventually enroll. :) The high school has had the top SAT scores for something like eight years running. People actually move into houses in this area for the schools alone. Wow.
The elementary definitely has their act together, too. A few months back we went to a "Day in the life" type orientation, where the kids and parents actually walked the path the kids would take during a normal schoolday. While being oriented around the school, if Ava saw a sign that had a similar symbol as one appearing on her Bingo card, she could place the sticker in the space on the card. A neat way for the kids to familiarize themselves with the school.
I am now officially enrolled in PTA text message distributions, PTA e-mails and even automated voicemails from the school principal. I'm impressed. So, fast forward to tonight. We went to the outdoor covered area at the school, checked the "list" and learned that Ava will be in Ms. McKenzie's Kindergarten class. Having perused the school Web site, her name was familiar...she is actually noted on the Web site as being "Teacher of the Year" during 2011. A fellow mom who saw me looking at the list mentioned that Ms. McKenzie is AMAZING and kept going on and on about her. :) The same mom was also writing down her child's entire list of classmates, counting them to see how many students were in the classroom. I asked why she was writing the names down and she replied "Because I'm neurotic." LOL. Glad to know there are others out there like me... I was wanting to do so, but thought someone might think I was a nut job for writing down their kid's name. So I wrote down the list of students in Ava's classroom. I'm sure the list below will prove handy for Valentine's Day, etc. :)
The PTA was also there, providing cookies, lemonade and water. While walking around, we met a little girl named Ansley White, who is one of Ava's future classmates. She was a sweetie. :)
Gal Amir
Christina Andreev
Milena Bihm
John Burwell
our very own AVA CAREY! :)
Hannah Green
Preston Haon
Ariana Hawkins
Riley Johnson (boy)
Isabelle Lacasella
Cullen McEarchern
Dayla Ortiz
Jun Park
Marek Pearson
Meila Reaves
Rodrecius Richard
Isla Waggoner
Cody Wang
Jack Weatherall
Ella Wheeler
Ansley White
I am sure some of these names will crop up on future classmate lists. It will be interesting to see who her classmates will be in future years. There are SIX Kindergarten classes at this elementary, so I will definitely be curious to see which names repeat themselves in Ava's class lists over the years.
Peace, love and sharpened #2 pencils,
Shelly, Doug, the student and Liam
P.S. - Go Murdock Mustangs!
I must say I have been seriously impressed with Ava's school, to date. We honestly lucked out in this category. When Doug and I were looking for our first home, we weren't too familiar with this area. Because Doug worked at Georgia Pacific on Powers Ferry (and I worked at Sprint near Cumberland Mall in Atlanta), we wanted to stay as close in as possible. Young and naive, we landed at 2402 Hembree Station Court, not realizing the goldmine of a school system into which our future daughter would eventually enroll. :) The high school has had the top SAT scores for something like eight years running. People actually move into houses in this area for the schools alone. Wow.
The elementary definitely has their act together, too. A few months back we went to a "Day in the life" type orientation, where the kids and parents actually walked the path the kids would take during a normal schoolday. While being oriented around the school, if Ava saw a sign that had a similar symbol as one appearing on her Bingo card, she could place the sticker in the space on the card. A neat way for the kids to familiarize themselves with the school.
I am now officially enrolled in PTA text message distributions, PTA e-mails and even automated voicemails from the school principal. I'm impressed. So, fast forward to tonight. We went to the outdoor covered area at the school, checked the "list" and learned that Ava will be in Ms. McKenzie's Kindergarten class. Having perused the school Web site, her name was familiar...she is actually noted on the Web site as being "Teacher of the Year" during 2011. A fellow mom who saw me looking at the list mentioned that Ms. McKenzie is AMAZING and kept going on and on about her. :) The same mom was also writing down her child's entire list of classmates, counting them to see how many students were in the classroom. I asked why she was writing the names down and she replied "Because I'm neurotic." LOL. Glad to know there are others out there like me... I was wanting to do so, but thought someone might think I was a nut job for writing down their kid's name. So I wrote down the list of students in Ava's classroom. I'm sure the list below will prove handy for Valentine's Day, etc. :)
The PTA was also there, providing cookies, lemonade and water. While walking around, we met a little girl named Ansley White, who is one of Ava's future classmates. She was a sweetie. :)
Gal Amir
Christina Andreev
Milena Bihm
John Burwell
our very own AVA CAREY! :)
Hannah Green
Preston Haon
Ariana Hawkins
Riley Johnson (boy)
Isabelle Lacasella
Cullen McEarchern
Dayla Ortiz
Jun Park
Marek Pearson
Meila Reaves
Rodrecius Richard
Isla Waggoner
Cody Wang
Jack Weatherall
Ella Wheeler
Ansley White
I am sure some of these names will crop up on future classmate lists. It will be interesting to see who her classmates will be in future years. There are SIX Kindergarten classes at this elementary, so I will definitely be curious to see which names repeat themselves in Ava's class lists over the years.
Peace, love and sharpened #2 pencils,
Shelly, Doug, the student and Liam
P.S. - Go Murdock Mustangs!
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
School Orientation: A Day in the Life
As of August 15, Ava will officially be a Murdock Mustang! It's a great school, so I'm very excited for her.
On May 3rd, we went to an orientation for all upcoming pre-K kids attending Murdock Elementary. I was impressed, to say the least!
We were greeted by upper-classmen Student Council members at the entrance to the building. They walked us to the cafeteria, where the Principal spoke, a Science Teacher, PTA board members, a School Board member and a few others. We saw a kid-friendly video / cartoon about school and were then split into groups to go on a tour of the school.
We were given folders that contained a "Bingo" type card. Ava and all other upcoming Kindergarteners were to place a sticker in the square of the particular place in the school we visited. We went to the computer lab, Art class, Music Class, Kindergarten Class, got on the bus, visted the school office, nurse's clinic, Media Center, Physical Fitness Class, P.E. Class, went through the lunch line and even got to pick out a snack. :) Ava tended to stick close to us, but then when all of the kids went to get on the bus to check it out, she did so by herself. Doug and I kind of hung back to let her socialize a bit and check out the bus. She seemed excited about it.
The Kindergarten teacher had checked-out the laptops for her class to use that day. Boy, have things changed since I was in school. I think we started using them in 5th grade, and IN the lab. The Kindergarten class also sang a song to us, something about "We welcome you..." So it was nice to see that, as well.
I asked Ava what she thought her favorite part might be. She said everything looked so fun, she couldn't pick. :)
August will be here before we know it. It's hard to believe Ava, my sweet baby girl, will be with the big kids at the elementary. I think I might have a harder time with it than she does!
Peace, love and it's "elementary, my dear Watson..."
Shelly, Doug, the newest kindergartener and Liam
On the way to orientation
Happiness is a bit tempered, here. ;-)
Getting excited...
On the grand tour of the school...
Pretty excited about this school stuff!
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