Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Friday, July 10, 2009
ORCA update
Verified this morning that all the kids ARE enrolled in Oregon Connections Academy. School starts August 27th. Yay!
Rory update
Anybody that hasn't heard about Rory's fight with myriad medical issues must have also sat in the back row at all their classes and been happy with a "D-" on the report card. START PAYING ATTENTION ALREADY.
This week she had another acupuncture session, which I'm sure she will write about when she comes out of shock. As that same appointment, however, her doctor did go over some lab results from some testing they did. Turns out that her Vitamin D level was OFF THE CHARTS. Off the BOTTOM of that chart, that is. This is a strong indicator of a reason for her depression, so we're hoping that the Vitamin D supplements she is starting will help her make the turn.
Another lab result was low selinium (or something like that) which is probably causing her sleep issues. All she has to do is figure out a way to stomach fish oil (remember "cod liver oil" from your parent's growing-up stories?) and oily Brazil nuts every day. If it helps her sleep through the night it's totally worth it. Maybe I can even include the nuts as a medical expense come tax time.
Thursday was also Kaeli's birthday, and she and Rory had been planning a trip to the coast for forever. Sounds like the weather was perfect, and they had a grand time. Watch for updates from her, hopefully to include some photos.
Today was also the ORCA lottery. For those who are only just now starting to pay attention, we've been trying to enroll the kids in a virtual public charter school (a home-based public school program). After weighing all the factors we decided as a family that this was our best choice because of all the awesome courses to choose from, and 99% of the negative stuff kids have to go through at regular public school would be avoided. Then we found out the state legislature was pushing a bill through to basically shut down virtual public charters. After many phone calls, emails, letters, and even a trip to the capitol building, the bill that was finally passed only limits the school's enrollment to the number enrolled at the end of last year. Still not great, but much better than what the teachers' union was asking for. Anyway, Oregon Connections Academy (ORCA) is limited to about 2600 kids for the upcoming school year, but only 500 of those would be available "slots" to new students (the rest are reserved for those returning from last year). Since they had about 1000 applications, they used a lottery system to determine who gets in. One good thing: if a child was selected in the lottery, all his/her siblings would automatically be enrolled too. Well, I got an email saying that WE WON THE LOTTERY. School starts August 27 right here in our kitchen.
I'm still hopeful we can be on the road Saturday headed toward Utah. It's going to be a long day Friday to get everything packed, bulletins printed, Sunday meeting agendas prepared, work wrapped up, etc. Wish us luck!
Preston
This week she had another acupuncture session, which I'm sure she will write about when she comes out of shock. As that same appointment, however, her doctor did go over some lab results from some testing they did. Turns out that her Vitamin D level was OFF THE CHARTS. Off the BOTTOM of that chart, that is. This is a strong indicator of a reason for her depression, so we're hoping that the Vitamin D supplements she is starting will help her make the turn.
Another lab result was low selinium (or something like that) which is probably causing her sleep issues. All she has to do is figure out a way to stomach fish oil (remember "cod liver oil" from your parent's growing-up stories?) and oily Brazil nuts every day. If it helps her sleep through the night it's totally worth it. Maybe I can even include the nuts as a medical expense come tax time.
Thursday was also Kaeli's birthday, and she and Rory had been planning a trip to the coast for forever. Sounds like the weather was perfect, and they had a grand time. Watch for updates from her, hopefully to include some photos.
Today was also the ORCA lottery. For those who are only just now starting to pay attention, we've been trying to enroll the kids in a virtual public charter school (a home-based public school program). After weighing all the factors we decided as a family that this was our best choice because of all the awesome courses to choose from, and 99% of the negative stuff kids have to go through at regular public school would be avoided. Then we found out the state legislature was pushing a bill through to basically shut down virtual public charters. After many phone calls, emails, letters, and even a trip to the capitol building, the bill that was finally passed only limits the school's enrollment to the number enrolled at the end of last year. Still not great, but much better than what the teachers' union was asking for. Anyway, Oregon Connections Academy (ORCA) is limited to about 2600 kids for the upcoming school year, but only 500 of those would be available "slots" to new students (the rest are reserved for those returning from last year). Since they had about 1000 applications, they used a lottery system to determine who gets in. One good thing: if a child was selected in the lottery, all his/her siblings would automatically be enrolled too. Well, I got an email saying that WE WON THE LOTTERY. School starts August 27 right here in our kitchen.
I'm still hopeful we can be on the road Saturday headed toward Utah. It's going to be a long day Friday to get everything packed, bulletins printed, Sunday meeting agendas prepared, work wrapped up, etc. Wish us luck!
Preston
Thursday, September 18, 2008
COMPLETELY WORN OUT
Both of the girls are taking several advanced classes this year - which always means tons of homework. Kaeli has been struggling with the workload she brings home every night and it has been esp hard if she has had any extra-curricular stuff in her afternoon/evening schedule.
Yesterday she came home and worked on homework and then went to a daddy-daughter activity with Preston. They got home later than expected and she still had quite a bit of homework to finish. Preston stayed up pretty late working with the girls and helped where he could while he was finishing work stuff of his own.
Apparently Kaeli had more than she could handle for the day and Preston or Ceana took this pict of Kaeli late last night. When I saw it I just felt so bad for her that she was so exhausted and was still working so hard to get things finished.
She woke up in a panic this morning because she hadnt been able to get things finished. It has been good that her teachers are so open to communication and I shot an email to one of the teachers of her advanced classes to let her know about yesterday and last night. He sent a note right back and was great about everything. Thankfully she has really great teachers like this one who are willing to work with her and because she is such a good student they are willing to give her extra time to complete assignments. From now on she will be able to work on things and get to bed at normal time knowing she has been given some flexibility.
The girls make us so proud at how hard they work and how much they love school. They both know that their education is so important and it shows in all they do. What a blessing to have such wonderful kiddos and to be able to give them the kind of education that will allow them to learn and grow and become even better people than they are now!
Friday, September 12, 2008
KINDERGARTEN IS GREAT!
Colton has surprised us all by falling right into a solid routine and schedule for school. His teachers have nothing but great things about how well he is doing. He has not shown any of the concerns that we have been preparing for and is adjusting extra fast to his new classroom and peers.I am thrilled that he is doing so well - it truly is a blessing that he is showing "typical peer" behaviors with his teachers and his classmates. It is so unexpected but a very pleasant surprise.
I have been able to go in and visit and help in colton's class lots already which is a great relief after that first day. We have even taken the dogs in with us when we have walked to school which the kids thought was great.
Colton seems very happy at school and looks forward to getting all his things ready. He esp loves to be able to eat lunch at school and loves getting to take chocolate milk every day. He also loves that his good friends are also in class with him. Colton, Jared and Corben have been friends since they were babies. His friend Nick from primary is also in his class and it is funny to see how the 4 boys stick to each other like glue most of the time. Colton's teacher tries to move or re-arrange 1 or 2 of them and all 4 end up moving together. It is pretty funny and his teacher has a good sense of humor about them. They remind me of the cars on the movie CARS that move all together on the highway - that is how the boys move too - as 1 instead of as 4 individual boys - it really is pretty funny. It is also fun that they have each other to share this new experience with.
It seems to be a good pattern for Colton to be able to go every day and he has fun counting how many days he has at school vs how many at home. He thinks it is great fun to tell me he gets to "go to kindergarten, kindergarten, kindergarten, kindergarten, kindergarten - and only 2 home days! I get to go to school LOTS!" It is good for me to know that he is so excited and happy at school.
Colton & his teacher Kathy Hensley
The Three Muskateers - Corben, Colton, Jared
Playing on the new kinder equipment
I have been able to go in and visit and help in colton's class lots already which is a great relief after that first day. We have even taken the dogs in with us when we have walked to school which the kids thought was great.
Colton seems very happy at school and looks forward to getting all his things ready. He esp loves to be able to eat lunch at school and loves getting to take chocolate milk every day. He also loves that his good friends are also in class with him. Colton, Jared and Corben have been friends since they were babies. His friend Nick from primary is also in his class and it is funny to see how the 4 boys stick to each other like glue most of the time. Colton's teacher tries to move or re-arrange 1 or 2 of them and all 4 end up moving together. It is pretty funny and his teacher has a good sense of humor about them. They remind me of the cars on the movie CARS that move all together on the highway - that is how the boys move too - as 1 instead of as 4 individual boys - it really is pretty funny. It is also fun that they have each other to share this new experience with.
It seems to be a good pattern for Colton to be able to go every day and he has fun counting how many days he has at school vs how many at home. He thinks it is great fun to tell me he gets to "go to kindergarten, kindergarten, kindergarten, kindergarten, kindergarten - and only 2 home days! I get to go to school LOTS!" It is good for me to know that he is so excited and happy at school.
Colton & his teacher Kathy Hensley
The Three Muskateers - Corben, Colton, Jared
Playing on the new kinder equipment
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Well, here we are at the start of another school year. I cant believe it and I just cant seem to understand how the Summer flew away so fast.
For the kids that means starting fun new adventures, being excited about everything, being with old friends and looking forward to making new friends. We were thrilled to find out that Caiden has 2 other classmates this year that are his friends already! Good solid peers and families - our answered prayer!
It also means the start of crazy schedules - esp on Tuesdays. Ceana left the house yesterday morning at 7AM and didnt get back until 9PM because her piano lesson and YW are also crammed into her day! Tuesdays are going to be our "bezerk day" for scheduling for all of us...
It also means trying to get back into a regular routine and schedule and hopefully setting some good habits in place - again. I will be walking the boys to school every day - rain or shine. It will be good for me to get out every day and hopefully get rid of all that "baby fat" and just get to be outside with the kids. Caiden is thrilled about us walking to school since he gets to ride his bike every day. He has worked really hard this Summer to learn to ride his bike so he could ride to school and other places with Preston and the big girls. The big girls will also be riding their bikes to school together too since they are attending the same school this year. Kaeli also is looking forward to this as she likes to be on her bike as much as possible.
For me the start of school means my children are continuing to grow and change - which is good and sad at the same time. It has been esp sad for me today as Colton has started Kindergarten and is officially in what he calls "big school". He has been so excited and I was all ready to be with him to enjoy his first big day only to walk him to his classroom and have the teacher say "bye parents" and actually close the door on us! That was VERY unexpected for me. In the past we have had a kindergarten teacher who welcomed parents, and siblings, into her classroom with open arms. I have to say I was about in tears - esp knowing Colton was only 1 of 5 children in his classroom today for their "staggered start". I am missing out on his first special day of school and I am not ok with that. We were given the OK to come and have lunch with him but I will have missed everything else he has done this morning. It really hurts my heart.
Also sad for me is how quiet the house is - when Kels is not screaming. It has been so wonderful for me this Summer to have the kids here with me and for us to have time to talk and play and just be together. As I sit here this morning with Ky playing quietly and Kels trying to nap, the house is much too quiet for me. This quiet means that all the kiddos are off doing their own thing, getting started on their own routines and schedules, having their own adventures. I know this is part of growing up, part of life, part of preparing them to someday be on their own as adults. For now though, I wish I could hold onto these moments when they are young and just stop time, at least for awhile.
This new school year will hold many adventures and many challenges for all of us. We will just take one day at a time and do the best we can and hope to make the most of all of the experiences ahead of us.
For the kids that means starting fun new adventures, being excited about everything, being with old friends and looking forward to making new friends. We were thrilled to find out that Caiden has 2 other classmates this year that are his friends already! Good solid peers and families - our answered prayer!
It also means the start of crazy schedules - esp on Tuesdays. Ceana left the house yesterday morning at 7AM and didnt get back until 9PM because her piano lesson and YW are also crammed into her day! Tuesdays are going to be our "bezerk day" for scheduling for all of us...
It also means trying to get back into a regular routine and schedule and hopefully setting some good habits in place - again. I will be walking the boys to school every day - rain or shine. It will be good for me to get out every day and hopefully get rid of all that "baby fat" and just get to be outside with the kids. Caiden is thrilled about us walking to school since he gets to ride his bike every day. He has worked really hard this Summer to learn to ride his bike so he could ride to school and other places with Preston and the big girls. The big girls will also be riding their bikes to school together too since they are attending the same school this year. Kaeli also is looking forward to this as she likes to be on her bike as much as possible.
For me the start of school means my children are continuing to grow and change - which is good and sad at the same time. It has been esp sad for me today as Colton has started Kindergarten and is officially in what he calls "big school". He has been so excited and I was all ready to be with him to enjoy his first big day only to walk him to his classroom and have the teacher say "bye parents" and actually close the door on us! That was VERY unexpected for me. In the past we have had a kindergarten teacher who welcomed parents, and siblings, into her classroom with open arms. I have to say I was about in tears - esp knowing Colton was only 1 of 5 children in his classroom today for their "staggered start". I am missing out on his first special day of school and I am not ok with that. We were given the OK to come and have lunch with him but I will have missed everything else he has done this morning. It really hurts my heart.
Also sad for me is how quiet the house is - when Kels is not screaming. It has been so wonderful for me this Summer to have the kids here with me and for us to have time to talk and play and just be together. As I sit here this morning with Ky playing quietly and Kels trying to nap, the house is much too quiet for me. This quiet means that all the kiddos are off doing their own thing, getting started on their own routines and schedules, having their own adventures. I know this is part of growing up, part of life, part of preparing them to someday be on their own as adults. For now though, I wish I could hold onto these moments when they are young and just stop time, at least for awhile.
This new school year will hold many adventures and many challenges for all of us. We will just take one day at a time and do the best we can and hope to make the most of all of the experiences ahead of us.
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