First Day of School

Like in most every part of the country, it is back to school time here in Fairbanks. On top of going to a new school in a whole new city (again) my kids are very excited to be learning exclusively in English.

Not that they are predjudiced or anything, it's just much easier to understand the material you're learning if you can actually understand the words your teacher is saying. 

Kaley started real Kindergarten this year although she has officially been going to school for 2 years already. The school system in Fairbanks does extended day, which is more than a half-day, but still makes Kaley feel a little babyish since she doesn't get to ride the school bus in the morning with her brother and sister.  She starts school at 10:30 each morning, which means I have to take her to school everyday, but on the plus side, me and Kaley get a little one-on-one time everyday.

Kaley's other complaint was that Kindergarten started a whole week after the other kids started school. "It's not fair that Ella and Jackson get to go to school and I don't" was heard a few times last week.

But no fear, Kaley started Kindergarten this week and she is loving it. Well, other than the fact that after her birthday party she told me she didn't want to go to school the next day because then she wouldn't have enough time to play with her new toys!

Her desk is right by the front of the door and she proudly sat down next to the little girl pictured on the first day and said, "My name's Kaley. It's my birthday today." I don't think she'll have problems making a few friends.

Jackson came home on the first day of school saying he had a new best friend and his name was Nick. The next day he came home and had memorized Nick's phone number. I think he's trying to tell me something.

Ella started second grade as fashionable as always. She was very excited to go to her new Alaskan school. I told her she might need a coat but she said she doesn't get cold cause she's an Alaska girl now! We'll see when the snow starts to fly next month.

At the end of the first week, Jackson and Ella got a special Alaskan escort to the bus stop: their Uncle Danny driving them on his four-wheeler. 

They all love riding the bus and were not the least bit nervous. They have made a few bus buddies and they all look out for each other to make sure they are all on the bus. On Kaley's first day I reminded Ella and Jackson to make sure Kaley got on the bus and they even went to her classroom to get her and when she wasn't there they followed up at the office where they found out the Kindergarteners go out a little early to the busses. I was very proud when I heard how they were looking out for her.

I hope school continues to go well. The kids are already looking forward to field trips, getting hot lunch instead of lunch from home and they even have a fundraiser already. It's good to know they are loving school....now we just need to work on getting them out of bed in the morning!