Starting School

With Summer officially over, it was time to start school and we've been busy, as evidenced by the fact that I'm just now documenting the first day of school. :-) The weather was wonderful on our first day into new grades and we enjoyed it. This year I have four students grades 6, 8, 9, and 11. It's amazing to me to think that next year we'll leave elementary school behind--although, depending on who you ask, we already have. It's common here for 6th grade to be considered middle school. In my mind, and as we've always counted it, elementary school ends with 6th grade, Jr. High is 7th and 8th grade, and High School is 9-12th grade. Hannah is excited that 6th grade is considered middle school in many spaces, because that means that this is the year she graduated from Sunday school and moved up into the youth class, which means she also is now attending youth group with her siblings. It's been quite the adjustment for all of us! Hannah is no longer the odd one out and it means we have a house full of busy but fun activities. :-)

Riley is finishing out Jr. High this year. It's already been a huge adjustment for him. In our other church circle, Riley was held back from youth group because he is young for his grade. He was very dismayed by that which meant that he was super excited that he would finally be rightfully placed with our church move. Riley had a great summer of activities and is looking forward to much more fun throughout the year. It's all kind of an accelerated space for Riley since he added into the group late and yet he'll be in high school next year. It's a lot of adjustment, but he's ready for it!

Sonja has entered high school this year. She's really excited. Sonja, much like Nikolas, tends to like to try to skip to awesome. :-) She's already noticed that high school requires more of her effort, but she's fully equipped for it. Sonja has taken the church move/social change the hardest, which makes sense to me. But she's a friendly girl and she had a great time over the summer with her new group so I think she'll adjust well. :-)

Connor is already half way through with high school! As an 11th grader, we have some career exploring to do this year which should be fun. Connor is doing well in school and he's adjusting to our social move. In so many ways, Connor just needs to figure out who he is as a gifted person and where he is going in life. God has a great plan for him, we just have to see how this plan develops. :-)

As a teacher, I'm continually learning alongside my students, which means that I have to be flexible and open to truly seeing who my students really are. As they get closer to all being in Jr/Sr High, my workload certainly increases, but it's all very much worth the effort and I'm extremely thankful that we have this learning route available. Here's to another great academic start!