Friday was the last day of school for the year, and it was a very busy one for us. We got the girls off to school and then had to start running errands to get ready for vacation which starts tomorrow. We started off by dropping Alison off at school and saying a thank you to her teacher. Ali really thrived under her this year and we were very grateful for that. Then we managed to get a couple of things done before we had to be back three hours later to get Ali picked up.
After getting home, I needed to get the grass cut quickly while Sarah ate some lunch and started getting ready for her "completion ceremony". Why they can't call it a graduation ceremony, I have no idea. Unless they didn't want to tell the kids who didn't graduate that they didn't graduate.
So after the grass was done it was time to get ready. Sarah's ceremony started at 5:00 PM but she had to be there by 4:00 PM. We figured, what is the point of going home. Besides, we would be able to choose a good seat in the auditorium. I videoed the majority of the ceremony, so maybe I'll upload it if I have the ambition. The ceremony was scheduled to last from 5:00 - 7:00 which was a pretty good estimate. We cleared out at about 6:45 and we were one of the last ones there. Afterward, we headed home to finish packing for vacation. So all in all it was a very busy, hectic day. It'll be nice to finally get some rest.
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
End of the Year
Since Sarah isn't going to school tomorrow today was her last official full day of junior high. She has a half day on Friday where she will go, get her yearbook, and she and her friends will sign them and do whatever else they need to do to clean out the remainder of their lockers. Then she comes home around lunchtime, with her graduation ceremony at 5:00 Friday evening.
Alison's last full day is tomorrow. She got her yearbook on Monday, but I am not sure when they are going to have their signing. I assume it'll be Friday as well since they too have a half day.
Both girls pretty much can't wait for the end of the year so they can start summer vacations
Alison's last full day is tomorrow. She got her yearbook on Monday, but I am not sure when they are going to have their signing. I assume it'll be Friday as well since they too have a half day.
Both girls pretty much can't wait for the end of the year so they can start summer vacations
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
In The Home Stretch
We are in the home stretch fro school this year. Sarah is already getting distracted by everything. She has five real days of school left, two more this week, and Monday thru Wednesday next week. Thursday they go spend the day at Great America, and then Friday is a half day of signing yearbooks. Then she has her graduation ceremony Friday evening. I don't think she has much actual work left. She told me she has all her final tests this week, and next week is just going to be pretty much just showing up.
Ali has the same thing going for her, except she doesn't get to go to Great America. Next week they are going to spend a lot of their time cleaning their room and getting things packed up and put away for the summer. Next year Alison will be the big kid running the school while Sarah will be the pleeb. I have a feeling that they cannot wait for that final bell to ring this year.
Ali has the same thing going for her, except she doesn't get to go to Great America. Next week they are going to spend a lot of their time cleaning their room and getting things packed up and put away for the summer. Next year Alison will be the big kid running the school while Sarah will be the pleeb. I have a feeling that they cannot wait for that final bell to ring this year.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Social Studies Extra Credit
This weekend I spent Saturday and Sunday helping Alison with a little extra credit project for her social studies class. For some reason she decided she wanted to do a report on Menasha. I'm still not sure why. So I spent Saturday trying to think up all the cool things about Menasha (are there really any?) and landmarks, and looking up the history of the city. I thought that a lot of the things that I knew about Menasha growing up would not be one bit interesting to someone in Menomonee Falls. I think things are more interesting to you when you have some sort of a connection to it, and Alison thinks it's cool because that is where I grew up.
I'm sure I could have found a few more things for her if I had more than a day to go look for information for her, Ali could have had a killer report. As it is, I found about 10-12 interesting tidbits about Menasha and then found a three paragraph summary on the history of the city from some Wisconsin Historical Society web site, so she was able to write up a small description. I hope she gets a good grade on it, just because she seems so excited about it.
I'm sure I could have found a few more things for her if I had more than a day to go look for information for her, Ali could have had a killer report. As it is, I found about 10-12 interesting tidbits about Menasha and then found a three paragraph summary on the history of the city from some Wisconsin Historical Society web site, so she was able to write up a small description. I hope she gets a good grade on it, just because she seems so excited about it.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Grandparents Day
Last Friday Alison had “Grandparents Day” at her school. I don’t think they actually call it Grandparent’s Day, it’s something like Senior Friend Day implying that any older person can come, not just grandparents since some kids no longer have grandparents. This year, Alison asked Kris’s Aunt Vicki to come since Kris’s dad can’t come.
I must say that I was a little disappointed when I heard how the day went when I got home from work. Vicki only got to spend something like a half an hour with Alison out of almost a three hour event. I don’t know what I was expecting to hear. Last year Alison didn’t go because the event was on the same day as Kris’s mom’s funeral. I just assumed they would run it the same way as they did when the girls were going to Riverside.
From what Kris and Ali told me, Vicki got there and was shuttled right to the gym where they had breakfast set up.
I must say that I was a little disappointed when I heard how the day went when I got home from work. Vicki only got to spend something like a half an hour with Alison out of almost a three hour event. I don’t know what I was expecting to hear. Last year Alison didn’t go because the event was on the same day as Kris’s mom’s funeral. I just assumed they would run it the same way as they did when the girls were going to Riverside.
From what Kris and Ali told me, Vicki got there and was shuttled right to the gym where they had breakfast set up.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Field Trip
Part of the 4h grade curriculum in the Falls is a field trip to Madison. Alison's field trip is tomorrow. They are starting out by going to the Madison Zoo, then they are going to museum and finally a tour of the Capitol. Oh, and after the Capitol they are going to hit some ice cream shop on the UW campus that is supposedly pretty famous in Madison. I am sure anyone who went to UW would know the name of it. I just hope the crazy protestors who don't have jobs and are in the Capitol rotunda every day don't disrupt their visit. I also hope that the teachers don't take the opportunity to brainwash "educate" the kids on what is happening. I am pretty sure that they won't. Our teachers in the Falls are pretty professional, at least the ones I have had the opportunity to get to know. Anyway, I will try to get Alison to give a report of her tip tomorrow when she gets home.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The New Math
Tonight I was helping Alison with her homework. She had a worksheet of math problems to do, I think it was about 25 problems, all division. At first I told her to do the problems and I would help her as she needed it but I wanted her to get an answer for each problem before helping to get the right answer. She actually did pretty well.
However there were a couple of problems that she got wrong. When I started to help her she said to me that she had to do it a particular way, a way called the partial quotient method. I remember Sarah being taught something like 3 or 4 different methods for getting the correct answer, but they were all long, complicated, and just generally more of a hassle than it was worth. I tried to show her that the traditional way of doing long division is both easier and faster, but she threw a small fit saying they HAD to do it that way.
I find it funny that the schools teach such stupid methods for finding solutions to rudimentary math but yet, once they get to middle school, they teach the traditional methods. Sarah has even said she doesn't know why they ever taught her the way they did when she was in grade school, because it was all pretty much useless. She was just like Alison, she had to do it one particular way, but once she got to 6th grade it was one way, and that was it. Hopefully I can get through to Alison. Maybe I'll talk to her teacher and see if she minds me teaching her the real way to do math.
However there were a couple of problems that she got wrong. When I started to help her she said to me that she had to do it a particular way, a way called the partial quotient method. I remember Sarah being taught something like 3 or 4 different methods for getting the correct answer, but they were all long, complicated, and just generally more of a hassle than it was worth. I tried to show her that the traditional way of doing long division is both easier and faster, but she threw a small fit saying they HAD to do it that way.
I find it funny that the schools teach such stupid methods for finding solutions to rudimentary math but yet, once they get to middle school, they teach the traditional methods. Sarah has even said she doesn't know why they ever taught her the way they did when she was in grade school, because it was all pretty much useless. She was just like Alison, she had to do it one particular way, but once she got to 6th grade it was one way, and that was it. Hopefully I can get through to Alison. Maybe I'll talk to her teacher and see if she minds me teaching her the real way to do math.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
End of Summer
It isn't officially over yet, but for all intensive purposes summer '11 is all done. Alison had her back to school fair last week Wednesday where we turned in all of her paperwork for the upcoming year and had her school picture taken. Sarah started WEB leader training on Monday and had her back to school fair today where she got her schedule, found out who her teachers will be, had her picture taken, paid fees, etc. Then Friday will be Jr. Indians night followed up by the first football game on Saturday. After that we drop things off at Shady Lane for Alison on Tuesady next week and school start on Thursday.
Where did the summer go?
Where did the summer go?
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Last Day
Today was the last day of school for the girls. It wasn't such a big deal for Sarah, but for Ali, it was a relief (more so for us). We made it through the year at Shady Lane with no major problems. There are still things I am not wild about at that school, but I also realize there isn't a whole lot I can do about it. So both girls are going to be in a higher grade next year. In only five years Sarah we will be attending Sarah's HS graduation. Where has all the time gone?
So let summer vacation begin. The girls are already looking forward to sleeping late, especially Sarah. However one thing I anticipate starting this summer is boys. Sarah already has been walking home with boys and she and her friends have been going to places like Pop's, or Starbucks, and meeting up with other boys. Yeah, it is going to be a long summer.
So let summer vacation begin. The girls are already looking forward to sleeping late, especially Sarah. However one thing I anticipate starting this summer is boys. Sarah already has been walking home with boys and she and her friends have been going to places like Pop's, or Starbucks, and meeting up with other boys. Yeah, it is going to be a long summer.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Student Achiever
Sarah brought home a letter last week saying she was being honored by the Brewers as a "Student Achiever" with a certificate and two tickets to a game for her academic achievement. We got a list of games to choose from, and while the seats aren't great, I will be upgrading and taking the whole family along.
Anyway, Sarah has he name published on the Brewers website here. Scroll down to page 60.
Congratulations Sarah. Your mom and I are very proud of you.
Anyway, Sarah has he name published on the Brewers website here. Scroll down to page 60.
Congratulations Sarah. Your mom and I are very proud of you.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Sugar Cube Castle
During spring break Ali had an extra credit project she could do, make a castle out of sugar cubes. This was because her class is reading the book, Castle in the Attic. It was quite an ordeal. The description of how to do it was to use a dab of glue to hold the cubes together. But after trying it, we found the glue melted the sugar, and thus, didn't hold very well.
We found a website that dealt with making things out of sugar cubes (you really can find anything on the interwebs) and said that in order to keep the sugar from melting to use an icing mixture of powdered sugar, an egg white and cream of tartar.
It was a long process... This is what we did initially to make sure it would work.
We had to make it with four separate rooms. That was sort of hard to do but we did our best. We decided not to put in a door or windows, just because it was too hard to make with the size of the cubes. So Alison decided we would make it solid and just paint the door and windows on. At the end of day two, this is where we stood:
and finally, we finished things off:
Then finally, she painted on the windows and door:
Not too bad considering we had no idea how to do it. The one thing that is goofy looking is that the towers had to be left open to make them "rooms". I just hope they don't collapse.
We found a website that dealt with making things out of sugar cubes (you really can find anything on the interwebs) and said that in order to keep the sugar from melting to use an icing mixture of powdered sugar, an egg white and cream of tartar.
It was a long process... This is what we did initially to make sure it would work.
We had to make it with four separate rooms. That was sort of hard to do but we did our best. We decided not to put in a door or windows, just because it was too hard to make with the size of the cubes. So Alison decided we would make it solid and just paint the door and windows on. At the end of day two, this is where we stood:
and finally, we finished things off:
Then finally, she painted on the windows and door:
Not too bad considering we had no idea how to do it. The one thing that is goofy looking is that the towers had to be left open to make them "rooms". I just hope they don't collapse.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Honors Breakfast
Today was the the day of Sarah's Honors Breakfast. Just like last year, all the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who made the North Middle School Honor Roll were recognized at a breakfast in the gym. Sarah was sort of grumpy about it, and I was trying to impress upon her that this is a big deal. I think that she doesn't want to appear to be a nerd.
I think it might have been a little different if we would have got to sit with some of her friends. Last year they seated people, if I remember correctly, one sixth grader, one seventh grader and one eighth grader per table. This year they did it strictly alphabetically. So We eneded up sitting with two sixth grade kids. I let Sarah go hang out with her friends beforehand and then when it came time for breakfast, she didn't eat much. School food is sort of crummy to say the least I guess.
This year's speaker was a goalie for the Milwaukee Wave. He was much better than the guys they had last year. So all in all, it was a pretty good morning, and Kris and I are very proud of Sarah for maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
I think it might have been a little different if we would have got to sit with some of her friends. Last year they seated people, if I remember correctly, one sixth grader, one seventh grader and one eighth grader per table. This year they did it strictly alphabetically. So We eneded up sitting with two sixth grade kids. I let Sarah go hang out with her friends beforehand and then when it came time for breakfast, she didn't eat much. School food is sort of crummy to say the least I guess.
This year's speaker was a goalie for the Milwaukee Wave. He was much better than the guys they had last year. So all in all, it was a pretty good morning, and Kris and I are very proud of Sarah for maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Mid-Terms
Sarah got her mid term grades last week. Well not exactly, but we f the school's website. She got all A's again. I just wanted to brag and let her know how proud Kris and I are of her. The honors breakfast will be later on in February so I'll have to take a couple of pictures of her at it again. Way to go Sarah!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Last Day
Today was the last day of school before the Christmas break and for Alison that meant it was time for her class Christmas party. My holidays for work were the 23rd and 24th, so since I was off Alison wanted me to come to her school with Kris. Kris, as co-room parent, was helping run the party, so I figured I would go since I didn't have anything else to do. Besides, Ali asked me to come along.
Boy, talk about some controlled chaos! There were two activities the kids were doing. Making ornaments out of some jingle bells and pipe cleaners, and decorating Christmas cookies. Once they were done with that they played a game, and did some fun puzzles. But I realize that I could never have been an elementary school teacher!
Boy, talk about some controlled chaos! There were two activities the kids were doing. Making ornaments out of some jingle bells and pipe cleaners, and decorating Christmas cookies. Once they were done with that they played a game, and did some fun puzzles. But I realize that I could never have been an elementary school teacher!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Manatees
With no Packers game this afternoon, we had some time to help Alison work on a school project. She had to pick an animal and do an informational report on it by making a poster or a diorama along with a written report describing things like what the animal eats, all about its habitat. She got the project assigned while she was out sick, so we were just working off the assignment sheet. I am not quite sure that we helped Alison exactly right with choosing her animal, but we did pick one that she thought was really cool and one that no one else would do, the manatee.
As soon as her report and poster is done, I'll post final pictures but part of her assignment was also to either draw a picture of it or make a model. Ali wanted to make a clay model, so we went to the hobby store yesterday and got a small container of clay and while watching the crummy football game today, Ali and I put together our best representation of a manatee. I think we did a pretty good job. Now we just have to wait for the clay to dry so that we can paint it and be ready to turn her project in next week.
As soon as her report and poster is done, I'll post final pictures but part of her assignment was also to either draw a picture of it or make a model. Ali wanted to make a clay model, so we went to the hobby store yesterday and got a small container of clay and while watching the crummy football game today, Ali and I put together our best representation of a manatee. I think we did a pretty good job. Now we just have to wait for the clay to dry so that we can paint it and be ready to turn her project in next week.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Back To School
Ali was back as school today after a week off. I had stopped a couple of times last week to get any homework for her so she wouldn't be so overwhelmed when she went back today. She was scared when I dropped her off this morning because she was afraid she was going to be so far behind and that she would still have tons of stuff to do to get caught up. This was on top of all the normal every day stressing out because none of her friends are there when I drop her off and she ends up being alone. Luckily this week is a short one (off Thursday and Friday for teacher in service days or something) so it won't be too bad.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Phone Call
Interestingly, I got a call from Alison's teacher today. She wanted to touch base with us about Alison and her anxiety. I was a little perturbed by the response. After talking to the principal and then getting this call from her teacher they made it out like this is Ali's fault for being too attached to Kris and me. What a crock!
We talked about what was happening, and what she told her teacher. Apparently her teacher didn't even know what was happening. I found out that the aide who kicked Ali off the playground flat out lied about why. I was told one thing, that is a VERY far-fetched explanation. Then when I talked to Ali about it, she told me this aide walked up to her that day and instructed her on something else altogether.
I told Ali to just be careful from now on and let me know whenever she has a problem. Kris and I will be planning on being a pain in someone's butt if this continues.
We talked about what was happening, and what she told her teacher. Apparently her teacher didn't even know what was happening. I found out that the aide who kicked Ali off the playground flat out lied about why. I was told one thing, that is a VERY far-fetched explanation. Then when I talked to Ali about it, she told me this aide walked up to her that day and instructed her on something else altogether.
I told Ali to just be careful from now on and let me know whenever she has a problem. Kris and I will be planning on being a pain in someone's butt if this continues.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Rules
We have apparently pinpointed the problem with Alison at school. Friday she was removed from the playground. Not forcibly removed, but told to go stand over by the school building until recess was over. Ali wasn't exactly sure why she was kicked off the playground equipment, but then apparently when she was over by the building she wasn't standing in the right place, so she got in trouble again. One of the girls that she was sent off with (there were two others) who was from her new school told her they should stand on top of some steps leading into the school. This was the wrong place and Ali got in trouble again. She never knows when she is going to turn around and end up breaking a rule.
I ended up contacting the principal to have a discussion with him about this incident. I got the details from Ali about what happened and I thought it was a little excessive to have her recess cut short. I actually only wanted to set up an appointment to talk to him, but I actually sat and talked to him for about 15 minutes Monday.
So my impressions, I think he is genuinely a nice guy, but I got the feeling that he thought I was nuts. He didn't know about the incident on the playground and couldn't understand why Alison would have been sent off. He explained to me the blue slip/pink slip procedure, which was fine, but then asked if I had spoken to Alison's teacher yet. When I told him no, I got the feeling that I was being brushed off. Almost like there is a chain of command and I am not following it.
I explained my concerns that Ali was a model student a Riverside and was never in any trouble, was student of the month six times, top of her class in testing even though she was the youngest, got a Pillar award for helping out... and now we have been at our new school for all of 12 days and it seems like every day there is another problem. So to make a long story short, he said he would talk to Ali, and try to calm her nerves, try to make sure that all the rules were understood in case she was worried. He was going to talk to her teacher and to the aide that removed her from the playground to try and find out what happened. He gave me an idea about what someone would have been kicked off the playground for, but I can't see Alison doing any of those things.
I suppose for now I am satisfied with the response, but we have to continue to monitor things I think. it sure seems like there are an awful lot of rules to follow here. I mean I am all for order, but they also need to let kids be kids a little bit, don't you think?
I ended up contacting the principal to have a discussion with him about this incident. I got the details from Ali about what happened and I thought it was a little excessive to have her recess cut short. I actually only wanted to set up an appointment to talk to him, but I actually sat and talked to him for about 15 minutes Monday.
So my impressions, I think he is genuinely a nice guy, but I got the feeling that he thought I was nuts. He didn't know about the incident on the playground and couldn't understand why Alison would have been sent off. He explained to me the blue slip/pink slip procedure, which was fine, but then asked if I had spoken to Alison's teacher yet. When I told him no, I got the feeling that I was being brushed off. Almost like there is a chain of command and I am not following it.
I explained my concerns that Ali was a model student a Riverside and was never in any trouble, was student of the month six times, top of her class in testing even though she was the youngest, got a Pillar award for helping out... and now we have been at our new school for all of 12 days and it seems like every day there is another problem. So to make a long story short, he said he would talk to Ali, and try to calm her nerves, try to make sure that all the rules were understood in case she was worried. He was going to talk to her teacher and to the aide that removed her from the playground to try and find out what happened. He gave me an idea about what someone would have been kicked off the playground for, but I can't see Alison doing any of those things.
I suppose for now I am satisfied with the response, but we have to continue to monitor things I think. it sure seems like there are an awful lot of rules to follow here. I mean I am all for order, but they also need to let kids be kids a little bit, don't you think?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
New School Issues
Alison has been at her new school for about two weeks and she is still having problems adjusting. Everything seems fine when she is with her friends or at home, but as soon as it is time to go to school, she starts crying and saying she doesn't want to go. Kris and I are trying to figure out just why. Previously it had been because she was being picked on by a kid at school. But now, we just don't know. I can't believe that she would be having issues with another student already. We will just have to wait and see if we can figure it out.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Our First Day
The first day of school for Kris and I was quite different. Since I took off as I always do to see the girls off to school, I thought I would take the opportunity to have my front tires replaced on my car. They had become quite bald and there was "shake" on the steering wheel, so I assumed they had gone out of balance. As we were walking into school to drop Alison off I got a call from the auto place. It was a little more than the tires being out of balance. Aside from the tires needing to be replaced, both tie rods were loose and one needed to be replaced. Next, the brakes were all worn and I needed a whole front and rear brake job. The rear shocks were beginning to leak and the struts while not needing to be done at that exact moment, would need to be done in the near future. So what started out as what was originally planned as about a $170 job turned into a $2200 overhaul. I had been thinking it was about time to look for a new car, but now after spending this much, I am going get my money's worth.
Kris's mother also had surgery scheduled on Wednesday. She was having an carotid artery unblocked. It was apparently 99% blocked on her right side. So Kris had to be up at 3:30 to get her mom to the hospital. She came home in time to help get Alison ready for school. Once we dropped her off, we went to the hospital to wait to talk to the surgeon after the procedure was complete. Once we talked to him and found out everything went well, we ran back home to get Sarah ready for school. After that it was back to the hospital to find out what room Kris's mom was moved into. We went there to see her for a bit. Oh yeah, we also had a list of people to call and let know how the procedure went, so Kris spent closer to 30-45 minutes reporting to everyone on the outcome of the procedure.
Then we had to run back home to be there when Sarah got home and find out how her first day went. Then about a half an hour later we had to go back to Shady Lane to pick up Alison from her first day. Looks like it was a good thing I took off.
Kris's mother also had surgery scheduled on Wednesday. She was having an carotid artery unblocked. It was apparently 99% blocked on her right side. So Kris had to be up at 3:30 to get her mom to the hospital. She came home in time to help get Alison ready for school. Once we dropped her off, we went to the hospital to wait to talk to the surgeon after the procedure was complete. Once we talked to him and found out everything went well, we ran back home to get Sarah ready for school. After that it was back to the hospital to find out what room Kris's mom was moved into. We went there to see her for a bit. Oh yeah, we also had a list of people to call and let know how the procedure went, so Kris spent closer to 30-45 minutes reporting to everyone on the outcome of the procedure.
Then we had to run back home to be there when Sarah got home and find out how her first day went. Then about a half an hour later we had to go back to Shady Lane to pick up Alison from her first day. Looks like it was a good thing I took off.
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