Conference Day!!

Garner Fall conference via Zoom for Pierce this morning. A change in how we've done things but seems normal given how we are living our life via Zoom.

Not a surprising conference. Pierce is having a good fall. In addition to his report card, here a few things we discussed. 

• Overall comments and things Pierce is doing well
• strong student; respectful, engaged
• keep doing what your doing
• smiles and is happy in class
• completes assignments
• asks good questions related to math
• attends all his Zooms
• clearly being held accountable and working hard
• testing well in math so grasping concepts
• To do 
• push himself (spend more time) in Dreambox (math) and Lexia (language arts)
• read more
• use a graphic organizer when preparing to write or present on a topic; organize his thoughts in a more meaningful way
• edit, edit, edit. punctuation, spelling
• reminder that sometimes writing less is more

I'm so incredibly proud of Pierce. He's learning, a good student and person, is resilient through COVID and is meeting all the benchmarks. Yes, I want him to read more and push himself in math so we'll keep working on those. Ms. Roberts did remind me that while he does not like to read often or for very much time, he is reading fluently and his math benchmark is above grade level. Keep at it Meister!!! Love you.

Ready?

As I near my own bedtime, here's what I'm thinking....

Freshmen registration and orientation ✅

Junior high registration and orientation ✅

4th grade and only one in elementary ✅

New school shoes bought ✅

Backpacks, school supplies and lunchboxes ✅

All boys sleeping ✅

We’re ready for tomorrow.

Wait.... freshmen, another junior high and only one left in elementary school? I may have to rethink this “ready” part!

As Max went to bed tonight he told me he was ready for high school. I know he is and overall, I am too. I know it's the next step under this parenting/child relationship. I am ready to watch him soar in new ways. That said, I'm still not ready... for the end of summer, for the boys ages, for one to be four years from moving out of the house and well, I just want to snuggle a little longer! 

Time passes.....

March 1, 2011 (Facebook post)

another Beckman Boy registered for kindergarten - seriously, already? He's so excited to start "max's school" which brings a smile to me. Two at one school - a great for mom, perhaps not the same for the school! Wait until there are three!

February 28, 2018 (Facebook post)

February was a bit month - basketball, basketball, basketball, my birthday, Valentine's Day. Even bigger though and sticking with us - Max finished driver's ed and registered for high school and Graham registered for junior high. Here's to new adventures!

(Junior High registration - February 20)
(Driver's Ed and High School registration - February 7)

Science enthusiasm

Pierce's love for this school year came shining through this afternoon. After school he didn't waste anytime rearranging the kitchen chairs to show me how they put string between two chairs, attached a balloon and then blew air into it to make it move along the line. He then moved on to telling me about the fountain made on Monday using two straws - one long and one short - water and air. Pushing air into one straw caused pressure to make the water squirt. I could not get enough of the enthusiasm in his eyes and arm gestures!

Thanks to Erin Schroeder for bringing this out in him!

Teacher observation

I received this from Graham's art teacher yesterday and I had to share and keep it -

Dear Kristin & Mitch,
I happened to be working in the Team 2 Pod area today and had the pleasure of listening to your son Graham reading with another student.  They were reading one of those "you read to me and I'll read to you" books.  The kind where one student reads and then the other one responds and then some parts they read together.
Well, it was really fun to listen to.  The part that impressed me was that you could tell that Graham was a more fluid reader HOWEVER, he was so patient and paced himself perfectly with the other student.  It was never a thought in his mind to hurry the other student, or try to speak for him.  He simply was a great friend and enjoyed reading with his partner.
All to often as a teacher you have to help redirect kids that aren't kind... or don't know how to work with others well.  What a joy to overhear a kid with great character and kindness.
You're doing a great job raising those boys :)
Sincerely,
Tina Scandrett

And the winner is...

Graham Beckman's Super Gator t-shirt!Yep, the kid won the voting and will have his Garner Gator design on the newest t-shirt. I will post a photo as soon as we have the drawing back or a t-shirt in hand. He is SO excited to have won.

(See my 04/14/14 post for more details!)

Another artist

I am not an artist. My kids did not get any artistic skills from me. Rod Bohner, my art teacher and father of my dear friend, Ryan, can confirm this. But somehow, I may have a second artist on my hands.

I knew I should have taken a photo of his work before he turned it in! Super Gator was AWESOME and only took three rounds to complete! If he wins, I'll have a great opportunity to post the design as it will be on the apparel for Garner Elementary School!

Congratulations to the 6 t-shirt contest finalists (in no particular order)!! Every Art class this week will be voting on the winners! Look for the announcement to come out next week!!! Everyone did an amazing job!!

Preschool - 2nd Grade Category
1. Graham Beckman (Mrs. Schroeder - 2nd grade)
2. James Eckhardt (Mrs. Thoensen - 2nd grade)
3. Natalie Ramsey (Mrs. Eckhoff - Kindergarten)

3rd Grade - 6th Grade Category
1. Kyanna Christiansen (Ms. Chasse - 3rd grade)
2. Isaac Dhooge (Miss Summer - 4th grade)
3. Hannah Ramsey (Ms. Chasse - 3rd grade)

School photos

Each year, I ask the boys to pick between a couple of shirts for the their school photos. I suggest the bottom as well but I don't really care what they wear on the bottom because it's not in the photo. Yes, it means they don't match even on picture day.

Let me back up a minute - I stopped asking them to match, suggesting what they where, saying anything about their clothing choices on 95% of the days they walk out of the house a long time ago. I realized it wasn't important to them and really wasn't to me. I wanted them to be independent and dress how they choose. Remember, Graham wears knee socks (prints, Badgers, Hawkeyes) most days to school and I smile. Sure, I wish they wanted to match every day or when they do match that it wasn't Adidas, Under Armour or other athletic brand/connection, but it is what it is. And when it really matters - weddings, dinner, photos - to me, they cooperate.

Back to story.

Anyway, I've always laid out the choices and we discuss the night before. This morning well, Max insisted on the need to wear a dry-fit shirt because "last year all my friends just wore athletic, sports or dry-fit shirts." Fine, it's his picture and his personality. As for Graham, he packed his black and gray polo because "I want to look good in my photo but I need to be ready to play outside." He has his reasoning for what he wears.

The photos will be great because they will be of my sons. No matter what they are wearing.

Bike and Walk to School Week

Bike and Walk to School Week
Max and Graham were 10 for 10 in walking or riding bikes this week - 5 to school, 5 home. They love  living less than a mile from school and beautiful weather!

Volunteer payoff

I don't volunteer for any reason other than to help my kids, their teachers and to be active in their schooling. Today though, I felt something more.

Thursday is my day to volunteer at the boys' school. It's also my only day off from work. I wouldn't want to spend my day any other way. Today reminded me of that. Due to the timing of specials (music, library, PE, art), recess and lunch, I spend about 30 minutes in Graham's class working on math games (or anything else Mrs. Jepson needs), go to Max's room for an hour for math groups and then return to Graham's room for another 25 minutes. Today was no different.

The reminders came when -

Max's face lit up and he said "hi" when I got to the room and when he said "thank you" while I was helping him in math groups. Nothing else. It was simple but I felt appreciated and loved. I knew Max was glad to have me in the classroom.

I saw Graham's smile when I came back to his class. He knew I'd be back. He knew he'd already had his turn with me and wouldn't get another. He also knew, I was spending time in his class, with his friends, helping Mrs. Jepson. All things he loves and I love. His smile melted my heart and it was followed by no less than hugs at three different times when I passed him and when I was ready to leave. Ahhh.

I know the boys love that I volunteer and although I don't get these interactions each week, I come back because I love the time with them. I told Mrs. Schroeder just today that I feel guilty when I have to miss a day. I enjoy it and the look or words from the boys when I say I can't come breaks my heart. I considered not coming into the rooms today because of all the waffle breakfast activity (February 11 it will be done!!!!). I've been spending the remainder of my Thursday morning in the office working on the breakfast since the start of the semester and today I could have used the extra time. I though couldn't bring myself to do it. Instead I stayed up late last night so today I'd be with the boys. I'll never get the time back and they'll never get to have me in kindergarten or second grade again. Thank you for the reminders, Max and Graham. XO

Volunteering in a child's classroom

I had to miss my usual Thursday morning in Max's class yesterday because I had to work. Not what I like to do but it is what it is. I love the time I spend in Max's class. Since the last week of September, I've been in the classroom every Thursday working in small groups on math skills - counting, telling time, counting money - through games and written activities. When the students go to "specials" which include music and P.E. I sometimes stay to help with classroom prep. Other times, I take something with me to work on in the following days. I really look forward to the time as I simply enjoy it, Mrs. Martin appreciates the volunteer time, I get to know Max's classmates and Max loves having me a part of the class. On Wednesday night I realized I was really going to miss this wek so I asked Mrs. Martin if I could come in today. She was happy to have me so I spent almost two hours with the class today playing Snap It Up. Today, was another satisfying experience. Seeing a child grasp a concept or learn a little more or watching your own child while another student reads is sipple but it gets me at the core.

I don't volunteer regularly in Graham's classroom but I do when asked or sometimes I stay a bit in the morning or come early so Graham can share his latest triumphs with me. This year, we usually talk about the planets or do the letter box work or work on counting beads. I see him grow each time I'm there for even a few minutes.

Today, I am thankful for the chance to volunteer in Max's class and to see Graham at work in his room.

Just decided, this will be Day #7 of my countdown to Thanksgiving.

Big school news

By the end of the month, there will be a third first grade class at Garner Elementary School. This is fantastic. The classes started with 24 students in each and now have 27. This will take us down to about 18 in a class. A great decision by the district. This means potential change which could be a bit difficult after a few weeks settling into a new school, new teacher and new friends. All of us really like Mrs. Martin already and will miss her if Max moves to the other class. But I remind myself that there are more positives than negatives in this and that Max is a good student with good ability to adjust and we'll prepare him. We've already chatted about the change and that no matter what this is a good thing because he'll be in a smaller class and have more attention and chances to learn. He's already thinking about what it will be like to have a class in the room next to the others. He'll think through this faster than us. Stay tuned for more details.

First Day of School - 1st Grade & Preschool

Max's first day of school - 1st Grade at Garner Elementary (new school) with Mrs. Traci Martin

Graham's first day of school - Montessori Children's Garden with Mrs. Honey

Before long, even Pierce will be posing for the first day of school - and actually going

Snuggling to read books, hugs and sound asleep at 7:39 tonight was confirmation that today was a busy, great first day of school.

Up before 6:30 out of excitement for school and an early night to bed last night, Max and Graham were ready for the first day of school. Max off to a brand new school and first grade - wow! Graham embarking on his last year at Montessori and thrilled with the idea of 5-year old time. With Mrs. Martin watching over Max and Mrs. Honey and Miss Cathy with Graham, I knew good things were ahead. After strong suggestions from mom about what to wear to school (I didn't pick but gave choices!) I battled the sun and the boys not wanting their pictures taken, to capture the day before getting in the car for school where Mitch and I received quick byes and waves from our kids happy to be back at school.

At the end of the day pick-ups were filled with smiles and more chatter than I expected. Here were the responses to my question

Me: How was your day?
Max: Great.
Graham: Pretty good.

Me: What did you like about the day?
Max: Everything
Graham: 5-year-old time

Me: What was your favorite thing?
Max: Mrs. Martin. She's super. She could be my teacher forever.
Graham: my friends

Both kids were quick to add that they missed some of their friends - Max misses Evan although he did say he got to see him and some other kids from last year at recess. He's going to miss Evan most of the year, I'm guessing. Graham was sad that Fischer and Graham T were no longer at Montessori. "But I see Brick lots."

Mom (Gamma) and Janel and Hannah called to check in on the days and each received ear fulls about the days at school. Based on the answers I received and hearing the one end of the phone conversation, we have the potential for a super year. Today's first day of school was nearly perfect: beautiful 80 degree weather, kids happy to go to school and happy when they came home, hugs and kisses, a little pain in mom's heart at another year going by, thinking that this is the last year we'll have drop-offs at three places everyone morning until Max is a freshmen in high school with Graham in 7th grade and Pierce in 4th, both boys talking about their teachers in only positive terms. Really the only thing that wasn't perfect, my camera lens and the traffic flow at Garner Elementary, Max's new school. Neither thing something that can ruin the day.

Here's to my boys off on another year of school!

Hello, Mrs. Martin

Tonight we attended Buford Garner Elementary School's (try saying that when you're in first grade, or even an adult - here forward referred to only as Garner) Ice Cream Social and Meet the Teacher Night.

Drum roll please...... Max's teacher is Mrs. Traci Martin. He was happy to meet her and even asked her if he could have his picture taken with her. He knows three kids in his class - Tyler, Christian and Maggie. He's pretty bummed that Evan and Ian aren't in his class. I knew Ian wouldn't be (parental request since they are neighbors and personality wise for both of them and their teachers it's best they not be together) but didn't know about Evan. I'm sure he'll be fine away from him but he will be missed. Max is glad that Mrs. Martin was at Van Allen last year so he recognizes her.

Max reminded me the other night of the things that will be different about first grade from kindergarten - no nap, homework, no free play and the teachers won't tie your shoes for you. Another way Ms. Knupp prepared our little guy for first grade.

Here's to a great year ahead! Mrs. Martin has big shoes to fill but in the few minutes I was around her, I'm confident that she'll create her own shoes to be filled in our school journey.