Spring Break Fever!

Today, I decided to switch things up. Instead of the usual car turnaround for pick-up, I parked my car to soak up the contagious excitement in the air. It was such a sunny day, and all the kids were out running around on the playground. Once Emma spotted me, she ran and asked for a piggyback ride back to her friends. She loves directing me like a horse and I was happy to play along. Her friends and teacher were fun to chat with so we stayed for quite a while. On the way home, she talked me into sharing a snack at McDonalds. 

 

Harvest Party!

Waiting until the last minute to volunteer, I had only one choice: manning a carnival game. Unsure of myself and walking in costume, I chose putt-putt golf. I was instructed to give one treat only after they had sunk the ball in the hole, but they could try as many times as they wanted. I sneaked in extra treats, as every kid (minus one, a teen) kept trying until the ball was sunk. YIKES, that was a lot of lunging after balls to tee up. I got a great workout! The next day, my quads and glutes burned! It was worth every smile, shy "thank you," and of course seeing Emma having a fun day at school. Trick-or-treating tonight—yikes, that's a lot of sugar for this little one!

 

Student of the Month

First week of 5th Grade

    She's off to a great start!  Pictures in front of the school were a no-go this time around.  However, I took a few pics of her shopping with Dad for back-to-school lunches. First Starbucks was in order, along with showing me the next cup she planned to buy. 

This kid LOVES to shop!

 

I do not! However, it was fun to hear her say "ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS for a backpack!" 

Back to school widow shopping

She was shocked to see how much things cost. One hundred dollars for a backpack!!!

Learning God's creations

    Emma has learned so much about God, kindness, and yes, reading/writing/arithmetic this year. I love our little rainbow! 

Field trip to the zoo!

I had the opportunity to drive and chaperone Emma's class on this rainy blustery day. It was so much fun seeing the kids act like little monkeys in the rain! 

SKOPS school

10 - 3rd graders

My clan after the run to the car! 

College with a kitty

Pink-nose makes doing school work not so bad! 

 

Stress relief kitty!

 

I love this picture I took last night. He's getting quite good a writing and speed typing! Our pets make life more chill and provide lot's of laughable moments! 

Anyone wanna guess what Sam's making tonight?

Christian the graduate... created in Canva!

 

Emma's first choir recital!

Emma started a new school this year. I am so thankful to my parents who are graciously funding her new Christian school!

Busy times!

4 kids-4 different schools. I could not be any more proud of my kiddos! This month they have taken hardships and turned them into strengths!

Thankful for my village! For the first time since school started (late August), I'm free at 9pm on a weeknight night to have ME time. I don't know what to do! 

Late Aug - Race to get clothes and school supplies for Emma. Last-minute shoppers get the scraps and have to go to many different stores. Stress level 7. 

Aug 30th - First day of 4th grade. Note - She has not been to in-person school since March (a few days shy of her super-crappy B-day) in 2020. Stress level 10!

Also Aug 30th - M* - First day of 12th grade, online. Stress level 10!!!

Sept 11th - Sam's back-to-school supplies are now done. Stress level 6.. not too bad, more products in stock and less needed at his grade. 

Sept 13th - First day at a brand new school for Sam. JR HIGH!!! After a year stuck at home, he's now attending a STEM school. Stress level 10! Note.. shouldn't have stressed as he loves this type of hands-on learning. 3-D printer, laser cutter, welding, and woodshop, all in addition to project-based learning. 

Sept 15th - Back to school clothes shopping for Sam... need I say more?  

Sep 20-24th - Emma's entire school had to quarantine due to a breakthrough case of C-19. Had to learn how to Zoom / Seesaw / Zoodles etc. Stress level 10+! 

Sept 27-Oct 1 - Emma switched to a new home school pod. Started a new homework routine, met new friends, had her first test, and made some more friends! Today a much-needed break from stress with her first FIELD TRIP. What a trooper!! Her stress level is starting to come down. 

Oct 1 - Christian started college! Online learning with several new platforms is no easy task to learn! He had to create accounts for Moodle, MOM, new Gmail & Outlook, etc. It's all new to us, so it's difficult to sit with all the unknowns to come.  

Light at the end of the tunnel

Gradates in the year 2020 and 2021 faced many huddles the past year. Christian on the other hand took the past year in stride. Re-wind a bit .. School always came easy to him a straight A student.  First to memorize times tables in his class, homework done promptly after school, perfect scores, teachers praised. Christian was due to graduate last year class of 2020 with friends and soccer mates glued together. But that road flashed a road block.. OCD.  There was about a two year period where we as a family took detour after detour. There were many tearful days and nights where we had nothing to see the end of the tunnel yet and to hang on tight...God's light was there we just had to have faith! Like the amazing student his is, once we found the correct path, he diligently followed. The way he came to this accomplishment reminds me that the way we reach our goals, is not always the way we envision it to pass. Knowing that God's plan is perfect, gives me peace to know MY greatest gifts to this world are guided by Him. 

Emma School Pictures 2020-1021

 

School Sucks!

Email received today - 

Last night the School Board met to think about a range of possible models for reopening schools this fall. Obviously the COVID-19 outbreak poses a rapidly-changing situation that will require a plan for schools that is flexible. At this point, our budget is unknown and we are still waiting to hear whether there will be federal or state assistance to lessen the impact of funding cuts.

To protect the health of our students and staff, the plan we create for each school must adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the Oregon Health Authority, the Governor’s direction, and Oregon Department of Education guidance. Currently we are looking at three types of operating models for fall.

Hybrid Learning Model

This model gives every student some classroom instruction and some learning at home. It allows schools to follow social distancing guidelines and limit cohort intermingling while providing access to teachers and classroom materials.

Students would be divided into cohort groups, with one of these schedule types:

• Cohorts alternate days, half weeks, or weeks: For example, Cohort A attends school on Monday, while Cohort B learns at home. On Tuesday, they switch. Or cohort A attends school the first week while Cohort B does distance learning. The following week they switch.

• Cohorts alternate on a morning/afternoon daily schedule: Cohort A attends school from 8 to 11 a.m. and learns at home from noon to 3 p.m. Cohort B does distance learning from 8 to 11 a.m., and attends school from 1 to 3 p.m.

• Cohort schedules vary by grade level: For example, some elementary students attend school daily, while secondary students alternate days/weeks or morning/afternoon.

Note: Under any of these schedule types, the school will be thoroughly cleaned between cohorts.

When an outbreak of COVID-19 requires a school building to temporarily close, this model would shift Distance Learning to allow continuity of on-going classes and lessons. Then students would shift back to a mix of classroom and distance learning as the situation allows.

Comprehensive Distance Learning

This model could be used for all students if the state does not allow return to classrooms due to the spread of COVID-19. Education might include a mix of live and pre-recorded video instruction, along with online sessions for students to get academic support and social engagement from teachers and peers. Direct instruction could be enhanced using an online curriculum. Elementary families preferring paper packets could have regular pickup and dropoff times.

Full Return to Classroom Instruction

This model would only be possible if state health and social distancing mandates can be met in the school buildings we have. Reducing the spread of COVID-19 will require minimizing the number of different people with whom students and staff intermingle.  We would need to create “stable cohorts,” which resemble the elementary class model, but are very different from the typical secondary school model.

Given current guidance from health and education authorities as well as recent trends in COVID 19 diagnoses, we do not expect a full return to schools in September.

While these three models are just broad outlines of the possibilities, we welcome your input as we continue the planning process. Please email your thoughts, questions, and concerns to XXXX

2020 Graduation

Chrisian's school announcement regarding this years graduation....

We have decided on an in person graduation that will take place in our current building at 1394 NW Civic Drive, Gresham. OR 97030 on Thursday, June 11th. Each graduate will sign up for a time (sign up sheet will go out shortly) that they can bring two guests and walk across a "stage" in the MEWA lobby area. We will practice social distancing and of course be sanitizing any surfaces in between graduates. We will have to require guests, graduates and MEWA staff to wear masks during the ceremony. There will be a photographer present and we will have a zoom link available that families can share with others who are unable to attend in person. **This event can only take place if we have enough students wanting to participate.

Like this year's prom, we have social media to help us celebrate....

2020 Quarantine - Day 46?

Distance learning week 2 day 3. I'm losing my EVER LOVING MIND!

I did the math. I have 4 kids, that's 2 hours a day, times 4, equals 8. Let me double-check because I've been instructed we always double-check 4x2=8 HOURS!!! Holy crap how are moms across the country doing this every day? OK, let me be honest... I would never spend that amount of time on schoolwork with my kids, but the amount they are assigning would equate to about that much. So we've been skipping the "specials" like P.E., music, and library. I figure we go on a walk and they listen to music on nightly drives with Dad. Shouldn't reading through their assignments count as library time? I know, that's very crass of me.. but I'm getting crass with all the rules!

However, even one hour per kid is challenging! YEP 4 kids, no kidding! They have been told it's OK to take breaks, don't stress. While I agree with keeping things chill and not stressing, it's frustrating when one kid will do a little bit of work and desire a break, then wait till I'm busy with dinner to want to finish their school assignments. That said, the assignments between the two littles have been stacking up. I feel like I'm drowning!

Let me vent about math, my favorite subject. LOL (2nd grade... have yet to look at Sam's 5th-grade assignments this week. I'd like to be that mom... teach the ways of math. How to carry the one. Yikes, I know others before me have tried and failed. Today, 2nd graders reminded teachers to follow the instructions on new math, those that don't toe the line will have to try again. Considering they record answers, I also, had to learn how to add "friendly" numbers with "big hops" and "little hops". I'm finally getting it! :) 

Emma using sass and confidence teaches New Math....

 

Learning new long division with Samuel

2020 Quarantine - Day 38?

 Received news regarding the new ODE requirements for this semester's classes.

"To earn the credit for your classes this semester, you will need to complete 33.3% of the
coursework in each class with a passing grade (60% or above). The grade you receive will
be either a Pass/No Pass/Incomplete. Classes should be complete by June 15th"

This is both good and bad news for my teens. Good, it gives them the chance to complete another semester's worth of credits in the last month and a half of school. Bad, the great grades (A's and B's) they currently hold will not reflect on their GPA.
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