I know that we can learn and grow from the changes in our lives so I should embrace them right? Wrong. I still resist them and drag my feet and worry and stress. I think I'm getting a little better at it (or at least I hope I am). We heard a year ago that our kids were going to get rezoned for the 2010-2011 school year at a new elementary school that they were just beginning construction on. I looked up the location and was immediately dissappointed. Too many business' nearby, small streets making difficult loading and unloading, and a small lot for the playground.
I went to all the rezoning meetings dragging my little kids along and fighting to have my elementary kids stay in their old school that they had grown to love. I felt anxiety and stress when I realized that our requests were falling on deaf ears and like it or not we were going to be rezoned.
In May we learned more about some of the staff members and again were dissapointed. Not sure what to do, I prayed and fought all summer to get Zone Variances to the old school for my two children. Finally the week before school was starting, I started really bugging our old school to let me know. I even offered to teach a Soccer Academy before school. They finally gave me the official NO the monday before school started. I was crestfallen and saddened that so much effort, time, and energy had been spent on this pursuit....only to be told NO.
What I have learned however, is that no time is waisted when it comes to going to bat for your children and their well being and happiness. Education is very important to our family.
So now what?? We have moved forward and taken the "No answer" as an opportunity to embrace the positives about the new school. Afterall, how you teach your children to react to difficult situations is just as important as teaching them to take a stand and fight for what you believe to be a good cause.
Some of my anxieties have diminished after a week and a half at the new school.....and some of them are still there. I am choosing to combat this by being more involved in volunteering, becoming an acitve PTSO member, and helping with school activities so that I can be right on top of any subtle or not so subtle messages and education, that are contrary to our family's belief system, that may be taught to my children.
On the bright side.....the new school is BEAUTIFUL. It is two levels which allows for bigger classrooms, lots of windows and state of the art technology. They have permethium (sp?) whiteboards in each classroom as well as overheads that can project anything (not just things written on plastic) up on the board for the class to see. They even have interactive tools that each student holds and pushes to vote for the right answers and such. It reminds me of Jeoparday! They have a science lab, and an amazing computer lab completely stocked with brand new Mac computers. The library is filled with all brand new books and more Mac computers.
They painted accent walls here and there in the classrooms, hallways, and libraries in bright colors such as lime green, blue, and red to make it a more cheery atmosphere. Its a very bright school with wide hallways which makes it feel very roomy. And last but not least..... my kids are bussed to school. They have one bus for our whole Waterfall Community which is mostly filled with kids from our ward.
Triggs Travelers....the new school mascot and logo
My School kids....wait I'm missing Carter....where are you?....oh yeah in bed with a 103.5 temperature. On the first day of Middle School?? Now that's bad luck. Or good luck depending on how you want to look at it.
Mia, Aspen, and Hanna Back to School Buddies!
Both of my children were blessed with Awesome teachers that I trust and know will teach high quality education.
Jake's 2nd grade teacher -- Mrs. Eldan
Hanna (4th grade) with Mrs. Montgomery at Meet the Teacher Day There are 5 kids from the ward in Hanna's class
Jack and Jake are best friends, neighbors, and lucky to be in the same class again!! (okay so mom had to manipulate the system a bit to make this happen...no one is that lucky)
We survived the first day!
Hanna has laid out the entire weeks worth of outfits for the last two years in a row. I never got a picture of it last year....so I vowed to get one this year!
2 comments:
love their back to school pictures, Hanna's back to school darling haircut and all her outfits laid out. I hope the school year will be good one for your kids.
Geneva, so good to hear the outcome... I think we talked right before you found out NO. You are absolutely an inspiration. Good job being such a good example to your kiddos and having such a good attitude... or at least pretending you do! You are fabulous. Love Hanna's clothes all laid out. Very cute.
Post a Comment