Back to "New" Schools (again)

For the second year in a row, all of my children started at new schools.  They have done really well and I am really proud of there flexibility.  They are definitely learning lessons of adjusting to new situations, making friends quickly, and that change is not something to be afraid of.  Go KIDS!

Hanna 5th Grade, Jake 3rd Grade, Carter 7th Grade.  Due to the peculiar situation of the schools on Ramstein AFB, all children leave for school at the exact same time and ride the same buses.  So High School, Middle School, Intermediate School, and Elementary School all ride together.  They leave from the center of Schwedelbach at 7:30 am.  Which means we are up at 6:30 am.  A big adjustment for us!!  They all go to the Elementary School where they are dropped off and then the kids all go their separate ways and walk to their own schools.  Carter goes to Ramstein Middle School, Hanna and Jake to Ramstein Intermediate School, and Josh walks into Ramstein Elementary School. 

 

Neighborhood friends:  Danielle, Katelyn, and Cameron Turner, Luke and Emma Bowser. 

It was a chilly, but very bright day....not great for this picture with Dad.  Jared only wears his Dress Blues on Mondays, all the other days of the week he goes to work in his Battle Dress Uniform or Desert Camo. 

Carter 7th Grade - Ramstein Middle School - The Rams

 These pictures are from a few days before when we went in for his math placement test and tour of the school. 

Hanna 5th Grade - Ramstein Intermediate School - The Jaguars  Ms. Davis

Jake 3rd Grade - Ramstein Intermediate School - The Jaguars - Ms. Buckley

Mr. Cole stay at home preschooler teacher: MOMMY 

We went early to the buses so that we could stop at the Schwedelbach bakery for some freshly made pastries and donuts.  I'm sure it will become a tradition! 

These are the school buses our kids ride.  They are like the German tour buses.  I'm so glad they can all be there together. 

               Josh Kindergarten - Ramstein Elementary School - Koala Bears - Ms. Cepeda

The kindergarteners start a week after the other kids to allow for home visits from their teachers.  Kindergarten was the one thing I was really sad about. Because they have such a large military community here that go on base for school, they have two elementary age schools.  Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grades go together at the Elementary School, and 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades go together at the Intermediate School.  So little Josh is all by himself.  Luckily the kids see him to his teacher and ride with him on the bus.  He's a great kid and it doesn't seem to bother him in the least. 

Joshy's first day.....a week and a half after the other kids. 

Waiting for the bus at the bus stop in the center of Schwedelbach. 

This is how Josh felt about starting KINDERGARTEN

Happy mommy! 

Joshy got a chance to wear his favorite jacket on his first day, which dawned very rainy.  I bought this jacket for him and brought it home to show Jared.  I told Jared it was such a good deal and it is "Windproof and Waterproof".  Josh overheard this and got really excited about his new jacket.  Now he calls it his "Windproof and Waterproof"!

One last wave to mom and the Preschool years...... Josh was a pleasure to have home with me all these years.  He is such an easy goin, sweetheart.  I just love him to pieces and will miss him desperately. 

After school, the reports were mostly good.  Hanna:  It was the boringest day ever.... all they talked about was the rules.  Jake:  "My teacher is super nice!"  Carter:  Not much to say, but had similar comments as Hanna! 

Josh said:  My favorite part was recess.  I got to sit by a new friend named Sawyer.  I fell asleep during nap time.  My teacher is nice and we have our own playground.  When I asked him if he was okay or if he missed mom, he replied, "I was Okay, but I did miss you".  Perfect answer, tell her what she wants to hear, Josh!