Back to School, FINALLY!

After a  LONG 7 month break from school, the time finally arrived!

Not without some ch-ch-changes!

All Summer long my gut told me I needed to look into
 other options for my elementary kids.
Which was HARD because we LOVE our elementary school!
I felt we just needed some stability this year.
I was worried in person school would not happen until after October break.

And IF it started earlier, I was worried they would jump back and forth between 
online or in-person, or modified in person. Ugh.

I got a taste for online back in March and NO THANK YOU!
I would rather poke my eyes out.

(*edit, public schools did not start in person for over a month.
 Masks were mandatory.
 Recess and specials like PE and lunch time were extremely modified to what

we could call a joke.)

This meme speaks the solid TRUTH!

After some pleaful prayers, and blessings falling into the place,

I am happy to say my kids had the best first day of school. 
Prenda style!
Prenda is a micro homeschooling program.
They go to their guides (teachers) home and learn at a self guided pace.
They learn through online programs and group work.

Not going to lie, I was a bit nervous. 
This was completely, and I mean completely, different than 
what we ( the kids and myself) are used to as far as education goes.
The elementary we go to is not a charter, but a much faster paced school.

And is a bit "strict". 
Thankfully, the kids adjusted and  haven't skipped a beat! 

They started a couple of weeks later than the public schools did because
our guides were waiting their turn to get certified.

There was a rush of people doing the same thing as we were.

Again, the memes just hit it spot on!

Rusty started 5th grade!

Oh, and lets mention that they have extra big smiles because

they finally get to wear shorts and sandals to school!

They never could in the past due to dress codes. 

His class consists of 4th- 7th graders. 

AND, 2 of his best cousin friends, Collin and Weston. 
It works that you can have that range of grades because each
child moves along at their own speed. 
Much like montessori. 

Mrs Arnett is his guide.

Let's just say he is one lucky boy!

Kristen is a long time childhood friend.

We went to the same elementary school together (Franklin East) as Rusty did, up to this year.

After college, Kristen and my sister, Stephanie, TAUGHT 5th grade
together at said elementary! 

Needless to say, she is AMAZING.

He goes to school Monday-Friday.
On Fridays this class alternates between Mrs.Evans and Mrs. Hill,
to give Mrs.Arnett a day off. 

The perk to Prenda is that you only go for 4 hours/ day!

I love getting pictures of him during school time.

Thriving? I think YES!!

from left to right: Grahm Law, McGuire Law, Crew Hill, Mrs. Armett,
Weston, Kate Arnett, Rusty, Tay Hill, Gracie, Weston. 

 

Miss Lindi Lou started 2nd grade!

She gets 2 wonderful teachers, Mrs. Evans (aunt Stephanie) and Mrs Hill!
They alternate days.

Alyse went to the same Jr. High and High school as us. 
Mrs. Arnett also went to high school with us.

So funny to think how we never knew back in the day that this set up 

would happen!

All 3 guides live in Morrison Ranch, so the different pick ups
and drop offs are super easy. 

She goes Monday-Thursday and gets Friday's off.

They have K-2nd grade in their class.

Mrs. Evans class room.

Lindi, Olive, Charlotte Arnett, Sailor Hill, Livy Law, Liam, Harrison Arnett, Indie Hill

Mrs. Hills class

Oh Della girl.
She started her 2nd year of preschool at Ms. Suzy's!

She was the first to start school. 

In fact, for a couple of weeks, she was the ONLY one with a schedule. lol!

She goes 3 days a week this year.
Pretty sure those days are her favorites of the week!

She lives down the street.

I must say, the commute is the bees knees!

And then we have Lane.
Poor Lane had to start his last year of Jr. High on the computer screen.

Even though Prenda goes up to 8th grade, I couldn't take him away

from his social life at school, if and when they decided to go back. 

He is a such a good kid.

I NEVER have to tell him to stay focused or ask him his schedule.

He wakes up on time and works hard on his own, 
with good grades to boot. 

Such a blessing to have a teenager like that when the world

has gone to chaos. 

Plus, Jr High curriculum is way over my head.

Thank you for being on top of things, Lane! 

Sadly, sports got cancelled for the Fall so that was a bummer.

These resilient kids deserve an award for their patients. 

They have been robbed of so many things, yet they keep pressing forward.

The usual scene for his remote learning. 

He had a swim party with his school friends at my parents house.

Since they couldn't see each other at school, we found other ways for them to be together!

After being at home almost the whole first quarter, he was finally allowed back to school!

But modified.

They had 2 groups, A and B.

A step foward.

Finally after a few weeks of that, they all could go back to school together!

Still with adjustments.

It absolutely kills me inside how much these kids are taking the brunt end

of all this covid mess. 

It really frustrates me.

However, I know these kids are being blessed for their sacrifices. 

Whether they know it or not. 
They most definitely are blazing a new trail and are teaching me 

a thing or 2 on patients and so many other things. 

Who knows if this will be our new normal.

We are taking this new life one day at a time.

Not knowing what kind of political or pandemic mess we will wake up to.

It sure seems to change on the daily.

Right now, things are going A- OK!

Counting our many blessings!