First Day of School

 I'm a little late to the game - oh well!  Sophie and Calvin are attending Raleigh Park for the second year.  There were a lot of changes with the Beaverton School District's Schools this year.  A huge budget crisis forced the school district to eliminate over 200 teacher positions.  Class sizes are enormous and many teachers have been forced to move schools, grades and subjects.  It is terrible and really drives home the need for consistent, reliable educational funding.

Sophie's teacher this year is Mrs. Laird.  She came to Raleigh Park from a local middle school where she taught history.  Sophie was thrilled to learn her two best friends, Grace and Kate are in her class again this year.  Her class started with 39 kids this year!  About a week into the school year, after her teacher fell on her face while trying to squeeze between desks, the school district brought in one more teacher to make a grade 4/grade 5 split class.  It has helped to being down the numbers in her class - hooray!

Calvin has Mrs. Baumgartner for second grade and several of his friends from last year are in his class again including one little girl from his primary class.

All three of the kids decided they hated school lunch after last year so our mornings are very busy as all three kids have to pack their lunches for school!  It is better though - Calvin is actually eating things other than a white bagel with nothing on it and a chocolate milk for lunch.   I bought a bunch of bento box type containers and new lunchboxes for the kids.  They now take a lot of leftovers and fresh fruits and vegetables and everyone is happier.

I know most Mothers are thrilled when their children go back to school, but I am not one of them!  I love the summers and I love coming home from work and being able to relax with the kids, walk to the library or go to a park or a concert.  Once school starts, every evening is a rush to get home for work, get dinner on the table, get all of the homework done and make sure piano and trombone are practiced.  It is exhausting.  I can't wait for summer!