Wednesday, August 17, 2011

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for my boys. This is the 5th first day of school for Spencer since he started going to school in 8th grade. We homeschooled before that. Tucker started going later that same year, but technically this is only his 4th first day of school.
When we homeschooled, we'd have "not back to school" parties. Now I send them off before 8 a.m. and see them again after 3.
This year, our school is starting very early in the year. The goal is to finish the first semester before Christmas. That way, high school students can take their exams before Christmas break rather than coming back to school for a week and taking exams then. It makes perfect sense to me, and the kids get out of school in May rather than in June, so it all evens out.
The parents who are complaining about the early start are the parents of the younger students. They can't stand the changes in the Christmas holiday. It's hard to make them understand how quickly those years fly past. Before they know it, they will be looking at kids who tower above them try and try to eek out good grades to get into college.

7 comments:

Stephanie said...

It's also Spencer's LAST first day.

Jesse will be lonely next week when he stands on our front porch all by himself for his first day of school picture.

Paulita said...

I thought about you when I was imagining how weird it would be next year when Tucker is the only one going back to school

Linda said...

I remember those days. You're right-it all goes so quickly.

aguja said...

Did it work well for your boys to have home schooling? It is an interesting concept.

Hope all goes well for them!

Paulita said...

To answer your question, yes, homeschool was a success for me and all three of my children. They got to play and be kids for awhile longer than other kids do when they have to go to school. They are smart and learned a lot. I got to spend extra time with them so I'm not mopey and clingy now that they are flying the nest.
The one thing I'll say they didn't get from staying home is that they aren't very grade oriented. They think getting a B with very little work is better than getting an A with a lot of hard work. I'm still trying to tell them that since they entered the system voluntarily, now they have to play by the rules of the system.

bermudaonion said...

The school system my son went to do it that way as well. He graduated from high school in the middle of May so he had a nice break before he headed off to college.

BFF said...

Remember thinking those days would never end? Now I just want a few more years and with Luke it is lightning fast. Those parents of young kids should hold on tight and keep hands and feet inside the car at all times

Cockadoodle Doo or Cocorico?

 We stood in the middle of the road, having walked together 13 miles that day and Claudine grasped my forearm. "Mais non! It doesn'...