First day of school

School started on August 24th and yes, it is now the tail end of October, but better late than never I suppose.

I still can't believe Jordan is in 1oth grade. Time is going by so fast! This year is looking up to be a much better year than last year. He has structured teachers that give clear assignments and he is enjoying having even more of his LDS friends move up to High School this year. He gladly attends seminary each morning, which is any parents dream! He loves to stay at the building for and extra 20 minutes or so after class with Austin to play piano before school starts. Again... could a parent be any happier with a boys choice of free time? They have since been joined by other students who are enjoying this pass time as well. (it sounds like a concert hall when you enter the building after class. They spread out and make use of multiple pianos. It's great!

Jordan is one of three students to decide to rejoin orchestra this year (which was a very difficult decision for him to make) and has an extremely small class of 12. The teacher is not so good and has anger management issues which is a shocker to all the students who were blessed by and amazing middle school teacher previous years. We are hoping the teacher will learn from this enrollment statement and will become a much calmer teacher.

Jordan decided to stick with cross country and spent the summer going running six days a week at 7:45 a.m. I am so proud of his dedication and excided to see him progress!

(Kelsey and Afton heading out for their middle school adventures. Kelsey-7th, Afton- 6th)

Kelsey had a difficult start to her school year. Having attended middle school for 6th grade, she was an old pro and went on the first day with many expectations of things being very similar to the year before. Well, instead of one G.A.T.E. class, there are two this year. She was looking forward to having all her classes with Amelia, but with the addition of another class, she once again only had two classes with her. All of the girls she most hoped to be with ended up in the other set of classes as well making a very sad Kelsey.

Since then, she has settled into her new schedule and is doing just fine! She is still not happy about some of the changes, but she is a kind girl, who makes friends easily and has made some new friends.

(Jayden ready to head out to 4th grade.)

Jayden is in a third fourth split this year and was put in a class with all the best kids! I am so excited about this year and the

extra time he will get with his teacher as a result! The third graders leave and go into other third grade classrooms for the bulk of the day, so it's basically 19 kids to one teacher.

Thankfully, she accepts

parent help and I am able to work with the kids on individualized spelling words. There are a few other parents who volunteer as well, adding to the amount of time the kids get one on one help. To put the icing on the cake, Jayden even got to sit next to his best friend for the first two months of school!

We are excited for this school year and the many possitives that have come our way this semester!!