What activities, you might ask? Well, here's a glimpse...
Adelie participated with all the 3rd graders in the "We Love America" program.
Adelie knew all the songs and dances and formations. She was so pleased to have a line in the program. She memorized it and shared it proudly.
They performed the program 3 different times. Once for grandparents, once for the rest of the school, and once for families to attend.
It was a great program! Very touching and patriotic. I loved seeing all the hard work of the 3rd grade students and teachers pay off in such a rewarding way.
Adelie also got to compete in the 3rd and 4th grade track meet this year.
She chose to compete in the high jump, 800 meter run, and 4 X 100 meter relay. She did great in all her events.
Adelie did well in the high jump, finishing in the middle of the pack of girls. Her relay got 6th place and she finished 3rd in the 800 meter run.
It was a HOT day, but Adelie had fun. She had practiced for her 800 and did a great job pacing herself and having some kick left at the end. She ran a full minute faster than she had when we practiced and she was VERY pleased. I was proud of seeing her practice and hard work pay off!
Briggs got to watch the track meet and enjoy the petting zoo and other activities put on by the high school FFA club.
Briggs and Zach attended the PTO art show for the grade school. (This conflicted with the first night of the girls' play so the girls and I didn't get to attend.) Briggs and Adelie both had art displayed at the show.
Briggs also signed up to play piano for a 10 minute time slot during the art show. Zach said he was comfortable and confident and played his songs very well. He has only been taking lessons for about 4 months, but was pleased to play the songs he's mastered.
I was so proud of Briggs and the confidence he showed to perform during the art show.
Staley played her flute during the middle school band concert with the 5th grade band.
The 5th grade band played 5 songs and did a great job. I didn't know quite what to expect with a group of kids who were all just learning new instruments and how to read music, but they exceeded my expectations.
The middle school art show was also going on before and after the band concert. Staley was excited to show us the paper mache whale that she made.
The 5th graders also participated in a DARE graduation ceremony to celebrate what they learned through the DARE program this year. Staley's group won the rap contest for their homeroom class so they got to perform their rap "We are the Drug Resistance."
Staley also won a few awards at the middle school awards ceremony. She got certificates for her MAP math scores, finishing an extra math program, and straight A's. She also got an individual award for the highest 5th grade MAP test score in reading.
Each 5th grade teacher also chose one student for an "Outstanding Student" award.
Staley's ELA teacher, Mrs. Hartke, chose Staley as the ELA Outstanding Student of the Year. It was an honor, and I appreciated the kind words from her teacher about Staley's attitude, participation, and enthusiasm for learning. And, of course, her love of reading.
These were just the extra school-based activities that have filled our days and evenings through these first few weeks of May. There was also the 5th grade girls' mother-daughter luncheon (puberty talk), and extra in-school activities like movie days and Young Authors awards and Briggs' 'Children' Around the World' virtual program and Field Day. Not much learning has actually been taking place these last few weeks, but that doesn't matter. The school year is finishing up strong with ALL THE THINGS. (Some of which could have been scheduled earlier in the year to make these last few weeks not quite so crazy, but who's complaining? Oh right. Me. I'm complaining.) Regardless, the kids have enjoyed all these special opportunities, and we've enjoyed getting to celebrate their accomplishments and share in their fun.
