Carli finally brought her progress report home...it's labeled "Mid-Term Progress Report"...
Reading - satisfactory
Language Arts - exceeding
Mathematics - progressing
Social Studies - satisfactory
Science - satisfactory
Class Participation - satisfactory
Completion of Class Work - satisfactory
Completion of Homework - satisfactory
Behavior - satisfactory
Respect for Others - satisfactory
Respect for School Property - satisfactory
Following Directions - satisfactory
there's nothing else written on the report, which kinda makes me wonder...but I'm used to more professional progress reports...this is just a sheet of paper...
I am eagerly looking forward to Carli's first progress report from her new school. I have only received one phone call since she started at the beginning of August, and that was only because I had called to see how she was doing. Mr. Smith, her first ever male teacher told me she was doing fine academically and socially and that she was fitting in. Whew! Not that I didn't think she'd fit in (because I know she doesn't have a problem fitting in), but being at a new school where things were completely different for her compared to her old school where she'd made lots of friends.
She has since made at least 5 or 6 friends in her classroom and the other Third Grade classroom and I am less worried about her now than I was when she started.
She has also started a new chapter in her life by riding the school bus. We got the call the day before she was to begin and since I had not had the pleasure of meeting with the bus driver at "Meet the Teacher" night, I had to take it on blind faith that this was indeed the bus driver from her school and that our daughter would be picked up and returned to us safely.
Monday morning dawned bright and early as usual here in Arizona and as I lay there running the most awful scenarios through my mind, I forced myself out of bed, took my shower (because I also had to get ready for work), and started the coffee, went back into the bedroom and roused Carli out of her slumber.
We took out her braid, got her hair brushed and quickly got her dressed in her jumper, shirt and shoes. Before I knew it, it was 6:00 a.m. and the bus pulled up in front of our house. Needless to say, I was a bit concerned because I didn't know the bus driver (Ms. Daniels is the morning bus driver). I had to trust that God would protect my baby as I watched the bus drive down our street and out of sight.
She was safely returned that afternoon around 5:00 p.m. by Mr. Mims, the afternoon bus driver. I was never so glad to see my baby girl as I was that day! I hugged her so tight I thought I might suffocate her - but of course, I didn't!
At least a few weeks have gone by since that first day and I still remember it as if it were only yesterday. Hard to imagine how convenient it would be at the beginning, but now that we are in this routine, I am enjoying my new found freedom in the mornings after Carli has left for school.
She gets picked up now at 6:20 a.m. and still arrives home in the afternoons at the same time. She attends before- and after-school care at her school, but instead of spending it in the cafeteria with at least 30 (if not more) children who are completely and utterly out of control, she is in the Media Lab working on a computer, playing educational games or watching movies. I prefer this type of care for her - she is one of only a few who get to be in there. Only the children who ride the bus get to be in the Media Lab.
There is only one other child on the bus in the morning and 6 or 7 who ride in the afternoon. Life is good.
