Magic Moments: proud

Over the last few weeks I’ve had several very proud mummy moments.

After a shaky start, with a lot of anger and tears about being made to leave his old school and all his friends, the 6yo has settled really well into his new school.

And, after our initial worries about different school systems, a different curriculum, First Grade versus Primary 2 and a small issue with accents (all of which are due a blog post of their own!) we really can’t fault the Elementary School that the 6yo attends.

We have been particularly impressed by their emphasis on social studies, social skills and personal, as well as academic, development.

Opportunities for the children to get involved, demonstrate their skills, present and speak in front of an audience (and to show off a little!) are a regular part of school life.

Disclaimer: I apologise in advance that what follows is a truly gushy, parent show offy, my son is a little star, post :)

My first proud moment came a few weeks ago with the Art Show. Held at the Middle School, each of the local Elementary Schools, the Middle School and the High School were represented. In each class the work of two or three students had been chosen for display – and the 6yo was one of three in his class to have his work on show! My son was thrilled, and so pleased to be able to take us to the opening night of the show and point his drawing out to us.

Next came the Spring Concert. Each year group performed two songs, which was lovely in itself, the teachers had done a fantastic job, but each year group also chose two students to introduce the songs – and the 6yo was one of the two! Here he is before his star turn, his Scottish American accent ringing out across the auditorium :)

And finally, today was his school’s ‘Monday Monthly Meeting’, with First Grade providing the ‘entertainment’. Every child read something, based on the work they’d been doing: some read facts from their recent research into sharks; some read their persuasive letters (the girl who asked her mum to spend the day with her because she doesn’t see her much during the week made me want to cry); some explained empathy to us – their ’emotion of the month’; and some read us their goals. The 6yo was one of this group and this is his goal:

‘I want to go to the Hawaiian islands and live with the Hawaiian monk seals and stop them from reaching extinction. I will find out why they die and stop it from happening.’
(I took the liberty of correcting his spelling for the above quote…!)

How wonderful is that? Not – I want to be famous, I want to be a football star, I want to be rich – I want to save an animal from extinction! My thoughtful, compassionate boy.

Not only do these moments make me burst with pride but, seeing how thrilled he is to be chosen, how he relishes getting involved and how settled and confident he has become at his new school is just wonderful – and yes, it is magic!

Why not hop on over to The Oliver’s Madhouse and take a look at some other magical moments!