Thursday, September 1, 2016

September 1st And So It Begins

In Israel September 1st means back to school for everyone from Nursery to 12th Grade. All schools, all locations, all pupils.

We are not morning people
DD still thinks it's the law that you have to have your photo taken on the first morning of school. She wasn't happy about it but I got my photo. On the second go she tried not to look so grumpy. We are not morning people and this is the first morning in two months that we've been up before 8.30 am. (Or possibly 9.....or even 10.....etc....). She did go to bed at 8.30 last night but couldn't fall asleep until way after 10. I'm hoping she'll be more tired tonight after the early start to the day.

Looking at the photos I'm struck by how casual she looks compared with the uniforms and proper shoes worn in England. Oh well, we all look smarter in the winter.

I noticed a LOT of families speaking English at the drop off today. Much more than usual. I was dreading telling the new Head Teacher that we are going away next week (it's my father's stone-setting in London). However as soon as she heard my rubbish Hebrew she offered to switch to English which she speaks perfectly. Life just got a lot easier.

(As I write a helicopter has been circling low over our road and over the school. This is ominous as it usually means they are looking for something or someone. And now police sirens have started.)

The new Head was very nice and understanding about it. Whilst agreeing that's it not ideal she accepted my promise to take maths and Hebrew books with us and to keep up with the work. I was worried as she doesn't know me yet - I could be a completely flaky parent who's always flitting off for holidays during the school year, but it was fine.

She tried harder to look happy for this one
After a long and tearful goodbye to the school guard of nine years, at the end of last semester, today he was back at his post. In July we wrote cards, bought him a gift, he sat next to the leaving Head Teacher in the 'Goodbye Assembly' and they both shed a tear. She gave him a hug - it was all very emotional. And here he is back again at his post by the school gate. Whatever, it was good to see him.

I signed up for the afternoon program with homemade lunch at 2.30 pm when lessons end for the day. On the one hand it's more expensive than last year but on the other hand I now only have to send DD with her 10 O'clock snack, plus a little extra for the 1 pm break, and not with lunch as well - that was a killer especially as she won't eat sandwiches or anything that I make really.

I got a slight reduction in price because DD decided to be vegetarian and she's kept to it strictly for about six months now. So she'll just be getting the carbs and the vegetables which she'll have to eat - the afternoon lady is very good at making them eat their lunch.

So that's it. The first morning of 3rd Grade. No big deal - I didn't even have to go to the classroom with DD, she just went ahead. Good luck to us and everyone for a successful and happy school year!




8 comments:

  1. Hope she enjoys being back at school. My 2 back next week and looking forward to seeing their friends again

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    1. Yes, she definitely missed her friends and was happy to back with them yesterday.

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  2. She looks casual and confident going into school, and I wish my DS still believed that the first day of term photo was compulsory (and would let me post it on the internet!)

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    1. I don't know how many more years I've got until she realizes it's a con. LOL.

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  3. It's fascinating hearing how different schools/education is around the world. The uniform thing is interesting and so is the day length. I am giggling slightly at the idea of a law about the first day of term photo though ;)

    Hope the stone setting goes as well as it can.

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    1. Thank you. I though of you over the summer and how our complete lack of motivation to to anything proved to me that I could never home educate. I have so much admiration for those who do.

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  4. Your DD is growing up.... 3rd grade already?! Oh and I hear you on the lucmches.... and don't get me started on breakfasts. It does get a little easier, when they're 16 'cos by then you accept you can't force them! And you can reach agreements. Best of luck for the school year ahead :-) xx

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    1. I think the agreement I'm looking forward to is - I'll put food in the fridge and you eat what you want.

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