Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Fall
Miles has had a busy Fall season so far full of changes, new interests, and new routines. He pretty much traded his privileged game cube hours for checkers and chess.
Miles also picked up weekly ukelele lessons with Iz' nephew, Izzy. After his first lesson, Miles got to choose his very own uke so that the vintage uke from Uncle Gary can stay home. Thursdays are long days for Miles with his Uke lesson after school. By the time he's home, he's physically and mentally exhausted. But he does enjoy learning the uke and hopes to be able to play it at NVLA when he has a choice of an instrument.
Speaking of NVLA, Miles is going on his 3rd week tomorrow. So far, his transition has been as good as it can be. I mean, he literally was thrown in there like a kid thrown into the ocean without knowing how to swim! Sink or swim! I've realized three major things:
1) In order for Miles to succeed in this Spanish immersion school, Justin and I need to become fluent in Spanish too (we got homework to do).
2) Going to NVLA is a huge commitment for the family. But that should be the case with education period, right!? In other words, no lazy parenting allowed. Haha!
3) Not only will we be working with Miles at home, but we will need to have steady communication with his teachers as well as communication with the other parents.
NVLA pretty much feels like a co-op, which is something we appreciate about it. There is definitely a sense of community there.
Things I miss about Napa Junction:
1) Understanding his homework off the bat, without needing translation.
2) The short distance from home. As we drive to NVLA, a 20 minute drive away with traffic, I have to tell myself, "This is a good school! This is a good school!"
Since Miles has missed the first 2.5 months of class at NVLA, we have been playing catch up at home, learning vowels, alphabets, and counting in Spanish. I found some great teaching resources at the educational store in Vallejo, The Bookworm.
Socially, Miles has made new friends but also misses his Napa Junction friends especially Ace, Angel, Josh, and Adrian. One morning on our way to NVLA, as we passed by the street that takes us to his old school, Miles said, "I wonder if my old classmates miss me." That made me feel sad for the kid. It's been tough for him not being able to see them. But Adrian has called him to talk a few times! Pretty funny listening to their conversations. Miles was happy to visit his old class and see Mrs. C last week. At his new class, he has found some friends that match up to his temperament, including a new buddy, Grayson and Gigi. All in all, Miles has had a smoother time adjusting than I anticipated. But thank God I was wrong. At home, it has been great hearing Darrien & Miles speak the few sentences they know in Spanish to each other, including counting together, and reciting the colors!
Justin and I have been getting involved by volunteering at NVLA. We helped with the sound during kinder's first fundraiser movie night (which was a success!). And I got to spend a morning and afternoon with Miles' class. It was fun but exhausting! I must have fell asleep by 9pm that night. I have so much respect for kindergarten teachers! How do they do it?! This past Friday, Justin and I volunteered (along with 10 other parents!) to chaperone their first field trip to Stanly Lane's Pumpkin Patch. We enjoyed it!
Tomorrow is Dia de Los Muertos! Happy Halloween!
Miles also picked up weekly ukelele lessons with Iz' nephew, Izzy. After his first lesson, Miles got to choose his very own uke so that the vintage uke from Uncle Gary can stay home. Thursdays are long days for Miles with his Uke lesson after school. By the time he's home, he's physically and mentally exhausted. But he does enjoy learning the uke and hopes to be able to play it at NVLA when he has a choice of an instrument.
Speaking of NVLA, Miles is going on his 3rd week tomorrow. So far, his transition has been as good as it can be. I mean, he literally was thrown in there like a kid thrown into the ocean without knowing how to swim! Sink or swim! I've realized three major things:
1) In order for Miles to succeed in this Spanish immersion school, Justin and I need to become fluent in Spanish too (we got homework to do).
2) Going to NVLA is a huge commitment for the family. But that should be the case with education period, right!? In other words, no lazy parenting allowed. Haha!
3) Not only will we be working with Miles at home, but we will need to have steady communication with his teachers as well as communication with the other parents.
NVLA pretty much feels like a co-op, which is something we appreciate about it. There is definitely a sense of community there.
Things I miss about Napa Junction:
1) Understanding his homework off the bat, without needing translation.
2) The short distance from home. As we drive to NVLA, a 20 minute drive away with traffic, I have to tell myself, "This is a good school! This is a good school!"
Since Miles has missed the first 2.5 months of class at NVLA, we have been playing catch up at home, learning vowels, alphabets, and counting in Spanish. I found some great teaching resources at the educational store in Vallejo, The Bookworm.
Socially, Miles has made new friends but also misses his Napa Junction friends especially Ace, Angel, Josh, and Adrian. One morning on our way to NVLA, as we passed by the street that takes us to his old school, Miles said, "I wonder if my old classmates miss me." That made me feel sad for the kid. It's been tough for him not being able to see them. But Adrian has called him to talk a few times! Pretty funny listening to their conversations. Miles was happy to visit his old class and see Mrs. C last week. At his new class, he has found some friends that match up to his temperament, including a new buddy, Grayson and Gigi. All in all, Miles has had a smoother time adjusting than I anticipated. But thank God I was wrong. At home, it has been great hearing Darrien & Miles speak the few sentences they know in Spanish to each other, including counting together, and reciting the colors!
Justin and I have been getting involved by volunteering at NVLA. We helped with the sound during kinder's first fundraiser movie night (which was a success!). And I got to spend a morning and afternoon with Miles' class. It was fun but exhausting! I must have fell asleep by 9pm that night. I have so much respect for kindergarten teachers! How do they do it?! This past Friday, Justin and I volunteered (along with 10 other parents!) to chaperone their first field trip to Stanly Lane's Pumpkin Patch. We enjoyed it!
First thing the kids did was run up the haystack pyramid.
Watching them run down was a bit nerve wrecking!
Besides the pumpkins, Miles enjoyed the tractors.
There were so many different kinds of pumpkins to choose from.
Salon 5 with Maestra Ortiz!
Tomorrow is Dia de Los Muertos! Happy Halloween!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Petrified Forest
We spent one of the hottest fall days with Aunty Lea at the Petrified Forest of Calistoga.
Miles liked the thought of an active volcano creating the Petrified Forest, reminding him of the active volcanoes on the Big Island.
We examined each tree station, learning about the details of each tree...
...like this Pine Tree stuck in the ground below.
We also ran into some forest friends like this friendly lizard.
We found this cave entrance that was once open to the public. "Maybe itʻs a portal mom," Miles suggested.
We were so hungry by the end of the hike. This was one of Milesʻ petrified hungry faces!
On the way back, we made a pitt stop at Gottʻs Roadside. It was a great way to end our Calistoga adventure!
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Persistance Pays
Two weeks ago, Darrien transferred to a Spanish-Immersion school, being waitlisted while at St. Basilʻs. It has been a blessing! On his last day at St. Basilʻs, he told me, "I feel kinda sad cause Iʻm going to miss my friends and my old school." Itʻs bittersweet. But one week into his new school, Darrien has been pretty excited about learning Spanish as well as meeting new friends.
Bringing him to school and picking him up after a few days last week, I saw how great the community was at the school, meeting a mother volunteer in Darrienʻs class. He will definitely thrive in that learning enviornment. Itʻs great that Vallejo has those options for kids and parents.
This weekend I got a call from Lorraine, the mother of Diego, Milesʻ first childhood friend. Iʻve really missed her since we left the Presidio. She told me how Diego got into this charter in SF, also a Spanish-immersion one, but after she literally showed up to the office everyday, arguing with the people at the office about letting her son into the program, and writing a great argument to the district. Two of the schools eventually offered Diego a spot! Speaking with Lorraine made me think, "Is calling NVLA once, twice, or three times a week even enough? Maybe I need to show up at the office and argue with them. Maybe I need to show up at the district office and get on them to give Miles a shot at this school." I had told Justin yesterday--after he left a message at the office, "If they donʻt return our call this week, letʻs go to the office and the district!"
Just yesterday, I had a teacher conference with Milesʻ kinder teacher, Mrs. C, telling her how Miles is waitlisted for the Spanish-Immersion Arts/Music based school. She seemed a bit sad to hear that, telling me that she would love to teach Miles to speak Spanish if that is why we were hoping for him to transfer (only part of the list of reasons). I felt a bit conflicted, thinking, "If he does get into the charter, Miles will miss his buddies, his class, his teacher, and the routine. Heʻs comfortable learning there." Mrs. C is great at her job, juggling 29 kids at a time. She told me, "I recognize that Miles needs to be challenged in the classroom and outside so that he can reach his full potential and not be held back. Heʻs one of those kids." She said this before I was going to raise my concern of Miles getting bored at school (heʻs told me this a few times). We have been so thankful that he lucked out and got her as his kinder teacher, making us feel assured that he has been in good hands at our neighborhood school. She is a truly wonderful teacher and it shows with the kids in her class.
But if Miles were to get into the charter, we would transfer him in a heart beat. It is what we wanted for him since last year, signing him up for the lottery. In the long run, we know that he will thrive at this school.
An hour ago, I got a call on my phone. I see that the ID says: NVLA. I pick up and hear, "If you are still interested, there is an opening at our school for Miles."
Oh my God.
I must have sounded crazy to the lady, "Of course weʻre interested!!! Are you kidding? Is this really happening?! Feels like we won the lottery!!!?! Oh wait....we DID!"
I got off the phone, Miles & Jus heard the commotion. I screamed to the top of my lungs and Miles looked alarmed and a bit scared. Hahaha! Then I started crying tears of joy. I feel thankful. I know our ancestors are looking out. This opportunity is a true blessing for our son.
Miles & Darrien will be speaking to each other in Spanish one day soon.
Bringing him to school and picking him up after a few days last week, I saw how great the community was at the school, meeting a mother volunteer in Darrienʻs class. He will definitely thrive in that learning enviornment. Itʻs great that Vallejo has those options for kids and parents.
This weekend I got a call from Lorraine, the mother of Diego, Milesʻ first childhood friend. Iʻve really missed her since we left the Presidio. She told me how Diego got into this charter in SF, also a Spanish-immersion one, but after she literally showed up to the office everyday, arguing with the people at the office about letting her son into the program, and writing a great argument to the district. Two of the schools eventually offered Diego a spot! Speaking with Lorraine made me think, "Is calling NVLA once, twice, or three times a week even enough? Maybe I need to show up at the office and argue with them. Maybe I need to show up at the district office and get on them to give Miles a shot at this school." I had told Justin yesterday--after he left a message at the office, "If they donʻt return our call this week, letʻs go to the office and the district!"
Just yesterday, I had a teacher conference with Milesʻ kinder teacher, Mrs. C, telling her how Miles is waitlisted for the Spanish-Immersion Arts/Music based school. She seemed a bit sad to hear that, telling me that she would love to teach Miles to speak Spanish if that is why we were hoping for him to transfer (only part of the list of reasons). I felt a bit conflicted, thinking, "If he does get into the charter, Miles will miss his buddies, his class, his teacher, and the routine. Heʻs comfortable learning there." Mrs. C is great at her job, juggling 29 kids at a time. She told me, "I recognize that Miles needs to be challenged in the classroom and outside so that he can reach his full potential and not be held back. Heʻs one of those kids." She said this before I was going to raise my concern of Miles getting bored at school (heʻs told me this a few times). We have been so thankful that he lucked out and got her as his kinder teacher, making us feel assured that he has been in good hands at our neighborhood school. She is a truly wonderful teacher and it shows with the kids in her class.
But if Miles were to get into the charter, we would transfer him in a heart beat. It is what we wanted for him since last year, signing him up for the lottery. In the long run, we know that he will thrive at this school.
An hour ago, I got a call on my phone. I see that the ID says: NVLA. I pick up and hear, "If you are still interested, there is an opening at our school for Miles."
Oh my God.
I must have sounded crazy to the lady, "Of course weʻre interested!!! Are you kidding? Is this really happening?! Feels like we won the lottery!!!?! Oh wait....we DID!"
I got off the phone, Miles & Jus heard the commotion. I screamed to the top of my lungs and Miles looked alarmed and a bit scared. Hahaha! Then I started crying tears of joy. I feel thankful. I know our ancestors are looking out. This opportunity is a true blessing for our son.
Miles & Darrien will be speaking to each other in Spanish one day soon.
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