School Update

by Amy

Well, Savannah has now completed her second week of local first grade. And, PTL, it's still going really well. Her teacher agreed to allow her to attend the classes we wanted her to attend, so that was a huge blessing. Here's her basic schedule:

Monday - 7:50-11:15 (language, math, language, PE)
Tuesday - 7:50-8:50 (language)
Wednesday - 8:50-11:15 (language, health, language)
Thursday - 8:50-11:15 (language, English, PE)
Friday - 8:50-11:15 (language, music, art)

(All the other kids go to school everyday from 7:50 to 11:15 and from 1:10 to 3:10.)

Everyday she goes to the same classroom. It's located on the first floor of a five story, U-shaped building and the classroom door opens to the courtyard. She had a different teacher for most of her classes, but she doesn't change rooms - the teachers do. Since she is taller than most of her classmates, she was assigned a seat towards the back of the room. Her classroom has four rows of nine desks. Two students sit at each desk. They sit on a stool - with no back - OUCH! She shares a desk with a boy that likes to lay his head on her and draw on her side of the table. So far, she's handled that OK. We've tried to remind her that all kids are sinners and there's a good chance that would happen if she attended a school in the States. Her new best friend sits next to her on the other side. They enjoy holding hands as they walk together. It's cute!

Savannah usually gets home from school about 11:30 or 11:40ish. We eat lunch around noon and she starts homeschooling about 12:30 or 1:00. I've been really proud of how hard Savannah has worked. I can tell she's making an effort to be diligent and to do her best. I know it's hard to be in school ALL day long, but I haven't heard her complain a bit. In several subjects, I've given Savannah freedom to decide when she finishes her lesson, and it's been fun to watch her manage that. For example, I'll tell her that I need her to complete these five handwriting pages by Friday. She has been really motivated to work hard at the beginning of the week so she can have an easier end of the week. (That's totally what I would have done too!) Actually, Savannah did school until 5:30 on Thursday night so she could have Friday afternoon off. I took her to Mc Donalds for lunch, then we went shopping together. It was really fun!

I have to say, I am so proud of my daughter! She is a hard worker, loving, brave, understanding, and encouraging. It is exciting to see the Lord faithfully develop godly character in her. I praise Him for the joy that she daily brings us!