End of year "graduations"

Colin attended preschool through the city APEX program. He actually went to Campbell Cottages which I think my sister Rose and maybe Jennie attended when they were young. He and Samuel are the only ones who attended a formal preschool because we wanted to save money.....I wish we would have just paid to have the girls go to a preschool because socially it was helpful. Plus, learning how to do routine tasks and listening skills were helpful for Samuel and Colin who had the formal preschool. We DID do a "joy school" type program for Jocelyn and Cecily. Cecily also took a music class which gave her some structure and skills.

At first he had a rough start with the head teacher because she was quite strict about writing their letter and counting each day. Colin struggled with that and I think it made him a bit nervous to go. But once he understood the routine and learned more he gained more confidence. He still couldn't recognize the letter names by the end of the year but he could count to 13. Needless to say, I was not worried as I knew he'd eventually learn the basics in Kindergarten as our children had done. And they're great students now so they all caught up.

Anyway, he finished loving his small class (about 8 students) in the afternoon. He looked forward to going twice a week. I snuck him a nap the days he had off and tried to give playdates while his siblings were at school.

In the middle of May he had a graduation which I think is one of the silliest things of our time. A waste of resources and time! There were so many parents and grandparents there! It's just preschool!! He's got about 13 more years of schooling plus college to get through. I'm kind of a scrooge about the whole thing. I will make an effort to go to my kids and family members high school and college ceremonies but all the others.....meh......Anyway, he loved getting a certificate and they surprised each kid with a graduation bear. Jocelyn was so jealous she expected one for her 6th grade continuation (since she didn't get one for "graduating" from elementary school in Utah) so we found her one to surprise her with at her ceremony (below).

Here he is with his teachers. 

Actually, Lincoln Academy handled their award ceremonies with much more efficiency and creativity. They did honor kids for their grades but every student was given an original award too based on skills they learned from texts and studies throughout the year. Cecily was awarded the "Androcles and the Lion Award" because she is so caring toward others and has a love for creatures and wants to be a Vet when she grows up. She also made the Bronze Honor Roll.

After I told Tyler about how cool the awards ceremony was and then Jocelyn's teachers emailed us in advance telling us she was getting a special honor, he left work to come to the 6th grade ceremony. Jocelyn was awarded "Excellence in Language Arts", Gold Honor Roll, and the "Prepared" student award. We were happy, that although she had many trials at this school, that the teachers recognized her hard work.

Although he is not pictured, Samuel had a "continuation" from middle school to high school ceremony and it was so long and boring. Not efficient at all. He was also on the Honor Roll, or should have been but they way they measured included previous semesters and his grades from Utah did not "count" or transfer over. Even though he was on Honor Roll there. Gma and Gpa Furber wanted to come to his ceremony and I felt kinda bad because he wasn't awarded anything else. 

We are proud of all of our kids!