Today was Ben's last day of school He was very excited about it, which surprised us when he expressed it because he really loves school. However, he said that he was excited for this year to be over because then the next time he goes to school Nora will be going with him.... very sweet.
In addition to the fact that the end of the school year meaning that the next school year is that much closer, for Ben's class it meant a program presented to the parents. I took video beause jrh was in chicago but have not done anything with it yet (and honestly I had a pretty bad postition so we will have to see how it works out) but I did manage a few pictures os the "extended day extravanganza"
There was singing, dramatic reading with sound effects, numerous kinds of dancing, and a very short play. Ben had been talking about this for a while but i really had no clue what to expect. It was very sweet to see all of the kids working together and very obviously so proud of all that they acomplished. Most of the students in the extended day class are moving on to other classes next year (either other schools like the public school or up to the first elementary class in our school, so it was a bit sad too as it was the last time that some of these kids will be together like this.
They sang all sorts of songs - including leading the audeince in accompanying Louis Armstrong's What a wonderful world - seriously I think at least half of hte audience was tearing up... not so nice to the parents Anna :)
They did partner dances from around the world. Here Ben is dancing with Ellery (who is the other person who will be staying in the class to lead the extended day next year)
The kids insisted that the bunny hop get added to the program - and so it was
I didnt' get many great pictures during the play - basically it involved the two oldest kids play set up the situation and then the rest of the class being jumping beans - they took their role very seriously and they had lots of paying attention to do - but the crowd of beans didn't lens itself to great pictures! It was great to see it though as Ben has had nora and I act out the play mulitple times at home where he plays the lead - and I neer knew if we were doing it right - it was good to know we were on track!
Afterward there was a short graduation presentaiton for those "moving up" and all the kids got a personalized (down to the color) I t-shirt with their classes artwork. Thank you anna. He is upstairs sleeping in it tonight - even after bath he just wanted to put it back on - very cool gift.
oh and there was an ice cream social....a lovely day outside and ice cream with all sort of yummy toppings hit the spot.
Ben humored me and allowed me to get a few pics with his teachers (which he would not do last year - he would not even say goodbye last year)x
This is Mary - she is Anna's assistent and as far as ben is concerned she is the funniest person on the planet. Really she cracks him up. She is the biggest fan of all of the kids in that room and we are so lucky to have her.
And Anna - who is single handedly responsible for our wonderful first impression of the school (since then we have learned all of the other wonderful and amazing things about it, but Anna really did a great job listening and anwering questions trying to help up find the right educational environment for our kid. As a result of getting to spend muiltple years with students (for some 4!) she really gets to know the kids in a way that I think most teachers are not able...I can't wait for Nora to start with Anna next year. Anna has been a great teacher for Ben and though ben and nora are very different the ways that she is awesome mean that she will be a great teacher for nora too.
