Our kindergarten experience was not good: first the teacher went on extended leave (under something of a cloud) and then the substitute left. That is why we took H out of school early for an extended road-trip. Nonetheless, we knew the school to be good and made sure we did the necessary paperwork to ensure she could return for first grade.
It was a challenging year. Four nights a week there was homework: typically two writing based exercises and two on mathematics. In addition there was a 'book baggie', which eventually came with a reading comprehension exercise. In math (apologies to the British readers but I am sticking to the US version) we had few difficulties and these could be completed in ten minutes. Writing and reading were more of a battle and surprisingly (to me) independent: writing came more easily than reading.
I have to hope that we struck a good balance between the different competing priorities. She has learned a great deal, made good friends and enjoys school so there are reasons to be hopeful but not complacent.
The last week of first grade was a somewhat extreme example of how hectic life can become. It was Father's day on June 19th and since it was just the two of us in New York I suggested we go out for a special breakfast at Sarabeth's.
It was her best friend's birthday later that day so in the meantime we went to see the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie in Times Square. The party was nearby in a bowling alley and it was a drop off party though with only two hours to spare I simply found a quiet area near the bar and had a drink with some of the other parents while they bowled. After the game they played in the arcade.
The beginning of the week was the first grade picnic in Riverside park. While everyone else had prepared nice wholesome picnic food I just grabbed three boxes of ice-creams from Duane Reade on the way to the picnic. I have never felt so popular with kids from every class coming up to ask if they could have some.
Unfortunately during this week I had to make a trip to London. It was an all-day meeting with the UK financial regulator and as one of the main presenters it made much more sense to be there in person. I really could not afford to be away for very long though so I left on Tuesday night and returned Thursday morning. To mitigate the jet-lag I deliberately chose flights on the new 787-900 Dreamliner. This is designed to be more humid than regular planes and this is supposed to help with jet-lag. The plane has come a long way from its early days when it was plagued by battery fires and earned the nickname 'Flameliner'.
The meeting took place before the EU Referendum vote and there were many references to the uncertainties caused by this vote. After it was complete I had to work some US hours to deal with a concurrent major US project. After a drink with colleagues I reached my hotel at 1am. The receptionist told me it was my lucky day and she was giving me a nice room. Indeed it was: a large suite with a large sitting room.
I set my alarm and collapsed into bed, not even really stepping into the sitting room except to take the picture. I woke at 5.30am and checked out at 6am. It was same the receptionist and I thanked her for the room sadly noting that I had not really seen that much of it.
The traffic to Heathrow was terrible. The skies were dark and there was flooding everywhere with several broken down cars on the elevated section of the M4 impeding my escape. I jokingly thought it was an ominous backdrop for the EU vote but at that point still did not think Brexit was a plausible outcome. Although delayed my flight eventually made it out and I was back in the US.
During this time our regular sitter was staying over to look after H. Needless to say she had a blast with her and I came back to the apartment decorated in paper chains. No homework this week so plenty of time for visits to the park and ice cream.
Friday was the last day of the last full week of school. In the morning it was the 'Museum' in her class. The prices were very reasonable so I went.
Hatty and two of her best friends acted as docents (US English for guide).
The Museum showcased class work mostly around animals, including some really cool collages:
There were a few speeches and presentations to the hardworking teacher and class parents.
For the final weekend we had a play-date with one of her best friends on Saturday. The two of them are always running around like crazy so getting a decent picture is impossible.
Sunday was the Pride march. It is a celebration but not far from everyone's mind there was the horror of Orlando.
The final day was Tuesday. It was a bit ridiculous to have a two-day week especially given that we had two days off in June for in-service training but there you go.
First grade: the end.
It was a challenging year. Four nights a week there was homework: typically two writing based exercises and two on mathematics. In addition there was a 'book baggie', which eventually came with a reading comprehension exercise. In math (apologies to the British readers but I am sticking to the US version) we had few difficulties and these could be completed in ten minutes. Writing and reading were more of a battle and surprisingly (to me) independent: writing came more easily than reading.
I have to hope that we struck a good balance between the different competing priorities. She has learned a great deal, made good friends and enjoys school so there are reasons to be hopeful but not complacent.
The last week of first grade was a somewhat extreme example of how hectic life can become. It was Father's day on June 19th and since it was just the two of us in New York I suggested we go out for a special breakfast at Sarabeth's.
It was her best friend's birthday later that day so in the meantime we went to see the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie in Times Square. The party was nearby in a bowling alley and it was a drop off party though with only two hours to spare I simply found a quiet area near the bar and had a drink with some of the other parents while they bowled. After the game they played in the arcade.
The beginning of the week was the first grade picnic in Riverside park. While everyone else had prepared nice wholesome picnic food I just grabbed three boxes of ice-creams from Duane Reade on the way to the picnic. I have never felt so popular with kids from every class coming up to ask if they could have some.
Unfortunately during this week I had to make a trip to London. It was an all-day meeting with the UK financial regulator and as one of the main presenters it made much more sense to be there in person. I really could not afford to be away for very long though so I left on Tuesday night and returned Thursday morning. To mitigate the jet-lag I deliberately chose flights on the new 787-900 Dreamliner. This is designed to be more humid than regular planes and this is supposed to help with jet-lag. The plane has come a long way from its early days when it was plagued by battery fires and earned the nickname 'Flameliner'.
The meeting took place before the EU Referendum vote and there were many references to the uncertainties caused by this vote. After it was complete I had to work some US hours to deal with a concurrent major US project. After a drink with colleagues I reached my hotel at 1am. The receptionist told me it was my lucky day and she was giving me a nice room. Indeed it was: a large suite with a large sitting room.
I set my alarm and collapsed into bed, not even really stepping into the sitting room except to take the picture. I woke at 5.30am and checked out at 6am. It was same the receptionist and I thanked her for the room sadly noting that I had not really seen that much of it.
The traffic to Heathrow was terrible. The skies were dark and there was flooding everywhere with several broken down cars on the elevated section of the M4 impeding my escape. I jokingly thought it was an ominous backdrop for the EU vote but at that point still did not think Brexit was a plausible outcome. Although delayed my flight eventually made it out and I was back in the US.
During this time our regular sitter was staying over to look after H. Needless to say she had a blast with her and I came back to the apartment decorated in paper chains. No homework this week so plenty of time for visits to the park and ice cream.
Friday was the last day of the last full week of school. In the morning it was the 'Museum' in her class. The prices were very reasonable so I went.
Hatty and two of her best friends acted as docents (US English for guide).
The Museum showcased class work mostly around animals, including some really cool collages:
There were a few speeches and presentations to the hardworking teacher and class parents.
For the final weekend we had a play-date with one of her best friends on Saturday. The two of them are always running around like crazy so getting a decent picture is impossible.
Sunday was the Pride march. It is a celebration but not far from everyone's mind there was the horror of Orlando.
The final day was Tuesday. It was a bit ridiculous to have a two-day week especially given that we had two days off in June for in-service training but there you go.
First grade: the end.
