School Days

The start of school was a monumental occasion at our house this year, as it marked a few firsts. It was Alec and Dana's first day at their new French Public School in Hamilton. The fact that they are attending this school is a little funny, in an insane way, not a comedic way. They had attended a French Public School in Moose Jaw, but when we tried to contact the F.P.S. here, we got no feedback. So we had decided to sign them up for a French Immersion school, which we visited a week before school began, only to discover that Alec and Dana speak French far too well for the immersion program here. So we were back to contacting the F.P.S. As it turns out, the principal is new (the old one had ignored us) and we found our children what seems to be a good academic home. . . .once they get there.

What does that last bit mean? Well, Kim spent the first week of school driving the kids back and forth, because the bus service could not be coordinated until the second week. Last Monday, Alec and Dana were supposed to be picked up at the end of our new street. The bus didn't come. When Kim dropped the kids off, she asked the school secretary and Dana's teacher to ensure the children were placed on the correct bus for their return home that afternoon. After this, chaos ensued. The kids were put on the wrong bus, and it took them 2.15 hours to get home that evening. Had it not been for a very nice bus driver who ignored the instructions of his dispatcher to drop Alec and Dana off in the middle of the city, and who placated an overwrought mother on the other end of Alec and Dana's cell phone as they were all travelling through Hamilton on the bus route, Alec and Dana may not have been allowed to take the bus ever again. As it turns out, that same bus driver insisted on adding them to his route, and now we all feel secure and sure that the kids will make it to school and back home every day on the bus. Whew!

The second 'first' was Kim's first days of her doctoral program at McMaster. She is still sorting out admin, paperwork and scheduling (to a lesser extent), but her doctoral program is now underway, and she is enjoying herself immensely, even with all the reading, writing, and presenting.

The third 'first' was recreational. Everyone in our family has signed up for a recreational activity in the area this fall. Dave found the Japanese cultural centre in the area, and signed up the entire family for judo (we'll see if Kim has time)!! Alec and Dana are also signed up for swimming, basketball (Alec) and jazz dance (Dana), and Kim is going to try pilates :) We are all looking forward to our new activities, and we are growing to love our new home and our new community more and more every day. All the best to you and yours, from Dave, Kim, Alec and Dana.