The School Bells Are Ringing!
When our oldest started Kindergarten many years ago as a homeschooler, I heard about having him sign a John Hancock letter on the very first day of school. This is a sheet of paper that they sign their name on each year through their senior year in high school. It's neat to see how the handwriting changes year to year. Here is a photo of Jordan's completed John Hancock Paper. It was started when he was in Kindergarten and completed his senior in high school 2 years ago! Today, Alexia will also complete hers as she is a senior this year too! 
Sierra's first day of second grade!
Landon's first day of middle school - sixth grade!
Taylor's first day of school -Eighth Grade
My Middle Schoolers
Alexia's First Day of School - Senior in High School
A Completed "John Hancock" paper. Kindergarten through her Senior year!
UPDATE: It's now 3:30 pm and Sierra just got home from school. She told me as soon as she got in the car, "Mom, I just love Mrs. XXXXXXX . . . she is so nice!" She had a great day and is looking forward to tomorrow.
She did come home with the sweetest thing. Her teacher made each student a take home bag that was filled with the following and little note that explained it all:
WELCOME!
Welcome to your new classroom. The items in this bag have special meanings.
1. The cotton ball is to remind you that this room if full of kind words and warm feelings.
2. The chocolate kiss is to comfort you when you are feeling sad.
3. The sticker is to remind you that we all stick together andd help each other.
4. The penny is to remind you that we are valuable and special.
5. The star is to remind you to shine and always try your best.
6. The eraser is to remind you that everyone makes mistakes and that is okay.
I am now waiting for Taylor and Landon to get home. They should be home soon!
UPDATE: Taylor and Landon both had a great first day at school. Thank you for all who prayed for Landon. He made it through the day with no problems!
10 comments:
Ah the first day of school! I love the John Hancock idea.
I just realized those lists have our last names on it . . Duhhhhhh Emily!!! Not a very good way to protect our kids right? LOL
I am going to remove them and make a note if anyone wants to see it I will email them a copy LOL . .I don't know what I was thinking :-)
It is a fun idea though!
I love the John Hancock idea. That's a great one. You should share that on the Rocks in my Dryer website for her Works for Me Wednesday thing. It's such a fun idea.
Tell me, again, (if you have time) when you homeschooled the children and how you came to the decision to stop homeschooling them. Thanks! I know I've heard the story before but I can't remember any of the details. Just curious. :)
Love the John Hancock idea. I wish I could start our parenting journey all over again and do all of the kewl things I never had time to do or didn't think to do (LOL)! Seriously, I wouldn't want to start ALL over... I just want to rewind and so some of these neat things.
O Wow...in florida school starts so early!!! Our school startes like in september5...
Kathy - I am so behind in emails, reading all of the blogs and my housework . . I don't know if I will get around to that website . .Plus I am trying to finish to Karen Kingsbury novels and stay in the "school" mode . . .Ahhhhhhh Calgon . .take me away :-) Joking aside, I will try to get to that website so I can share the idea.
Why I stopped homeschooling??? Well, we prayerfully started homeschooling when Jordan was 5 years old. He was getting ready to start Kindergarten and my two neighbors brought up homeschooling to me . . they were going to be starting that August both with Kindergarters too. So, the three of us started our adventure . . al deciding to take it 1 year at a time. Year by Year the Lord continued to give us the ok to homeschool . . .then about year 11 . . I felt burnout coming on. By year 12 I really wasn't enjoying it and the kids could tell. I know that sounds selfish . .but I am being totally honest. I even gave Jordan the option to go to school his senior year . . but he really wanted to finish homeschooling so I did. 13 years of homeschooling ended when Jordan graduated. The year Jordan graduated we put the kids in school. Amazingly they have done great and we have not had too many problems. I have really enjoyed just being "mom" again and not teacher and mom. I know once again that sounds sooooooo selfish but just being truthful. Alexia was homeschooled through her 8th grade year. Taylor through his 5 grade year and Landon through his 3rd grade year. Poor Sierra didn't get homeschooled at all . . at least nothing as of yet. Who knows what the future holds . . .we still take it year by year . . .we pray about our "school decision" and then go with the peace that the Lord is directing us. I always have in the back of my mind if I am going to regret not homeschooling Sierra in the beginning years. I taught the first four to read, write and do arithmetic . . .she didn't get that with me. But she did get a happy mom who enjoys volunteering at the school weekly, is the homeroom mom and goes on all the field trips :-)
Anyways, that's our story in a nutshell :-)
Cindy - I wouldn't want to start over either . . .I am 11 years away from Sierra' graduation . . I am looking forward to the next stage of son and daughter in laws and LOTS of grandbabies!!!!
Liza, actually this is late for us this year. Last year we started around the first week of August.
Thanks for sharing your story, Emily. I couldn't remember the details but knew you had homeschooled for many years. Wow! Graduating one all the way. That's awesome. I know exactly what you mean about carrying the burden of mom and teacher. It's a HUGE responsibility and it often makes me feel tired. :)
I appreciate your honesty and willingness to share your heart.
Kathy . . it was a pleasure to share it with you :-)
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