Mother's Day!
Raising Students
It takes a lot of work to get kids to the point where college is even possible. Moms have a certain tendency to do that work. This was our Christmas letter in 2009, describing what - if you read between the lines - was a lot of work.
Thanks, Sara, for all of it.
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About a year ago, Annika declared that our house was Elbertwood School. Then she started conducting classes. And recess. And gym. And lunch. And after-school clubs. We have no idea where the name came from - neither does she - but every day, Annika and Tollef come home from school and they promptly start school again. In real life, Annika is in first grade and Tollef in Kindergarten at Minnehaha Academy, but at Elbertwood they are both in second grade, and Annika is both teacher and student. The daily saga of Elbertwood has been our story in 2009.
An Annual Update From Elbertwood School
An Arts & Snacks Magnet School
Dear Parents & Friends of Elbertwood,
I write to provide an update on events in our beloved Elbertwood School in 2009. Miss Annika remains our only teacher, but enrollment has grown considerably. Tollef was the original conscript – well, student – but classmates now include Emma, Tom, Tim, Abigail, Olivia, Julia, Tookie, Manjo, TV and Noodle. Even with so many imaginary friends at Elbertwood, Tollef gets all the attention he could possibly need from Miss Annika, and I think it’s fair to say, more than he ever wanted.
Curriculum remains innovative and rigorous. Miss Annika prints worksheets from the internet and grades them meticulously. Subjects include math, language arts, science, lunch, snack time, candy time, gym, and recess. Miss Annika has been enhancing the Bible curriculum lately, but not without some challenges along the way. She was preparing to teach a class on Psalm 100 when she discovered that her Kids’ Bible did not have Psalm 100 in it. A stern conversation was had with the Head Librarian, and real Bibles have replaced the Kids’ versions.
2009 has not been entirely smooth sailing. The cafeteria/kitchen was flooded in August and has not been functional since. Miss Annika and her students were nonplussed by the news that it had been raining in the kitchen, and positively thrilled to hear that Snuffy’s Malt Shop and Pizza Luce would be on the menu until it was replaced. Miss Sara – the Principal of the Lower School – has overseen the kitchen’s reconstruction, and it may be functional by the New Year.
Elbertwood was pleased to get a new mascot this year. Porter, our faithful 15 year-old poodle, is still with us – but a local radio station ran a piece on a 14 year-old poodle at a local shelter. The entire school piled into the car and got him.
Emmy, Elbertwood’s goldfish, is a different matter. Emmy was acquired in 2008 and she is still with us. Her original aquarium-mate, rest her soul, is not. Nor is her second. Or third. Or fourth through seventh. Emmy now lives alone, as even the snails at the local Petco recoil with fear when we enter the store. Word got around.
Elbertwood staff and students enjoyed Summer Camp in Ontario again this year. We did not manage to do the intended Fall Camping Trip, but living without a kitchen has been a lot like camping. For other extra-curriculars, Miss Annika and her student are both in Spirited Feet Dance Class at church, and the recent recital was a great success. It featured about 150 girls – and Tollef.
Miss Sara splits her duties between Elbertwood and Bible Study Fellowship International, where she now teaches the three year-old class every Tuesday, and Easter Church, where she teaches and helps to lead the childrens’ programs in various ways. Mr Dan continues on as Custodian and Principal of the Middle School. There are no Middle School students. He is occasionally consulted on matters of curriculum, particularly for Gym Class. His travels continue.
Elbertwood has had a fantastic 2009, and looks forward to an even better 2010. Students and staff alike wish you and yours a blessed New Year!