First Day of First Grade!

 I'm a little behind but a couple weeks ago, Ella had her first day of first grade at her new school!  She wasn't nervous at all and has had a seamless adjustment.  I really admire her ability to go into new environments, knowing no one, and having no anxiety about it at all!  She was so excited the night before her first day she couldn't stop smiling in her bed.  She said "Mom, I barely know anything about my new school but I know it's gonna be so great!" 

So far she's enjoying her teacher (a sweet, tiny little lady who has been teaching 1st grade there for 23 years) and her smaller class and school size seems to be conducive to getting to know everyone quickly.  There are 17 kids in her class (versus 24 last year) and only 6 girls! She's enjoying her "specials," especially Art.  We're looking forward to getting to know all the kids and parents in her class as some of these kids may be the people she goes to school with all through elementary, middle, and high school! 
We're also getting used to being "walkers."  It's about a 5-7 minute walk door-to-door.  I'm curious what it will be like when it's freezing cold but we always have the option to drive :-) We're also really thankful for such a diverse school-racially, ethnically, socio-economically.  I hope this will be a great foundation for Ella in her ability to accept and understand and value people who are different from her. The school also seems to have great academics and a principal who seems energetic, enthusiastic, and very competent. And he raps (see pic below).  What more could we ask for? ;-)

 

 

Principal Morris leading the kids in a call and response rap song on the first morning of school. LOVE it.