Day 295: A Camping We Will Go

After a week-long stretch of quarter examinations, the graders of BFCS are so excited to have their yearly scouting day and overnight camping today. This is the first time that my son, Jarred will join such an activity. In fact, the event has a lot of firsts for the family. It is the first time that my son will be spending the night away from home and from us. 

When I dropped him off at school this afternoon, I felt that tugging at my heartstrings once again...those warning bells that seem to scream that he's growing up way too fast for me to catch up. After dinner, I couldn't help but ask hubby for us to swing by school just to check how Jarred's doing. We were quite amazed to see a lot of cars parked in front of the school. Obviously, we weren't the only ones stressing over this "night-away-from-home" event. The kids just finished their evening activities and were about to have their snacks before preparing for bedtime. When it was finally time for bed, there was a mad scramble of parents and kids going here and there, lining up at the comfort rooms, going in and out of assigned bedrooms. Mommies were going after their kids, making sure they did their nightly rituals properly. I was not spared the same as I had to make sure Jarred knew how to keep his stuff away neatly. It was only when I felt satisfied enough to leave him on his own that I decided to finally ride the car and go home. I hope my son has a good night's sleep tonight...I don't think I'll be able to sleep soundly though as my thoughts will be drifting off to Jarred all night through.

Day 200: The Fruit of Kuya's Savings

Remember my blog entry about Kuya Jarred's savings from his daily allowance?  Well, once it hit a little over the P100 mark, he decided that it was time for him to spend his stash for something he liked. 

Upon arriving at the local mall, he went over the selection of miniature cars available on the store shelf. For nearly an hour, he searched for  the one that he liked that would fit his budget. At a smaller specialty store, he found this Hotwheels bread van miniature and decided that it was what he wanted to buy. For P99.75, he got a new spanking red toy car to join his collection of similar miniatures. 

I'm not so sure if he made the right decision to spend his savings right away...he could have waited a tad longer and saved some more money to probably buy something that was more interesting. Oh well, it is his money anyway and he should be the one to decide what to do with it. I just hope and pray that he learns the value of money and making the right purchase decision while doing this exercise.

Day 193: Long Test Blues

The reality that a new school year has started only hits me when the need for lengthy review comes along. During Jarred's preschool days, I prepare reviewers right before his quarterly exams. Now that he's in primary school, they have monthly long tests on top of the big quarterly ones. His first monthly long examination falls on this date today and tomorrow. The downside of having this new system is the frequency of reviewing and doing of sample tests but it's really more of an advantage because he gets to review each chapter lengthily in preparation for the quarterly exams. On my end, it's also good because even though I need to prepare the reviewers monthly, each one is shorter than what I used to do for quarter exams and this time, I only need to combine the tests I do for each month to prepare for the big one. 

Day 182: Savings

I don't remember at what age my parents first allowed me to bring money to school. From what I can dig up from my memory gap-filled mind is that as early as Kindergarten, I could already purchase stuff from the school canteen. At the time, we didn't use money but "chits" - our parents were the ones who exchanged real money for small laminated cards that had various denominations and gave these to us for use in school.  I know that I used to buy Cone Marshmallow Candy, Fruit Balls and Haw Flakes to bring home to my little sister then. 

Recently, hubby and I decided that it might be the right time already to allow Jarred to receive daily monetary allowance so that he will learn the value of money. The actual amount isn't much really (P10.00/day) but it's enough to teach him to save and keep a budget for whatever he wants to purchase for himself. He was told that he could actually do what he wishes with his allowance but advised that he could save up the money so that he could buy something really big for himself this Christmas.  For the past two weeks, every time he comes home from school, he automatically reaches for the coins in his pocket and places them inside a big blue vase. By weekend, he takes account of his savings and mentally calculates how much he still needs to purchase a most-coveted prize...a Hotwheels Color Shifters set.

Day 180: Parent-Teacher Partnership

Start of the school year means another Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) year. Every year since my Jarred started attending school, I make sure that I take an active role as the school's partner in his education and development. After all, it is every parent's desire that their child receive the best Christian education and formation that will enable them to secure a bright future. Parents need to proactively support the school through its teachers by closely monitoring both academic and non-academic activities. We have a responsibility to make sure that our children are receiving the right and timely information. The school needs our feedback and assistance when it comes to our children's performance and vice-versa. It is a two-way street and the PTA becomes the vehicle to have a smooth-sailing school year.

Day 175: Kuya as teacher

Left on his own to take care of younger sister Cailie, Kuya Jarred passes the time going through his Incredible Hulk activity book with her, explaining the different characters and tasks to do as he flipped the book pages.

Many of Cailie's developmental and learning milestones were reached early because she had Kuya Jarred to look up to all the time. This is the reason why we're very strict with our son when it comes to behavior and discipline, we always tell him that he's the role model of his younger siblings and he has to make sure he's always in his best behavior.

Day 167: A New School Year

After nearly 3 months of summer vacation, Jarred is back in school and ready to face the challenges as a Grade I student. He's bound to discover many changes in this new school year. For one, short pants are no longer part of his regular uniform as he's required to wear long pants already. Secondly, his daily school schedule has shifted from half to whole day. He has to wake up early in the morning and prepare for a full day which starts at 7:30 am and ends at 5:00 pm. Another big change is the introduction of a couple of new subjects like Computer and Sibika. When he was in preschool, he only had two teachers, one who taught subjects under the English Department and another who taught the subjects in Chinese. This time around, he's going to have a different teacher coming into the classroom for each of his subjects.

On this first day, it was noticeable that a few of his former classmates weren't around as they've transferred to other schools but there were about 5 new students in class that Jarred easily befriended.

I'm sure he's looking forward to another year of learning, challenges and fun at BFCS.

Day 127: Perfect!!!

The end of summer classes for Cailie won't be until May 13 but since we'll be going out of town by tomorrow so I can vote on Monday, her teacher allowed her to have double sessions this week. For today, she had her very first taste of an examination - both in Reading and in Math. I'm proud to say she aced both!!!

It was a good decision to let her test the waters this summer to know her interest and level of learning. She is obviously advanced compared to her Kuya at the same age. Cailie exhibits good motor control skills when given writing tasks and her attention span is quite lengthy.

I'm sure she will miss Teacher Lolibeth but I know Cailie will cherish wonderful memories of a productive summer experience with her.

Day 119: My Princess

It wasn't too long ago when I held Cailie as a tiny baby in my arms. I remember being thrilled to see how fair-skinned she was, with lips that could rival that of Snow White's. For a long time, she remained tiny and small for her age. There was a point I was alarmed about her size but many friends assured me that as long as you see her active and bright, there was nothing to worry about.

And how right they were! My princess may still be on the petite side but she has grown so much over the last few years. She's certainly taller (which explains why her long pants now look like capris) and heavier. Whereas before, she would burst into tantrums when asked to wear dresses and skirts, she now looks forward to dressing up and being fashionable.  It was just a matter of time before she discovered the world of being "kikay".

Cailie is very expressive, "malambing" and thoughtful yet she's tough and formidable when she needs to be. With her Kuya by her side, she was able to take advantage of learning the English language painlessly. I could see that she got her love for school and learning from him too.

She's a doting "Atchie" to Shobe, CeeJae, many times helping Kuya take care of the "bunso" in the family. I guess she's pretty secure in her place in the family that's why our initial fear that she may resent having a new baby never materialized. Cailie adores CeeJae!

Sometimes, I do wish time would not pass by so quickly...I still want to enjoy my babies as they are now. I'm sure before I know it, my little princess would be all grown up and ready to face the world.

Day 118: The Love of Teaching

It was disheartening to know that my son Jarred's K-II teacher won't be coming back to teach in the school this coming school year.  She's also Caitlin's summer school teacher. I admire her patience and dedication in teaching the children. Teacher Lolibeth goes out of her way to reach out to all her students and works hard to make sure each child achieves the best of his/her ability.

Throughout the past school year, she was a constant supporter and inspiration to her students to do their best in all their endeavors.  She always had her listening ear and heart available to parents whenever we had questions and inquiries regarding our children.

I'm sad to see her go and I feel sorry that the future generation of K-II children in school won't be able to experience the Teacher Lolibeth brand of teaching, caring and loving. However, I am sure that she will be a blessing and a wonderful addition to the institution she will be transferring to.

***Teacher Lolibeth, thank you for sharing your full self to our children and taking care of them while they are with you in school.  We admire your selfless dedication to their welfare and learning. We will continue to pray for you and we look forward to seeing you around.

Day 117: Sticky

Every day since Cailie started with summer school, she brings home a new skill, a new learning.  Today, apart from their usual drills with phonics and writing, they had a "cut and paste" activity. I could see the wonder in her eyes as she was guided by the teacher to cut out pictures and glue them onto her activity paper. 

With unsure but steady hands, she squirted the glue on the pieces of paper by herself and stuck them on her work. It was a wonderful feeling to see these little victories of my princess.

Day 105: From Sounds to Reading

When I was about 5 years old, I remember my Dad buying me a yellow book entitled "Reading with Phonics".  It became my steady partner while learning how to read.  I learned AEIOU from there and how to slowly blend other sounds to form words.

Well, children nowadays have certainly moved forward from those days...learning to read has become so much fun as it is being integrated with music and singing.

"1...2...3...4...When we hear these sounds you'll see, ready to read and so we'll be...

Aa - apple, Bb - ball, Cc - cat and Dd - doll, Ee - egg and Ff - fan, Gg - goat and Hh - hand, Ii - inchworm, Jj - jam, Kk - kite and Ll - lamb, Mm - monkey, Nn - noodles, Oo - octopus and Pp - poodles, Qq - quilt and Rr - rail, Ss - sun and Tt - tail, Uu - umbrella, Vv - vase...we're nearly through, see my happy face...Ww - wagon, Xx - box, Yy - yarn, do you see a fox?...see him in the Zz - zoo, it was fun and now we're through, if we sing this well indeed, it's now time for us to READ!"

Day 104: Steady Hand

This is Cailie's 2nd day of summer school.  In today's activities, she exhibited amazing control of her motor skills while coloring the outline of her own hand.  Observing her, I thought that she is quite advanced compared to her Kuya when he was her age.  I also noticed remarkable difference in their attention span and organizational skills.  Cailie would painstakingly put back all her school materials in her bag as soon as she was done with them without the teacher instructing her to do so.  Is it because she's a girl?  Is this a gender trait of some sort?  Well, it was something new for me and indeed something amazing to watch.

Day 103: Cailie in Summer School

Today marked the first day of summer school for Caitlin Alyssa at her Kuya Jarred's school.  She woke up early to take a bath and have breakfast.  It was quite obvious how excited she was as she herself prepared her small bag with a pencil case, notebook and some snacks. For a first timer, she did very well with her first lesson on sounds and coloring a picture.  We were all with her today to cheer her on.

Day 83: The Graduate

March 24, 2010...a very special day for an extraordinary young boy closest to my heart...

Jarred Andrei, my firstborn, has finished the first chapter in his school life - he is now a full-pledged preschool graduate.

I can still remember like it was only yesterday when he entered the blue gate of BFCS for the very first time back in the summer of 2008.  We were "school hunting" and BFCS was the first school we visited.  From the start, he felt at home and accepted at Butuan Faith.  Even though we took him to two more schools in the city, he seemed to be set on choosing BFCS as his school.

To test the waters, he took summer classes there that year and it was very tough on him.  He would be in tears every time he had to write as he'd use both hands to do it since he wasn't used to writing.  I thought he'd give up but he didn't.  After a month, the teacher said he's ready to finally face Kinder I.

As I look back, it never ceases to amaze me how his learning development multiplied tenfold soon after that summer.  Oh sure, his English speaking ability was flawless, well, we made sure of that but he did lag behind in the other areas of development.  By the end of his Kindergarten I year, he managed to be within the top 3 of his class and survived his Filipino subject at the same time.

He faced Kindergarten II with greater confidence and even more excitement.  He worked twice as hard as he did in his first year in school.  As a result, not only did he end up acing his English Department subjects, he also clinched 5th place in the Chinese Department subjects.

Our heart was bursting with pride as he did his Salutatory address...

By the end of the ceremony, he had several awards pinned on his chest.  These blessings came as a result of God's grace and pure hard work.  I took this tough preschool journey with him and I know things weren't always easy but Jarred gave his best and reaped all the benefits in the end.

The synergy of his hardworking teachers, parental support at home and the small class size structure worked together to mold him into the wonderful young boy he is now.

Day 36: PTA

I attended the Parent-Teacher Conference at my son's school today.  It was also Recognition Day for the 3rd Quarter of the school year.  My heart was filled with glee when the homeroom teacher announced the honor roll.  With God's grace, Jarred was able to maintain his 2nd honors position in the English Department and was able to return to the honor list in the Chinese Department by placing 4th.  His teacher was so happy about his Filipino grade most of all.  Filipino is, after all, Jarred's waterloo subject (we don't use the language at home so it's quite difficult for him to learn it in school).  From a grade of 85 in the 2nd quarter, he was able to climb 8 notches higher and achieved 93 in Filipino.  Filipino!!!  I couldn't believe it myself.  It was a job well done indeed!  If only his grandparents could hear him read the way he does now...they'd be amazed!   

One of the major topics discussed during the meeting was their graduation in March.  Wow! In a few more weeks, my son will be graduating from preschool.  Wasn't it just yesterday that I took him to BFCS for summer school and he was but a blank canvas, with only eagerness to learn to boast of.  Looking at him now, I always go back to that scene when he first set foot in the blue and white school along Capitol Road...and I whisper a prayer to the Lord above for giving Jarred all his wonderful milestones in learning.