Back to School 2026
L is now a Sophomore (10th grade) and is finally at high school where Jer teaches. Go Skyhawks!! She joined the Student Council and has been helping with all of the Back to School activities—a float at the local parade, welcome gifts for the Sophomores, a karaoke / sing along she was in charge of, promo videos with rival schools, cheering at all the sports games, and more.
Part of being on the student council and a leader at the school is getting her Letterman Sweater, and she was SO excited to open it at home. It has her graduation year on the arm band, and her position on the bottom. Only a couple of weeks into the school year, and she already earned a Star on her student council sweater, which means she is dependable and can answer any questions as a representative of the school. She stands out with her energy, artistry, and willingness to serve.
Her schedule ended up with one day having all her core classes, and the next day having all her electives. This year she is taking Choir, Orchestra, Childhood Development, Honors Math, Biology, English from one of our friends, and Seminary.
We went to the boys’ open house where they met their teachers before the first day, and they love their teachers. F’s new teacher laughed when she told me how excited she was to have him in her class. “Last year he would walk through the halls smiling and greet us each by name, so cheerful and sweet- we had to know who this 4th grader was because we all wanted him! I messaged all the other 5th grade teachers, ‘Guess who I got!!'” It was so fun to know that F is beloved by his teacher even before learning in her class. His favorite part (besides being sought after by all the teachers) is getting homework. His least favorite class is keyboarding.
W is in 4th grade and loves his teacher, whose matter-of-fact and chill sporty style is right up his alley. W’s teacher made custom name tags for each of them, and posted get to know you questions all throughout parts of the classroom with huge numbered Uno cards. This is how I learned that his favorite animal is a Coelacanth (prehistoric fish) haha! His favorite thing he did this summer was Playing Soccer. The other kids at W’s table are friends from previous years, so that was pretty cool. His teacher’s classroom had different outdoor scenes covering the overhead lights so that it would feel colorful and calming even during winter. W is so excited that it’s “biking weather”.
Jer is on his 12th year teaching. His highlight of the day is seeing his little girl go from 4th to 5th period when they pass each other in the hall. They have also had a special lunch together in his classroom on Friday. He’s been spending more time with her as they drive to/from school daily, and as he brings her to all the school activities like the late night football games and after-school water activity.
Back to school week was so crazy with taking care of a feverish baby and getting everything together. I got sick, followed by Jer and all the kids except F. We weren’t able to give our dog Roxy as much attention (walks), so her anxiety triggered stress colitis with diarrhea everywhere for days.
I’m only now sort of getting back into a more normal routine and feeling better. Also so thankful that we hired my friend to help clean and reset our house with the tasks that I’ve struggled to get to. That alone has done so much for my mental health.
We’re also in full Soccer season right now. Their games have been during rainstorms and burning heat, and so proud of their resilience. F has basically become goalie on his team and at one half blocked all of the more than 12 shots! W does a great job defending even from kids much bigger, and he’s getting faster and doing well getting the ball where he wants it to go. I’ve had so much fun watching their games when I can.
Love, Kat
