Graduation Day

Today, our 11-year-old son "graduates" from elementary school. This is a special occasion for us because the little curmudgeon has been at this same school since he was a 3-year old. That's eight years in all, which is more than 70% of his life. The little tyke started in the montessori preschool program at this school in September 1998 (it's a public school; since then Arlington County has expanded montessori to some of the other elementary schools).

At the time, the school was under renovation--really reconstruction. So everyone was at a temporary school, with the montessorians in a portable classroom that occasionally leaked in a heavy rain. It was worth it, though--after that first year, our son got seven years in an essentially brand new school.

[Aside: our youngest son started the same montessori program on September 11, 2001. Mrs. C. dropped him off, then as she headed to work across the Roosevelt Bridge, she saw thick black smoke billowing out of the Pentagon, and of course soon heard the awful news on the radio. Pretty soon we were both back at the school picking the kids up, like everyone else.]

When our son started first grade, he entered the Spanish immersion program at our school: children get half their day in English, and half in Spanish; the student body is roughly 50/50 native English and native Spanish speakers. It's a great program, but it's been a real challenge over the years trying to figure out math and science homework that's in Spanish. We're surprised that the boy hasn't gotten smart-alecky enough to speak Spanish with his brother behind our backs. Surely, that day will come.

The programs at our school are a good example of why Arlington County has such a great school system: parents/students get a wide range of choices. For example, at the elementary level, you are zoned into a group of four elementary schools, each of which has different programs (same core curriculum). One of those schools is your "home school," which you're guaranteed to get into. So, in our group, there is the Spanish immersion school (also our home school, and also a magnet school outside the group), a "science focus" school, a kind of funky 1970's "open school", and a very traditional school (with, unfortunately, little diversity). All four of the schools have excellent test scores.

There are also several magnet schools outside the group--to which one can apply for admission--with various other programs as well. With all the choices, most parents/students end up happy with where they are--they don't feel forced into something simply by virtue of the neighborhood they chose to live in.

Next year, it's off to middle school--we're sticking with the Spanish immersion program. Again, there were quite a few options. Since middle school starts an hour and 10 minutes earlier than elementary school, we'll all have to make some adjustments next fall.

But that's for later. Now, it's time to enjoy summer!

Weather Curmudgeon

Today's 10 day forecast: Hi 86, isolated T-storms, 30% rain. Rating: Y
Today's 5 day forecast: Hi 92, mostly sunny, 20% rain. Rating Y
Today's actual weather: Hi 89, mostly sunny, no rain.

Comment: The five day forecast was quite accurate--we don't even have any isolated T-storms in the region today (that will change tomorrow).