Award Ceremonies

You just have to be so proud of the way award ceremonies are done in Texas... well actually, they could be done this way else where- but all I have experience with is Texas :)
 I know I blogged my feelings about these ceremonies last year- and this year didn't get much better :/  Reward kids for HONEST work, not some made up award so that "Every child gets two awards".  What happened to working hard to achieve excellence, rather then rewarding mediocrity??  Yes, I realize that may mean that one or more of my children do not get a fancy certificate- but it means that they might work harder to earn one next year.  And it means that the kids who did earn them this time TRULY earned it!
OK, off my soap box, and on to the awards...

This is Matt and his wonderful teacher!
When we received his letter before school started we noticed he would be in Mrs. J's class, but on the night of Meet the Teacher, they had moved him to a new class because there were so many Kindergarteners to start that year.  Alex had a quick conversation with the Principal, and reminded her of our experience with Jeremiah's Kindergarten year, and they swiftly moved Matthew back into Mrs J's class.  I am ever so thankful that we did, she was an absolute delight to have for a teacher, and has years of experience and praise to follow her.

Jeremiah struggled again this year with school, but there might be a good reason why!  Just before Christmas they tested Jeremiah, and diagnosed him with Dyslexia.  Additionally we had his vision tested, and he now has reading glasses.  They added a Dyslexia class for Jeremiah 4 times a week, and it has been the biggest self esteem booster this boy has ever received.  Not only does he love Mrs. W., but he is getting 100's on his spelling tests instead of 40-50's.  He has started to feel successful again, and although it hasn't solved the social issues that he has, from the years of being "the bad kid", it has lifted his mood about going to school, it has improved his Math skills- and started him on a slow journey to liking the public school system.

Grandpa Dan took the time off from his busy day to come see the boys receive their awards.  We took Matthew out of school after his grade was finished, and Matthew proudly showed Grandpa Dan his classroom, cubby, and desk :)

Then we waited for Jeremiah, and the 2nd grade classes.  Benny boy loves Grandpa Dan!
After Jeremiah's awards I took him and Josh out of school and we all went to see the new Kung Fu Panda movie- what a great way to end school :)

The next day Joshua had his award ceremony, and is officially finished with Elementary School!  They have 4 different teachers throughout the day, but his favorite was his homeroom teacher, Mrs. C.  She was blessed with a good class this year, and Josh really enjoyed it- even though they were officially labeled "The Most Chatty".

The whole 5th grade sang a few songs for the crowd of proud parents- Joshua would not be caught dead even mouthing the words!  He knew when I was pointing my camera at him, and refused to even smile!  His new thing these days is to raise his eyebrows at me anytime I ask him to smile- which is exactly what he is doing here...Punk! :D