As a youth, I remember participating in school programs each year. When I was in forth grade I remember performing in various parts of the city – including the University of Utah. I thought we must have been really awesome to be asked to sing there. I didn’t realize that many other schools participated also. I remember learning songs for a variety of occasions. And I remember dressing up for Halloween.
At
the end of January and the start of February 2012 I posted just a bit on the
evolution of Jenna’s education. Jenna
has never dressed up for Halloween except for when she was in preschool – and
even then they weren’t allowed to call it “Halloween”. It got passed off as “Make Believe Day”. Her first school was year round and Grades
K-6 just happened to be off each Halloween.
She
had two and a half years of schooling before we had to move. She completed two years of preschool and then
we registered her for kindergarten. There had been a big push to sign up for
after school programs. Mothers who had
children who were struggling academically or parents who weren’t home to
receive their children right after school opted the program. I had signed up Jenna because in order to be
a part of the school choir it was mandatory to stay after hours.
I
recall how excited she was that first day I picked her up. She thanked me for allowing her to be in the choir. She and her friend Chate Lin both sang “Feliz
Navidad” quite enthusiastically. She
wasn’t even in dual immersion at the time. I was saddened that a music program
was never performed. I would have liked
for Jenna to have that experience.
There
was a tremendous interest in the after school program – possibly too much. I’m guessing 35 – 50% were kindergarteners.
Choir had to be split into two separate groups: the kindergarteners and
everybody else. I heard that the kindergarteners were not allowed to
participate in the after school program the following year due to the huge
amount of children who were still on the waiting list.
So
move on to the second school which did offer programs – though I don’t know how
often. Songs seemed to focus on things
they were learning. I don’t imagine they
would ever do a holiday theme as the children who attending were from diverse
backgrounds. A melting pot of races and
religions – many who struggled to learn anything.
She
started the first grade school she attends currently. She’s now in the forth. Two or three times a year the children
perform songs to fit the theme of Christmas or patriotism. Sometimes there is an extra program for those
in dual immersion. Jenna loves having
art and music. Those were my favorite
activities also.
The
first school she attended is back to the traditional calendar year. I notice that they dressed up for Halloween
this year. I noticed that they dress up
at the school where my niece teaches also.
All three schools just happen to be in the same district but in Jenna's current school they are not allowed to
dress up for Halloween while attending classes.
But
Jenna has opportunities in this school that hadn’t come with the first two and
I’m grateful for those things that she has been able to do that she wouldn’t
have had the opportunity to do otherwise.
Take today for instance. Currently she is
on a field trip for Ski Utah. My baby is
learning how to ski! No one else in the
family has been on skis. The closest to
it is Randy with his snowboard – but he has not been on skis.
Jenna has been ecstatic – not only for the
field trip itself but for being able to be the first one in the family to do
so. And I am grateful for her enthusiasm.
I look forward to hearing her report when I pick her up – which actually
won’t be that long from now.