Emma's Class Christmas Party--and a new teacher for the new year!

During the last week of school before Christmas break, we found out that Emma (and the other 11 Kindergarteners in her split class) would be moving to a new classroom after Christmas break. I was shocked and livid when I read the note, and put a call in to the principal to find out more information. The school has had an influx of kids, and they were able to hire another Kindergarten teacher. Of course, this would have solved the problem if they had hired another teacher at the beginning of the school year, but of course they have budget restrictions, etc.So this was the solution to the problem--if only they could have reached it before half the school year was over!

Of course, Emma's teacher was as shocked as we were. And she was so sad to find out that she was losing half her class--she has invested a lot of time and caring into our children. She sent us the sweetest email--it made me cry! She was as devastated as we were! But she assured us that she was working closely with Mrs. Blanc (the new teacher), and that she was making a portfolio for each student to help Mrs. Blanc know what level each student it on, etc. They are trying to make the transition as easy as possible. And Mrs. Blanc spent a lot of time in their classroom that week, and then the kids went to their new classroom one day and spent a few hours getting to know her. And Emma came home with nothing but good things to say about Mrs. Blanc! She won Emma over--that's for sure! But still I had a few questions, so...

The morning of Emma's Christmas party, I walked her to class. Mrs. Blanc had sent home a note the following evening telling us that she would be in her classroom Friday morning if we wanted to stop by and meet her. So after I dropped Emma off, I went to the Kindergarten wing and met Mrs. Blanc. And she is wonderful. Just from the 30 minutes or so that I spent there talking with her, I could tell what a loving, caring and motivated teacher that she is! I walked away feeling very confident and reassured that Emma was going to do just fine, and that everything was going to be fine! It will be a fairly small class--19 students--12 from Emma's split class and then a few more from the other 3 Kindergarten classes. Of course, it will be the class with the more advanced children. That was my main concern--Mrs. Mackey was teaching at a faster pace and more advanced level--we didn't want Emma to get "bored" with repetition. But it sounds like they already have that part worked out. And Emma is very excited about having Mrs. Blanc--so now there's no reason for us not to be excited too! Here's to a wonderful rest of the school year!

Emma and Julian at the Christmas party

Emma and Mrs. Mackey--we will miss her so much! She is an amazing teacher! She will be receiving more students as well--but she will not have a split level class any longer!

Emma and Danielle--Danielle is a first grader, and sits across from Emma in class. She has been such a big help to Emma--especially in the beginning when everything was new and Emma was still adjusting!

Emma and her sweet friend Ava--Ava will be moving to the new class with Emma! It is comforting to know that she will already know most of the kids in the class!