Why I Love Seven Generations Charter School!

As Alex's school year draws to a close, I'm reflective on how it went. What might have been different if we had sent him to a public school vs the
charter school?

We decided to see if Alex would get into the charter school over a year ago when kindergarten was looming on the horizon. It was random lottery, so we knew that it was a toss-up - he'd either get in, and we'd decide whether or not to send him there, or he wouldn't.

East Penn school district is a GOOD school district. It's the REASON we stayed within the Alburtis/Macungie/Emmaus area when we moved. It's why we stayed here. It's a good district. But Seven Gen is different.

What's different about Seven Gen?

1.)  It's a charter school. No, charter schools don't "take money away from public school." Charter schools are largely funded by the "per student" rate that public schools also receive, except this per student rate gets transferred to the charter school instead of the district. It is the same as attending a cyber school. Charter schools are usually "innovative" in their approach to teaching and learning and are still accountable to local, state and federal governments. Charters must get approved by the district in which it resides (in this case, East Penn) and must function within guidelines of the Charter School Law (state of PA).

2.) It has a different approach to learning - Seven Gen uses an approach known as "EIC" - "using the Environment as an Integrated Context for learning." Seven Gen kids are often found outside and are focused on a hands-on learning environment.

3.) Seven Gen integrates a variety activities into the kids everyday learning; they are very much focused on the arts, and music, they go on hikes, practice organic gardening, fine arts, drama, and they start Spanish in kindergarten (with a goal for the kids to be "fluent" by seventh grade). Alex participated in the Lego Club after school this year.

Those are the three major differences between Seven Gen and public school. They also have the luxury of having smaller class sizes (Alex's kindergarten class only had 15 kids). They are hands on and they teach from a constructivist approach.

Those are the "mechanical" reasons why Seven Gen is different than public school.

Below are the reasons why I LOVE SEVEN GEN and the reasons why I am glad I sent my son there.

Please, don't mistake any of the reasons as having the endings of "...and this wouldn't happen at public school." That's certainly not the case. As I mentioned, East Penn is a great district and I have no doubt that many of these things can, or have, or do, happen within their walls. To be honest, I wouldn't really know, because I am not there. These are just things that have happened at Seven Gen, that have confirmed our choice to send Alex there, and that are endlessly affirming.

1.) They have "all-school morning meeting" every Wednesday and they walk in and sing an African greeting song (video below)
2.) They truly celebrate diversity
3.) I saw a mom bring a chicken (a live one) for Show and Share - but not only did she bring a chicken, but she rode her bike to school WITH the chicken - so it was her bike, a trailer (for her kid to ride home in) attached to the bike, and a chicken in a carrier attached to the back of that - love it!
4.) They have an "observation garden" for outdoor observations and learning
5.) They take hikes
6.) They bring rain and snow gear and they play in the snow and the rain
7.) They aren't afraid to get dirty
8.) They grow organic gardens
9.) They ENCOURAGE and truly desire and want parent volunteers
10.) They had "pet show and share day"
11.) They encourage healthy snacks and fruit and veggies for birthdays
12.) Alex's teacher has TRULY created an empathetic community of learners who truly care about each other
13.) Activities are meaningful, hands-on, and authentic
14.) Students run fundraisers (of their own mind and creation), including "Kisses for Koalas", run by a fourth grader to raise money for koala bears
15.) They integrate community experiences and take meaningful field trips
16.) Parents and students are encouraged to use their own unique talents to the school - if you can do it, they'll use it!
17.) There's a sense of community that permeates the walls - you can truly feel it as soon as you walk in.

Today, Seven Gen had a "Volunteer Appreciation Assembly" during their normal weekly All-School Meeting.

I would like to share some videos.

Here is a snippet of the African greeting song sang every week:

A snippet of the kids singing "Lean on Me":

Here is a unique one - a bunch of kids did a small skit or sang songs for the "Volunteer Appreciation Assembly" but these kids did an awesome dance - they were very talented - AND, they showcased the diversity of the school:

Yup - as I sit back and reflect on this year, I am happy and grateful. I'm happy that Alex got in this year - I am happy that this was his kindergarten experience - I am thankful that we have such a great resource in our little community - and I am thankful for the passion and dedication that all the teachers give to the mission and vision of Seven Gen.

*I know that my readers are few, but faithful! Usually this blog serves to be more informative - telling what we've been up to, sharing pictures, sharing videos. And I love it for that. But tonight, I needed and outlet and I've sort of bared my soul here - it might happen from time to time - I hope you're okay with it :)

Wow! I'm really having quite the emotional night over here. On one hand, I'm so excited that Maya is turning one. I can't wait to celebrate with friends and family tomorrow. I'm up late waiting for the cake pops to firm up in the freezer before I dip them, one last thing before I go to bed, and I got caught up looking at all of Maya's newborn and baby pictures, and of course now I am walking down memory lane and I can't seem to stop!

I find myself looking through the pictures of Maya and thinking, "I didn't enjoy that enough" or "I didn't treasure that enough when it happened" - everything I was seeing I was thinking that I didn't hang onto the moment as well as I could have or should have.

But it's not actually true.

In hindsight, at first, it seems like a fleeting moment - something that went by that I barely caught. But then looking at it and thinking about it - REALLY thinking about it - since it actually is so fresh, I still can reach back and remember that I DID appreciate it. I can still dig back deep and get back in that moment.

I remember making the conscious choice to let her sleep on my chest and on me in those first few weeks - knowing there was a sink full of dishes, but knowing that she didn't want to be anywhere else, and neither did I.

I remember attempting the co-sleeper that attached to the bed, but then resigning myself to the living room and spending a few nights in the recliner - because she slept better on me - and I, well, sort of slept.

I remember when we first transitioned her to her crib it was sad, because I was used to having her in the room with us - but I knew, deep down, that it was best for her, and for us.

I am so glad that I discovered baby-wearing this time around and was able to wear Maya in the sling - and I wore her OFTEN. Having her close to me created a connection between her and I that is absolutely amazing - and, despite some people saying that it would create a child who wouldn't "want to leave mommy", I will tell you that it has quite the opposite effect - because she is secure in her knowledge that I am near, she is brave. She is adventurous. She is the most independent baby that I have ever seen - and between foster care and working in childcare, I have seen a LOT of babies!

I started out the walk down memory lane focusing on the negative - that it went too fast, that the moments and memories flew by so quickly that I couldn't grasp them - that I didn't document it properly, took too many mom-breaks and wasn't 100% present all the time, missed things.

It's not the time for regret or focusing on the bitter part of bittersweet - no, it's the time to count my blessings. It was truly in God's time that this all happened - how many people can say that they got to spend their baby's first year, at home with them, while getting PAID to stay at home (via unemployment?).

It was perfect. I got to be home with Maya and spend days with her, while her big brother started kindergarten - he had his time with me, and because he was starting school, his sister got time with me too. The timing could not have been more perfect - and, I got to BE HERE.

It was everything I could have wanted for the first year of her life - in fact, it was much, much more.

Yes - she's one - she's fiesty, and her personality is dynamic and she's going to be off and running soon - and I'll have her "terrible two's" and her toddler years to contend with.

But for now, I just have to be present - because the present is good. Her first year was good.

Everything.. is good.

Maya's first step - 5/22/12

Maya's first step.

It's wobby - but it's real :)

Video Time!

A few videos to share... here is Alex pushing Maya on Bucky. (In case anyone doesn't know, Bucky is extremely special because he was "mine" at my Grandmama's house when I was little, and the Grandparents and Uncle Peter restored him. He is a CLASSIC 80's toy!).

And, our church musical this year was called "Arkeology" - No, it's not about Archaeologists, it's an apt play on words and it was based on the story of Noah's Ark. In this clip, Little A is singing the main song from the play, "Arkeology", to an enchanted Maya, watching him in the tub. oh, and it stars a scuba diver..

Amazing...

It amazes me - or, more like completely astounds me - how much Maya learns from watching and playing with her big brother. Yesterday she started to put on the (pretend) tool belt - right around her waist, where it goes - and, just now, right in Alex's absence, she inserted batman right into the driver's seat of the batmobile. She puts hats from the dress up bin right on her head, too! It's just amazing to me and I smile every time I see something she has learned from her big brother.

Also a funny anecdote I wanted to mention that happened a couple days ago. Alex has started taking nose spray for his allergies, and we do it at night so he is laying down afterwards. Well, he got up to ask me something but he knew he was supposed to lay down, so he walked out with his head tilted all the way back (looking at the ceiling). So funny! He said "am I allowed to put my head down..?"

Today he has hike-a-thon at school to raise money for the school. He's so excited. They are also doing a fundraiser for koalas, and with meemoms help he was able to make a nice contribution :) he loves being involved at school and helping out!!

And maya is really teething. Last night a cold teether was all that would soothe her...

Growing by leaps and bounds..

Maya and Alex are both growing by leaps and bounds. We just had Alex's Parent-Teacher Conference and his teacher is so proud of how Alex is doing! He has been growing so much in his reading and writing. I can't wait to get his papers from writer's workshop home at the end of the year and post some of them on here. He is sounding out great words and writing so well. He is doing great with his reading, too. Here is one writing sample that I snapped a picture of last time I volunteered in his classroom. Clearly, it says, "The easter bunny."

Alex loves doing stuff with DADDY! It's special time. They like to do "cool stuff" together. The other day Alex said that he wanted to do the "mentos experiment." Mentos are a candy, which, when dropped into a bottle of soda, create a big explosion. So they went to the store and got Mentos and soda, and...

Maya isn't walking yet, but she's close. She stands unassisted and is so adventurous. She loves climbing stairs, and can go up the whole flight as long as I'm behind her (and she probably would if I wasn't, too...).

So, I figured that we should go to the park, where she's "allowed" to climb. And she had a blast!

And of course, as mischievous as she is, if I leave her for a moment, I might find her in a box:

That's pretty typical.

And, there are a few important videos that need to be posted:

This is Alex playing peek-a-boo with Maya - he is closing her door and opening it and peeking around really quick. Her laughs are the best!

Maya LOVES riding Bucky!!:

Alex made up a game where he is "bowling" - letting a ball roll out of the back of the joker's car (his batman toy) - this video just makes me smile!

And, last but not least, Maya "helping" me with the laundry yesterday:

Maya is helping me put away laundry..

And she's proud of herself for this latest trick (don't worry, they're clean!!!)