So this school year has been very interesting. From the beginning, it was normal as usual, then around January time when the whole Corona virus / Covid19 became widespread, the entire country start closing their schools and went to online schooling. Teachers, students, parents aren't prepared for this new method but that was the only way for the students to continue learning. It was hard for the students to change from learning in class and hanging with friends to be in front of the computer all day long for virtual online classes using Zoom, it was hard for the parents to have to be home with the students, and was hard for the school system since they have to provide a secure method for the all students to be able to access online zoom meetings. The school system tried to make it easier by issuing Chrome books for anyone that needs it.
So with that said, FF was supposed to have a 5th grade Promotion Ceremony, but that didn't happen. So the school made a video they posted on Youtube of the promotion. FF was looking forward to receiving ther coveted prize of going to her Patrol Picnic with other patrols at the big amusement parks like Six Flags; but that didn't happy. SS was supposed to have his 8th Promotion too. He was looking forward to celebrating it with his friends, 'Yellow Fellows' group and that he walk up to the stage to receive his very honorable plaque, "Straight As" through all three years of Middle School; that didn't happen, he just received it in the mail. His Eighth Grade Promotion was also uploaded to Youtube.
Above is the begging of of 2019 school year and
below is the end of 2020 school year with their laptops in hand.
Above is our usual waffle breakfast for neighborhood kids and below is actually waffle DINNER with Max and mom on a Friday evening (lol) since Kim's family is out of town
Since the kids spend so much time inside the home, we try to get them out of the house as much as we can. Since FF is supposed to graduate from 5th grade and SS graduate from 8th grade, neither of them will have a promotion graduation ceremony graduating from their schools. So we walked to their schools and took photos of them with their schools for the last time.
(This was sent two weeks later)
For FF graduation, her school sent her a graduation sign to put in front of our house, her promotion certificates, and a cool T-shirt!
The next day they have balloons and decorations for SS's school!
Ss worked really hard for the last three years to earn this prestigious plaque: Straight As for all three years of middle school! Some time ago, Da promised the kids that if they earn straight A's all three years, he will give them $50. Of course when SS got the plaque in the mail, that's the first thing he did!-ask for the $50 and Da honored that!
Since our NY friend, Diane Kwok, saw that I posted SS got straight A's and Da rewarded him with $50, she decided to surprise SS with sending him $50 too! He was so super happy!
Since SS didn't go to school to pick up his class photo, it was sent to him. In previous years, they would have a entire class group photo in the gym, however due to Covid and no school, the school and/or photography company decided make a collage of the entire 8th grade student body. Well, however it seems like SS's photo was not in the original collage. Abbey looked through every single photos and could not find SS, so emailed the school principal to complain. After several weeks, we received a new one and SS photo is in like 20 places!
SS teachers stopped by the house to drop off his 'gift bag'
For CC, he received a different honorary academic achievement: The National Society of High School Scholars. They recognized him for his outstanding academic achievement at Poolesville HS
