School and More!

On Tuesday Teresa and Aden will start a new school together.  I am so happy that we were able to find a home in a school district that is known state-wide for its quality.  That was not the case in Glencoe, though the elementary school and its teachers were good.

We have attended the open houses for both of the kids.  Aden's fifth grade class is the first year of middle school here, so he has his locker and will switch teachers and classrooms throughout the day. It is good timing as far as being new, because the kids are coming from two elementary schools so not everyone will know everyone else anyway.  What a blessing.  It was nice to already recognize some of the families from 4H and from the new student orientation when we went to the general orientation.  Aden will be playing the baritone in band.

This is the first year that Aden will ride the school bus to and from school.  He and Teresa will be picked up at 7:15 from our mailbox and dropped back off again at 3:45.  Teresa is very excited to ride a yellow school bus (there are not separate buses for school in Austria, and certainly not yellow ones).  I am very excited that they have each other as they start that new adventure.

As we spend this first week with Teresa, we are also learning more about the Student Exchange Program.  The program gives the students a list of things that will anger an American family (getting in the shower if they are already ready to leave to take you somewhere, always sleeping late, or never offering to help with anything), and a list of suggested rules.  There were several items on the list of rules that interested me:  The students were told to always make their beds and always keep their rooms neat and tidy.  They also were supposed to check if they were allowed to put things on the walls....   We made it clear to Teresa that her room was indeed hers and she could decide for herself whether she made her bed, kept it tidy or cluttered, or wanted things on the walls.  She has indeed chosen to do some decorating and the room has taken on a whole new life.  What fun it is to see it become her own!  

Our student exchange placement representative also talked to us a lot about kids from different parts of the world. She said Norwegian kids can be a bit snooty, Asian and Austrian kids are usually very nice and grateful for everything, and Brazilians can be very difficult and are always late for everything. Another host family shared their list of family rules with us....  It was 18 pages long, and included things like this:  change your socks every day, don't flush the toilet in the upstairs bathroom at night while others are sleeping, wipe off the vanity after you get ready in the bathroom...

Today we are finishing up Aden's chicken coop and perhaps taking in some local events.  I am looking forward to slowing down a bit!