We arrived in Belgium on April 24th and Nicholas started Pre-K on May 4th. Part of the reason we wanted to move before school ended was to meet friends and get Nicholas familiar with going to school all day (8:30 - 3:30). Nicholas, Lindsey, and I toured the school on the Thursday prior and they were able to play with the kids on the playground for an hour as it was a beautiful day. The following Monday, Nicholas was up, dressed, and ready to begin a new adventure. We dropped him off as a family, and he never hesitated when it was time for us to leave. The first week I had three different people (teacher, librarian, parent) tell me that it was as if Nicholas had been in the class all year. They were quite impressed with how well he fit in. We’re so thankful we have an outgoing, confident kid!
Oak class has two teachers (Mrs. Gahan and her assistant, Mrs. Cortes) and 13 kids from various different countries like Sweden, Czech Republic, Kuwait, Canada, Ethiopia, Belgium, Ireland, and the U.S. Everyone speaks English and that is what bridges the gaps. I cannot even begin to explain how wonderful and welcoming everyone we have met at St. John’s has been. The school is accustomed to people coming and going each year. They even have an assembly at the end of the school year where students who are moving away get a St. John’s Lion (their mascot) to take with them. Knowing this, it was still amazing how well the class adjusted to their new classmate with only 8 weeks of school remaining.
Nicholas began the last unit of inquiry with the class called Under the Sea. Everything they did focused on this theme, and he learned quite a bit. We went to Aquatopia in Antwerp in May as a family to see sea creatures up close. The artwork and projects Nicholas brought home in his portfolio were amazing, and it has been really fun to watch his drawings progress into real art.
Each afternoon at pickup, Lindsey and I would get Nicholas from the back door of his classroom and then we’d all stay and play on the playground. Weather permitting, course! It was a great way for Lindsey to get some time with other kids and for me to chat with the parents. I feel we are so blessed to have met these families. Many of them have younger kids who will be in Lindsey’s Montessori class in the fall. Even though summer has begun, we have play dates lined up for the days we are in town, and are looking forward to fall when everyone is back in Waterloo.
When you ask Nicholas what his favorite part of Pre-K at St. John’s is, he responds, “making crafts and playing outside.” Guess what? That was his favorite part about Ahwatukee Preschool so no wonder he adjusted well. :) Kindergarten, here we come!
