First Day of Summer 2016

How exciting! Today marks the first day of summer. The temperature has consistently been in the 70's and 80's. I'm so glad. I'm more of a summer person, but overall adaptable. Well you must be if you live in Wisconsin. Today I was working on a photo and graphic design project. My family's dog Ivory was the focus of the project. She's easy with the camera, and very friendly. This photo was taken at the Simmons Island Beach in Kenosha, WI. Great beach! I haven't visited it enough these past two years. Time to make up the time.

2016 Capstone

These past two weeks have been extraordinarily hectic. My son just graduated from 8th grade and he is now moving on to 9th. The school he attended is named Bullen Middle School. There he was enrolled in the Dual Language Immersion Program where he was taught by English and Spanish speaking teachers. The mission of this highly disciplined program allowed for students to learn primarily in Spanish throughout the early years and diverge into learning in primarily English and less Spanish. The students capstone with the student's ability to be completely literate in English and Spanish students. For nine years (K-8th grade) the students enrolled in this program became cultured, learned together, played together, and became tight knit as a student body. This year is the last year they would all be together. Each student going off to different high school's in the area and maybe seeing each other again in high school but some became good friends and will be hanging together longer.

Every year they hold an 8th Grade Farewell Event to bid everyone adieu's. To help commemorate this event, the BCAT parent group I'm involved with provided a selfie booth and brought graduation props for everyone to wear while taking selfie's or group pictures. I volunteered to create a selfie booth for the student's and teachers. It was used at both 8th Grade Farewell Events. The students, parents, and staff all enjoyed the experience. I was told it was a major highlight of the event by a few administrators and teachers. At the DL Farewell Dance students signed the bottom half of the background of the selfie booth and it was given to the DL teachers. It was more of bittersweet occasion at the DL Farewell Dance.  Teachers and students cried and hugged each other. For the last time, DL teachers were surrounded by the student's they loved and dedicated themselves to for three years.  Sometimes the notion of time compounds onto the state of emotions. This is another great milestone my son has accomplished.  Four more years and he's off to college. With the KUSD Youth Options program maybe sooner.