School stuff!

This Monday, the children started school at Dr Morris Gibson Elementary in Crystal Shores, Okotoks. It is a 15 minute walk from where we are staying in Drake Landing, and there's nothing like being woken up by a brisk walk in the cold morning air! The children have been put in the 3rd and 5th grades so are now closer together grade-wise than they were in the UK - which is nice. Although the school years run from September just like in the UK, in Alberta, the children are graded differently - from March birthdays through to February birthdays the following year. This has made Jake (7th March b'day) one of the oldest in his grade, and Jaz (23rd December b'day) one of the younger ones in hers.
The children met their teachers on an orientation visit last Friday, which was great for them as they could visualise their classrooms and stuff over the weekend before they started. Both teachers were really lovely and very welcoming. They are in smaller classes than in the UK (around 22 students) and are really excited about not wearing uniform anymore!
Both Jake and Jasmine thoroughly enjoyed their first day, and came out of school unusually chatty, really keen to tell me about their experiences. Both had made new friends but said all the children were really friendly and helpful. Jake had really enjoyed Language Arts (literacy in the UK) and really loved a game of street hockey he'd played at recess (playtime). He went in goal (of course!) and his team won! I guess that made him popular!
Jas came home with a lovely postcard and lolly from her teacher saying how delighted she was to have her in the class. She loved the morning rendition of the Canadian National Anthem and was particularly proud as she had learnt the words over the weekend - so could sing along confidently!
First impressions were really good all round. The children seem to have settled in really well and are adjusting to the new Canadian terms for things in school, and new systems and routines really well. I've noticed Jaz is getting a slight twang to her accent already - I knew it wouldn't be long!