Andrew's bus comes around 7:30 and Emily's around 8:00. WAY too early, in my mind at least. But working parents want them all gone before 8 or 8:30, so that's that. Salem runs High School, Middle School and Elementary school routes with one set of buses.
Labor Day weekend was our "last hoorah" before school. We each had a day alone with each of the kids. Carol took Emily to Books-a-Million while I took Andrew to Michael's. Then we went to Pizza Hut, followed by a 40 mile ride on the Honda. He finally grew enough this summer to reach the pegs !! Carol went shopping and to lunch with Emily.
Then, a couple of days later, we traded. Same routine for Emily and me. But Carol took Andrew to Chuck E. Cheese for the afternoon. A great end of summer time for us all.
On Sunday, after Church, we all rode to Hillsville to visit our friends at the Gun Show and Flea Market. And forgot our camera. Cindy's sister-in-law Kathy took some pictures so you'll have to check back later.
School is starting off well. Both kids have great teachers. We're especially excited that Andrew - 3rd grade - East Salem - has a male teacher. Mr Edwards came from the county. He had been an elementary teacher and the Head Football Coach for Hidden Valley High School. He resigned as Coach because his son played football as a Freshman at Salem High last year and Dad missed all of his games. When the Salem coach found out about his resignation, he offered him a job as assistant coach at Salem. So not only will Dad get to see all his son's games, he'll be coaching the team as well. Given Salem's dedication (obsession?) with football, I worried out loud to a friend that Andrew might have a really poor teacher who happened to be a good coach. Turns out I was totally wrong to worry. The friend has kids at West Salem and was VERY upset that Mr. Edwards was at East Salem. West Salem had hopes of getting him on their staff because his wife teaches there. Great Teacher. William and Mary Alum. We've since met him and are totally impressed. Andrew will have a great year.
Last night was Emily's "Back to School Night" at Andrew Lewis Middle School where she is in the 8th grade. We met all of her teachers and again are totally impressed with the Salem school system.
I had an interesting start with 1st period, Science. I said, "Hello. I'm Tom Cook. Emily Wheeler's step-dad." to Mrs. O'Hare. She said, "It's so good to see you again. I had your son Tom my first or second year here. I guess he's all grown with a family by now." When I told her that I thought she might be mistaken because he was 40 years old and she didn't look old enough to have taught him she said, "Well I did. I was only 12 years older than my 8th graders that first year. He was a very, very good student." She really didn't remember him being a major pain. I guess selective memory is a good thing.
The teachers all displayed a true love of the kids and passion for their subjects. I'm sure I'll be posting about the other teachers as we work with them and Emily to get successfully through this transition year.
Life is Good in Salem !
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