School is going pretty well thus far although I (along with many, MANY other parents) cannot stand the two women that run the school. James enjoys taking the school van to South Horizons. After two weeks of his van being overcrowded (total nightmare with the bus mothers putting extra kids onto seats even though there were not enough seat belts) and trying to get the admin to care about this (not our problem-OUR liability begins the moment the kids step into the school. SERIOUSLY that was THEIR response). Absolutely shocking. Anyway, what it took was having uniformed police meet the buses on the other side. Several overloaded buses (one with an extra seven children), a child sitting on a plastic stool on a bus, and a bus (the one James was on) with an illegal seat built in front of the emergency exit. The bus company was written up and the officers went to talk with the two women in charge of the school. The officers were then flabbergasted when they were told by these two women that it wasn't their problem. Safety of students should be the number one concern! I can't say I'm totally surprised, though. Also, I've been told by someone with a completely accurate source that these same two individuals began negotiations for the South Horizons campus 8 months before the parents were told about the move (two weeks before the end of term). And, of course, we were told that it was a last minute decision. Unbelievable. Anyway, the kids applications to HKIS are in and maybe (if we're lucky) they'll be able to move next school year. It's more likely, though, that it will be in 2009-2010.
James has a new teacher this year, Ms. Jennifer. I've met her once, briefly, and she seems nice. She's a new teacher and is very enthusiastic. I'm a bit concerned that all James ever seems (according to him anyway) to be doing is the pink tower and the brown stairs. He should be working on the sandpaper letters (which he started at the end of last year) and on some math activities (now that he is 4). I'm going to talk with Jennifer next week to see what the deal actually is. James is happy, though, and he seems to be working with Ryan a lot. (We went to Ryan's birthday at Hong Kong Country Club last Friday and James had a wonderful afternoon.)
Claire has Ms. Teresa this year. I like Teresa a lot---she used to be Claire's Chinese teacher when Claire was 3. She's also the person who gave Claire her Chinese name. Teresa is a lot tougher than Jennifer was last year. Claire has a lot more homework and the spelling is pretty challenging, especially for Claire. Claire loves having math homework everyday, though. But with Chinese, math, spelling and piano practice, it's probably 45 minutes to an hour. And then she's supposed to be reading for 30 minutes every night as well. That's tough for a 7-year-old.
I'm driving less this year as I don't go home until after picking up both kids. James' bus leaves Claire's campus at 8:10 and then I have to meet the return bus near Queen Elizabeth Stadium at 1:45. I've had more time to spend at the gym and I've also been able to meet friends for lunch several times. Got to love all of the ethnic food in Hong Kong. I certainly do.
Let's see...Sunday school started last week. James has the same teachers as last year (he especially likes the husband). James keeps asking if "tomorrow is Sunday". Claire's teacher seems better than last year. She's in one of the First Communion classes and it's going to be an intense year for parents. I've already had to volunteer for something and there's a mandatory meeting for all parents at 7 pm Monday night in Stanley. Not convenient for me at all. I would send Tom since his office is in Shau Kei Wan but, unfortunately, he's in Europe and doesn't return until Monday night.
