Insights after the first week

The journey continues for our Alpenglow graduates.  We heard from them about how they felt prior to starting school as well as after their first day, and today we hear from them on how their first week went....

For Students - How was Your first week?  What were you most surprised by?  Were there any challenges, and if so, what were they?

​Alpenglow graduate A: "The first week was pretty smooth sailing. The teachers were really nice and welcomed me into the class. I felt immediately part of the class. 

A bit surprising that everything is on a computer. I feel it's weird that everyone has a computer in front of them, all the time. At lunch, there are a group of boys that all have their computers in front of them playing games. This is how they spend their recess. Gaming. I like to be away from my computer at lunch.  

We don't get outside much but on days that we don't have PE (physical education) we have DPA (daily physical activity) and we have gone to the park or do something else like outside free time or wall ball. That's more fun than sitting in the classroom. 

There are some really loud boys in the class that I find really annoying. They seem to be constantly yelling for no reason. It is distracting and our teacher has to deal with them. It is challenging to get books and schedules organized, I haven't had to do that before.  It's also hard that our lockers are in the multipurpose room so sometimes we don't have access to them, therefore we have to haul books around for our next class as well."

Alpenglow graduate B: "My first week was fun and stressfull I guess.  I was pretty surprised at what happens at lunch, its loud and busy. All of the grade 7s and 8s {over 150 kids} are there so a lot of kids. Its so fun thought there’s a ping pong table witch is awesome!! And there is a foosball table, AWESOME!

There weren’t any challenges so that was cool.  I think my first week was Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
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For Parents - Did your child enjoy their first week?  What feedback did you receive from your child during their first week?

​Parent of student A: "Overall, it was a very successful week. Again, she was just so happy to be with friends. It made the transition so much easier. I think it's challenging for her (and likely the other Alpenglow students) to have to switch classes so often. At this point, it is likely keeping her interested but I am a bit concerned that they can't go very deep into a subject area nor flex their time into other classes if they want to continue to explore an area. 
Another thought - it's not really clear how parents can get involved in the student learning - the google classroom isn't totally set up or readily shared with parents. Perhaps this will come but it's not very obvious right now."

Parent of student B: "Her fist week as really good I think.  She loves her teacher and the fact that her other Alpenglow friends are in her homeroom.  She got her schedule and has it pinned up in her locker and at home and  is excited to learn what her option choices will be next week.  I still hear that it is loud and she is frustrated they they aren't allowed on the playground (as it is for the younger kids only), however she is excited to be able to leave the school ground at lunch as of next week (as we have given her permission to do this).

Check back again for more on the journey of these these two
Alpenglow graduates as they move onward and upward.