Moving up! 2nd Grade or Bust...

Let me just brag about my dear Haley for a moment... She is a smartie! She got all "exceeds expectation(s)" or "proficient at grade level(s)" on her report card. She can read at a 4th grade reading level. She can already multiply and do fractions. She is a responsible, organized, and helpful girl who loves school. And I couldn't care less about everything else, as long as her LOVE for school continues. Because, in my opinion, the moment my child starts not liking school... there is something wrong. Either there are problems with friends, academics, or the teacher. Anyway, off my soap box, I am just so happy that Haley loved her first grade year at the American School of Budapest.

Her school is wonderful and is on an amazing plot of land that is bigger than some college campuses. She rides a Mercedes bus with seat belts to school every day, but the commute is about 20 minutes. Her class size was 13 with TWO teachers. She gets a choice of 12 or so after school activities where she can pick up to three every semester. Some of them that she chose include: jewelry making, arts and crafts, hula hoops and jump ropes, ball sports, gymnastics, creative cooking, singing, and my personal favorite, DRUMS!! It was a hoot to see her teach her siblings her piece. In no time, all three were walking around the house saying, "base, tone, tone, tone, base, tone, base, tone, base, tone, tone, tone." I let her choose one active one, one music activity, and one craft.

It was an interesting year since the Lower Elementary moved campuses in November to be on the big campus next to theUpper Elementary, Jr. High, and High School. It was such a privilege to be the first kids in the brand new HUGE building and the school made it so special for the kids. Haley had a little run-in with a bully, but they pulled him from the classroom and she didn't skip a beat. Being one of the PSA Presidents kept me plenty busy, but it was also very rewarding and exciting to think that I helped with the new curriculum and new behavior policy being on the PSA Board. It was a great learning experience for me too!

Haley and her two teachers: Mr. Ian Connell and Ms. Zsuzsa.
Mr. Connell is British, so Haley came home with some new words and phrases that I have never heard before! She even picked up his accent on new words that she learned there.
It's pretty funny!

For being an American School, I thought it was crazy that she was the ONLY American in the class! Of the 13 kids, they are from 10 different countries: Norway, England, Scotland, Sweden, Chech Republic, Mexico, Hungary, Germany, Japan, and America.

Haley and her cutie girlfriends!

Haley and Adam.
He called her his "best girl" all year and they were such great friends! I think it helped that his mom was one of the 4 PSA Presidents with me and he totally won me over with his adorable Scottish accent. I was also their soccer coach this year. I hope they get in the same class next year too!

Her classroom is in disarray since it is the last day of school, but I just can't believe how huge their classrooms are and how many cool things they have. They have their own cubbies, water fountain, Smartboard, and a beautiful view! Being a teacher, this makes me a little jealous.

This year, Haley will be starting 2nd grade here in West Haven, UT in the same class as her cousin Tommy with Mrs. McBride. She is excited to be here for a couple of months before heading back to Budapest when we get all the necessary paperwork for our family to go back to her school in Budapest. I'm just so proud of her, can you tell??