At his International school Jonah has started Middle School. At the same age German children go to Gymnasium, Hauptschule or Realschule , depending on their academic results. It's a bit like going to Secondary school in England. Initially he was upset to be with his second choice of teacher and not being with nearly all of his friends. However having started he seems settled. He is loving the new independence of having to follow a timetable and be in the right room with the right resources at the right time. He also has a locker , which he keeps all his stuff in and he has customised inside with photos and organiser trays! Plus there is no uniform either. All was going well. His new school bus route picked him up on the first 9 days at 8:05am and took him to school by 8:20am. The return leg meant he was home by 16:10.This was similar to previous terms. Then came 1st September and to accommodate new riders the bus routes had to be amended. Jonah's new time for pick up is 7:25am! 40 minutes earlier! The bus takes a 15 mile detour via Neunkirchen , which is east of Erlangen (where the school is.) We live about 2 miles north of the school, a journey which should be 15 minutes now takes an hour , which means he doesn't get home on the return leg until nearing 17:00. We have asked if it can be changed , but so far no joy. 'There are winners and losers' Pete was told.
We are trying to work out what to do. I have to take Elijah to kindergarten in Bubenreuth around 8am so it's a juggle to take them both. We are experimenting with him cycling with Pete, and me picking him up on some days and him cycling home with Pete on others when his work schedule allows for it. It's a bit of a headache with the other two having different timings and activities in the afternoons.... then the winter will come with snow and ice! Not sure what the final outcome will be at the moment.
I have just realised that 'Birthday Season' is imminent in our household! Summer certainly seems to have disappeared and Autumn has arrived. My Millennium baby will be a decade old in 12 days time! Better get some things organised, as Pete and Elijah follow closely behind , then Jemima in November. Then it will be Christmas!!!
Jemima has one more week left of her summer holiday. Then I can return to some normality, having had someone at home on school vacation since 25th June!
