Last Day of School

My last day of the 2022-23 school year. I really had a great first year working for Brandywine Community Schools. It's a great fit for me! I learned a ton about leadership, and literacy/math intervention. I was able to broaden my perspective, and experience the world outside our little SJ bubble. This was invaluable. I look forward to continuing this great momentum next year. My last day was a day before Burke and the boys. Woo-hoo!

Last day of school for Burke and the boys!

Burke's highlights include: working with Philharmonia (Ryan's group) - observable growth and building relationships with them was notable, also preparing/performing the Fauré Requiem. 

7th Grade ✅

Evan's highlights include: performing in Shrek Jr., hitting a cross country time goal, learning more in algebra, and having Burke as a teacher. 

9th Grade ✅

Ryan's highlights include: playing on the high school tennis team, more intentional reading and writing instruction in Honors English, having Burke as a teacher, and in general, the more rigorous pace of high school. 

Bros

Summer 2023: Driver's Ed, Baseball, Summer School, Camping, Sante Fe, and more!

Spring Orchestra Concerts

Evan's 7th grade orchestra is quite good. Their orchestra teacher (not Burke), called them precocious, and I'd say that's an apt descriptor based on my observations. He sits second violin sometimes or second/third row outside edge, and is easy-going about where he sits. I was surprised that he sat in the concert master position for the spring concert. That was fun to see, especially when he tuned the orchestra and stood up on the podium to do so. That was the first time I'd seen 7th grade tune in this way. Maybe he didn't realize the concert master typically stands on the floor to tune? Maybe he was told to get up there so he could be seen? The 8th grade concert master also stood on the podium to tune, too, so... Either way it was fun to see him in this role. 

tuning

concertmaster for spring concert

Pirates of the Caribbean

7th grade orchestra

last week of school

The high school groups look fancy in their tuxedos and all black. Ryan's Philharmonia group performed, and he sits first cello. He watches the conductor so closely, and listens to pieces they're performing to get a sense of style and sound. Next year he'll be in the Chamber Orchestra, and Burke has big plans for that group, as there will be a lot of diversified talent and passion in the 2023-24 Chamber Orchestra. 

We are so proud of the boys for their focused musicianship. They are both more talented and focused than I was at their age, and possibly at any age. Best of all, they enjoy playing! I am [objectively] so grateful for the school orchestra experiences. 

Shrek the Musical Junior

After weeks of rehearsal, Evan's school presented their annual musical. This year they performed Shrek the Musical Junior. He was cast as Peter Pan and was in the Woodland Creature ensemble. He had a lot of fun performing, and hanging out with friends. He did prefer last year's musical, Seussical Jr., over this one. That being said, I think he'll want to continue participating, that is, if he has time. This year's rehearsal schedule coincided with science olympiad practices and baseball. He kept himself quite busy this spring.

Peter Pan/Evan near center

Woodland Creatures: Evan is the deer in the center, under the archway

Peter Pan

The above pictures are from the matinee. The following pictures are from the evening performance, hence the different vantage point.

Peter Pan

Woodland Creature

cast and crew

Evan is in his Peter Pan costume, nearly front and center.

Bravo!

So proud of our performer!

Celebrating Ryan!

Unbelievably, Ryan turned 15 last month. Honestly, I am at a loss for words. We just watch in awe as he continues to grow, learn, and become increasingly independent. He continues to be an avid reader, scholar, musician, and artist. He also continues to have an interest in and excel at all things technology - producing videos, and building a website for his robotics team, for example. We are so grateful he has a core group of good friends who are nice, bright, clever kids. Basically, I want to be like Ryan when I grow up. He hopes to get a job this summer, and will be taking drivers ed soon. Whoa! 

The many faces of Ryan...

Around his birthday, we went this art show opening at The Box Factory. They were highlighting work of students from area schools, and one of Ryan's graphic arts projects was being displayed.

He designed this book cover!

HBD, Ryan! We are grateful to be your parents, and truly enjoy each season of your life!