The kids really attend St. Anne's National School in Ardclough, but the uniforms do have a Harry Potter vibe. The kids thought the uniform policy in NM was strict with khakis and polo shirts. Now, their dress down days for PE has a tracksuit with a polo. Nadia doesn't mind the uniform so much but the boys loathe them. They got spoiled for their six month stint in Oregon getting to wear whatever they wanted. I think they look pretty sharp!
The school has pre-K through 6th. It is fairly small community with around 200 students and cows grazing literally right next to the school. It is a Catholic school as are many of the public schools here. Alejandro came home complaining that they have to pray all day long: Morning , lunch and before they leave. Torture! They also have Irish Gaelic lessons. Nadia is learning right along with the other kids. Ale and Dante are years behind but no one seems to care. Dante jokes about getting the worst Irish speaker award each week.
The kids have settled into school well enough. They have a decent amount of homework but it seems to be busy work more than anything. The math is way behind what they were doing in the States. However, these teachers are really getting their handwriting into shape. The boys' teachers are great but unfortunately just long term subs covering maternity leaves of the full time teachers.
Nadia is really thriving in school. She has been so clingy forever, crying for babysitters, nervous around strangers, etc.. A week before classes started, she cried when I went to the grocery store and left her alone with Alfonso. I thought there would be serious tantrums being left at school. I was expecting a long adjustment period, several weeks like it took Alejandro. Nope. A kiss and a wave goodbye and she was ready for us to go even on the first day.
Nadia's a social butterfly and is loving having female companionship . Four years of her brothers' influence wiped out by a month at school with girls. She is all into pink and princesses now. Very strange. Nadia adores her teacher and school work as well. She is just a sponge soaking it all in. Comes home knowing multiple verses of songs after one day of practice. Even she has homework though because a four year old needs to learn the value of good study habits. Besides, I might get bored if I didn't have three kids all needing help with homework at the same time.
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