Kennie & the violin!

One of the programs at the boys school is the music program.  During the coarse of the year, the 5th grade classes get a chance to play the flute, violin and the drums.  Here is Kennie's violin performance.  So far he has done the flute and the violin.  His favorite one was the flute.  We're hoping he can get into the music program at the middle school where he starts in fall.  YIKES!!  I am going to have a middle schooler.  I'm not old enough for that yet!

More Kennie Info

This is more for my record than anything else, so I am removing the comment option.

I just met with Mr. Grabowski (Mr. G) who is hte head of the Gifted Programs for the Anchorage School district. Here is how he scored on his tests.

• He is reading on a 4th grade 3rd month level. That means not only reading, but comprehension.
• He is working on a 5th grade 1st month math level.
  
• He is in the 97th percentile of all 2nd graders in math and reading.
  
• He scored a 97% on his quantitative test. This is the magic test to determine if they are going to be in the Gifted Program. In order to qualify for the program, you need to get at least a 93%. GO KENNIE!!!
• To determine his rank of IQ scores, they took his IQ number and compared it to the rest of the IQ scores across the United States. Kennie is in the 99.5% for 2nd graders. SERIOUSLY??

I wanted to cry through the entire meeting. He is doing such a great job. Mr. G also mentioned that he is impressed with how advanced Kennie is socially. Most kids that are as smart as he is usually don't have good social skills. He was even more impressed when I informed him that Kennie is only 6 and supposed to be in 1st grade. Thanks to an AWESOME Kindergarten teacher who recognized his abilities and suggested him to be tested and advanced to 1st grade.

The Anchorage School District doesn't skip kids. Justin is far beyond his grade and the kids in his class. Thanks to an AWESOME teacher, he is given extra work and she sends reading projects home with him. I am excited for Kennie to start this program. I know he will do well and will continue to excel!

Kudos to Kennie

I got a call this afternoon from a teacher with the school district for the kids. He called my cell phone - so I was a little thrown. Anyway, he told me he just got Kennie's specialized test scores back. This is what I was told:

• Kennie's test scores are the highest he has seen from a 2nd and 3rd grader.
  
• After I go in and sign paperwork tomorrow - he will start the program next week.
• He is the first 2nd grader to start this program!

So excited for Kennie! The funniest part of this WHOLE thing is that Kennie is only the age of a 1st grader. This is SO crazy. Anyway, we are so excited for him. Knock 'em dead boy!!

My buttons are a poppin'

No, it's not what you think. Quite the opposite on that actually. I am so close to meeting my first huge milestone. 28 pounds lost. Just under 2 to go. I am so excited!!

Today, I attended another Rising Star Assembly at the school. This time Kennie was honored for his academic excellence and his friendly personality. Here are some pictures of that!

Cake with mom afterward -

Getting his certificate from Mrs. Mullings

He was so intent on reading it without anyone knowing, he just held it close and refused to turn it around.

Back in his seat posing for mom!

You might remember Justin being the rising star last month. If not, go here

After we got home, I was looking in the boys folders and found that Kennie has been chosen for the ignite program. This is the first time they have chosen a 2nd grader to participate in the program. It is designed for 3rd grade and above. I called and spoke with the teacher over the Ignite program and she was shocked to find out Kennie is only 6. After much discussion, she still thinks it's best if we start Kennie in the program. He is not being challanged enough in his regular class. Next year, they are trying to put together a 3/4 split and if they do, Kennie will be in this class. She mentioned that from here on out, she suggests Kennie be in a split. He is just to smart for his own good.

And, to top it off, she said he is VERY socially aware of what is going on around him. Most of the time when she sees kids this smart, they are socially "lacking," but not Kennie. She is amazed. Of course, I could have told them that at the beginning of the year, which I did. Everyone blew me off.

Off my soap box - Anyway, we are so excited for you Kennie! We love you and are so pleased with all you are accomplishing!

Hugs!
Mom & Dad

P.S. Thanks Stacie for watching Nate & listening for Maggie so I could go by my lone!! :)

Our rising Star

Yesterday, we had the priviladge to go to the Rising Star Assembly at Justin's school. He was nominated along with 3 others from his class as a Rising Star. He was recognized for knowing all 52 letters of the alphabet (Upper and lowercase.) We are very proud of him and all that he is doing. They had a reception after where all of us got to eat cake with all the other families. Go Justin!!

Check it out..

Check out the new pictures of the kids on the side of the blog. Each one fits his/her personality so well! Kennie is doing what he was told to do..."smile". Justin is being his cheesy self! Always my poser. Nate is goofing off and doing what ever he wants to do and Maggie is making everyone laugh. Oh so perfect!

On another note, we are moving again. Next Wednesday we will start packing up the boxes. Thursday will be more boxes and Friday we will load, transport and unload. Since no one is really close enough to help, we would appreciate any prayers you could send our way. It is going to take all I have to do another move. We are staying in Anchorage, but just moving to a new neighborhood. When we told Justin about our move, he cried and cried. He had finally stopped and then Aaron mentioned we would be attending a new ward....he turned it back on again. Oh brother!! Anyway, he has said many times that he is going to miss Colten. Nate still insists he is going to come play with Colten every day. Stacie, I think you might assume responsibility for another child.....

That's it for now. I will probably not post for another few weeks. School starts next week and then we are boxing, moving and unboxing. Wish me luck!!