Brookside Christmas Academy Recitation | December 2025

Brookside held a "Recitation" for the Christmas program, which is where all students - grades K through 12 - get up and sing songs, recite scripture, etc.

Many of the students, including Scarlett, had big-time anxiety about standing up in front of so many people.

Scarlett doesn't like to wear dresses, and felt like this one made her look pregnant ... so she was especially uncomfortable to be on stage.

In one of the photos, you will see Scarlett is standing under a light arch holding an odd thing in her hands. It's a large soup ladle, and that became her "fidget" in class as they spent a lot of time rehearsing for the Recitation.  Eventually, she bent it into that odd shape.  Her teacher was cool about it and let her take it on stage, holding it behind her back.  She called it her "Emotional Support Ladle." 

 

Scarlett's 8th Grade School Photos - Brookside Christian Academy

 I love this year's school photos of Scarlett!  And since I cannot pick a favorite, I'll post them all! 

Scarlett's Official Cheer Portrait - 2025

Only two more football games for this cheerleader! 

2025 Youth Cheer Season!

It is Scarlett's last season in cheer since youth cheer only goes through 8th grade, and she will probably be at Brookside Christian Academy rather than Templeton High School. And that's okay, as I think it would have been very likely she'd want to do high school cheer.

Scarlett isn't a naturally "cheery" person and rarely smiles when she's performing on the cheer line. Plus she gets terribly embarrassed and holds her mouth taut when doing the halftime show.  So I know she would hate to perform at a high school football game. 

This year there are farm more cheerleaders than football players so her "senior squad" only gets to cheer at five games this year, and they only cheer for the first half of the game and then perform at the halftime show.  Then the younger girls cheer for the second half of the game.

Only five games = not many pics to share. 

BUT the cool thing about this year is that the cheer team gets to perform at the Disneyland Main Street USA parade in November.  Scarlett is going out with a bang, as they say

Scarlett in a ... skirt!

This photo is a big deal.  HUGE!

Scarlett does not like to wear skirts and dresses.  She'll do it for a school dance or the annual Father-Daughter Dance.

But I got her some skirts anyway for her school uniform. She has uniform shorts and pants, too ... but I have convinced her (more like will be bribing her - ha!) to wear a skirt on occasion. 

I think it's nice for a girl to have a feminine touch now and then. And I think she's sooo cute in skirts!

Scarlett's First Day of School - 8th Grade

Today Scarlett started at a new school, Brookside Christian Academy.

Brookside is a new school that teaches using the "Classical Christian Education" model.  It is replacing a former Christian school that has been at that location for 50+ years.  So, the new format of the school is new to everyone - students and teachers alike.

We had the option of sending her for 3, 4, or 5 days and we chose five days.  The options are available so home schooling families can incorporate their education into attending school at Brookside.

The kids are divided into "cohorts" of no more than 12 students.  Scarlett's cohort has only three girls (including Scarlett).  We are THRILLED for the smaller class size.

Each day starts with a 15 minute "chapel time" where they sing a song together (each month is the same song) and recite a verse together (each month is a new verse and they are long).  And then the head of school gets up and talks for a few minutes.  Families are encouraged to attend chapel, too, which I love!

Mondays are primarily for getting help with homework, finishing up homework, etc.  They also have music and I think PE.

Tuesdays - Thursdays are Latin, math, Chemistry and humanities.  And on Thursdays is when they get their homework for the weekend that is due on Tuesday.

Fridays are for P.E. and electives. 

Scarlett isn't happy about leaving her friends from middle school, and isn't entirely thrilled with starting at a new school.  BUT ... after hearing her complain about so many things from her 6th and 7th grade years at Templeton Middle School, we are very hopeful this change will be a VERY good thing for Scarlett and how she learns.  

Plus, we love that Jesus and the Bible will be intertwined in everything they do each day!! 

And I just gotta say I LOVE the school uniforms!  I am so happy she will be dressing conservatively, versus what teenagers in public school are often wearing:  very short shorts, very short shirts ... it's all just so short, tight and revealing.  

Looking forward to updating in a few weeks with how she's doing at Brookside!!

Scarlett's 7th Grade Portrait

 Sure, it took me the entire school year to order school photos.  But here it is!