Scarlett's 8th Grade Promotion

Scarlett has promoted from 8th grade at Brookside Christian Academy, and will be attending 9th grade there next year!

We are so proud of Scarlett for being willing to step away from public school and her friends at Templeton Middle School, and go to a brand new school where she didn't know a soul. She did much better academically this year, and when I asked her why, I was expecting her to say, "It's easier at Brookside."  But, instead, she said, "Brookside is harder, I just have better teachers here."

The one person who made a tremendous difference in Scarlett's education is Mr. Vince Walla, her math and science teacher pictured in the lower right corner of this photo.  On the first day of school, Scarlett had to step out of class and cried out of frustration and embarrassment when she didn't know how to do the math presented to her.  Poor kid!

Over the course of the school year, Mr. Walla recognized Scarlett's lack of confidence with math and worked together with her with patience, kindness and a great sense of humor. Such a wonderful teacher!  And Scarlett even mostly enjoyed chemistry, thanks to Mr. Walla! 

The kids each had to share their favorite Bible version, and Scarlett's was, "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid"  Proverbs 12:1. Mr. Walla actually shared that verse with her when she was struggling with math early in the school year and Scarlett instantly loved it because of the word stupid.  Totally doesn't surprise me. :)

We are looking forward to Scarlett's high school years at Brookside! As you can see from this photo. there are only seven 8th graders - not all are returning to Brookside next year.  I hear there are only 12 high schoolers total currently registered for high school, and I love that!

I occasionally check in with Scarlett to make sure she doesn't feel like she's missing out by not going to Templeton High School with more electives, more kids, more activities, etc.  But she has ZERO interest in going to TSH and being with her former peers. 

So we'll have two high schoolers this coming school year ... at two different schools!

Brookside's Spring Recitation

Today we attended Brookside's Spring Recitation.  A less formal event than the Recitation in the spring, and the kids just wore their uniforms.  Scareltt did NOT want to attend this event at all, but well ... sometimes we all have to do things we don't want to do.

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!

Scarlett Gets Braces!

 At long last - after visits to the orthodontist every six months to check Scarlett's incoming teeth - our sweet girl got braces!

She was NOT looking forward to this day.  Christian had braces for several years - much longer than the average kid.  He also got then on very young, when he was still very fearful of dentists, doctors, etc.  So whether Scarlett has heard those stories over time, or actually remembers them, she was terrified to get braces.  She even crouched down in the front seat with the hopes of avoiding walking into the office.

Getting the braces on was the easy part! But the pain in her mouth hours later was awful (for us all).  Scarlett is a kid who doesn't not tolerate pain or discomfort well at all. 😔 

Happily, the orthodontist expects Scarlett to be in braces for about 18 months.  So relatively speaking, its a pretty short period of time and they will be off before high school!

Scarlett's "Teach the Teacher" Cookie Cake Video

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2023 Father Daughter Dance