Graduation Day

The boys' school put on the sweetest little graduation ceremony on Friday. School doesn't wrap up for another couple weeks, but they had it now as many of the students (including most of the Americans) have either left or are about to leave for the summer. That includes us Portnoys as well, who fly back to Chicago on Tuesday. Apparently no expat families stick around for the summer, which makes sense for several reasons, especially the weather, which generally stinks. It's not much nicer here in June or July as it is in November or March. Cool, grey, wet. Same old, same old.

The kids had prepared a number of songs and Ben and Zach were full-throated participants in the chorus. The school director, Caroline, offered some nice words about each of the students. Very warm. They also did a Shabbat service and Ben was chosen as one of the two kids to rip up the challah. Afterwards, the boys hit the road on their rad scooters to hit the park with some of their friends.

Next school year, Ben will be attending the American School of London (ASL) while Zach will move into the the reception class (what Ben just finished) at LJS. We couldn't have asked for a better first year school experience in London. LJS was a warm, nurturing environment that was attuned to the kids' transition, which must have been overwhelming in some ways. But it wasn't just babysitting and for the reception class in particular, they did push the kids academically. Further, as we've alluded to in the past, it also became our community. We met such nice people from all over the world and for Tracy in particular it was a wonderful social outlet. Fortunately, with Zach staying at LJS next year, we'll be able to remain plugged in.