The end of the school year came quickly as we had just gotten back into a routine after quarantine, though I was happy we were able to have final classes and clubs this year as it was very uncertain back in March if we'd even get to finish up classes. During quarantine, I wrote with my translators and club kids often to check-in and make sure they were doing okay. One of my translators had said he didn't miss school at all and it had been his dream to only have school online, though he missed translating and the little kids in English Class. I asked him, "so ideally, you'd like to have English Class again, but not need to go to school for the rest of the year?" He enthusiastically agreed that this was his perfect scenario. I just laughed thinking skeptically this is the most unlikely thing to happen... but my translator got his wish. Middle School students weren't required to attend in-class lessons and English Class opened with all other after-school activities before the school year was over. Needless to say, I had a very happy translator for the final weeks of English Class.
Class picture - group was a little smaller on the last day as many of the kids were already preparing for summer holidays and other kids knew they'd see me again the following Monday for the start of Camp Week.
Playing a game to collect bricks for their "houses" before a "natural disaster" hits.
Our end of the Year "Elephant and Piggie Party!" We enjoyed all our favorite activities - Dance like Elephant and Piggie, Bingo, more games, a photo-booth, and just time together.
This year, the English Classes were exceptionally fun, mainly due to my amazing translators and students! All three translators have natural English talent AND are gifted with young children. I was amazed each week with their English abilities and love for the kids. The students also made the classes so much fun each week - especially since some of them have been in my English Classes for four years, I had fun making new lessons to keep challenging them and moving them forward. When talking with one mom whose son has been in my English Classes for the past four years, she kindly said that it through the way I'm teaching that her son is able to recall English because he doesn't learn well the way his classroom teachers are teaching in school. While I understand the difficulties of having a whole classroom to teach English, I am also so happy that this boy is able to grow in English through my class to give him the boost he needs to keep up in school.
We also wrapped-up Little Linguists for the summer, but with high-enrollment for preschoolers in September and not enough space in preschools, mothers are already telling me they can't wait for Little Linguists again next autumn. While it seemed that every autumn was a "rebuilding-year" as many of my Littles left for preschool, it looks like next September many of my regular students will be back again for more songs and games! It's always really fun when the kids are already able to jump-in with the songs and activities to help the new students fall into the rhythm of Little Linguist class time too. One of the Littles is actually my neighbor and will greet me in English when I see her outside and will then ask her mom when we can all start going to Little Linguists again!
with some of the Littles... I need a bigger lap.
beading fun!
parachute is always a win :)
Club fell back into a rhythm, and we were happy to spend the time together. Many of the girls are asking about becoming half-leaders next year when they are finally 13-years-old (the age they can begin being half-leaders), and they are anxious to help around club to show they are ready to be helpers. For the last couple of weeks, I didn't wash many dishes or vacuum the carpet because a half-dozen 12-year-olds beat me to it! It's so fun to see them excited to help. One of the half-leaders who is now 14-years-old told me she thinks she can do more at club, like helping organize and lead games too, though she said she's nervous to try organizing a game, she also knows she's ready for the challenge! It is so fun watching these young leaders grow!
Karaoke time
On the ramps and a quick trip for ice-cream!
Who knew blackberry ice-cream would be so much fun?!
Many of the last weeks of club in Letovice were pretty girl-heavy, but club in Boskovice was "all-boy"! Sometimes a couple girls would pop-in for a quick visit, but it was the boys who ran the club as they rolled over ramps and rails, played basketball, and table games. On the last day of club, the boys really enjoyed a game where we hid a treat from the snack bar and the person who found it got to keep it. The leaders and I got really creative for where to hide the treats as the boys got better and faster at finding it!
Rainy day clubs in Boskovice inside
We finished Connect Club for the school year as we talked about the resurrection and Jesus's time with the disciples after the resurrection and what that means for our lives. The girls enjoyed this theme about "the Life of Jesus." These girls are great at remembering the stories we have studied together and are learning to connect the stories together and with their own lives as well. I'm looking forward to next year with them either in Connect Club or in Youth Group now that many of them are old enough to start Youth Group with us too!
Connect Club Group Picture
We had a couple days after summer holiday started and before City Camp (our community outreach event) started, so we took one of the mornings to meet together as an Elim team. We discussed the year - the joys and some of the challenges - and our dreams and ideas for the upcoming year. It was fun to hear all of the different things we enjoyed throughout the year and the similarities we all have in the joys of serving the kids. (As an added bonus, one of my translators from English Class joined our team for the meeting as the youth leader pointed out the translators are also a big part of the ministry at Elim! I completely agree and was happy one of the translators gave up his morning to join the meeting.)
Lunch together after after the meeting
Elim Team Leaders
Wednesday, July 1st was the first day of Summer Vacation, and what better way to celebrate than with the Connect Girls and Club Kids at the pool! It was as if the sun had been waiting until the first of July to radiate its summer heat because the pool was packed with giggly, sun-burnt children. While I never saw a group invitation to all the kids to come to the pool, it seemed that the kids all knew exactly where to meet up with all their friends on this first day of summer, and I was more than happy to join in.
This Independence Day was my first time celebrating without other Americans as the American Team has always come to Letovice for LetFest the weekend of the fourth. For the past 10 years, I've celebrated Independence Day and my birthday in the Czech Republic, though I knew I wasn't going to let it be different this year even without my loud, American buddies. A group of my Connect Girls met me at the river in the city where we all chose American tattoos (left over from the Americans the previous year) and stickers to decorate our arms and hands. Then, the girls and I went to the carnival that was in Letovice for the weekend. We rode the Ferris Wheel and some other adrenaline attractions and then ended the afternoon cheering on some friends in a soccer match. It was a lot of fun sharing Fourth of July traditions with my girls.
Wearing Red, White, and Blue :)
On a ride with the girls
I celebrated my birthday the day after Independence Day and was very surprised by my church family as they gave me a surprise party and gift after service! I am often reminded how wonderful it is to have so many friends and a church family even when I am so far from my own family. It was a perfect, memorable weekend.
With some friends (and little-buddies) after church