Our First Remembrance Day at the Fine Arts School

This year, Ben and Janae started attending a fine arts school. We'd heard over and over again that the Remembrance Day assembly at this school was incredible and that it was something we shouldn't miss. Ben told us that some of the Grade 12 students were planning to build a trench for people to walk through to get into the gym, which sounded kind of intense, and then Janae had been given a part in her class's play--she'd be singing a solo of "Memory Eternal"--so we had even more incentive to go.

When we got there, we saw art that the students had created based on a World War I theme, including Ben's French flag collage.

We lined up with a huge crowd of parents to walk through the trench into the gym,

and then we watched and listened to the songs, poems, dances, slideshows and skits the students had prepared. 

Janae portrayed an angel who was singing to a prisoner of war. Afterwards her teacher sent me an email saying, "Janae was stunning on stage. . . . Your daughter is a phenomenal student with so much creative talent."

Soon after the Grade 6 play, the school's fire alarm went off because of some of the smoke effects being used on the stage (although Ben told me later they'd used similar effects before without any problem). The entire school had to be evacuated, and everyone waited outside for the fire truck to come. Luckily, Janae had already changed out of her white dress, because it was cold and rainy outside.

Aside from all the added drama, I left the assembly marveling at the opportunities this school has provided for Ben and Janae. They have so many chances to be creative. Janae's teacher has combined art, science and English, having them create extended metaphors while building anatomically correct representations of human lungs using flowers.

Janae plays the piano in the hallway after school, takes classes in music, art, dance, and drama, and enjoys going to school. Jason actually got to go to the school's fall music concert while I was in the hospital, where Janae's class played the ukulele, and he thought it was spectacular, as well. 

Ben has also found everyone really friendly and welcoming, and he has many chances to be creative in his art and English classes. He has great teachers, and he's happy with the school.

I'm so glad that they're both happy there, and I'm looking forward to all the wonderful performances we'll get to see in the months and years to come.