18. First day of school BOTH Isaac and Naomi

Friday, Nov. 13, 2015
To put it simply, figuring out the school situation for Naomi and Isaac was very time consuming and felt like it took forever. This was especially so when I found out after our first visit to Green Hills Academy that Isaac would not be allowed to be in the 11th grade. Granted, I had made a lot of assumptions back in September without confirming them with the school. I knew I was being over-optimistic that "everything was set". Probably I just didn't have the strength to continue the arduous emailing and phone calling required to learn and confirm anything about the schools in Kigali.

So on Nov. 10, the day before what I thought would be Isaac and Naomi's first day of school, we learned that my assumption was wrong that Isaac would be allowed to join the 11th grade of this International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum "mid year". I had made this assumption because a family member had recently been allowed to join an IB high school in Germany for her 12th grade year. She told me she was allowed to do this as an exception because she didn't require an official IB certificate at graduation. Guess what -- Rwanda is different than Germany!

Long story short, Green Hills' principal said he could not risk any precedent of students being allowed to start the intense 11th-12th grade 'block' of studies mid-stream. In other words, the problem was we were arriving in the middle of the school year, not at the beginning (in August). So the only solution was to have Isaac enroll in the 10th grade (even though he just completed that grade in the US.) I checked with Isaac's counselor in Ann Arbor, and she said she can still transfer the credits and Isaac will still be able to graduate on time (in June 2017) in the US system.

So Naomi had her first day at Green Hills Academy (GHA) on Nov. 12, and on Friday, Nov. 13, we had things straightened out enough that both kids could start!
[Author: Ruth Ann]

Morning drop-off on Isaac's first day: Isaac, Naomi and Mom... all happy to finally have things worked out to go to Green Hills.

Bad photo of Isaac in his homeroom class. There is a tuft of blond hair if you look closely!

The amazing line-up of Toyota Land Cruisers at pick-up time at the end of the school-day!

End of first day for Isaac -- day 2 for Naomi!

The following week we even got the custom bus pick-up and drop-off arranged! (Critical, when you don't have a car.)

6. Pioneer Boys' Soccer Amazing Season -- Catholic Central brings it to a halt

Oct. 29, 2015
Ann Arbor

Last night Catholic Central brought the gauntlet down on Pioneer's (and Isaac's) hopes and prayers for a ride to the state championships next week. Pioneer lost the contest 0-2. Isaac warmed up with the team but did not get to play. Noah and Andrea were there in Novi to cheer him on!

The side story, and what makes the loss especially tough for Isaac, is that if they had won, the next game would by Nov. 4, two days after our planned departure on Nov. 2.  We had promised Isaac that we would pay the $300 change fee (and $100 for a chaperone). So there were HIGH STAKES in terms of emotions, athletic pride and cash on this game!

Amidst boxes, errands, farewell parties and passport prep -- Isaac has been part of a legendary soccer team at Pioneer H.S. And his coach (Kevin Taylor, affectionately known as "KT") confirms that Isaac has been an important part of the varsity team this year. As an 11th grade forward he doesn't get played in every game -- 12th graders take priority -- but coach says Isaac's hard-working style and dedication to the team is valued.  This article (click on link below) in MLive captures the good sportsmanship and leadership of this team.

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/7542030349711482816/end-of-a-truly-great-season-for-2015-pioneer-mens-soccer/

[author: Ruth Church]