School stuff - I don't get it.

September has flown by - from the beginning week when we were scrambling to get all the school stuff together - mostly uniforms and gym kits. I still feel like I am punching in the dark with school stuff here.....not quite sure that I have all the information that I need. The British moms just seem to know how it all works while I am the one who has to find out stuff like Christopher didn't get a locker this year because we did not know that we had to reserve it. They gave his old locker to someone else and now he is on a waiting list. I always feel as if I am on slippery ground when they use the acronyms like GCSE's (still not sure what it stands for, but it means intense tests at the end of year 11) or PHCES (Personal heath and citizenship something). After four years I feel I have barely cracked the system and now my boys are all in different schools so that means three schools to keep up with. The schools are good - the teachers are interested and engaged and they give the kids lots of opportunity to grow in personal interests. Christopher can stay after school any day of the week and work on either art projects or computer projects. Peter has been accepted for the after school computer club. Paul's school is doing an excellent job in giving him opportunities to develop a well-rounded resume. He is part of an extend class where he mentors younger students both academically and socially. They are helping him explore the opportunities to participate in either a volunteer program or a work study program. I am impressed with their level of care and direction that the teachers give. So I am pleased with the education that they are receiving, I just wish I didn't come out looking like a ninny at times. This year I am just going to try to make sure I know which days are uniform days and which days are non-uniform days. I get a very sinking feeling in my gut when I walk Peter to school and he is the only one in his uniform. I think they do it on purpose just to keep me confused.