Fictional: A typical day in the advanced school system
"Did we run out of Capri Sun again?" Jessica muttered as she reluctantly moved to open the refrigerator. It'd have to be homemade lemonade today. It was her turn to prepare lunches for herself and her younger siblings. At least the rest of the lunch hadn't taken long today – there had been leftover enchiladas from yesterday's supper and a piece of rhubarb pie.
Just then the grandfather clock struck 8:00 and everyone took their place at the breakfast table. Dad passed around some German songbooks, and everyone sang a couple songs before the meal. Breakfast was usually simple – milk and cereal, and whole grain buns with butter and cheese. And apple or grape juice that Mom had canned, of course.
Jessica ate with one eye on the clock. How was it that she always ran late? Soon her brother yelled from the window, "The bus is coming!" His little legs sent him racing across the lawn toward the road. Jessica and her younger sister followed.
On the bus, Jessica leaned back in her seat with a sigh. "Twenty-seven vocabulary words! I hope I won't need to learn that many in the next biology module. Algebra is so much more fun – all you need to know is numbers!"
School had taken on a new purpose for Jessica during the last year. It being her 11th year, she would be out of school soon. And there was so much to be done yet before the year was through! Her 10th year of school had been a tough one and she had missed a couple credits she now needed. That meant she would need to work hard to get every last bit of the requirements done before graduation day.
Just then the grandfather clock struck 8:00 and everyone took their place at the breakfast table. Dad passed around some German songbooks, and everyone sang a couple songs before the meal. Breakfast was usually simple – milk and cereal, and whole grain buns with butter and cheese. And apple or grape juice that Mom had canned, of course.
Jessica ate with one eye on the clock. How was it that she always ran late? Soon her brother yelled from the window, "The bus is coming!" His little legs sent him racing across the lawn toward the road. Jessica and her younger sister followed.
On the bus, Jessica leaned back in her seat with a sigh. "Twenty-seven vocabulary words! I hope I won't need to learn that many in the next biology module. Algebra is so much more fun – all you need to know is numbers!"
School had taken on a new purpose for Jessica during the last year. It being her 11th year, she would be out of school soon. And there was so much to be done yet before the year was through! Her 10th year of school had been a tough one and she had missed a couple credits she now needed. That meant she would need to work hard to get every last bit of the requirements done before graduation day.
Mr. Friesen greeted his students of the 10th and 11th grade as they entered the classroom. Jessica wasn't always sure what to think of her teacher. He could be downright intimidating with his piercing eyes and cut to the quick way of expressing himself. But secretly, she was suspicious that he might become her favorite teacher. His devotions never just skimmed the surface. He was an excellent story teller, especially ones of his own experiences and what he learned from them. And the singing. Mr. Friesen was very particular about good singing. Every day, the class would spend 30 minutes singing choral-type songs and hymns together in four-part harmony. With Mr. Friesen enthusiastically directing the music, even the shiest boys couldn't help enjoying the songs.
Classes began at 9:00. Jessica willed herself to make this a productive day. After the singing session, Mr. Friesen announced the Language Arts class. Jessica watched the group walk into the adjoining room to study English 10. "I almost wish I weren't done with that yet. English is a beautiful language and I miss the stories and essays. But oh well, I need to work on my Accounting course now." She pulled the heavy textbook out of her desk while the rest of the students remaining in the room did the same with books of various other subjects they studied individually. Mr. Friesen's assistant teacher stayed in the room with them to supervise and answer questions. Jessica bowed her head over her worksheets and industriously scribbled numbers.
After class had been dismissed at 4:00 and all the students were walking to their busses, Jessica's friend Leanna asked, "Have you decided what your graduation speech is going to be about?"
Jessica sighed, "It seems that I've been way too busy studying, to even think about that. I'll probably just speak on our keyboarding class and why everyone hated it!" She laughed. "At least we don't have to worry about doing essays – one each of German, Spanish, and English – like we did to graduate from secondary school."
"I agree!" Jessica said. "Then I'd have to stay home every night from now until graduation to get them done."
Classes began at 9:00. Jessica willed herself to make this a productive day. After the singing session, Mr. Friesen announced the Language Arts class. Jessica watched the group walk into the adjoining room to study English 10. "I almost wish I weren't done with that yet. English is a beautiful language and I miss the stories and essays. But oh well, I need to work on my Accounting course now." She pulled the heavy textbook out of her desk while the rest of the students remaining in the room did the same with books of various other subjects they studied individually. Mr. Friesen's assistant teacher stayed in the room with them to supervise and answer questions. Jessica bowed her head over her worksheets and industriously scribbled numbers.
After class had been dismissed at 4:00 and all the students were walking to their busses, Jessica's friend Leanna asked, "Have you decided what your graduation speech is going to be about?"
Jessica sighed, "It seems that I've been way too busy studying, to even think about that. I'll probably just speak on our keyboarding class and why everyone hated it!" She laughed. "At least we don't have to worry about doing essays – one each of German, Spanish, and English – like we did to graduate from secondary school."
"I agree!" Jessica said. "Then I'd have to stay home every night from now until graduation to get them done."
"Yes. A speech is bad enough, but right now I would give anything to hold that high school diploma in my hands!" Jessica said as she waved to Leanna and got on her bus.
Coming home, the family dog greeted the children excitedly. Jessica smiled and took some time to rub behind his ears. How warmly the sun shone today! Spring had definitely come to stay. The smell of fresh-cut grass wafted over from the neighbors. She breathed in deep before she walked into the house.
Mom was there to greet them. She was just finishing a batch of cinnamon rolls and asked the girls to load the dish washer and find some chicken breast to thaw for supper. Jessica couldn't help but pout a little. It seemed no one knew how tiring school was and how much she needed to rest now! But she had to admit the chores were simple and wouldn't interfere with her homework that much.
Supper was delicious. Too bad Dad had missed it. He'd gone to town on various errands. The fields and his position at the community cheese factory kept him busy. Jessica remembered, though, that he had promised the family a trip to San Antonio when school let out. She couldn't wait.
Just then her phone buzzed. Leanna invited her for volleyball at the gym tonight. Jessica glanced at Mom, who was settling into the rocking chair with a newspaper to read. After thinking a while, Jessica reasoned, "I can spare this one night. After all, exercising and socializing are good for me, too."
Coming home, the family dog greeted the children excitedly. Jessica smiled and took some time to rub behind his ears. How warmly the sun shone today! Spring had definitely come to stay. The smell of fresh-cut grass wafted over from the neighbors. She breathed in deep before she walked into the house.
Mom was there to greet them. She was just finishing a batch of cinnamon rolls and asked the girls to load the dish washer and find some chicken breast to thaw for supper. Jessica couldn't help but pout a little. It seemed no one knew how tiring school was and how much she needed to rest now! But she had to admit the chores were simple and wouldn't interfere with her homework that much.
Supper was delicious. Too bad Dad had missed it. He'd gone to town on various errands. The fields and his position at the community cheese factory kept him busy. Jessica remembered, though, that he had promised the family a trip to San Antonio when school let out. She couldn't wait.
Just then her phone buzzed. Leanna invited her for volleyball at the gym tonight. Jessica glanced at Mom, who was settling into the rocking chair with a newspaper to read. After thinking a while, Jessica reasoned, "I can spare this one night. After all, exercising and socializing are good for me, too."
**Written in full by Christa Dueck. Used with Permission.**