A day of firsts

We knew things were different when the administrators told us to show up fifteen minutes before the first day of school and that was it.  They didn't ask for a copy of immunizations, they were not interested in information from the previous school, and they didn't mind that we don't have our Danish identification numbers yet.  We have not signed anything or filled out one piece of paper.  Maybe I should worry?

Today was the first day of school for the kids and the school year runs through the end of June.  Danes have about 200 days in the classroom, but the number of hours of instruction is significantly less.  There is a week-long break in the fall, a break at Christmas time, a February break, an Easter break, and a couple other days (some Christian holidays and a Danish holiday).

We live only a few blocks from school, so I don't know if we'll cycle.  There are two (!) covered parking lots for bicycles.  Incredible.  About ten percent of the people wear helmets.

Robin has sixteen kids in class and Arlo has eighteen.  They both sit at desks that are set in small groups facing the front of the classroom. 

Both kids were given textbooks, which are traditionally covered with something like thick wrapping paper.  We enjoyed going to the school supply store to see all the beautiful pencils and markers, but we bought only paper (photo to follow).

The other first was my first pool swim in almost two weeks.  I was pleased to find my way to the pool (a few roads, but mostly little paths here and there) without getting lost.  The group had three of the six lanes with about four swimmers in each.  It had been a long time since I had swum inside or had swum in a 25-meter pool, but those were easy adjustments.  It is hard to imagine riding to the pool in the dark and in the rain, but I'll worry about that later.  For now I am happy to be in a pool where I can see the bottom.  I also have to confess that it is nice to swim with people who wear swimsuits.