17!

That's the number of Furlough Fridays Hawaii public schools reached on Friday. The last one for the year...and only because there is one Friday left on the school calendar. Robbie's school breaks for summer recess on May 26. It's so bizarre to me that they get out so early. In CA as a kid, schools always got out the second week of June. Robbie does go back earlier than we ever did - August 2 this year, if I'm reading the kindergarten schedule right. Just one more thing I'll never understand - why they get out early in Spring yet have to be in rooms without air conditioning during the most hot and humid month of the year. Baffling!
During the school show on Thursday, one of the older grades performed/lip synced a furlough protest song! In years past, I didn't stick around very long after Robbie's group performed. Cub was much younger, and the day was usually really hot. But Thursday was nice and we were enjoying Cub running around in a shaded corner near the cafeteria, so I kind of just went with it. When the furlough song came on, Noel and I both looked at each other with raised eyebrows. I think the crowd got pretty quiet, too. But the kids got the biggest ovation at the end, so those in attendance appreciated it.
Here's a picture from one side of the lawn. A group is performing a hula in front of the Royal court at the other end of the field. In the foreground, there is a group wearing paper plant hats, waiting for their turn to hit the stage. Another paper plate craft! Robbie comes home with a lot of objects crafted out of paper plates. I'll have to share pictures of some of my favorites soon, but for now, enjoy the one I bestow the title of "Most Original Paper Plate Craft I've Seen Yet."