Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
American dream for schoolkids
Siblings swap Scotland for Stateside adventure
Two former Carnbroe Primary pupils are settling into a very different new term at school – after swapping Scotland for the States.
Nicole and Jason Kleinman, aged nine and six, this summer flew 4633 miles to make the big move to Texas with parents Jen and Stuart and pet cat Tiamo.
They are now making friends and enjoying classes at their new school, as well as enjoying hobbies old and new in their new surroundings.
Like hundreds of other Monklands parents, mum Jen sent in the youngsters’ “first day at school” picture to the Advertiser; but unlike the familiar pictures from across Airdrie and Coatbridge, it showed that Nicole and Jason have now traded their school uniforms for a traditional American yellow school bus.
Jen told the Advertiser: “The kids love it here – people make such a fuss of their Scottish accents and they love the attention!
“They miss their old school and friends, but are loving their new school and have met lots of new friends.
“One of the main differences is that they start school at 7.50am and are encouraged to be in class for 7.35am – so that’s taking a bit of getting used to, especially after all the long lies over the summer!
“Scotland is six hours ahead of us so by the time Nicole and Jason start school for the day, their friends back home are almost finished.”
Nicole was in Primary Five at Carnbroe before moving, while younger brother Jason had been in last year’s Primary One intake at the school.
The family’s big move came after Stuart was offered a new job in Texas, and they are already enjoying some typical all-American experiences as well as continuing with some of their favourite hobbies from back home.
Jen said: “We’ve settled in really well and encountered so many changes and fun times it’s hard to know where to start. We got here a few days before the Fourth of July so got to celebrate Independence Day on the lake with tubing, paddle boarding and fireworks, which was amazing; and the next big thing will be our first Thanksgiving which we’re really excited about.
“At home, Nicole was at FM Dance in Coatbridge, so she’s joined a dance class and is working towards performing at the Rose Parade for the Texas Rose festival and at a Christmas show.
“She also did piano – and her teacher, who lives in Carnbroe, is going to continue to do lessons with her via Skype.
“Jason did a football class – or soccer as they call it here – so will continue with that, and we’re also signing him up for baseball as it’s so popular here.
“We miss our family back home but my parents have already come out to visit, more family are coming in October and we’re coming back to spend Christmas in Scotland.”