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| 1st Day of School |
Here I am, the end of yet another school year. I have done this thirteen times now and each year seems to become shorter the more I experience my children growing. This year, though, is different. It differs in a few ways. This year was the first that all six of my kids were sitting in a classroom funded by taxpayer dollars. We spanned kindergarten through senior in high school with quite a few grades in between. This year would be the last for Eric. Graduating in just a few days, he will be venturing into the university world in the fall. This year would be my last (I think) year in kindergarten and all of the firsts that encompass it. This year, would be the thirteenth and final year spent at our little charter school that we have watched grow during our tenure. You see, next year, my final four children will be moving on to an education under a different roof.
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| Kindergarten here we come! |
As I ponder the letter I need to write to our long time principal for the reasons we are making this change, my heart settles on the people who have altered not only my children’s lives but the Hubster’s and my lives also. How do I tell them how much they mean to me. I wanted to write a personal note to each and every one of them but, after the time we have spent under their roof, we are talking a lot of letters and not enough time to put my heart into each one. So, here I am, writing, what I hope will be received as a heart felt note filled with appreciation and memories.
To you, the teacher of my child,
I am sure you have heard this quote from me, “We believe that you are our partner in parenting.” During the school year, it is you who has the attention of my child for the majority of their day. It is you who has the opportunity to mold my child in a way few do. It is you who revels in my child’s success as well as laments in their failures. Over the years each of you has touched our family in your own unique way. That is why this letter is so painful to write. You see, this year will be the final year our family graces your hallways. I want you to know our departure has nothing to do with you nor the effort you have applied to my family. The years spent under your tutelage is priceless and greatly appreciated. No, the motivation for our departure has absolutely nothing to do with the love you have poured out upon my children.
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| Science Fair Projects are all about family |
So, I want to say “thank you”. Thank you for the many years of devotion to making parts of my family successful, thus strengthening the rest of it. Thank you for the long hours of questions without answers and answers without questions. Thank you for the hours of personal time you have dedicated to my child. Thank you for the noses wiped, tears dried and scrapes cleaned. Thank you for an ear that listens to not only my child but to me. I know I get excited about things and, at times, forget you have thirty little minions to keep an eye on. I don’t think you know just how important your support is to me. Over the years, I have shed tears upon your shoulder and I thank you for your compassion.
Most of all, I want to thank you for the memories…
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| Sneetches, some with stars and some with none |
The day I handed my crying first born over to you on his first day of kindergarten. Tears streamed down my face as the Hubster and I walked through the parking lot to our car, all along my little girl skipped singing, “Next year I get to go to school!” prompting more tears.
Teaming up with me to cure my little socialite of the need to chat during class.
Sticking with our family for 4 years, including summers, and still loving us.
Taking my 2 1/2 year old, strong willed, child number 5 and doing the potty training for me.
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| Our Graduate! |
Allowing me to sit in class all day and make dinner menus for weeks to come, while my 13 year old swears I am staring at the back of his head.
Loving on my kindergartner even when she has hidden your cell phone in the tank behind the toilet.
Letting our very big family take over your classroom on “Book Night” and smiling all the way through.
“Encouraging” our picky eater to try everything on her lunch plate. (even if she cried)
Telling me of the time one of our most challenging children was doing classwork and began, quietly singing “The Rainbow Connection” while one by one his classmates joined in.
Enjoying my loud, boisterous, busy, boy who has no sense of personal space and still being steadfast in your sweet gentle nature.
Granting my young teen daughter the opportunity to assist in the “planning” of your wedding to keep her busy while her siblings were in Homework Club.
Embracing my most precious of children and brushing up on your American Sign Language to do so.
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| Student of the week shows off her bronze medal |
There are so many more I could write about and so many more that I will remember later. Some moments will be spoken of at graduations and weddings. Some will simply bring a tear to my eye. One thing is for sure, without you, none of these precious gifts would be part of our family’s history. With out you, our family would not be the same.
Please know that even though our time with you is drawing to an end, you will always, always be held dear to our hearts.
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| Me and one of your students |
With much love and respect,
The mother of your student.
