The end of this school year marks the end of an era. Both my girls have now graduated out of our sweet, local elementary school and I can’t pull myself together. Those hallways have seen my itty bitty babies grow into young women. And I couldn’t be more thankful for that safety net of a school to guide them.
The first day gitters Lena had, convincing her I couldn’t possibly keep her home another year, to Miss Hardie pulling out Hannah’s first wiggly tooth at the Christmas Concert to the friendships that have been forged over the course of the years, there are so many things I have to be thankful for. To the teachers that took special care during the tough times, to the laughter and giggles, to allowing the kids to use them as a growth chart – my heart will forever be grateful. To the teachers that packed up a herd of children and snowshoed and hiked the hills and trails in the backyard – you taught them a love for nature that no book could ever teach. To the brave teachers who let their students bring their pets to school….whether it was lambs, horses or puppies – welcoming their world into your classroom meant so much to those kids.
To my fellow moms who held hands of frightened littles and shared in the joys and anxieties of having kids in school, I love you guys and I’m so thankful that our littles brought us together. I have enjoyed doing life with you all these years. Texting about the fights and getting the scoop on the latest disagreement, I’m so grateful for the open communication I was able to have with you as we navigated these ups and downs. I feel like we grew and learned almost as much as they did. And coffee, so thankful for countless cups of coffee together.
To the teachers who taught so much more than just the curriculum, it is those life lessons that will stick with them far longer than the math and English classes ever will. It is those extra lessons that make this school so very special. You guys make up a fierce team of passionate people who care more about the children themselves than the job and it shows. It shows in everything you do…the way you show up for them in the midst of the struggles and fighting for your rights as a teacher. It shows in the way that you show up for them outside of school hours and find yourself ring side watching them circle around on horseback. It shows in the hugs, the classroom pets, the notes home and Facebook check-ins when life is rough. You care. And we see it and we are thankful for it.
The other thing I have to say how much I appreciated was the easy peasy school supply list. Can I please continue to hand over some money and you do the shopping??? Just until Grade 12 – we’ll handle the rest 😉 You have no idea how easy that made our lives and yes, we took it for granted and I’m sorry we did and I’m sorry for myself that this fall I need to do a proper shopping for 2 kids….
These hallways saw it all. The wins in their lives, the losses in their life. And through it all, this school was a consistent place where the girls knew what to expect and what was expected of them. And it grounded them in ways they both needed. As community school, we faced strikes, pandemics, and code blue drills and it was all handled with grace and as well as one could expect. And that shows the kids life skills, too. I am grateful for how you dealt with it all and kept the kids safe and at the forefront.
As the year wraps up and the school doors get closed and locked up for another summer, know just how grateful each and everyone of us parents are for what you offered to our children. You will never be forgotten and you will always be treasured and thought of fondly for how you loved on our babies and taught them so much. Thank you. From the bottom of our hearts – THANK YOU!!
Warmly,
Lori
