Each year before school starts, I begin thinking about my students. Because I teach in a Kindergarten center, I pass at least 200 little ones on to first grade and I start forgetting their names minutes after the final bell of the year. Sometimes, I get them again when they are in 3rd grade (during summer school) and it is amazing to see how they grow and change but for the most part, I never really get to know them.
I also work in a building that houses Kindergarten through 4th grade. It is wonderful to experience the 5 year progression from squirmy kindergartener, to enthusiastic first grader, to toothless second grader, to chapter-book reading third grader and finally to mature, budding artist fourth grader. I always hate it when my fourth graders leave me at the end of the year. They are trained. They are helpful. They get my jokes!
This summer I have been thinking a lot about the tiny group that will be entering middle school from our elementary. Last summer, I sent out a postcard to each one letting them know that I will miss them and 'good luck!' This summer I decided to do the same thing. I stamped up some cardstock with some sweet owls (they know I love owls!) and arriving any minute now, they should receive a little handwritten note from their elementary art teacher reminding them that they are special and loved.
Who knows, maybe someone in their family will find this letter in their belongings as part of their legacy or maybe I will be sending the very same post card out to one of their kids or grandkids.
***Note*** The students received their post cards and every single one that visited me during open house last night said, "Thanks you for my card."
