End of An Era

It has been an emotional week.

My first born child "graduated" from 6th grade. He is done with elementary school...and just like that, he is a middle schooler. It has been a wonderful ride!

Seven years ago I had a tow headed little 5-year old ready to start kindergarten.

We had him "tested" at the end of preschool because he was so tenacious and precocious with all things related to academics but with those test results in hand, we weren't certain where to proceed or what to do about what we knew. He needed a challenge...he needed and wanted to progress at his own rate and we desperately wanted him to have the opportunity to do so without the "restraints" of what grade he was in. At the same time, emotionally and socially he was a kindergartener and needed that interaction with other students his same age. We approached the local elementary school in our neighborhood with test results in hand (because no one wants to hear from the pushy parent about how THEIR child is so smart and THEIR child needs special treatment). Our neighborhood elementary school is an EXCELLENT school with an impressive track record and reputation within our school district. But after discussing with the kindergarten teacher what our options would be, we just didn't feel that it was the right option for Jacob. 

At the same time, my sister-in-law had enrolled my niece in a local charter school that they were both loving. We decided to check it out. Now this was a big stretch for me. As a public school teacher and administrator, I hadn't been a big fan of charter schools during the course of my career. But they were slowly gaining momentum here in Utah and I was curious to see what they could offer our son. After taking a tour, talking with the director and meeting/observing the kindergarten teacher, I knew we had found the right fit for our child.

SIDE NOTE: I have since become a HUGE fan of charter schools. They are free, public schools open to any student but differ from "traditional" neighborhood elementary schools in that each charter school has its own method (or charter) for how they are going to educate students and help them meet the state standards. They are free to choose their own curriculum, methodologies, and philosophies but are still accountable to the state for students meeting the standards. Each charter school has its own school board that they are accountable to instead of a "district" school board. Choosing a charter school isn't about one school being better than another...it is all about one school being better than another for an individual child. Charter schools offer "choice" in the public education sector. There is no perfect school, no perfect curriculum, no perfect way of doing things. But providing just one school option to a student is saying "One size fits all". And that is a HUGE misconception. I hope charter schools will continue to flourish and that they will continue to explore a wide variety of educational philosophies and methodologies so that we have a diversity of options to choose from when it comes to the diverse student body here in Utah. There...I will step down from my soapbox.

Jacob attended this charter school for 7 years...7 YEARS! I never attended one school for that long. It has had its shares of ups and downs and crazy periods. We started attending the school in its 2nd year of operation...and we have been a part of the growing pains. But through it all, all 3 of my children have had in the classroom some of the finest teachers and instructors that I have ever known. And when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter what school you attend or what curriculum they use...the success of any school rests in the strength of their educators. And every time we started to wonder if maybe this was the year we needed a change, I would look at the individuals who would be standing at the front of my children's classrooms and I knew I would never find better. I am deeply indebted and eternally grateful for the influence of these educators and the sacrifices they make every day on behalf of their students.

Jacob with his amazing 6th grade teacher!

Hannah with her soul mate 2nd grade teacher!

Matthew with his energetic, funny, enthusiastic 4th grade teacher that he thinks walks on water!

Anyway...where was I? Ah, yes. This last week was the last week of school...and the last week of elementary school EVER for Jacob.

We did all the last week things...class play performances (Jake was Puck in Midnight Summer Dream), field day, dance festival, band concerts...throw in a few soccer games, dance classes, scout activities and voila...end of the year nervous breakdown!

And because we really wanted to make sure my nervous breakdown was thorough, Matt decided to hide in an (empty) recycling can during an intense game of hide-n-seek with Hannah and her friend and when he tried to get out, the recycling can tipped over too fast and he broke the fall with his left arm...clean break. I am happy to report that despite the sagging nature of the arm when he came running in, I did not faint or throw up. OK, maybe I gagged. But I wore my game face and rushed him off to the doctor. He was incredibly brave and courageous through the whole thing...but what a bummer way to start summer. No swimming, no bike riding, no trampoline...like I said, bummer.

Finally the last day of school arrived...here are the happy campers. That about says it all...

And here are our most staunch academic supporters...these 2 boys have logged some serious volunteer hours this year.

Jake graduated from sixth grade and elementary school...and yes, I cried. Cried when he started school, cried when he left the school. 

How awesome that we got to do sixth grade with one of our favorite cousins!

One of the reasons I believe we were led to this school were because of the friends Jacob would have. He received an award for being 1 of 18 students who had been at the school since kindergarten. Jacob has had an incredible group of friends...many of them best friends since kindergarten. I feel deep gratitude for these great boys and their families that have been so important to Jacob and who have loved and nurtured my boy in such important ways. The group is splitting up a little bit next year as we all approach middle school...I hope they will stay close!

Well, any last day of school/6th grade graduation deserves a "small" (huge) snow cone at Lucky's. I have a feeling we will be seeing lots of Lucky's in the next few months...

Mo and Papa also invited the whole gang to attend a Salt Lake Bees baseball game. They were playing the St. Louis Cardinal's "farm" team (minor league) so it was especially tense. I love baseball. Really, truly, deeply, madly do. But not Little League...and not televised. Live, at the field, "professional" baseball. A summer classic!

And so summer is off to a roaring start! Scout camps, more soccer (ask me sometime how Matthew tried out for 3 different competitive soccer clubs with a broken arm and managed to be offered a spot with 2 of the clubs! He amazes me!!!), dance recitals, family, weddings, vacation...and lots of snow cones I can't wait! Let's break out that box of sidewalk chalk and get going...