Some lasts

With only five weeks of school left, my mind has begun looking for lasts. In addition to this being the end of another school year, this is my last year as our union secretary, a post I’ve held for the last three years. There are some aspects of the job I won’t miss, especially late Monday nights. But there are several I will.

Last weekend we had the last union board retreat. Every year we spend a weekend in Hood River, a lovely little town along the Columbia River. It’s work, but there is always a little play time. This year, during the scavenger hunt, our mission was to find something  Red for Ed. What my team found in the Goodwill had us laughing.

Yesterday, I said farewell to one of my favorite jobs: reading the letters from graduating students who applied for the scholarships we offer. The scholarships were established in the name of a man who was a great volunteer, so students are asked to write about their volunteer experiences. The team meets at a coffee shop and it makes for a really lovely couple of hours.

There are still lots of thing on my “last ____ of the year list”, but I am a little sad that these two won’t be on next year’s list.

From A to Z

Today is the last day of school for kids. Teachers have to go back on Monday, but, this is really the last day.

Today the building will be full of noise and excitement. Tomorrow, and for the next two and a half months, it will be mostly quiet and empty.

We have an assembly at 9, where awards will be given out. Before we go, I will give my ids my gift to them. It is a tradition I had when I last taught fourth grade and I revived it this year. I have written an alphabet book for the class entitled , F is for Fourth Grade.  The kids always think it will be their names in alphabetical order, but it isn’t. Each letter describes a personal quality, then I say which kid best described that quality. Having only 23 kids this year, I had a few letters left over, so I gave them some advice. Here are the first and last pages of my A to Z book.

A

is for Articulate 

Articulate means “using language easily and fluidly”.

Vincent is an articulate student. He thinks before he speaks and uses interesting words in his sentences. Vincent has a good vocabulary.

Z

is for

Zealous

 A zealous person is eager and passionate about something.

Endeavour to be a zealous student and friend. Give 100% to all you do. Be eager about your learning and faithful in your friendships.

 

Keeping a lid on it: A Slice of Life Story

Spring in Oregon is notoriously changeable. It was in the mid 50’s Sunday and is supposed to be in the mid 80’s Thursday. On Sunday we had rain, 1/2 inch hail and glorious sunshine.

With the good weather comes lack of focus. On my part, on the part of the kids. After the last weekend of warm weather, teachers reported record-breaking amounts of homework not done. In one classroom of 26, only 20 kids were present and only 8 turned in their interactive journal. I’ve been known to search for flights to Toronto in July during my plan time.

In 4th grade we tend to keep the good topics for this part of the year: Lewis & Clark, the Oregon Trail, engineering & design. I think all three classes will design and build pet carriers again this year. This is a great project because all 4 of us have dogs, so the kids can build one for a specific pet.

This weekend,it is supposed to be cool & rainy again.

Maybe that’ll help keep a lid on the end of yearitis.