parting comments

I know that there are but a handful of you out there that actually take the time to read this, and I wanted to thank you. Using this format to communicate with families and students has been a trial and error process for me this year. However, I think for the most part that it served its purpose well.

It's early Thursday morning, June 8th, the last day of the school year, and I have the classroom to myself for a little bit longer. Yesterday the kids cleaned out their desks and took all of their work off the walls. The room is bare, and honestly its really boring. It occurred to me that the kids really provide character and warmth to the classroom. Of course, it seems like an obvious statement to make. Still, despite the problem kids, of which there were many (don't kid yourselves Moms and Dads), and those who sat there contemplating the world deeply, of which there were many, (really, don't kid yourselves), we had a pretty good year. I am proud of the accomplishments, of which there were many, and the failures, which provide great learning experiences. Everyone grew up somewhat, some for the better and some for the not so better. I was thinking back to the beginning of the school year, really Back-to-School night, and reminiscing on that spiderweb analogy. I think it holds true. We built up quite a bit only to see it torn down over and over again. But everyone, again for the most part, persevered and came threw with a strong, amazing web.
These last days aren't sad for me anymore like they were for me my first few years of teaching. I know the kids are going on to bigger and better things. Some will remember me, and some will be grateful to never have to set foot in my room again. But today is special for another reason. My second youngest brother is graduating from high school. He's starting college at San Jose State in the fall, majoring in engineering! I am so excited for him and the adventures that await him out in this very big world. This kid, because that is how I will always see him, has been an inspiration for me. He was visting me in Seattle some 12 years ago, and we were watching Orcas in the San Juan Islands. I was explaining to him the lives of the whales and why they were / are incredibly unique. At seven years old, he looked at me and told me that I should be a teacher. In fact, he said that I should be his teacher! It floored me. He told me that I got excited about the world and that excitement made others excited too. I stewed on his words for a while and somewhere down the line the words just made sense. Long story short, here I am today trying to make the world an exciting place. I know my approach doesn't work for everyone, but I am still excited about learning. I hope that your kids walk away excited too.
There, strangely enough, is a moral to this story. Listen to the kids. They know what they are talking about. You'll get it too, but you need to take the time to listen.

As always, Mr. B

much gratitude

Thanks to all the parents and students who made today's KOA trip a great one. Did anyone else notice how yellow the pool was at the end of the day? (Just kidding, I think.)

Wednesday will bring us our last full day of class. We'll be finishing up our studies of electricity and working on our classroom mural. Students will be given time to get yearbooks signed, etc. We will be eating lunch up on Cow Hill with the other fourth grade classrooms, so please pack a bag lunch if at all possible.

Red Folders will be sent home on Thursday with report cards. I know everyone is anxious to see them.

Respectfully, Mr. B

and now, the end is near

and so we face the final curtain......

Please harass your children for a blue piece of paper that went home with them this afternoon explainer the finer points for the week. The note does include an error, which I am going to correct right here and now. Students are dismissed on Thursday at 10:50, not 10:05. Just me and my wishful thinking.

Take care, Mr. B