How Lucky Am I...

When I did my first field experience with students in 2014, I called my mom as I pulled out of Ledgeview Elementary School's parking lot. She asked why I was crying, and I told her I would just miss those kids so much... She replied, "Jodi, you cried every year when school ended. It's just who you are." And this year is not going to be an exception to that. I tear up each time I look at your children in these final days. I am trying to soak up every laugh, facial expression, and precious observation they make to ensure it is pressed into my memory.

Believe it or not, this is the first time as a fourth-grade teacher that I have had all twenty-four children to love on in-person all year. And being self-contained has given me additional time to get to know your children. So now, when it comes time to say goodbye on Friday, I just know my heart will break. And each of your children will take a piece of me with them. 

Hopefully, the piece they take will be a reminder to treat others respectfully. I dream that they will find joy, songs, and a love story in everything because of their time in fourth grade. And I anticipate I will see their smiling faces in the fall when they come by to remind me of our time together. 

Now, on to the academic and essential things! 😄 It is my goal to have everyone done presenting their independent study projects by Wednesday or Thursday. Students who do math with me need to turn in their Water Park packet and Math Perplexors by Wednesday. Finally, we will be completing our Tiny House investigations in science for our final lab grade around that same time.

The class is looking forward to our end-of-year celebration on June 9th. Thank you for helping me with the food! I will have my wagon with me outside at parent drop-off so that kids can leave items with me on their way to the fourth-grade hallway. Those who take the bus can just put their things in the classroom when they arrive. After we feast, we have some fun games we will be playing together. In the afternoon, we will watch the fifth-grade versus staff kickball game. That is always fun!

Friday will be a good opportunity for the class to help me with wrap-up items. For example, after viewing some memories of the year, I like to let the students grade my performance for the year as they complete a report card for me. After that, the students will help me dismantle the room and start the clean-up process that makes coming back in the Fall easy peasy. These are all important parts of our community time together; I hope everyone plans on attending straight through the end of the week. 

Thank you, Parents, for a beautiful year. Your children are a reflection of you. And you have done well. 

Dates to Know:
June 7 - MAP reports coming home with students
June 9 - End of Year Parties / Staff - Student Kickball game
June 10 - Last day of school 
August 25 - First day of Fifth Grade