Tuesday, June 17, 2014

YEAR END OF AN ERA!



The end of the school year is nearing in New York State.  Graduation is just around the corner.  The time approached yesterday when I take my yearly journey to my desk and gather another bunch of letters to mail.  Mailing these letters marks for me another end of a high school era for a group of students I once taught.

During all of the years that I have taught grades five and above, a closing activity that my classes have done as the year draws to a close is a special letter writing activity.  The students write a letter to themselves—their high school graduating self or their college graduating self (depending on the age of the students).  They write about what it is like to be a fifth grader (or whatever grade I was currently teaching).  They write about things they hope they did in the time between the letter and when they receive it.  They write about the hopes they have for their future.  Students give me the letters addressed to a stable home (grandparents, mom and dad) and I put a Forever stamp on it.  I wrap the stacked letters in a bow and put a sticky on that says something like, “mail for graduation, 2014.”

This week I pulled the letters for this year out of my desk.  I look at each envelope and remember the fifth grade child.  Then I put my return address on each envelope and on the flip side wrote a simple message—“Happy graduation.  Write back!”

This has been a tradition for many of my years of teaching.  I still have three packets of letters in my desk, the letters stopping with my move to primary grades and then to administration.  These letters have been links I have made with my students.  They link me to an older version of the students I once knew.  They link them to themselves—a younger child to the older, graduating young adult.  I love the responses I will soon receive through the mail.  I love imagining the surprise on the senior’s face as s/he opens a letter from long ago and long forgotten.

The end of a school year is upon us.  For the seniors that will soon be receiving their letters, the end of their public schooling is upon them.  Congratulations to my students from long ago.  May you begin this new era with strong dreams, joy and the knowledge you received from your schooling and life.  May you leap into your future with these gifts tied into a bow to be successful and happy in whatever you choose do do!

14 comments:

  1. This gave me the chills. What a lovely tradition. Those are lucky, lucky kids to have had a teacher like you. Wow.

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  2. What a wonderful tradition. I wish I had done this....I wonder about those kids....all of them....

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  3. This is such a special tradition. I'm sure your students will treasure their letters and their memories of their year with you!

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  4. What a thoughtful remembrance for you and your students! Your details (forever stamp) bring this story to life so vividly! Thanks for sharing such an important tradition!

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  5. What a great idea! It would be fun to have a copy of the letter before sealing it, too. I love running into former first grade students when I volunteer at the high school now, or when I'm at the grocery store and meet a "first grader" cashier!

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  6. I attended 8th grade graduation last night. My sixth grade boys turn into fine young men in the two years after they leave my classroom. It's always a pleasure when they stop to chat and especially when they help me remember their name. Love your tradition - perfect way to stay linked to your students.

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  7. Just beautiful. You are such a wonderful teacher, Deb...to all of us. Thank you for another inspiring post.

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  8. What a gorgeous end of the year ritual, Deb. My chest is tight from reading this. This is simply beautiful.

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  9. What an amazing ritual at the end of the year! You have a teacher's true heart!

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  10. Deb, We seem to find such connections. I've done this all my teaching life since I started in the middle school aged students. Sad to say I only have one packet left, for 2015. It'll be my fifth year as a coach next year. I wish I could persuade more teachers to do it. I love hearing from students, especially those I haven't kept in touch with. I'm so happy you shared!

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  11. That's a wonderful tradition- something I intend to start with my current crop of sixth graders.

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  12. Oh I just love this! I just went to a graduation for a student I had in kindergarten. I was honored she would remember me and invite me to share in this wonderful moment. It was interesting when I talked with her to realize how many of her stories I had missed between kindergarten and her graduation. I still pictured the kindergartner I knew all of those years ago, but she had grown past that. I'm sure she would have enjoyed a letter to her older self. Instead, I had a wreath she had made for me with her kindergarten hands. I placed a note on the back and tucked it inside a small gift. I hope it made her smile as it made me smile all of those years ago.

    Cathy

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  13. What a beautiful tradition! Those students sure are lucky to have you as their teacher, sending them those messages of innocence and love to themselves from themselves! ;-)

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