A fond farewell

My boxes are packed. Next year I will start a new adventure at a new high school. I will truly miss the friends I have made, my lunch group (you wouldn't believe how important a good group of lunch-mates are for adults who spend their days with teenagers!), the routine of the building and even the little mouse that lives behind the chemical hood. (What up Maxwell Mouse?) But what I will miss most are my kids that are staying at this school. Part of me wishes I could handpick all of my kids to go but it simply doesn't work that way. For as many reasons as there are students I will miss them, their humor, their kindness, their effort. But will all endings, there is a beginning.
I am looking forward to...
a classroom with windows (not just windows, but windows with a view!)
4 real walls
sinks that are far from student pollution
a new culture and brand new traditions
a shorter 'commute'
going home on Fridays for lunch with my sweetie
continuing to teach with my BFF

I would be foolish to think it will be perfect, but I am an optimist and believe it will be wonderful.

But the new beginnings are not for me alone. Aidan is moving up to 2nd grade. I hope he gets another teacher like Sra. Lopez who understands how to motivate him and who gives him lots of positive attention. One who appreciates that if Aidan shows you affection, it is a big deal and one who quickly learns that the way to his academic heart is through dictionaries, nonfiction, venomous animals and math, lots and lots of math.

Nadia is leaving kindergarten behind. She will miss Sra. Hanan just as we will. Nadia will be working on her reading and her math this summer to be ready for the challenges of first grade. I don't remember my 1st grade year at all but I can see from Aidan's experience that the pace is certainly quickened. Nadia said this morning that she will miss Sra. Hanan "oh so much", but I know she will quickly adjust. (Lucky is the social butterfly!)

Tomorrow is the last day of school. As anxious as I am to start these new adventures for us all, I am even more excited for all of the memories we will build this summer. We have no plans (I know, I can't believe it either! I am a planner, but Tony is a mega planner!)

We are open to suggestions?!?!