How We Send Our Students Off To High School

June 1, 2011

      Today was a special day for our continuing students (those 8th graders who will move on to high school.)  We celebrated the successes of 20 of them today, many of whom have spent nine years with us.  We've watched some of them from birth onward because their older siblings also attended the school.  It is a fairly typical ceremony, with guest speakers, openings and closings, and a few musical offerings.  What makes it best I think is that each student is allowed to give her or his own speech, telling what they will take with them from their experience, what they hope to give back in the future, and for whom/what they are grateful.  Of course, the speeches are unique to the individual--heartwarming, funny, and inspiring.  It is a long gathering, and all students in the school along with staff, parents, grandparents, family friends, former staff, and school friends attend, about 300 people.  I've never tired of seeing these young adolescents stand in front of a large audience and try their wings.  They are marvelous, and I'm not sure they realize what a gift they are giving us as they speak.  I loved the time with them and will miss them.


                     A Poem For Our Students

                Continuation:

         Sadness underlines today.

      Celebration means goodbye.