Love/Hate

The last week of school.

I have a love/hate relationship with those words. I never feel like I have taught my students enough, there is so much more to cover and time to spend with them - but on the other hand - it is now time for myself, at least as much as Chris' soccer schedule will allow me. Time to piddle around in my gardens, play with the dogs, quilt and read.

Like I said, love/hate.

But for my students the overwhelming feeling is of relief. Relief at getting to sleep later, relief that there are no more projects due, relief that they don't have to spend any more time with whichever teacher annoys them most. But I also suspect that there is a bit of mourning occuring also - every milestone reached is a cause for celebration and nostalgia, and just a touch of sorrow as they move further away from their childhoods with each of those milestones.

Chris is experiencing that sorrow now as he is begginning to make the transition from 8th grade to freshman. He and his friends will have a fun last week of school - they are going bowling and having a pizza party. I told him next year at this time he will be concentrating on finals and perhaps the state track meet, a far different level of intensity than pizza & bowling.

Here's to change, our only constant.

Class of 2009

Seniors last day...those three words mean the world to so many kids. Whether they are the valedictorian of their class (go Artan:) or just got the word that they have a waiver for that last 1/2 credit and have definitive word that they get to walk on Tuesday (our graduation!) They are walking three feet above the ground - in January when it was cold and miserable and easy to sleep in (and three Januarys prior to this as well) despite their worst intentions they came to school - they moaned, we groaned, but we all made it through and now as the trees turn brilliant spring green they are feeling their own sap rise and as teachers, we feel pride and joy and let's admit it - relief!!

This is, without a doubt, my favorite part of spring!