Last Day of School

I've worked with your flower,
And helped it to grow.
I'm returning it now,
But I want you to know...
This flower is precious,
As dear as can be.
Love it, take care of it,
And you will see...
A bright new bloom,
With every day.
It grew and blossomed
In such a wonderful way.
In September just a bud,
January, a bloom;
Now a lovely blossom
I'm returning in June.
Remember, this flower,
As dear as can be,
Though rightfully yours,
Part will always belong to me!

--Author Unknown

Ben's teacher sent this poem home, along with a letter describing her experience with our children this first year for her as a teacher. She also included a photo album for Ben filled with pictures from this year. Here are a few of my favorites:

I won't include photos of other children from Ben's class, but there were several in there - always with the other classmate giving Ben the biggest hug. I know one little girl includes Ben in her prayers every night. I am glad to have a photo of her.

Yesterday, I visited school during a field day the special education teachers planned for the Special Academic Curriculum (SAC) classes. Invited to this all-day event were the peer buddies who have been assigned to work with the SAC class children one-on-one during physical education and the Special Olympics. I was interested to meet Ben's buddy. I asked one little girl if she was Ben's buddy because she was hanging out with him. She answered with a protective attitude, "No, but I am his friend." That is cool on so many different levels.

One thing that had a profound effect on me was how the peer buddies and the special education students interacted seamlessly. Ben's teacher did share one remarkable story with me. There were two students who gave up their recess time every day, all year, to come and help in the SAC classes.

There may be issues to iron out with the school, but how the students treat one another is not one of them.

Happy End-of-School and on to the Crazy Daze of Summer.