Last Day of School 2011

School is over for this year. How quickly these 180 days of instruction have passed by. I keep telling myself I notice it more because I am getting older. But then when I hear some of the young teachers and assistants saying the same thing, I realize it is not all because of age.

I was forced to take this last week of school off. Physical problems made it difficult to work. So not really forced, but it seemed easier to be at home resting rather than at school walking and stressing. Therefore my principal encouraged me to take the week off which I did. Fortunately I still had personal time to use and I was able to get paid for these last 5 days.

I went to school on Thursday morning to see all my 1st graders one more time before they are "big" second grade students. Also I had made a scrapbook of each class for the teachers and I wanted to deliver those. To school I went - and I had so much fun. There just isn't any way to describe the feelings of accomplishment in seeing children who in the last 9 months have learned so many things and are on their way to becoming the adults of the future. To have had a small part in that education is most rewarding and I am blessed that I have been given that privilege.

First Grade

How quickly time flies....it doesn't seem quite possible that another school year is almost over.

The 88 - 1st grade students that I have had the privilege of working with and getting to know a little more about every day will very soon be in Second Grade and on to bigger and better things. I will certainly miss each one of them.

I will miss the many fun comments made to "Mrs. Towle" by these little ones like.....

Gabrielle who said one day, "Mrs. Towle, I really like that shirt you are wearing, but that thing on top is really a mess" - which was a sweater vest I thought looked quite nice.
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Miles who told me, "Mrs. Towle, you are the prettiest 'old ' lady I have ever seen"
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Robbie, who when he is doing something wrong, sees me coming toward him to remind him to make good choices, will smile, hug me and say, "I love you, Mrs. Towle"
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Austin, who doesn't like to read and I have books that he has to read to me will say, "Do you have any candy to give me if I read today?"
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Avery who has a lot of trouble being quiet and not talking out, and when I have told him for the fourth or fifth time during RTI to be quiet will tell me, "I'm really trying Mrs. Towle,
but it's hard, cause I'm a boy". I haven't figured out why being a boy makes it harder to be quiet, but according to Avery it does.
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Or Keeley who will ask every time I am reading with her reading group, "Let me be first, please, please, please?" It is difficult to look into those blue eyes and remind her that we have to take turns being first.
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One class told their teacher when I was off for a week following surgery in December. Can we make cards to send to Mrs. Towle. She allowed them to make those cards and another teacher brought them to me. How special each card is to me!

It has been a very rewarding year with 1st grade. I have enjoyed all 161 days we have had together so far. It is a learning experience for me and hopefully I have been able to help each one of them in their education this year.

I am somewhat sad about them all moving forward, but life does move on. I will be delighted to see them in the hall on a daily basis. And I will be looking forward to meeting a new group of first grade students to work with in August!