But , here I m at 6:40am excited and ready to 'get it over with' . Honestly, it is not just the students who are 'chomping at the bit' to leave behind the bells and schedules for a couple of months.
Today we will meet in class, have a closing hour in which I begin with a presentation of the 'Silly Cwertificaites' (certificate of dubious achievement) which are fun awards for everybody- the students have already awarded me the Best Teacher Spazz for my wobbly last week when one of the students took scissors to an Eocene period fossil during a rocks and minerals lab!!! Sheesh- I didn't know how much I cared about the fossils until I saw that!
We will have a chance to share a last few laughs and then June reports will be distributed only after the students have a chance to write me a report card (which they LOVE!)- anonymous if they really want to vent and get something off their chest that they have been holding onto all year. The students are most usually spot on and it gives me a chance to reflect on what I need to improve next year and what worked well. I enjoy reading the students opinions even if a few of them give me a virtual punch in the gut.
After the students are dismissed, there are lots of chores to do in class and around the school but it also gives us a chance to have a staff lunch and say farewell to nearly half the staff this year. Many are moving on to new educational positions in district and Linda is retiring. I'm sure you have heard too that there is to be a ratification vote on the teacher's recent contractual 'agreement' with our employer.
Here are a few comments from my 'report card' from students
- don't over explain especially math
- stop providing materials for students who never have any- it's their job to be ready
- be more strict with students who misbehave
- you talk too much (this came up a number of times!)
- if students vote and it's a tie, you make the call don't waste time by voting again
- let us decide what we want to do in P.Ed.
Anyway, the students and I had a pleasant hour together and a relaxed staff luncheon. More clean up of the class tomorrow.
Thank-you for the many gifts and cards that I received from parents and students. Your kind thoughts, words and gifts of appreciation are completely appreciated right back at you. I intend to get summer addresses and send a card of thanks in the near future.
I will not be posting daily as we break for summer but I'l sporadically check in with thoughts and updates.
Thank-you to my Blog followers for reading and supporting this Blog all year. Thought you might find this interesting...
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Have a wonderful, safe and happy family summer.
Mrs. J.
Yesterday (in case you were interested) Wednesday June 27th
In the morning we loaded the students population into the gymnasium and we had our annual year end award ceremony. It was a classy affair organized by Mrs. Paxton and supported by the staff. Thank-you to all the parents who were able to join us and be a part of our morning in closing out the school year and wishing our grade sevens well at high school in the Fall.
Congratulations to the grade sevens students who were recognized as
Simi top academic
Kasper top male athlete
Manisha top female athlete
T.J. top Band student
Geozua top citizenship recognition
and Leadership, Academic, Athletic (Mr. Pascuzzi Award) Manisha
I know that some do not agree with such ceremony as it usually can only recognize a few but, in defense, it has been a tradition at our school for 50 years. Tradition, it seems, is fast becoming 'politically incorrect' but we feel at Squamish Elementary that this recognition for our students leaving the school supports our school's vision and goals for encouraging excellent academic and positive achievement in the curricular areas of athletic, musical and citizenship skills and as something to aspire to.
After the assembly, I had promised giant freezies for all which led us into recess break.
Then it was clean up and redistribution of posters, projects, brochures, assignments in late and clean up, of bins and desks. It hurts my soul to see the students ask to recycle work. I'd prefer that they took everything home and reflected but that is not part of the plan it seems. I made a bit of a plea for them to hang onto the math references sheets and the French activites but while some did , many decided to say goodbye to it by recycling. I need to re-think this practice for next year.
We then joined Mrs. Fanzega's class for a two class game of Capture the Flag outside. The rain held off and I think the grade sevens were aware it might be one of the last times that they would all be together for such an activity.
We had our usual Wednesday visit from Aaron. Thanks to Tesla for working with him so well. We have enjopyed getting to know him.
The rest of us had a quiet game/reading time- the last one for this year.
There was approx. 40 minutes left on the Willie Wonka movie we have been watching in chunks for the last few days. After all the clean up and organizing was done, we finally managed to get it finished which is just as well because there is no time for finsihing it tomorrow.
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