Farewell to 2010-2011 School Year

Well friends....The summer weather is upon us! Finally! :) Soon it will be summer. I am so excited for days of relaxation with family. This school year has been an awesome blessing though. I have had an amazing class with supportive parents. I honestly am very sad about letting these kids go. They will be off to the middle school and I won't be seeing many of them again. Kind of a sad thought. One little boy came up to me and said, "Mrs. Lockwood, I just don't think I want to grow up." It was the sweetest thing. I encouraged him that he will do GREAT at the middle school. I am so thankful for the opportunity to build into these children's lives. So, although I will miss them, I know they will do great things in the future. I used my Creative Memories Storybook Creator software and designed a whole book for my kids. I had them printed in flipbook form for each of them. I printed a larger version too so I will read it to them and then pass out their copies. I can't wait! It was a pretty big project but I whipped it out in a weekend! :) Initially I wrote a story to use with the pictures then decided I wanted it to be a poem. I am so proud of the final product...Now I just have to practice reading and singing it without crying! (The song at the end is the Confidence song we sing before each test! :)



(The cover of the book.)

The stage was all set with the things they would need
as the children entered the space.
Their eyes wide with wonder, their hearts still unsure
not knowing what just might take place.

The director called out to each young, eager child
as she sought to know them by name.
She studied their strengths, their likes and dislikes,
knowing each child is not the same.

Yes, each child would play an important role
in their year-long preparation you see.
Day in and day out the children all learned
to be the best they could be.

They focused on academics, the things yet to learn,
their attitudes, positive and hopeful,
They focused on actions, the way they should live
for they each should be a role model.

Through days dark and draining to days full of fun
the children matured and they grew.
The year progressed on and the actors worked hard
to master the skills old and new.

Long winter soon turned into days warm and grand
as the major state tests drew now close.
The children grew nervous thinking this was the performance,
the one they’d been practicing for most.

With a smile and wave she assured they’d be great,
yet worries around their hearts swarmed.
As the testing concluded the children all asked
if they’d shown her how great they’d performed.

She winked and said, “Why, what do you mean?
The final performance is still months away.”
Confused and alarmed they questioned her still
not knowing what else to say.

Still time passed on by and these children worked hard
to practice their three focus goals.
And on a day late in June the director told them
it was time for her to hand over controls.

One young boy called out, “We practiced so hard
but the performance just hasn’t come yet.”
Smiling she called them to meet at center-stage.
They noticed her cheek was all wet.

“My children the show just isn’t over yet,
for all the performance has been all year long.
The fans young and old have watched you each day
and have seen your passionate song.

Now the first scene is over yet there are countless to go,
for you will decide the show’s end.
During this time I have taught you the skills
to succeed in your life scenes my young friend.

You know how the importance of academic study,
the hopefulness of a positive attitude,
You know the respectability of your actions,
of this I confidently conclude.

I now am releasing you now to spread your wings
and soar into your own scene two.
I will miss you each day but your future’s so bright,
I can’t wait to hear what you do!

A quivering voice called, “I’m excited yet scared,
the future is so dark and so new.”
With a gentle singing voice and a smile on her face
the director gave the actors a cue.

I have confidence in sunshine. I have confidence in rain,
I have confidence that spring will come again,
besides which you see
I have confidence in me.

In no time at all the children all joined,
in confidence for now they could see.
Their voices raised high, they swayed and they danced
all applauding and cheering with glee.

As the curtain was closed on their elementary scene,
they embarked with hope and true joy,
For their elementary teachers had prepared them to leave
no longer a little girl or boy.