First Day/Last Day 2012-13 Edition

Once again, I am taken aback at just how quickly the school year has passed. You'd think by now I'd be used to it. I took our traditional Last Day of School pictures to present to you here for comparison. All I have to say is... oh, my!

Hannah, 7th Grade...

(Note the new braces!)

Hannah, you completed 7th Grade with a lot of style! Things started out rough when none of your friends were in any of your classes, you'd had enough of playing oboe, and you just couldn't quite put your finger on what kinds of activities you wanted to participate in. By Spring Break, however, you had really come into your own. You let the oboe go (sniff-sniff), but you worked on the stage crew for the spring musical, had a blast, and have found your niche backstage in the theater. You make new friends wherever you go, while still remaining true to your old besties. You have joyfully helped kids in the special needs Sunday School classroom. And your art and music have flourished: your painting was on display at the Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival, and lately you've been composing some really great music on Garageband.

Rachel, 5th Grade...

Rachel, you totally rocked your last year of Elementary School! You took on Challenge Reading and gave it your all, many nights staying up later than I did to give your best to your projects. You placed second in the school spelling bee, and your art was awarded First Place (again!) in the school district's art purchase program. Through it all, you would always "just keep swimming", but you decided to step away from the swim team goal because you didn't want to lose the joy and fun of just being in the water. You are so very ready for Middle School, ready to continue with Challenge Language Arts and excited to begin trumpet lessons so you can learn to play jazz like Dizzy Gillespie!

Rachel's prize-winning art work

Abbie, 3rd Grade...

You really came into your own this year, Abbie, with confidence and determination. You decided you wanted to learn to play the violin and have been taking your lessons seriously, practicing cheerfully, making great strides and looking forward to playing in the string ensemble next year. You turned out some great projects in school, most notably your Laura Ingalls Wilder biography and your presentation on the White House (great opportunities to exhibit your crafting skills as well as your knowledge). You are loving and loyal to your family, friends and teachers, and you managed to navigate some icky schoolyard drama while learning about (and most likely teaching others) what it means to be a real friend.

More "then-and-now" photos...

And finally, Rachel says goodbye to Kaneland John Shields Elementary...

 

Rachel's 5th Grade Clap-Out