Sheesh, September –
half over and I haven’t even documented any of the crazy exciting details from
our epic summer! I will (EVENTUALLY!) get caught up…maybe.
Let’s start with the
end of the school year. It was the end of an era actually. Zachary wrapped up
his entire elementary school career with a bang! He was one of only four (and
the only boy!) to share an essay at graduation looking back on his experience
as a fifth grader.
I will thoroughly admit
that I was a little shocked when I read his speech. It felt sort of, um,
brutally honest and a little bit of a downer to be honest. I knew that he’d had
some struggles – especially with some of his classmates and the ridiculous
cliques of 5th grade – but the tone of the message (when I read it
in my head, anyway) made it sound like he’d had a rough go. Honestly, I’d say
his year was probably typically – some drama, some struggles, but nothing too terrible. I decided to hold my
tongue and not make any suggestions. They were his thoughts. His class would be
voting on whose speech would represent them in front of the entire fifth grade
and all the families. And yep, they
picked his, so obviously they liked it/could relate!
I’m pretty sure I was
more nervous than Zachary. The first girl to present her speech was all sorts
of sweet and nostalgic on her experience at the school. The second girl’s
speech was very funny and got a lot of laughs. And then it was Zach’s turn. I
attempted to take a video but my stupid hand was shaking so much, I deleted it
right after.
He did a GREAT job. Got
up there and read his very personal thoughts like it was no big deal. Several
parents afterwards came up and told me they were amazed that he was so brave
and honest. One mom came up to me later in the day and, with tears in her eyes,
told me that his speech moved her as it so perfectly summed up her own son’s
experience as a fifth grader. She later posted on facebook: “ZJ's speech has me looking forward to having the DVD
of this event more than anything! He perfectly captured the experience as I
understood it through my own son, and I am so grateful for his voice (and his
courage in using it)!”
Here is Zachary’s speech for your reading pleasure:
Survival of
the Fittest:
We came to
school expecting an awesome year. We came with growth mindsets and high hopes.
But needing to handle being the oldest in the school, going to middle school,
competing in P.E and at recess, gossip and even getting bullied. We learned
that it was survival of the fittest, the smartest, the athletic, the popular
and then the ones who aren’t any of these. We were somehow separated into two
groups the popular and UN popular.
As
fifth graders it was like if the left side were the popular and the right side
was the unpopular, you’d have to stay with your group; girls with girls guys
with guys nerds with nerds. Soccer, football, wall ball, baseball, four-square,
and tag were all separated into their own groups it was like good and evil or
black and white “I stay with my posse and you with yours ” fights and arguments
were happening all the time. “And Gosh was that hard”
But
despite all this trouble and turmoil our teachers were there with us to help us
survive. Every kid had his own time and life yet our teachers figured out a way
to help us out they’d notify our mistakes and inform us the correct way. Along
with fifth grade drama we also needed help learning what we needed for 6th
grade. After loads of help from our elders we were finally ready to pass on and
complete 5th grade. “These teachers must’ve been exhausted cuz’
believe me we are difficult”
So in the
end we survived the boring-ness of social studies, the hardness of math, the
disturbing-ness of flash, the difficulty of science, the fun of camp, the shock
of bad grades, the seemingly endless arguments during lunch and recess, and the
exhilaration of music, P.E, and library After
all our teachers were there to help us all out and this year was
actually kinda’ decent. But now we move on to the next great adventure. MIDDLE
SCHOOL!
Well, after I somehow
managed to get through the graduation without massively breaking down, I went
to get a picture of Kayliana with her Kindergarten teacher – who we absolutely
adored [and who is now on medical leave and could use some much needed
prayers]! I was appalled to find KAYLI was
an absolute disaster. She was just sobbing
and having the hardest time saying goodbye.
Yeah, my whole success in not losing it didn’t last once I saw this.
Kayliana with Zachary's 5th grade teacher (with the mini/replica-version of their class-auction project. Our fam made this one for her as an end-of-the-year/thank you/pre-her summer wedding gift.
The big day!
Kayli - attempting to smile through her tears. PHENOMINAL Kindergarten teaching team!
Are you KIDDING ME?! You expect me to keep my eyes dry when my daughter is like THIS having to say goodbye to her teacher?! :( sniff sniff
