Last Day of School

The last day is filled with some fun events, including a teacher and staff musical chairs competition. The students go wild with their cheering. Sam and Dellen’s teachers both made it very far. And Dellen’s teacher won in the end, beating out the principal!! What a loud and happy first grade (soon to be second grade) class she had! These two won’t meet back up at the same school until they are a freshman and a senior in high school. Sam shares his feelings towards leaving his sweet school. As of the close of this school year, he’s been here at Northridge longer than any other school. Unbelievable to think about. Sam’s best friend. They’ll be going to summer camp together in June. A couple of Dellen’s best buds.

End of School Year Events

This year, Sam has participated with "Circle of Friends” which pairs regular ed. students with special ed. students. He had to be nominated and fill out an application. It was a very independent moment for him, and I loved that he sees himself as a fun and dependable person. Once a month, the students would get together for a planned event or activity. For the last one, they had a fun morning at a nearby lake fishing, paddle boating, and playing other games, followed by a picnic lunch. Parents were invited to join in, and Russ and I joined the festivities also. Russ ended up being much help to all the little fishermen.   We’ve also enjoyed a great year of high school youth group. We will miss these seniors! Such solid young people and fantastic leaders. Two girls are returning home to Europe after a year in the States.  Fourth grade is the last year at our elementary school, and the 4th graders end the year with a massive gold rush reenactment. They have to stake out their claims and try and find gold that is sprinkled across the playground and even in the “streams” for panning. But beware, supplies cost a lot. You have to find enough gold to buy your lunch while being prepared for unexpected illnesses or mishaps. Sam and his partner planned everything themselves (while we didn’t know what to expect, we will be better prepared when its Dellen’s turn in a few years). Russ and I joined as volunteers to help at the event and for the picnic afterwards. I love being able to join and help the kids at school. It has been keeping me very busy this month though.

May Random

Mother’s Day choirs and children’s bell choirs. Lots of graduations and grad parties. Newton’s graduation ceremony reminds me a lot of my own high school graduation. Always a bittersweet time of year. Ambitious reading leads to sweet moments of sleep.Dellen in gymnastics. Family time at the neighborhood pond. Balancing so many activities, sometimes practicing piano late at night after ball games. I love this picture of Sam. It captures a moment of his childhood. Peaceful spring walks on the local trail.