What a year it has been!
It is with mixed emotions that I write my last blog of this school year. All children in Room 12 have grown and progressed so much. I look forward to meeting with all of you next week to discuss individual progress when we meet for our conferences.
We have had an extremely busy past two weeks. Kite Day was a huge success. We had perfect weather and perfect wind, and the children were able to perfect the skill of actually flying their kites. The children did such a great job decorating their kites and flying them, too. Hopefully, they've had a chance to fly their kites at home as well (I know my son has!).
"Science Night was a blast! Can we have it again?" This was how I was greeted on Friday morning as the children entered the classroom. We all discussed our favorite experiments of the night; can you guess which one was the class favorite? There is so much enthusiasm among the first and second graders about experimentation and how things work. All grade 1/2 teachers have agreed that Science Night was a worthy event. Let's hope the Bishop Museum will continue to offer this to us in the future.
All second graders completed presenting their book reports to the class. The whole class has enjoyed hearing about excellent books to read over the summer. The second-grade students impressed us all with their ability to share the characters, settings, and plots of their books without revealing the endings. The visuals were equally exciting. The first graders gave lots of compliments to their older classmates.
I have heard nothing but positive comments about Kahalaopuna from everyone! I was very proud of our first and second graders; they did a fantastic job. They sang their hearts out, got in their places, played their uliulis and returned to their spots without any help from adults. Their poise, confidence, and abilities are simply amazing. My next-door neighbor viewed the opera and shared with me, "I have never seen elementary students perform in such a professional manner." I couldn't agree more.
This morning was our last assembly of the school year, and it was a tearjerker! It began with the 'Ohana recognizing each and every employee of the preschool and elementary school. The children progressively cheered louder and louder as each name was called. We then recognized our two retiring employees, Mrs. Fukumoto after 41 years of dedicated teaching and Mr. Louie after 21 years of faithful service. The children presented gifts, cards, and leis to Mrs. Fukumoto and Mr. Louie. Several students and teachers shared a funny or heartwarming story about them as well.
As I look back at just the past two weeks, all we have done and accomplished, I realize how lucky I am to be teaching at such a wonderful school. But when I leave an assembly such as the one this morning, I realize how privileged and grateful I am to be a part of such a special learning community that we have here at the elementary school. Several students from our class were teary-eyed listening to the anecdotes about Mrs. Fukumoto and Mr. Louie. One second-grade boy said to me, "I'm going to give Mr. Louie a big hug on the last day of school." A first-grade girl stated, "I'm going to miss Mrs. Fukumoto in after-school care." The children expressed so much love and caring this morning, and this is what I am most grateful for.
So, thank you, parents for all that you do! You have helped with Kite Day, Science Night, Kahalaopuna, the 'Ohana, Field Day, book reports, homework, and much, much more. I'm so appreciative of all that you do to help Room 12, but more important, all that you do to help your child. We truly have a special group of students here, and it's thanks to you, the parents, who enable your child to not only be the best student they can be, but the best child they can be! Thanks again, and see you all at the conferences and on Field Day!
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