Today was the last day of school. We had planned an International picnic outside in the courtyard. All of the parents were bringing a food from their culture. All week long we were making flags from India, South Korea, Canada, Switzerland, Russia, Nepal, China and the USA. It was a celebration of all the children from around the world who had joined our class this school year. Everyone cooperated... except Mother Nature. Yes, it rained. So, we had our picnic inside the room. The children have been excited about this special day all month. We talked about it every day at calendar time. Their faces were hesitantly beaming with anticipation.
Now the day was here. Children slowly started coming in. I could see by their expressions that they were not sure of how this day would make them feel. There was pause in their demeanor. Gradually they started doing the things they did every day. There were undertones of excitement, coupled with anxiety. The energy level was higher, but at the same time, subdued. They knew good things were coming, but......
We spent the first hour and a half playing and doing crafts as usual. Then it was time to clean up and gather together to go through our group time activities. When we finished, it was picnic time and everyone sat and ate their fill of food from Nepal, Russia, Switzerland, China and America. One of the parents brought in a cake (of which they will have leftovers for the next two weeks!) to celebrate the graduation of the two children who are heading to Kindergarten in the Fall.
There were a few others who will not return to our program in September. This was to be their last day with our Playschool as well.
When everyone finished eating, we all gathered together again so I could hand out the gifts I had purchased for this awesome group of children who shared their lives with me for the past year. (Sara for two years.) After the gifts, there were many hugs, sniffles and goodbyes, and soon everyone began to leave.
My sweet Sara informed her parents, through a flood of tears, that graduation was NOT a happy time. She is SO perceptive. We all tried to comfort her, to no avail. I told her that we would see her again whenever her new school was closed. Luckily, there were other alumni children at the party to prove my point. Even though life goes on, as it should, Sara was right. Graduation is NOT always a happy time.
Just ask a teacher....
Now the day was here. Children slowly started coming in. I could see by their expressions that they were not sure of how this day would make them feel. There was pause in their demeanor. Gradually they started doing the things they did every day. There were undertones of excitement, coupled with anxiety. The energy level was higher, but at the same time, subdued. They knew good things were coming, but......
We spent the first hour and a half playing and doing crafts as usual. Then it was time to clean up and gather together to go through our group time activities. When we finished, it was picnic time and everyone sat and ate their fill of food from Nepal, Russia, Switzerland, China and America. One of the parents brought in a cake (of which they will have leftovers for the next two weeks!) to celebrate the graduation of the two children who are heading to Kindergarten in the Fall.
There were a few others who will not return to our program in September. This was to be their last day with our Playschool as well.When everyone finished eating, we all gathered together again so I could hand out the gifts I had purchased for this awesome group of children who shared their lives with me for the past year. (Sara for two years.) After the gifts, there were many hugs, sniffles and goodbyes, and soon everyone began to leave.
My sweet Sara informed her parents, through a flood of tears, that graduation was NOT a happy time. She is SO perceptive. We all tried to comfort her, to no avail. I told her that we would see her again whenever her new school was closed. Luckily, there were other alumni children at the party to prove my point. Even though life goes on, as it should, Sara was right. Graduation is NOT always a happy time.
Just ask a teacher....
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