Friday. Integrated math two, honors. (Read: advanced freshmen and sophomores.)
They weren't actually having a final the next week. They were taking a quiz on the latest unit. (No cumulative final. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.) They had review work on it. (Factoring and solving quadratic equations.)
Ah, but it was the last Friday of the school year, and it was the day of the senior farewell assembly. (Their teacher was the advisor for the senior class, ever since they started at the school. So, she was involved in doing all the graduation things, hence why she was out of class.) We had activities that were going to interrupt class (not that anyone truly minded).
Towards the middle of the period, we all stopped and stood outside as the seniors in their caps and gowns walked the campus. They've been doing this for several years, and I've been present for it several times. In previous years the kiddos weren't all that enthused about this, but this year these students had friends in the senior class, so the seniors stopped and gave hugs or fist bumps.
(I recognized many faces. Several from various long terms I did last year and the year before that.)
After the seniors walked the campus, we all went to the gym for the assembly. I had not gotten to go to one of these before, and it was emotional. Mostly for the staff. I'm sure some of the seniors were upset, though. As the festivities started, one girl ran for the restroom. One of the senior teachers followed her to make sure she was okay.
I warn the kiddos that this is going to happen. Throughout the year I tell the seniors that it's going to go fast, and they're going to feel it when it happens. They don't believe me. Well, some of them believe me.
After the assembly, we went back to class, but I had the next period group. Back to work...
Although, the seniors were wandering campus. In their caps and gowns. It's a good reminder to the underclassmen that this is what they're working towards.
The last day of school was yesterday. Next week's posts will wrap up the school year with my last working days. And the week after, before summer schedule goes into effect, I'll do my annual stats post for the classes I worked this school year.
That's sweet. I was so glad to be done, I sure didn't feel any emotion about leaving lol.
ReplyDeleteI felt more relief than anything. (My senior year was... rough...) I think I'm more nostalgic for the kiddos than I ever was for me.
DeleteGraduations are bittersweet. Very emotional. So exciting, but also a little sad that something is com8ng to an end.
ReplyDeleteVery much so.
DeleteI think it's great that the seniors wander around in their caps & gowns. It gives the younger students a tast of what is to come.
ReplyDeleteWe only cap and gown for university graduation. Although there seem to be a lot of childcare places that do a cap and gown "graduation" now as well (weird I think). I didn't get emotional, I think it was just a sense of relief I was done with school.
ReplyDeleteYesterday, was last day of school here.
ReplyDeleteThis is early from where I am. Grade school always ends at the end of June. High School ends a couple of weeks before grade school. It sounds like it was an emotional day. I’m certain you are surprised that some of these students actually graduated.
ReplyDeleteNot really. There were a couple students last year that I was shocked graduated, but this year the students who were problems were problems due to attitude (think mean girls), not lack of work.
Delete"I warn the kiddos that this is going to happen. Throughout the year I tell the seniors that it's going to go fast, and they're going to feel it when it happens. They don't believe me. Well, some of them believe me."Just my experience too as a teacher.
ReplyDeleteThey can't conceive of the fact that we were once their age and we experienced it all for ourselves.
DeleteGraduation days always carry that mix of joy and sadness.
ReplyDeleteIt’s wonderful to celebrate the achievement, but there’s also the tug of knowing a chapter is closing.
The seniors here visit grade schools. It's a big deal. It does go fast. I've watched kids on this block grow up to adults now. Goes so fast.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if one of the administrators went to school in your area, as it wasn't something that was done before a few years ago. Now it's like it was always done.
DeleteI never have capped and gowned. We just had to dress nice for elementary, junior high (now middle) and high school-that's it. I graduated college but did not attend my graduation. It is a story for another day. My son wore a cap and gown in his high school colors.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. We did caps and gowns at my graduation. As all the schools in my area do.
Deletethecontemplativecat here. How many graduates were stepping out? It was an expected thing to do back in our rural towns. It was an honor to them and their parents, many of whom had never gone to highschool, since WW2 was on. some of our boys graduated one day and headed to Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteI never did get a count.
DeleteThat last year could not go fast enough for me. lol I was so ready. Within two years I moved away with the man who would become my husband and never looked back. :D
ReplyDeleteWe do not discuss the spring semester of my senior year. There's a reason why I've never attended a reunion.
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