The Date of the Last Day of School

Today, June 4th, is the last day of school for my 2nd and 5th graders. I just brought them to school, my oldest for his last day of elementary school. This is not a post about being sad. They have both, once again, ended the school year making me proud with many accomplishments, both academic and social. They are leaving behind teachers who are proud of them and I believe their words wholeheartedly when they say they loved/enjoyed having them in their class. 

No, this is a post about the actual date of the last day of school. Here, in Wisconsin one day was already factored into the school calendar for a snow day, or cold day as it was used. There were no additional days added on, usually there are just a few, so today, June 4th, is their last day of school. They started after Labor Day and had a short spring break, but I still can’t help but compare it to my last day of school, my senior year. Fellow DHS 1993 graduates know what I’m talking about. It was the year graduation was held on June 30th, teaching us all that it was the last “legal” day in CT that school could be held, giving us the bragging rights of the last graduating class in the state. If it rained and graduation couldn’t be held on the football field no one knew what the effect would be. I don’t remember the speeches, I apologize to those who worked tirelessly writing them, but I remember seeing a great friend’s smile across the field of chairs and a gray cloud overhead hoping it didn’t produce rain (which it did not). There was major construction on the school, over winter break asbestos was found so break was lengthened, the blizzard of ’93 hit in April resulting in yet more days off of school. Then, ironically, we had several days cut short because it was too hot in the building. I still remember that if it was 80° and 80% humidity on the 5th floor of the science building (it was a big school) by noon we’d have an early release. (If I remember correctly 22 years later).

The last day of school. June 4th?! Single digits of June?! Yep, not in my childhood, but in my adult life, and I’m good with that…..bring on the last day of school traditions!!! For us, it starts with a trip to the ice cream shop, what are your last day of school traditions?

Maybe this photo was taken on June 4, 1993?

Preschool: The Beginning or The End?

Tomorrow is my daughter’s last day of Preschool. She goes to the same preschool with the same teachers her older brother went to three years ago. It’s a district run preschool located in the same daycare center that he went to since he was 3 months old. She’s been there part-time since she was 3 years old.

On the eve of her “graduation” I have many thoughts and feelings running through my mind. None of which, I want you to know, are sadness about her beginning kindergarten in the fall. Many people, moms especially tell me that they cry when their “babies” start kindergarten. Not me. Am I heartless? No, I’m confident and secure in both her and the adults who have taught and cared for her along the way.

First off, I have to say that her three preschool teachers work together in such a way that if they could be morphed into one human being they would be the perfect teacher. They have prepared her, like her brother before, for kindergarten in all ways imaginable. So well, in fact I’m not sure the plant and note card I gave them fully embraces my gratitude.

Second, the school she will be attending in the fall, although there will be a yet to be hired new principal, is filled with competent, caring, smart and funny teachers. My son and I, unlike some friends at other schools has had no negative experiences with past teachers and I have honestly heard nothing negative about the teachers in the upper grades.

Lastly, having worked at a domestic violence shelter, I have taken precautions on who I leave my children with; especially when it came to daycare. I also take the time to get to know the teachers in the elementary school to the best of my ability to “feel them out” and so far I have not been disappointed.

But there is sadness, not for what lies ahead, but for what will lie behind us after tomorrow. This daycare family has been a part of my family’s lives for over eight years. There have been changes in staff and directors, but overall turnover has been low. I will remain on the board of directors for a few years, but it is the daily interaction with the staff that I will miss. Their smiles, warm open arms, and sense of humor will leave a void that I’m sorry to say elementary school teachers cannot completely fill. With no family nearby they have become a strong support system for me. Early this year a teacher told me that I had good people helping me; little did she know I included herself in her comment.

So, today I brought in a cake for the staff expressing my gratitude in the best way I know how; baking. What was baked as a vanilla bundt cake turned into a 9 x 13 dense vanilla cake topped with freshly picked strawberries and whipped cream cheese frosting. They are worth so much more than a flop cake, but thankfully I was told it was delicious, therefore redeeming myself.

Lastly on my mind this evening is that three years ago I was unable to attend my son’s informal preschool graduation because I was in Florida with my mother who was dying from cancer. I missed his last few days of preschool to be with her during the last few days of her life. I don’t often think about what I missed because it was not a choice, but a responsibility. But tonight I can’t help but wonder what he said that day and how he behaved. Was he sad? Happy? Excited? My daughter is experiencing them all. Sad to leave her teachers and school, happy to have a special day tomorrow and excited for kindergarten in the fall.

So, if you live in La Crosse, WI or nearby and are in need of a daycare center that is so much more than its building and toys look up Coulee Children’s Center, I don’t think you’ll be sorry. I wasn’t.