The End of an Era

The last day of school was a huge mess. I thought it ended at 12:30. It actually ended at 12.

So, in the middle of the end of the year slideshow, I see a parent outside the door. I invite her in and sit back down to finish the slideshow. She gives me a very confused look. She proceeds to tell me that school ended 15 minutes ago.

I cut off the slideshow, pass out the DVD that contains all of the pictures I took throughout the school year, and we all start practically running down the hall. We walk through the lobby amidst every single teacher that has already dismissed their students. There is only one bus left.

I get my students on the last bus, the rest are parent pick up. And by the time I turn around, they are gone. All of my students are gone forever.

I said goodbye to only about 5 of them in my panic to get them home.

I didn't get to read my goodbye letter. I didn't get to hug them. I didn't get to tell them I'll miss them. We didn't even finish our slideshow.

It was awful. I felt sick about such a terrible last day until yesterday when I finally tried letting it go.

I think they know how much I'll miss them. And I hope they know how much I love them.

This is the best group of students I will ever have. I've been told I'll say this every year. But this year I believe it. They are remarkable and smart and hardworking and caring. And I know they really respected me because classroom management was a breeze.

I will miss them so much.