Dear Marshall,
This was your last week of preschool. The whole week felt a little sad to me. Every day you came home with a name tag or decoration that had obviously been hanging in the classroom or the bus. The teachers and bus drivers were unloading. The end was nigh.
Today was the official last day, and also the day of your school graduation party. Your father couldn’t be there. He was really sorry to miss it, but he had made travel plans months before we knew about the party date (snow days change the school calendar, alas). So it was just me there to cheer you on. You were happy to see me, though.
The teacher had put together a fun presentation. You and your classmates sang some songs together. Then she handed out graduation certificates, posing extra long with each of you so that we parents could get good pictures (your teacher is very good at what she does!). You ate some snacks. Your teacher gave you a balloon and a cute T-shirt. And then it was over. I almost didn’t want to leave, but over is over.
On the way home, you told me that you don’t want to go to kindergarten. You’ve said that several times to me over the last few months. You don’t want a new teacher or a new school. You’re not ready yet to think about change. But I bet you’ll be excited to be in school again by the time summer is over.
Though I am sad to have to say good-bye to your toddler years, I’m so proud of my soon-to-be kindergartner. You’ve changed so much over the last couple of years, not just learning your alphabet and numbers, but also learning how to express yourself, how to make friends, and how to be a helper. I know you will continue to thrive in kindergarten. In the meantime, we’re going to have a great summer together!
Love,
Mom