The end of the school year is always fast, furious, and fun.
Emotions run wild, both with children and teachers.
The week started with visits to every child’s house.
Really.
How cool is that, to have your teacher come to your house.
We painted rocks and read a story.
We laughed, cried, told “Remember when…” stories
from school, and shared gifts.
Landon gave me an Eric Carle thank you book.
Charlotte painted a beautiful picture with a note,
“Dear Jennie, I love when you read me books.
And I love drawing with you.
I miss eating yogurt at lunch with you.
Love, Charlotte.”
We had a final Zoom with children and families.
They wanted teachers to open a gift from the Aqua Room.
Oh, my! A yearbook.
You may remember that rainbow over the tree photo.
The final event was a car parade.
Teachers waved pom-poms and blew bubbles
as families drove by.
Omar from the Groton Police Department
led the parade. He is wonderful!
Families had their cars all decked out, cheering and honking.
Staff had a final, farewell lunch together
before touring the renovation at the school.
This will be my classroom!
We hope to move back in at the end of the calendar year.
It was quite a busy week. I may shed a few tears later today.
I will definitely smile as I look through photos.
Next year is right around the corner.
I have the BEST new idea already in the works!
Stay tuned.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
What a fun and creative way to end the school year. The elementary school a couple of miles away had a parade and we could hear the horns and fun all the way over at my house! It was a hit with everyone who heard and saw it.
It really is a fun thing to do. Families and teachers loved it, and it was a great way to say goodbye and thank you. Best to you, Deborah!
Certainly a year for the record books, eh, Jennie. My hope and prayer is that years from now, all these kids will be grownups and they’ll say, ‘why, I remember when…and there was this wonderful teacher who showed us how to adjust and survive’. Nice work, Jennie. Have a wonderful summer.
Thanks so much, Steve. I think they will remember this crazy year. I hope I have put some calm and some of the ‘right stuff’ in their roots. Will your school district open in September with a combination of classes and also distance learning? We are still up in the air.
I haven’t heard anything, but I’m just a crossing guard 😉. I asked a parent of three in the district and neither has she.
Well said, Steve!
Thanks.
Oh, yes!
That sounds like a great way to wrap up a year that was so challenging. You guys met that challenge well, Jennie. You should all be proud.
Thank you, Dan. It was a super wrap-up.
Now THIS is what education is all about! That pic of you and Nathan ❣️ all the pics….the memories and what wonderful ways you closed a strange year indeed. You’re an amazing lady Ms. Jennie! My hats off to you and the wonderful group with which you work. 💚
Thank you very much!
You’re welcome 💚
Thanks for including us in your final day, Jennie. I imagine all were very happy.
Oh how emotional 🥰🥰🥰
I am sure this is an emotional time for your, Jennie. What a lovely farewell. I hope that you are able to enjoy that wonderful new classroom soon.
The memories I have of some of my teachers will last my lifetime, I hope.
I LOVE the idea of going to the students’ houses. They must think you’re a rock star. (They’re right! 😎) One of my favorite ways to wrap up the school year was to take a bike ride with my students and their families. We’d bike over to a local park, play some games together, eat lunch, have an awards assembly, and have some kind of performance by the kids for their families. It was one of the best days of the school year.
How exciting to be getting a new classroom next year. Enjoy your summer! A job well done, my friend. Just think of all of the students you influenced this year in positive ways.
What a great idea – but aren’t you guys social distancing? It’s very stringent here. Everyone has to be at least two metres apart. What’s the Corona situation like there?
What a wonderful way to wrap up this year. I am so impressed with how you handled it all. The kids will remember. xo
Thank you so much, Darlene!
After such a strange year, saying farewell to your kids must have had even more emotional impact than usual. But you have that wonderful new space to look forward to when you return.
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes, it was a bigger emotional impact for me, and also for the children. I’m always the glass half full, so that newly renovated building (first renovation since it was built in 1984- the year I started) will be wonderful to look forward to. Best to you, Pete.
Wow! What a great way to end out the year. What a year it ended up being.
Definitely! And, thank you.
Delightful! Such a wonderful way to say, “We miss you and love you!” together. Wishing students and teachers everywhere a blessed and beautiful summer! ❤ xo
Thanks so much, Bette!
The Aqua Roomers know how to party!!
Yes, they do!
What a wonderful way to end an unforgettable school year Jennie. God bless you and your fellow teachers for coming up with so many innovative ways to continue educating your young pupils. You have my deep admiration. I hope you have a lovely summer in between planning for the Fall.🤗
Thanks so much, Kim!!
Oh, Wow what a fitting end to a strange year but you and so many teachers have risen to the challenge, Jennie ..(.clap) what memories both you, the children and their families have made…A new classroom as well to look forward to…Hugs ❤ Enjoy your summer 🙂
Many thanks, Carol!
Such a lovely moment and memories
Thank you so much!
You simply ROCK, my friend!!! Oh how I wish every child could have you as a teacher! Great job … now enjoy your summer, for who knows just WHAT next year will bring.
That’s so nice, Jill. Thank you! Yes, who knows what next year will bring.
This is an awesome post.
Thank you!
Nice post Jennie!! Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: A Teacher’s ReflectionsSent: Friday, June 26, 2020 6:03 AMTo: lkosinski@grotoncommunityschool.orgSubject: [New post] End of the School Year Jennie posted: "The end of the school year is always fast, furious, and fun. Emotions run wild, both with children and teachers. The week started with visits to every child’s house. Really. How cool is that, to have your teacher come to your house. We painted rocks "
Thank you, Linda!
You’re right – it is always an emotional time, especially this particular year, I should imagine. I love the idea of the car parade – what a lovely way to give the children suitable closure at a time of social distancing! Our children don’t break up for another month, but I’m hoping they will be able to do the same sort of thing here…
Thank you, Sarah. Yes, this year in particular the emotions run high. I hope your schools do a car parade to say goodbye.
I suspect they won’t…
🙂
I will be very interested in what accommodations you will have to make in the fall around the virus. The initial rules for Connecticut schools are daunting and hard to imagine implementing.
We’re all doing major nail biting. Our initial rules look daunting. I can’t imagine following all the guidelines in September.
Are they requiring masks for preschool?
Teachers, yes. Students, only if they can’t be kept 6 feet apart. I know, it’s a nightmare.
Unless the kids have some sort of hula hoop attached to them how on earth will they stay that far apart?
And that is precisely the problem.
Some of your students will never realize how different this year really was but for you it really was one for the books. You ended the year with the great style and aplomb as usual. Not many can say they had the wonderful experiences you gave your Aqua room students. I certainly hope next fall tells a more cohesive story. Hugs to you and enjoy your summer.
Definitely one for the books! It was a great goodbye after too many months of Zoom. I hope the guidelines ease up before September. I’m not sure I can effectively teach wearing a mask. That’s just one of the many restrictions. Fingers are crossed. Thank you, Marlene!
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Thank you, Sarah!
Bittersweet beautiful Jennie. Amazing connections and love despite the Covid barriers. ❤
A great choice of words, Debby. Definitely bittersweet and beautiful. Many thanks!
❤
Jennie, what an emotional and heartwarming finale to the school year!! 😀 I’m deeply touched how as staff you found such a wonderful solution to mark the occasion… visiting every child at home, the fantastic farewell parade. Almost as if I can hear the hooting of the cars! Good luck with the new building and I’m not in the least surprised you’re already brimming with ideas for the new school year. Take care!
Thank you for your comments and enthusiasm, Annika. It was wonderful. I’m hoping school restrictions and guidelines ease up in September.
Such a heartwarming share. I know that your collection of photos with your teaching experience is a book reflecting the love of teaching! Cheers!🌺❤️🌺☕️☕️👍👍
You are very kind to say so. Thank you!
The warmth you have is just special!💕☕️☕️
Thank you so much! 😊
Oh Jennie…. you are not on your own with Tears… Just reading i have had to pause several times to wipe my eyes to continue reading… The LOVE you and your teachers show your students and the LOVE you receive back shows you are doing such an important job on this planet..
You plant seeds of Love, Imagination, adventure, you plant seeds of knowledge, to ask questions and seek answers…
The Love you plant will remain within these Young Hearts for the rest of their lives…
Just like that teacher of mine, Mrs Woodhouse, who when I was 11 and went to the big school out of my depth, alone and a loner, took me under her gentle wing of encouragement.. She brought me into her world of Books of adventure, and imagination.. And I give thanks even today for the love and her insight of knowing just what it was I needed…
Thank you…. This was a brilliant share Jennie. ❤
Much love your way ❤ 💖🙏💖
If I can be a Mrs. Woodhouse to children, that is a wonderful thing! Thank you, Sue! ❤️
Oh you most definitely are Jennie..😘🤗💕 thank YOU my friend.
☺️❤️😍