Please steal a special moment this week to curl up with your soon-to-be second grader and share the following video together.  The song captures my wish for each child perfectly, and I had a blast sifting through pictures that span the entire year!  They have grown so much!

Thank you, again, for making this year such a great one.  We all had a wonderful last day of school yesterday and I am absolutely blown away by the generosity you showed through your hugs, cards, and thoughtful gifts.  Thank you and keep in touch!
 

Andrew and Josh say more with their faces than I can with my words...

The end of the school year is upon us, and everyone is feeling a little crazy in the frog room!  It has been a week of reminiscing about all the friends we've made, things we've learned, and goals we've accomplished in first grade.  The kids have graciously tolerated a teary-eyed Mrs. Nelson on more than one occasion, and I have squeezed those little bodies more times than I can count. 

I will post a brief end-of-the-year video for the kids tomorrow, but for now -- I want to leave you (the parents) with a few thoughts.

My Heartfelt Thanks

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all that you have done to support me, your child, and our classroom during this school year.  You graciously donated countless hours of your time and energy, bags of supplies to fill in our gaps, and lots of treats to lift our spirits and help us celebrate! You have made my second year in Zeeland incredible and I am so thankful for the relationships that we have built together.  I truly believe that it takes a village to raise a child, and I could not have asked for better families to partner with this year.

I want to leave you with a quote that is framed on my desk.  I read these words every morning before the bell rings, and I claim them for EVERY child in this class.  I hope that I have helped your son/daughter to learn,  believe, and embrace this over the past year in first grade: 

“The child must know that he is a miracle that since the beginning of the world there has never been, and until the end of the world there will never be, another child like him.”  (Pablo Casals)

Thank you for sharing your little miracles with me this year!  I can’t wait to see them all in 2nd grade!

Love,
Allison