Letter to My Son
Dear Son,
Kindergarten is at a close. You went through so many adjustments this year, with flying colors! I'm amazed by you. You started a new school, without knowing anyone in the class (and with many classmates that already knew each other from PreK4 APAAS. Whereas, you went to St. Augustine's from PreK2 through PreK4).
You made new friends. You learned a new school system. You learned new buildings on a large, new campus. You started taking spelling tests. You learned how to do math the Eureka method, which was new for Mommy too! You took everything in stride. Mommy stressed more through the year than you did!
Oh, there were a few days when you might have cried when you got home, because so-and-so said he or she wasn't your friend any more. We helped you work through those emotions and reaffirmed that you are a loving, caring and wonderful boy. If another child values those things, they would want to be your friend, so look for the good friendships, not the manipulative ones.
For all the changes this year, Kindergarten brought out the best in you.
Is Mommy just saying that because I have to? Because you are my son? Well, let me give you a few examples, from other people...
I sent a text message to a fellow mommy as a reminder for a cub scout meeting. She sent this text response:
"Hey Aleta! Thanks for the reminder. I actually wanted to reach out to you. I was visiting the kids for lunch and recess this past Wednesday. Jaxson from Cub scouts asked me to watch him run super fast. When he came around the other side of the playground, Gregory was throwing a ball. It popped Jaxson in the face, poor thing. Gregory was sooo sweet. He instantly went to check on his friend without any encouragement from the teachers. I was so impressed with how he handled things. You guys are doing a great job and have a great kid."
It's heart warming to know that you behave this way, especially when we aren't around you.
One more example and this is from an experience you shared that happened at school. One little boy, Nicholas, was hiding on the cafeteria stage. He was playing around and accidentally knocked down some of the circus theme decorations on the stage. Mrs. Bonura called you over. She said, "I know you always tell the truth. Tell me what happened in the cafeteria." You explained what happened. Then you asked if you were in trouble. Mrs. Bonura said you weren't and she later thanked you for your honesty.
Your Daddy has a different opinion of this. He didn't want you to tell Mrs. Bonura, because he doesn't want you to be known as a rat or someone who tattles. If you ran to Mrs. Bonura and told on the boy, that would be one thing. However, if your teacher specifically asks you, honesty is the best policy. I'm impressed and proud of you, that after a year of being in Mrs. Bonura's kindergarten class, you have given her this wonderful impression. As Opa would say, "Your word is what defines you."
Airline Park is a great influence, both in the classroom and in the lunchroom (and now at home)! You are asking for healthier snacks and food options. We had two bags of Easter candy from the Easter bunny. You said you were hungry. We asked what you wanted. You looked at the candy, then asked for "turkey rollups, cheese and grapes." The coach at school works with P.E. and also nutrition.
Throughout the year, I've asked you what is your favorite subject. Your immediately response, without any hesitation: MATH! Oh, but son, you read beautifully! You don't like to write, but you can. That said, I'm also tickled you enjoy math. I'm happy APAAS is making it an enjoyable subject. It wasn't like that when I was a child..numbers were drilled into you. It's more of a game now. You do have to do things quickly, which is part of the game rules. Mrs. Bonura hands out a page of addition and subtraction. The problems have to be completed correctly in less than 3 minutes. She sent homework of the same nature. I timed you, using my iPhone stop watch. Your longest time was 1 minutes and 49 seconds. Your quickest time was 1 minute and 12 seconds! Subtraction is still a stumbling block. The addition and subtraction are mixed together. It's not easy to bounce between the two. It's all a matter of practice!
Everything is coming to an end. You just finished your last soccer shots class. You weren't happy about it being over, but you were very pleased with the medal they gave you. Science came to an end as well. You said it's fun. You said you can't choose between Art, Science, Soccer and Drama.
Drama ended with a showcase performance. You and your 7 classmates in Drama Kids were on stage in the cafeteria. At first, I thought it would only be the parents of the kids to watch the performance. Then, the kids from after care were allowed in and the cafeteria filled up! You said this made you nervous, but oh honey, I could not tell you were nervous! You remembered your lines. You had fantastic body language and made great faces to match the mood of your character. I loved it!
You were also very controlled. Two other boys started cutting up on stage at one point. I was fully expecting you to join in on the ruckus. You didn't and this made me a proud Mommy. Your instructor said you love drama and always look forward to having lines.
Will I enroll you again in Drama? Absolutely! Art is taught once a week in school. There is science with the stem projects. Soccer is a sport that Daddy plays with you at times and you also know Basketball. But Drama? It teaches things not taught in a classroom. Confidence. Clarity in Speech. Role playing to understand various points of views. But confidence, yeah, that's a big one! To be able to perform in front of a large audience at the age of 6? Amazing!
Airline Park is awesome for offering these after class programs. I found out that starting in the 2nd grade, there are "clusters" - for art, bells, science. There are 6 areas to choose from and it's done once a week. By the end of the year, children can do up to 3 different clusters. Something tells me you are going to have a hard time picking a cluster. You love to learn. Everything!
But I'm jumping ahead... you are just ending Kindergarten. No graduation is available through the school, but there is an awards program. (Mommy did buy a cap for you, of course!)
We already have the 1st grade class roster for next year. You know some of the kids in your 1st grade room, but we don't know who the teacher is yet. One of the first grade teachers was moved from first grade to third grade.
Mrs. Jacobs (1st grade teacher not moving) has most of Mrs. Bonura's class for next year. The new teacher has most of the other kindergarten class and that's the class you are going to be in. This made you sad that most of your friends aren't in class with you. It's an opportunity to meet new friends. I have confidence in you!
However, I needed reassurance from Mrs. Bonura that Airline Park was a good fit. I asked Mrs. Bonura: "Do you think Airline Park is a good fit for Gregory and vice versa? You have the best insight, working with him through his first year."
Mrs. Bonura responded, "Yes. Gregory belongs here at Airline Park."
Airline is a larger school and a different animal from St. Augustine. It was an adjustment for Mommy as much as it was for you. I needed to be sure it was the right adjustment and the right fit for you. It's a great school and I wanted it to be the right fit. Me wanting it to be, doesn't mean that it is though.... so the confirmation helped.
What also helped was that Myrna Campbell is recommending for you to try for Art Gifted program. She wrote the following: "I have had the honor of being a once a week art teacher for Gregory and have been observing the creations of your son. I am recommending that he try out for the gifted program next year. The drawings (10 required) can, but are not required to be in color. There will not be any screening conducted before we return in August. Work on these during the summer and bring them in after the first week in August. I look forward to viewing them. It is my belief that his work is advanced for his age and his imaginary creations are delightful. The final screening will be conducted by 3 artists that do not know your son."
Even if you don't get into the gifted program, art is something you love and we will continue drawing and exploring arts.
Just the other day, your school invited a cartoonist to teach the children how to draw cartoon characters. You did a great job!
Speaking of exploring arts! You recently wrote a poem! Here is your first poem - so proud of you!
We have Holly to thank for sending us the format on writing an Ode. You read samples of an Ode and then decided on Snowballs - perfect for our warm (already) weather. You even illustrated the poem with a drawing of a snowball.
Of course we still do crafts, at the library and at Michael's. For Mother's Day, Michaels' taught the kids how to make a flower using cupcake holders - so cute! At the library, you did three crafts, one for Mother's Day (a handprint flower book marker) and two Cinco de Mayo crafts. I didn't think you would finish all three projects in time, but you were determined.
Home Depot is still going strong with the kid classes. It's also a good place to meet friends. You saw Amelia and Jackson and Eve this past kid class. You made a flower shadow box. Your confidence in using a hammer has vastly improved.
Cub Scouts kept us very busy too! You earned three electives from one lion meeting where you made your neckerchief slider. This earned you the ability to wear a neckerchief as a lion! You made a box derby and had a race. You also made a "be prepared" cub scout bag and had a lesson on tying shoe laces. It was a great lesson. At the pack meeting, where you received the three belt loops, plus you really enjoyed the magic show and the fun games afterwards.
(After the cub scouts, we went to a local school fair. There was a slide, very tall slide, that you wanted to go on. Daddy and I both said, "He will make it mid way up and then call down for us to help him the rest of the way." Daddy was prepared to go up and help you. Oh, you took some time, but you made it. Then you stayed there, at the top. Not willing to go down that steep slide.... I think the guy at the top might have given you a little push eventually. After the first run.... you couldn't be stopped, over and over you went up and down the slide. Fear, what fear!)
You also just finished the last lion meeting. It was another elective. Cassy, Daniel's Mommy, had a great idea - to go to Home Depot and see if someone could talk to the boys about being a good gardener. I called Home Depot and spoke with two managers. They assured me they would have someone there to talk to the boys. When I spoke with Kevin, the Home Depot representative, I mentioned the idea of having the boys plant something while teaching them. Home Depot really went above and beyond. It was a fantastic class and the boys had a fun time. From reading seed instructions, opening a pack of seeds to see what they looked like, filling a pot with soil, opening the roots of a marigold and planting it and then giving it water from a water hose in the store... oh and the manager gave ya'll all a treat at the end of the lesson... we couldn't ask for more.
Cub Scouts really is an excellent source of fun ideas, learning hands on, teaching morals and character and having really unique experiences! You and Daddy spent the night on the USS Kid with the cub scouts! You said it was VERY COOL! Daddy came home with facts from the tour. You actually slept on the middle bunk. I wanted you on the lower bunk, but you wanted to be next to Preston. Fortunately, the bunk beds dipped in the middle, so though you are a "mover" sleeper, you didn't roll out of the bunk bed. Daddy said he would go again, but also said it was probably a good idea I didn't go. There wasn't an area to change and the ladies bathroom was a long walk away, going up and down levels with steep stairs. Ummm, no. But I wouldn't mind going on a tour, just not the night.
St. Augustine's.... it was prek. You would think it would be "history." I'm happy for you (and for me) that it's not. The St. Augustine moms and kids are a special group. It doesn't matter where our children go to school. The kids and parents bonded over those three years. They are a blessing.
When Amelia had her birthday party, it was like a reunion of St. Augustine friends! I loved seeing how instantly ya'll played together and how the parents were eager to talk and share, so very naturally. I know what the St. Augustine group has is pretty rare. How often can you say that PreK friends get together throughout the year, with love and support, even after the children are all attending different schools. St Augustine was three years in the making and going strong. In fact, after Kindergarten is over, the group is getting together to celebrate.
Today you had a fun time at school. As I mentioned before, APAAS had an awards program, where you received the Eagle Pride award and certificate of completion of Kindergarten. Each quarter of the school year, you received an Eagle Pride award. We are very proud of you!
After the program, we had a picnic outside and then it was time for Spring Festival. Oma only volunteered to help at the drink station (which was very busy), but before that she also offered to work one of the game booths, because there wasn't enough volunteers to help. She was a trooper and really enjoys working with the kids and school community!
During the picnic, one grandmother came over to me. We had the following conversation:
Grandmother of fellow student: "Is Gregory your son?"
Me: "Yes, he is."
Grandmother of fellow student: "I asked my grandson "Who is the smartest kid in your class?" He told me, "Gregory is!" and I asked him, "Who is the second smartest kid in your class?" He said, "I am!" I just had to tell you that. Gregory is very sweet."
Sweet boy.... you ARE smart. You ARE sweet. You ARE a good boy and kind. Be the best that you can be, to your ability. Don't worry about being in competition with other kids. Just be the best YOU.
I hope Kindergarten was memorable for you and a beginning in so many ways of new experiences.
Thank you, Gregory, for knowing how to be true to yourself, even at a new school, even when we aren't around you. This shows me how beautifully you've grown. I hope Kindergarten was fun, as well as educational. I think it was. Airline does a lot of fun activities for the kids, in a learning environment.
Looking on.... This summer is booked.... vacation bible school, summer camps, cub scout camp, music camp and swimming at Oma and Opa's house and of course, continued education with Oma and Mommy. We have books, workbooks, fun assignments and I'm sure there will be a reading list from your school.
TJ, your cousin, will be in town for the summer at the end of May! You shouted for joy when you heard the good news!
Congratulations on graduating Kindergarten and adjusting so well to many new things. I'm proud of you, sweet son. I love you.
Love Always,
Mommy
Kindergarten is at a close. You went through so many adjustments this year, with flying colors! I'm amazed by you. You started a new school, without knowing anyone in the class (and with many classmates that already knew each other from PreK4 APAAS. Whereas, you went to St. Augustine's from PreK2 through PreK4).
You made new friends. You learned a new school system. You learned new buildings on a large, new campus. You started taking spelling tests. You learned how to do math the Eureka method, which was new for Mommy too! You took everything in stride. Mommy stressed more through the year than you did!
Oh, there were a few days when you might have cried when you got home, because so-and-so said he or she wasn't your friend any more. We helped you work through those emotions and reaffirmed that you are a loving, caring and wonderful boy. If another child values those things, they would want to be your friend, so look for the good friendships, not the manipulative ones.
For all the changes this year, Kindergarten brought out the best in you.
Is Mommy just saying that because I have to? Because you are my son? Well, let me give you a few examples, from other people...
I sent a text message to a fellow mommy as a reminder for a cub scout meeting. She sent this text response:
"Hey Aleta! Thanks for the reminder. I actually wanted to reach out to you. I was visiting the kids for lunch and recess this past Wednesday. Jaxson from Cub scouts asked me to watch him run super fast. When he came around the other side of the playground, Gregory was throwing a ball. It popped Jaxson in the face, poor thing. Gregory was sooo sweet. He instantly went to check on his friend without any encouragement from the teachers. I was so impressed with how he handled things. You guys are doing a great job and have a great kid."
It's heart warming to know that you behave this way, especially when we aren't around you.
One more example and this is from an experience you shared that happened at school. One little boy, Nicholas, was hiding on the cafeteria stage. He was playing around and accidentally knocked down some of the circus theme decorations on the stage. Mrs. Bonura called you over. She said, "I know you always tell the truth. Tell me what happened in the cafeteria." You explained what happened. Then you asked if you were in trouble. Mrs. Bonura said you weren't and she later thanked you for your honesty.
Your Daddy has a different opinion of this. He didn't want you to tell Mrs. Bonura, because he doesn't want you to be known as a rat or someone who tattles. If you ran to Mrs. Bonura and told on the boy, that would be one thing. However, if your teacher specifically asks you, honesty is the best policy. I'm impressed and proud of you, that after a year of being in Mrs. Bonura's kindergarten class, you have given her this wonderful impression. As Opa would say, "Your word is what defines you."
Airline Park is a great influence, both in the classroom and in the lunchroom (and now at home)! You are asking for healthier snacks and food options. We had two bags of Easter candy from the Easter bunny. You said you were hungry. We asked what you wanted. You looked at the candy, then asked for "turkey rollups, cheese and grapes." The coach at school works with P.E. and also nutrition.
Throughout the year, I've asked you what is your favorite subject. Your immediately response, without any hesitation: MATH! Oh, but son, you read beautifully! You don't like to write, but you can. That said, I'm also tickled you enjoy math. I'm happy APAAS is making it an enjoyable subject. It wasn't like that when I was a child..numbers were drilled into you. It's more of a game now. You do have to do things quickly, which is part of the game rules. Mrs. Bonura hands out a page of addition and subtraction. The problems have to be completed correctly in less than 3 minutes. She sent homework of the same nature. I timed you, using my iPhone stop watch. Your longest time was 1 minutes and 49 seconds. Your quickest time was 1 minute and 12 seconds! Subtraction is still a stumbling block. The addition and subtraction are mixed together. It's not easy to bounce between the two. It's all a matter of practice!
Everything is coming to an end. You just finished your last soccer shots class. You weren't happy about it being over, but you were very pleased with the medal they gave you. Science came to an end as well. You said it's fun. You said you can't choose between Art, Science, Soccer and Drama.
Drama ended with a showcase performance. You and your 7 classmates in Drama Kids were on stage in the cafeteria. At first, I thought it would only be the parents of the kids to watch the performance. Then, the kids from after care were allowed in and the cafeteria filled up! You said this made you nervous, but oh honey, I could not tell you were nervous! You remembered your lines. You had fantastic body language and made great faces to match the mood of your character. I loved it!
You were also very controlled. Two other boys started cutting up on stage at one point. I was fully expecting you to join in on the ruckus. You didn't and this made me a proud Mommy. Your instructor said you love drama and always look forward to having lines.
Will I enroll you again in Drama? Absolutely! Art is taught once a week in school. There is science with the stem projects. Soccer is a sport that Daddy plays with you at times and you also know Basketball. But Drama? It teaches things not taught in a classroom. Confidence. Clarity in Speech. Role playing to understand various points of views. But confidence, yeah, that's a big one! To be able to perform in front of a large audience at the age of 6? Amazing!
Airline Park is awesome for offering these after class programs. I found out that starting in the 2nd grade, there are "clusters" - for art, bells, science. There are 6 areas to choose from and it's done once a week. By the end of the year, children can do up to 3 different clusters. Something tells me you are going to have a hard time picking a cluster. You love to learn. Everything!
But I'm jumping ahead... you are just ending Kindergarten. No graduation is available through the school, but there is an awards program. (Mommy did buy a cap for you, of course!)
We already have the 1st grade class roster for next year. You know some of the kids in your 1st grade room, but we don't know who the teacher is yet. One of the first grade teachers was moved from first grade to third grade.
Mrs. Jacobs (1st grade teacher not moving) has most of Mrs. Bonura's class for next year. The new teacher has most of the other kindergarten class and that's the class you are going to be in. This made you sad that most of your friends aren't in class with you. It's an opportunity to meet new friends. I have confidence in you!
However, I needed reassurance from Mrs. Bonura that Airline Park was a good fit. I asked Mrs. Bonura: "Do you think Airline Park is a good fit for Gregory and vice versa? You have the best insight, working with him through his first year."
Mrs. Bonura responded, "Yes. Gregory belongs here at Airline Park."
Airline is a larger school and a different animal from St. Augustine. It was an adjustment for Mommy as much as it was for you. I needed to be sure it was the right adjustment and the right fit for you. It's a great school and I wanted it to be the right fit. Me wanting it to be, doesn't mean that it is though.... so the confirmation helped.
What also helped was that Myrna Campbell is recommending for you to try for Art Gifted program. She wrote the following: "I have had the honor of being a once a week art teacher for Gregory and have been observing the creations of your son. I am recommending that he try out for the gifted program next year. The drawings (10 required) can, but are not required to be in color. There will not be any screening conducted before we return in August. Work on these during the summer and bring them in after the first week in August. I look forward to viewing them. It is my belief that his work is advanced for his age and his imaginary creations are delightful. The final screening will be conducted by 3 artists that do not know your son."
Even if you don't get into the gifted program, art is something you love and we will continue drawing and exploring arts.
Just the other day, your school invited a cartoonist to teach the children how to draw cartoon characters. You did a great job!
Speaking of exploring arts! You recently wrote a poem! Here is your first poem - so proud of you!
Ode to Snowballs
Oh, Snowballs
You are crunchy, half sphere, colorful ice
You smell like yummy wedding cake
You make me happy, you are cold in a cup
You are the summer day treat for me
Oh, Snowballs!
By: Gregory O’Brien
We have Holly to thank for sending us the format on writing an Ode. You read samples of an Ode and then decided on Snowballs - perfect for our warm (already) weather. You even illustrated the poem with a drawing of a snowball.
Of course we still do crafts, at the library and at Michael's. For Mother's Day, Michaels' taught the kids how to make a flower using cupcake holders - so cute! At the library, you did three crafts, one for Mother's Day (a handprint flower book marker) and two Cinco de Mayo crafts. I didn't think you would finish all three projects in time, but you were determined.
Home Depot is still going strong with the kid classes. It's also a good place to meet friends. You saw Amelia and Jackson and Eve this past kid class. You made a flower shadow box. Your confidence in using a hammer has vastly improved.
Cub Scouts kept us very busy too! You earned three electives from one lion meeting where you made your neckerchief slider. This earned you the ability to wear a neckerchief as a lion! You made a box derby and had a race. You also made a "be prepared" cub scout bag and had a lesson on tying shoe laces. It was a great lesson. At the pack meeting, where you received the three belt loops, plus you really enjoyed the magic show and the fun games afterwards.
(After the cub scouts, we went to a local school fair. There was a slide, very tall slide, that you wanted to go on. Daddy and I both said, "He will make it mid way up and then call down for us to help him the rest of the way." Daddy was prepared to go up and help you. Oh, you took some time, but you made it. Then you stayed there, at the top. Not willing to go down that steep slide.... I think the guy at the top might have given you a little push eventually. After the first run.... you couldn't be stopped, over and over you went up and down the slide. Fear, what fear!)
You also just finished the last lion meeting. It was another elective. Cassy, Daniel's Mommy, had a great idea - to go to Home Depot and see if someone could talk to the boys about being a good gardener. I called Home Depot and spoke with two managers. They assured me they would have someone there to talk to the boys. When I spoke with Kevin, the Home Depot representative, I mentioned the idea of having the boys plant something while teaching them. Home Depot really went above and beyond. It was a fantastic class and the boys had a fun time. From reading seed instructions, opening a pack of seeds to see what they looked like, filling a pot with soil, opening the roots of a marigold and planting it and then giving it water from a water hose in the store... oh and the manager gave ya'll all a treat at the end of the lesson... we couldn't ask for more.
Cub Scouts really is an excellent source of fun ideas, learning hands on, teaching morals and character and having really unique experiences! You and Daddy spent the night on the USS Kid with the cub scouts! You said it was VERY COOL! Daddy came home with facts from the tour. You actually slept on the middle bunk. I wanted you on the lower bunk, but you wanted to be next to Preston. Fortunately, the bunk beds dipped in the middle, so though you are a "mover" sleeper, you didn't roll out of the bunk bed. Daddy said he would go again, but also said it was probably a good idea I didn't go. There wasn't an area to change and the ladies bathroom was a long walk away, going up and down levels with steep stairs. Ummm, no. But I wouldn't mind going on a tour, just not the night.
St. Augustine's.... it was prek. You would think it would be "history." I'm happy for you (and for me) that it's not. The St. Augustine moms and kids are a special group. It doesn't matter where our children go to school. The kids and parents bonded over those three years. They are a blessing.
When Amelia had her birthday party, it was like a reunion of St. Augustine friends! I loved seeing how instantly ya'll played together and how the parents were eager to talk and share, so very naturally. I know what the St. Augustine group has is pretty rare. How often can you say that PreK friends get together throughout the year, with love and support, even after the children are all attending different schools. St Augustine was three years in the making and going strong. In fact, after Kindergarten is over, the group is getting together to celebrate.
Today you had a fun time at school. As I mentioned before, APAAS had an awards program, where you received the Eagle Pride award and certificate of completion of Kindergarten. Each quarter of the school year, you received an Eagle Pride award. We are very proud of you!
After the program, we had a picnic outside and then it was time for Spring Festival. Oma only volunteered to help at the drink station (which was very busy), but before that she also offered to work one of the game booths, because there wasn't enough volunteers to help. She was a trooper and really enjoys working with the kids and school community!
During the picnic, one grandmother came over to me. We had the following conversation:
Grandmother of fellow student: "Is Gregory your son?"
Me: "Yes, he is."
Grandmother of fellow student: "I asked my grandson "Who is the smartest kid in your class?" He told me, "Gregory is!" and I asked him, "Who is the second smartest kid in your class?" He said, "I am!" I just had to tell you that. Gregory is very sweet."
Sweet boy.... you ARE smart. You ARE sweet. You ARE a good boy and kind. Be the best that you can be, to your ability. Don't worry about being in competition with other kids. Just be the best YOU.
I hope Kindergarten was memorable for you and a beginning in so many ways of new experiences.
Thank you, Gregory, for knowing how to be true to yourself, even at a new school, even when we aren't around you. This shows me how beautifully you've grown. I hope Kindergarten was fun, as well as educational. I think it was. Airline does a lot of fun activities for the kids, in a learning environment.
Looking on.... This summer is booked.... vacation bible school, summer camps, cub scout camp, music camp and swimming at Oma and Opa's house and of course, continued education with Oma and Mommy. We have books, workbooks, fun assignments and I'm sure there will be a reading list from your school.
TJ, your cousin, will be in town for the summer at the end of May! You shouted for joy when you heard the good news!
Congratulations on graduating Kindergarten and adjusting so well to many new things. I'm proud of you, sweet son. I love you.
Love Always,
Mommy
Comments