A Night to Celebrate With the Class of 2012

"Knowledge is power, but enthusiasm pulls the switch." -Ivern Ball

Tonight we had a special celebration at our school to honor our 8th grade class. I have taught these students for two years. I have loved watching their positive enthusiasm as they have moved through middle school and pulled lots of switches. This celebration marks the end of an era in their school lives.
The tradition at our school is that the seventh grade class puts on this celebration. They decorated, served the food, and made these special cards that were waiting on the chairs.
We have another special tradition at our 8th grade celebration. The students create a collection of their school work through the grades and include a gift of writing to their parents that may be a thank you poem, a letter about how they have changed, or another meaningful creation. We end the evening with presenting these gifts to the parents/family members. As the parents read them ( and often shed a few tears) we end the evening with refreshments.

Even though school isn't out until next week, it was an evening that always brings the families, teachers, friends, and classmates together in our small school. It truly was a night to celebrate.