4th Grade Celebration

This morning was Sofia and her fourth grade friends' celebration. Yesterday I told Sofia that we'd be at the 4th grade celebration and she said they hadn't practiced anything or done anything for it, so she wasn't really sure what would happen. One of the moms told me that they would be reading out their "greatest accomplishment" for their year, like they did in 3rd grade. I arrived shortly before it started and CK got there a few minutes later. It was surprising how few parents were there, especially compared to the Kindergarten graduation. We ended up sitting in the middle of the second row. The celebration started with the three 4th grade classes filing in with their teachers and sitting facing the stage, with their backs to us. When Sofia came into the room, she searched for us and finally saw us and waved. She sat down in front of us and read over her accomplishment page and I wondered what she wrote.

Mrs. Farragher welcomed us all and congratulated the kids on a successful end to their 4th grade year. She then welcomed Mrs. Grant to hold the microphone for each of her kids so they could read what their greatest accomplishment was for the year. Finally it was Ms. Murray's turn and then finally Sofia was approaching the stage. She looked really calm and relaxed as she walked toward Ms. Murray with her paper. She stopped and read her greatest accomplishment for the year which was: "meeting Jim Lovell and Fred Haise the astronauts because they were very interesting. I feel like we could all learn from them; it was very memorable." It was sweet and I somehow thought that she would write something about math, since she's become much better at it over the year and she loves Mrs. Grant so much. However, I can understand why she chose that experience as her greatest accomplishment, even though it wasn't related to school.

The program ended and we met up with Sofia and gave her a hug and congratulated her on another great year. She headed back to her classroom for the rest of the school day and CK and I headed out. I actually had a tennis drill to go to and as I drove I felt really blue thinking that she won't be back at CES next year. There are so many sweet kids and their parents who we've gotten to know over the past five years and I realized how much I'd miss seeing them at all the parties and events. Sofia doesn't seem to be upset by her upcoming change at all. When I ask her who she'll miss most, she does say all of her friends in 4th grade, and she means everyone she knows, which is awesome. She gets along well with everyone and as much as she will absolutely love the challenge and change that Aspire Academy will provide her, I do know there are some great kids she'll miss a lot and so will we. But, it's been a really great year and we can't believe we will have a 5th grader on our hands!!

Sofia reading over her greatest accomplishment, before it's her time to take the stage

Ready to take the stage

Ms. Murray with Sofia reading her greatest accomplishment

Sofia and her friend Elena

Sofia's greatest accomplishment page