We have one more week of school left. The kids were ready for summer two weeks ago after taking all their standardized tests, but here we are, pressing on in the good fight and trying to convince them that no, summer has not yet begun!

We try to keep them going with wonderful activities like Talent Shows, sports tournaments, trips to the bowling alley, parties, and Field Days. But what is the actual purpose of the last week? To see the kids off and say goodbye?

It’s to teach them more spelling rules (you think I am kidding? 🙂 We do a lot of spelling work with letter tiles and the kids like it a lot). No, not the real purpose.

Is it to videotape the dance the International Club has been working on so that they have the video for inspiration? It will be fun, God willing, but no, that’s not the point.

Is it to organize the mountain of paperwork I still have to do, passing on the student files to the next school? Necessary work, but no, not the ultimate goal of the week.

Perhaps the goal for me is to be kind. This last week when kids may be feeling all sorts of emotions (possibly at once)—happiness, excitement, dread, anger, sadness, frustration, discouragement, exhilaration, and/or pride, I can just try to be kind. One period at a time. One moment at a time.

The truth is I, too, feel a lot of emotions. Of course I am looking forward to summer. But I also miss the students who left early for their home countries. For one of my students, the class organized a potluck and I saw joy in his face as we relaxed, ate Bolani and cake, and listened to his favorite music. I hope he has a safe summer in the second most dangerous country in the world. The boys miss him tremendously. For him, summer has already started. For us, we will try just to be kind in the chaotic but fun last week of school.

I’ll talk to you on the other side!

Have a good week,

Elena