Celebrating Good Times and Special Moments in SD81!

May 23, 2014

I’ve spent the past two days sharing some very special moments with all of you, and taking part in celebrations all over School District 81! Our preschool friends put smiles on our faces with the adorable songs they performed for their parents and families for their end of the year celebration! It was a very special day for the kids, their families, and the educators they have spent the past year with.  I loved watching the videos made by the preschool team, which were compilations of video clips of the children describing what they most loved about preschool, and pictures of their favorite moments throughout the year.  Each family received a copy of the video, which I’m sure they will cherish and enjoy watching together as their little one grows!

Our Lincoln Middle School graduates made me happy and very proud as each one received their diploma.  It means so much to be able to stand up on the stage with them, talk to them one last time, and share a smile before they head off to high school.  Words can’t express all the wishes and hopes I have for these young men and women who have grown up before my eyes! I also was invited to a great graduation party in Lincoln’s SLC/SLBC for a student who will be so missed, but we are very happy to have so many memories with her.  Watching Judith on stage receiving her diploma was a moment I will always cherish.

Kindergarten graduation is a special experience in School District 81.  As the children’s names are called, their teachers share with the audience what the students want to be when they grow up.  There were many future teachers, police officers, firefighters and soldiers.  We also had some who said pop star, dolphin trainer, Walgreen’s worker, future mom, and future dad! The gymnasium was filled with loving and caring families who came to share this special day with their children.

The fifth graders at Washington School celebrated their DARE graduation with Officer Tom Henn.  The group at Washington School has been very focused on their anti-bullying campaign, and that makes me very proud! I know these remarkable students are going to do great things as they enter into middle school next year.  Dr. Kopta will miss them, but she knows they will be in good hands at LIncoln! I thank Mayor Barbara Piltaver, the police and fire department members, and School Board President for coming to the DARE graduation, and well as the other celebrations and graduations we have had this week.

And finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank the ABC Parent Group for the delicious luncheons they organized for each school for Teacher Appreciation Week. I posted a picture to show how much thought and effort went into setting up the bistro tables for our faculty and staff.  It’s a great feeling to see our parents in our schools and we love having them!