Ellie's last day of kindergarten

 Today was the last day of school for Ellie, the conclusion of her first year of school and kindergarten. We are so fortunate that our neighborhood public school is such a great school with fantastic teachers, a hands-on principal, and awesome and dedicated parents. Also, we are fortunate that Ellie had such a great teacher this year and a fantastic introduction to school.

If I'm completely honest she was not challenged academically. But that's not what kindergarten is about. Its about learning and honing your social skills and adapting to this new world that is school. Its about learning to work with others. Developing self reliance skills, a sense of independence, and figuring out things at school without your parents being there. Its about responsibility and remembering your ID number when you buy lunch. And Ellie gained all of this and more this year. There was plenty of hands-on learning in the school garden and art loft. As well as five field trips. She gained computer skills as well as teamwork. She made some great new friends that I know will be a part of her life for a long time. She grew emotionally as well as a few inches in height. Her report cards this year were terrific. This last one she got an ES (exceeds standards) or O (outstanding) in every category except for mastery of grammar (I'll take that one) and math with higher numbers (let's blame Nick) where she got a MS (meets standards). Her teacher only has ever had good things to say about her and that she was a joy in class.

While Ellie is looking forward to the summer and everything that is planned, she is also looking forward to heading back to Webster for first grade. She's a little bummed that she will have a new teacher and that her friends may not be in her class, but she is so excited to be in first grade and all the benefits that come with that, including getting to be on the big kid playground.