End of the Year Luncheon

Clark's Fish Camp fit right in
with our walk on the wild side!

Each year, we close out the school year with a luncheon. We never pay for the luncheon (my husband had to pay $20 to attend his end-of-the-year school luncheon!) This year our luncheon was a gift from the Church at Chets Creek. Can't think of a better gift from the best business partner on Earth (their property is adjacent to ours)! The food at Clark's Fish Camp was delicious and of course, the décor of wild animals fit perfectly with our "Walk on the Wild Side" theme.

 Each year the presentation by the Principal is full of laughter and tears. It is always very emotional for me because I always do a lot of reflecting and that one hour reminds me of so many of the highs and lows of the year which is always a roller coaster of emotions. The Principal starts with letters she has received from parents and children and often staff members, and reads them out loud. Oh my! I wish I could post every letter so you could get a flavor for the type of people I work with! The Principal then calls many teachers and staff members up for awards - some funny, some serious, but always genuine. This year, as usual, you could feel the anticipation, the love and appreciation in the air.

The amazing kindergarten team

I am honored and humbled to work with an amazing group of women on my kindergarten grade level and this year many of them were honored. Debbie was honored for breathing new life into our long tutoring partnership with Landstar and for volunteering at the MARC. Maria and Cheryl were honored for having more visitors than anyone in the building. What an awesome duo to represent Chets Creek to the visitors that come to see what we are all about. Pam was recognized for leading with heart as she has given sacrificially to our teaching friend who has been battling cancer this year. Tracy was honored for her work at the MARC and she and Vicky were honored for living through the battle zone - or for making a difference in the lives of children - depending on how you look at it.  Each kinder colleague could have been singled out because they are, without exception, teachers who care deeply about what they do.  Most of our grade level are "eagles" and we take a lot of grief for that - too many Chiefs and not enough Indians.  We can be loud and demanding and more than one speaker at our grade level meetings has complained that they can't get a word in and that we all talk over each other.  We have been working on that, but on the other had, you never have to ask for a volunteer, because someone usually has the task completed before you ask!  They are doers - movers and shakers.  Yes, they are demanding and super critical, but it's because they expect perfection.  For me, the word that describes them best is passionate.  They expect results... and they get results.   I love this group of women.  Being with them really is like flying with the eagles!

One of the most joyful moments of the intensely emotional luncheon is the end-of-the-year video, prepared by our Reading Coach, Melanie Holtsman.  If this doesn't say it all!  Love closing up  a year... so, you can begin thinking about the new one!  Enjoy the video!

Each year at our end-of-the-year luncheon, the Principal unveils the new theme video for the following year. It's always such fun to guess what it might be. For the 14-15 school year we will be in "The Wonderful Land of Chets" because we know that "there is no place like home!"

Ending the year with a Superhero Send-off!

Thanks to Melanie Holtsman we end each year with a video to remind us of the fun we have had during the year with our theme. This year's theme celebrated the Superheroes in our everyday lives, so enjoy this hilarious ending to a fabulous year!

End of the Year Certificates

We have an end-of-the-year Awards Day. The parents are invited and we like to do something a little differently than our usual nine week awards for grades and citizenship. We also like to make sure that every single child gets an award. This year we gave out a list of each of the children's names to each child and asked them to write a word by each name of something they thought the student did really well. Then we brainstormed a list of good things we could say about our friends on the board. The students were welcome to use words from the list or to think up something on their own. We then took the lists and typed them into Wordle so that each child had a list of superlatives and printed a unique certificate for each child. We are so pleased with them because they capture the child and their first grade year in a word picture! I think children and parents are really going to like the result!

The Emmys!

Chets Creek held its 13th Annual End of the Year Celebration with a luncheon and awards at the perfect location, the Friday Musicale to tie into our year long theme, "Orchestrating a Symphony of Student Success." The afternoon began with a delicious luncheon in the historical hall, famous for its musical recitals and a popular location for weddings and receptions. As the faculty began the sweets, Principal Susan Phillips began to read about 20 different letters that come unsolicited from parents about our faculty. Some were funny and many had us reaching for tissues as parents described how teachers had literally changed their lives.

Next the SAC and PTA were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the school. Our own former PTA President, Melissa Kicklighter, will become next year's county PTA President! The CCE Teacher of the Year, Math Council Teacher of the Year finalist, CCE Employee of the Year and new National Board teachers were also recognized. The "Budding Musicians" (first year teachers) were recognized with a pen and the parting word to "autograph your work with excellence."

As the principal presented each of the next awards she compared them to a part of the orchestra introducing the section with that type music. The Outstanding Bloggers were compared to the Woodwinds as the music of Kenny G played because they gave "sound to all our voices." The Brass Section represented relationships. As the brassy Night in Tunisia played, 7 members of the faculty were honored for always being at every school event, from baby showers to night time school events, even when their grade level wasn't involved. Two others were recognized for being so very thoughtful and grateful - examples that are models to us all. Another was honored for the way she embraced the relationship of a difficult child and another who has gone out of her way to make a difference in the life of a family. Of everything we represent, these awards, about relationships, are some of the most cherished.

With the drums beating in the background the Percussion section represented our Leadership Team which this year is our Curriculum Council, "the greatest talents of our time." The RtI team was honored as the string section playing it's peaceful music in the background. This group is one of the hardest working in the building. With the electric guitar squealing its sound, 3rd grade teachers who had their students perform 100% or better on the FCAT were called up to be honored.

The final honors are the most special as the Teams of the Year are announced. This year Great Balls of Fire introduced that dynamic Media Team that had the faculty instantly jumping to their feet with a standing ovation, only to be repeated again as the melodic I Got the Music in Me introduced our Para Team. I don't think there was a faculty member in the house that didn't recognize these teams as giving so much to the well being of the entire school. We are what we are because of them. Farewells were then said to three teachers leaving next year.

 As the awards were completed, they led into an hilarious slide show of the faculty! The slides with their edgy speech bubbles had us rolling in the aisles as we poked fun at all of our own quirkiness! For the grand finale the new theme was announced with a little video. This video will be shown every day next year to open up the day on our internal television show. Enjoy, "Cultivating a Community of Excellence."
 

The End is Near...

Although the last week of school is not my favorite time of year, it is certainly a favorite for the kids! There are so many fun things to do. On Monday Kindergartners were treated to a field day with nine outdoor centers - everything from throwing huge noodle arrows and 50 yard dashes to icee pops and dancing in the pavilion! It was an hour and a half of hot fun and the children loved every minute of it! We had help from one of the Mayport Naval units so the PE teachers were free to go around with their over sized water guns and cool everyone off!

It was a grilled hot dog lunch in the room and then in some classes, families enjoyed a talent show! Children showed their talents - everything from rock star singers and dancers to joke tellers! What a talented group! I hope parents took lots of videos so they will be able to show them at high school graduation! In many classes Room Mothers were honored with gifts for their service to the children. We simply couldn't do it without them!

The day ended with the last nine weeks Kindergarten Awards in each classroom. Each kindergarten room was full of parents. My favorite type Awards Ceremony is when the teacher pulls up each child individually, one at a time alphabetically, and presents all of the child's awards at once. It gives the parents time to really snap a good picture and they love hearing about and seeing their child in the spotlight. The kids really like it too! My favorite end of the year award is when the teacher assigns each child another child and they make an award for that child. You get things like "Best Table Washer" or "Best Jump Roper" or other non-academic awards that really make each child feel special. The parents really love this part too. It has become a highlight over the years because the awards made by the children are so full of truth. Most classes end with a slide show of the year with emotional music that ALWAYS brings me to tears - me and most of the parents! Many teachers also put the slide show on a CD as a parting gift for the families - what a gift!

All in all, it is a wild and wonderful day this last week that celebrates the high points of Kindergarten and makes many new memories of the year. I know I'm usually exhausted at the end of the day, but the kids are right back on Tuesday morning ready for more! Stay tuned for the rest of the end of the year fun!

End with a New Beginning

One of the best things about the end of the year is the last day of school. After a bittersweet good-by to our children, it's off to the end of the year luncheon. This year we went to Epping Forest to an elegant setting on the water and an elegant lunch. The food was yummy! As we began dessert, Susan Phillips, our Principal, began reading letters she has received at the end of the year from our stakeholders. There were letters from parents who wrote the principal with a grateful heart about their child's teachers, letters from teachers with children at Chets who wrote about their child's teacher, and teachers who wrote about co-workers. Many of the letters were joyful and hysterically funny. Others were tearful as they wrapped us in memories and reminded us of the depth of our relationships. They tugged at our hearts. I'm usually such an emotional wreck by the time she finishes the letters that I am totally spent, but... that's only the beginning.

It is our tradition at Chets Creek to publicly honor individuals and teams who have met or exceeded our standards of excellence. Susan honors individuals and groups such as those teachers who are completing their first year of teaching, the PTA and SAC Chairs, the Teacher and Employee of the Year, and our newest National Board Certified Teachers. She also recognizes "unsung heroes" that this year included a couple of part time teachers who have gone over and above, a teacher who has started a school recycling program with energy and determination, and our Dining Room workers who take the toughest job at school and do it with a smile. She recognized those high fliers who have led teacher meetings, who ran our Relay for Life event, and who ran our Math Superstars program. Since this year was a concentration in technology she recognized some of the teachers who had taken technology risks such as a teacher who networked with a school in Bangkok and the five teachers who have responded to every single Book-of-the-Month challenge! Then three teachers were selected by the faculty to receive awards for taking risks with technology this year. Eleven teachers were recognized for 100% of their students meeting the standard on our state's high stakes testing!!

Finally the Team of the Year was announced - always a highlight. This year the Team of the Year was the Foundations Team - a team that surveyed our population and discovered a problem with bullying. Then they addressed the problem by bully proofing. Finally, with reluctant hearts, we said good-by to teachers that are leaving us and with happy hearts, welcomed those new folks who will be joining us.

Anticipation built as we watched a slide show of memories - this year with funny speech bubbles - that ended with Susan's announcement of the new theme - Orchestrating a Symphony of Student Success! Teachers can't wait to see the new theme unveiled each year and there's never a hint until the luncheon. Suspense builds! Teachers have been trying to guess the theme all week! The new theme was a smash hit!

I have taught at lots of schools on the last day, but Chets Creek does something that no other school has ever been able to capture. At a time when you are just too tired and ready to be finished, Chets Creek gets you all excited about the next year. Most years after a summer of relaxation and fun, I'm ready to return, rejuvenated for the new year, but Chets builds that feeling into the end of the year! What a great ending to an equally great year! I can't wait to see what next year brings as we enter with a song in our hearts!

Movin' on up... to 2nd Grade!

For our last Teacher Meeting of the year (we have no Teacher Meetings in May and the last two in April are part of a Math Book Study), we invited two second grade teachers to come and share what they felt were weaknesses when their second graders entered this year. First grade teachers want to spend this last nine weeks really honing in on the skills that will make their children more successful as they begin second grade. This is what was shared and discussed:

Reading

• Susanne Shall shared a skill sheet of 2nd grade skills where she highlighted the skills that should be covered in first grade. She noted that 2nd grade teachers felt the students were weak in identifying nouns, verbs and adjectives. Guess why? We don't have that on our first grade Pacing Guide so it's no wonder the kids don't know it coming into second grade! That's something we can certainly do something about!

Writing

• Second grade teachers felt like they had lots of kids coming in that had handwriting that was not readable. First grade teachers do handwriting the first nine weeks but don't usually revisit it again, but this year they will make sure to do a few mini-lesson on being able to read your handwriting!
• Second grade teachers also felt that narratives going into second grade were weak - weaker even than the narratives in the first grade portfolios. During discussion first grade teachers felt that it might be because first grade teaches narrative at the beginning of the year. However, this year first grade teachers will revisit narrative at the end of the year again to pull a portfolio piece from the end of the year instead of the beginning of the year. This should help close that gap.

Math

• In Math second grade teacher Lynn Patterson talked about a few misconceptions about the Open Number Line. In showing teachers where children are going with the strategy, she helped first grade teachers understand their responsibility.
• Lynn also mentioned how important it is for students to have fluency with the combinations of ten leaving first grade. The teachers talked about games that they could do this last nine weeks such as "10s Go Fish" with Uno cards to reinforce fluency. Suzanne Shall promised to copy a group of new games with 10 combinations that could be practiced this last nine weeks and then sent home for parents to practice over the summer. 
• Math vocabulary was another area that we discussed. We cleared up the difference between a number sentence or expression (5+5) and an equation (5+5=10). Lynn also cautioned the teachers about transitioning from the cutesy names such as the alligator munchy mouth to the more mathematically correct "less than" and other cute names that we may have used to introduce new concepts.
• Giving more advanced students strategies is also not recommended. Students should come up with the strategies themselves and they will, when they are ready. Often a teacher has taught a strategy before students are ready, but the child doesn't really understand it and can't really explain it. Second grade teachers would rather first graders not be given new strategies if they are not ready.
• Lynn also recommended chetsmath.blogspot.com for teachers to check and to share with parents who are interested in knowing what is to come.

This conversation of vertical articulation makes a difference as we close the gaps and help to make our students successful as they transition from one grade to another.

Teachers Celebrate!

The 2007-08 Kindergarten Team

As the children left the building for the last time, teachers left too! All the faculty leaves for an "End of the Year Gala" - in this case, a magical celebration, all brought to us by one amazing principal. Kindergarten teachers this year arrived in style with a limo picking them up. Off they all went to the Ponte Vedra Lodge for lunch with a seaside view.

Rich Relationships

After an elegant lunch the principal, Susan Phillips, began to read letters she has gotten from parents. The letters emphasized the rich relationships that are our tradition. They honor colleagues "who have demonstrated high intention, determined effort and great passion." Parents write about outstanding teachers who are making a difference - who are changing lives one child at a time. There is never a dry eye in the house! This year was no exception.

The Keys to the Kingdom

Then the awards began. A key to the Magical Kingdom was given to our PTA President who led her team to a fourth win as the "PTA of the Year." Our Business Partner Liaison was also recognized for establishing over 50 business partnerships.

Mouseketeers

Just as the Mouseketeers began as unknowns and many rose to greatness, the beginning teachers were recognized - a large group because of our continued growth. Autograph pens were given to this group who are destined for super stardom so that they might write their signature on the hearts of the children they teach.

The Spirit of Quality and Excellence

Our Teacher of the Year, Duval County Math Teacher of the Year and our Employee of the Year were recognized with plaques along with our three new National Board Certified teachers. The names of the Nation Board Teachers will be added to the list of 14 previous winners who earned the distinction while at Chets Creek. That plaque is displayed in our hallway.

Dreamers
The "dreamers" included those teachers who had a dream and made it happen. This group included those that organized the Battle of the Books, teachers who had ALL of their students score proficient on our state test, a paraprofessional who works with our second language learners, two paraprofessionals who have embraced working with some of our most challenging students, our PE coach who brought us "Wacky Olympics," and two teachers who walked into difficult situations and handled them with grace. Each of these dreamers was given a star paper weight to wish upon!

Believers

This award was given to those who believe in mankind. They included those teachers that organized the Relay for Life Team, who organized children to stuff shoe boxes of love for needy children, who united us in gifts of goodwill to one of our own - a Spanish-speaking family in our community with four children at our school, and to our own "Spirit Chair Extraordinaire" who models selfless giving. Their award was a star in which part of the proceeds go toward the "Make a Wish Foundation." Even their award keeps on giving!

Darers

Awards were given to those that "dare." This year that went to all the teachers who have consistently blogged all year long- those who have taken the risk to jump into something new and unknown.

Team Award

The Team Award is a coveted title. This year the Team Award went to individuals who model Daniel's Pink's A Whole New Mind because each, by example, has led a team of colleagues to discover their right-brained selves. From Design, Story (a kindergarten teacher!), Symphony, Empathy, and Play to Meaning, these are our super stars. (Can you guess from the picture below which one was selected for Play?)

One of the most tearful moments of the afternoon came when our own cancer survivor was honored for Meaning and was presented a picture of the faculty all dressed in pink - the same pink that they wore every Friday as a way to help her through the ordeal. She definitely taught us about Meaning this year! Each recipient of the "Team of the Year" was given a different colored gem showing the brilliance in which they shine.

Park Closing

There are always members of the "family" leaving us and moving on - some to stay home on the "mommy track," some leave because their husbands have been transferred. An autographed photograph of the faculty was given to each of the staff leaving. In closing the Principal presented a "Think BIG Pen" to each Imagineer who all agree that they work in the happiest place on Earth.

A New Beginning

Finally we reviewed the year with a themed slide show to the tune of Disney favorites. At the end of the slide show the new theme was announced with a movie in which the principal runs along the wall of China and jumps out of an airplane and parachutes into Chets Creek among other Indiana Jones-type feats. This video will open every day next year. Each grade level will represent a continent: Kindergarten - North America; !st - Australia; 2nd - South America; 3rd - Africa; 4th - Europe; 5th - Asia; Resources - Anartica. We will take a virtual technological journey "Around the World in 180 Days" exploring the wonders of the world celebrating our own Chets Creek as the "eight wonder of the world." What an exciting close for this magical year... and what an amazing beginning for next year!

The Last Day of Kindergarten

The last day of school is a half day for the children of Chets Creek. Teaching to the very end, many kinder teachers had special and fun activities planned for this last day. In the Timmonte's class, for instance, they have been preparing a skit for the last day. Some children have been designing costumes, some have been making the backdrop and still others have been practicing parts. They had their final presentation of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" to thunderous applause!

Mrs. Phillips walks with her 5th grade daughter,
Miller, on her last day

The final minutes of the day are a send-off to celebrate our 5th grade graduates. All of the students, kindergarten through fourth grade, line the halls to "clap out" the senior 5th grade class. "Pomp and Circumstance" is played over the intercom as the 5th graders, led by the Principal, round the halls for the last time. This year is especially meaningful to the Principal as she walks accompanied by her own 5th grade daughter who has been at Chets Creek since kindergarten. It will be the first time that kindergartners have seen this yearly tradition - a tradition that they will grow up in and finally participate in during their own last days at Chets Creek. It's a fitting - and a very emotional - end to a grand elementary school career!

The Last Week of School - Kindergarten 2008

What happens the last week of school in a high performing building?


Starting the day with a pancake breakfast

While you will see some cleaning, straightening and organizing in this last week, teachers do not a move ANYTHING until the first day of post planning. You will not see fifth grade boys being used as free labor during this last week or custodians moving furniture and you won't walk into classrooms where the last week's agenda is watching endless movies or having hour long recess. This week is about celebrating all that has been done throughout the year. It's about creating memories.



Writing post cards to patrols

In most kindergarten classes, each day of this final week has a theme such as "Wacky Wednesday," or "Backwards Day" where you wear everything backwards, or "PJs and Pancake Day" where everyone wears pajamas and has pancakes for lunch, or "Crazy Hat Day" where everyone wears the craziest hat they can find, or "Crazy Socks Day" where you wear the craziest socks that you have. Many activities include writing such as writing postcards to patrols who have worked in the class all year or making Father's Day cards or writing directions for how to make those delicious pancakes so mom can make them all summer.



Decorating bags to take
end-of-the-year "stuff" home

Some classes are reflecting back and writing about their favorite kindergarten activity - a final keepsake to remember their first year in school. Some classes are decorating bags or large brown envelopes to take all the end-of-the-year "stuff" home by drawing and writing about the Wacky Olympics held last week. Others are writing thank you notes to the coaches for putting on such an amazing event as Wacky Olympics. Some classes revisit their favorite star books from earlier in the year and put on plays or Readers' Theatre, remembering to use all the intonation and "voices" that they have learned throughout the year.

Readers' Theatre

 Some classes make their own class yearbooks. Teachers bring in one of their own yearbooks and show it to the students and then invite them to draw a portrait-type picture of each of their classmates. They staple the pictures together with the picture pages, a cover and a blank page and on the last day the students go around and collect autographs of all their friends. Regardless, the last week of school is a time to celebrate all of the learning that has taken place and a time to look forward to the break over the summer. It's a week filled with memories, hugs and - can't wait until next year!

My Class Yearbook