Tomorrow begins the last week of school and it is quite bitter sweet. I’ve spent the last 10 years doing my best to encourage, teach and help others, especially the little people at my elementary school. Most of the time, I did it well. However, I’m far from perfect and some parents make my job (of being nice) extra difficult.
A 10 year old had walked 3 blocks to school. Her mother didn’t want her to walk home (the same 3 blocks). 20 minutes after school had been out, I called her mom to ask if she wanted the child to walk home. “No, she can wait in the office. (My office). I’ll be another 25 minutes. To which I said, ‘I’m not a babysitter.’ It was amazing how fast Mom got to the school. I’d like to say it was because she realized she was being rude, but she just wanted to get to school before the Principal left so she could tattle on me.
Luckily those parents are few and far between.
I will miss those little people who call me Miss Ellen. Who think I run the school or live in the library. To those who wave when they go through the hall or beam when I break the ‘rule’ and let them have an extra library book.
I will miss stepping in to do the morning announcements even though I don’t always stay on script. One day as I was in the middle of the announcements over the loud speaker, I was handed a note. “1 & 2 Boys” I knew what the message meant, but didn’t have time to add any finesse. I said, “First & Second grade boys. We have a problem. The bathroom’s a mess. Ahhh, stop peeing on the floor, it is no pee Friday!”
A few weeks ago, I started the morning announcement music with bagpipes and told the kids they were having haggis for lunch.
I will miss getting kids excited about books. I will miss helping our staff. I will miss being positive and a tad silly in the office with one of my Ellensburg Blessings, my BGF.
I will miss the loving gifts the kids make you. A necklace with a book charm on it. It was a tad too small and choked me a little bit, but it was a small price to pay. I’ll miss the birthday treats they share handed out with their grubby little hands.
I’ll miss making a difference (usually positive).
I have been so very blessed.
….and it will be tough to say ‘Good bye’.