Dear Big Springs Parents:

There is a lot happening this week.  Today, Monday, our sixth graders that are moving on to 7^th grade will be culminating as will our fifth graders who are moving to middle school and to other schools and other states.  Tomorrow, Tuesday, is the 6^th grade swim party and the popcorn and movie party for the kindergarten through 5^th grade students to reward them for all of the Accelerated Reader Points that they have earned this year.  (I’ll be popping popcorn most of the day!! J)  Wednesday is the last day of school!  There are two award assemblies:  8:05 a.m. for Kindergarten, First, and Second grades, and 9:15 a.m. for Third, Fourth and Fifth grades.  (Sixth graders receive their awards at culmination.)  School is dismissed at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, June 13^th!  Please be on time to pick up your child!!

If you are attending either of the Awards Assemblies, please think about bringing your own lawn chair.  We have chairs for our students and a limited number of adult chairs.  There will be an area “coned” off where the students will sit.  You may sit around the perimeter of this area, but please respect the area set aside for students!

This is my very last Monday Letter not just for this school year, but for my career.  I am writing it with some bittersweet feelings.  I have totally enjoyed the time that I have had to work with each and every one of your children.  Every year has been a gift that I have enjoyed unwrapping! 

There are a few “words of wisdom” that I would like to share with you that I have learned in the past 39 years:

• Every child is wonderful – more some days then others!
• Every child can learn, but they have to participate in the learning process.
• Children do better in school when their parents are actively involved in their education.
• Children who are readers do better academically in school!  (Did your child meet his/her A.R. goals?  Of the students who did meet their A.R. point goal, all of them improved their language arts grades in reading and writing!)
• Children sometimes “mess up” but it is an opportunity to teach them a better way of doing things. 
• The ability to not just hear what someone is saying, but to listen with you heart helps in all situations.
• Do the best you can at every job you tackle, you might surprise yourself!
• If you can’t do the math, find someone who can and learn from them.
• And, lastly, when you need to find joy, go fly a kite!!

My father taught me to never say good-bye, that’s too final.  So I will just say to all of you see you later!  Have a wonderful, fun, safe summer and read lots of books!!

Sincerely,

Beverley Radloff

Proud Principal of Big Springs Elementary School