Wednesday, April 18, 2012

End of the Year Parent Letter


Today a student left my room and moved to another school.  I will miss him and it has me reflecting…

I don’t remember learning to write my name or when the jumbled up words on a page turned into stories.  I’m not sure if I struggled in school and I don’t remember that much about it.   I didn’t always know that I wanted to be a teacher.  In fact, I know that I didn’t. 

I wish now that I could recall these memories of where my learning began but they just aren’t there.  What I do remember are the faces and voices of the teachers that made a difference.  I can hear my kindergarten teacher’s voice and see her smile.  I remember my first grade teacher and a field trip we went on to a swimming pool.  She played in the water with us.  I remember my third grade teacher used to give me Triscuits and let me read under her desk.
 
I have no doubt that the memories I do have from elementary school, combined through the years, make me the teacher I am today. 

It is because of this, I am always wondering what memories my students will take away from my classroom.  There is no doubt that academics are important but we all know there’s more to it than that.  I wonder if they will remember that I filled the room with 100 balloons for the 100th day, that I let them throw water balloons at me or that I can’t carry a tune in a bucket but I sing anyway…

It is my hope, that one day they will look back on first grade and remember me.  They may not remember that I taught them to read (which is no small task) but it is my hope that they remember how I made them feel.  Maybe, one day they will stumble upon my end of the year letter to their parents and just for a minute, they will remember…

Grab your freebie by clicking any picture below.  




26 comments:

  1. Well put. No doubt they'll remember.
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

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  2. I had a child move today too. :( It was a sad day. I had a few kiddos crying off and on all day. Not only was the child amazing, but the parents were too! And I'm looping with my kiddos so I won't have the privilege of teaching her next year either.

    Love the letter. Thank you!

    Amy
    Krazy About Kiddos

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  3. What a great letter! Thanks for sharing! ~Heidi V.

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  4. I'm such a sap. This made me cry. My class this year has been amazing. I am dreading the day I have to let them go. Thanks, I will definitely be using this. Beautiful! :)

    Casey
    Second Grade Math Maniac Blog

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  5. Randi - I agree wholeheartedly. Well said. As a parent, I would appreciate this letter from an amazing teacher!

    ~Jen
    Hello Mrs Sykes

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  6. What a lovely idea :)
    Brooke
    teachmoment.blogspot.com.au

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  7. Love this letter!! I will be sending it out in 19 days. :) Not that I am counting.:)
    Barbara
    happyteachingfirst.blogspot.com

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  8. aw - those are cute letters!!!

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  9. Thanks for the cute letter. I also have a letter, I write to my former students, when they leave as 5th graders for the middle school.

    Laurie
    Chickadee Jubilee

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  10. I love this. I've been around long enough that I am now teaching former student's children. What a wonderful privelege. I can't wait to send this home with them. Thank you for sharing.

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  11. I'm featuring this post on Bagels and Blogs tomorrow!

    Donna
    http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Math-Coachs-Corner
    http://mathcoachscorner.blogspot.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/MathCoachsCorner

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  12. I love this Randi! Thank you so much! I have a poem I send out that says many of the same things. =)

    I know you are a teacher that is touching many, many hearts. =)


    Heather
    Heather's Heart

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  13. What a beautiful letter. Very well put.

    We found your blog from Donna's Bagels and Blogs! We're your newest followers :)

    Halle
    Across the Hall in 2nd

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  14. Love this letter! I remember seeing it in a magazine my 1st year of teaching and thinking what sweet words in contained and thinking I should copy and send it home....but I never did. I think this year would be a great year to do that. Thank you for the download!

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  15. I heart your letters! Thank you for sharing! P.S. I am a newbie blogger and I just became your newest follower!

    Sylvia
    I Heart My Kinder Kids

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  16. This is a beautiful letter... also be aware that this letter has been around for many years, I used it long ago so be careful about signing YOUR name to it.

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  17. This is such a beautiful letter! Wondering why anonymous is saying that-- aren't we all supposed to share as teachers? I LOVE it & intend to use it- thank you for posting it! :)

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  18. It is a beautiful letter and it wouldn't take a moment for any teacher to add a little something from their class to personalize it and sign their name.

    Thank You!
    Connie

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    Replies
    1. I have used this letter for the last 5 years. At the end I add a P.S. and add a little personal note about the student. Sometimes it's something they have shared, accomplished, or how they touched me.

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  19. This letter was shared with me by my student teaching mentor teacher in 1992--it has been around for a while, but I still use it every year.

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  20. There is a grammatical error at the end of paragraph one. It should read, ...and more mature THAN she was then.

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  21. Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

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  22. Do you happen to have this letter in Spanish?

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