As we come to an end...

With all the talk of 8th grade promotion a week away and two weeks left for 6th and 7th, even I have to admit we are reaching the end of the 2010 - 2011 school year.

Many parents and staff have heard me say countless times that middle school is a process. The learning and maturation from 5th grade to becoming freshmen is not a light switch. It is not an event or occurrence. It is a process that takes a full three years. I also view a student's education from K-12 and beyond as a process encompassing countless educational and personal milestones.

At the same time, there is no denying the last day of school as an event. I remember a first day of summer vacation almost ten years ago. My middle son had his brand new RED gym shoes and the temporary "cornrows" in his hair (remember Allan Iverson) running down the hill towards the neighbor's house on a perfect summer day.

It is like I am standing there now. The smell of lilacs. The dark green grass. The cloudless, bright blue sky. The brand new red shoes. The blond, goofy looking hair. Blue shirt, red shorts. The group of kids yelling his name and jumping around as he got smaller and smaller in view running down that hill as fast as he possibly could. I really don't think it ever gets better than that. The whole summer was in front of him with endless possibilities, and second grade was a thought too far into the future for him to even try to conceive.

I guess we all remember that feeling. In education, it is important for us to finish the year on a strong note. To make sure that we lay the ground work for continued growth next year - when summer vacation does inevitably come to an end.

The staff at the middle school will be working with Mr. McPherson this summer to ensure gains in curriculum and staffing for next year. I will be working with Kingston Elementary staff to make sure we continue the gains made in recent years under the leadership of Mrs. Dudley.

As our students run off with all the promise of a full summer, we hope they thoroughly enjoy it. That they get to do all they would like. We know, when August comes around again, they will be recharged and ready to continue on their path in education. We will make every effort to ensure that they will be coming back to a quality school that is another year better and another step further in meeting their individual needs.

I wish all GK families a happy and safe summer making memories that will last a lifetime.



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