Bouquets of Freshly Sharpened Pencils and New Notebooks

Ahh yes, the start of a new school year. The halls are clean and freshly waxed. Everyone has high expectations (well, most of us anyway). The smell of a fresh start lingers in the air.


Today was the first day of school for the kids (teachers have already been there a week) and all in all it went well. Everyone was giddy over the anticipation of what is ahead.

• Seniors were excited about being top dog and getting the perks that come along with that job description
• Juniors were just glad to finally get that far, knowing that next year is theirs
• Sophmores were excited about being in my homeroom (I hope they're not too soon disappointed) and being in a half credit class for the first time ever
• Freshmen were excited about finally getting into highschool and getting the opportunity to join clubs that only highschoolers can get into
  

One thing that always remains constant from year to year is change. Some students graduate, some will not return to school for various other reasons, some new students will enter our lives, and even teachers come and go. This year seems to be a much bigger change for me.

Our first ever graduating class was last year and today the halls, and my heart, missed that special group of kids. Two of them came by at the end of the day to see what was going on it was so good to see them again. I wish the entire class the best that life has to offer. May you strive for more than you thought could be possible and gain all that you ever dreampt could come true.

We also lost several faculty members this year. They have moved on to new adventures in life - a new marrigage, new babies and jobs. All will be sorely missed by students and teachers alike. May your marriage be strong, your babies healthy, and new careers successful.

To the new graduates and former coworkers - keep in touch because you are all so special to us. You have touched our hearts and changed our lives in many ways. Because I have known each of you, I look at life differently. Thanks for everyday smiles, laughter, occassional tears, and crazy antics.

And school began, and it was different, and yet familar, and it was good.