Goodbye, Creekview!

If pictures can say a thousand words, this next picture is one of them:

Miss Erika is our all-time favorite school secretary, and we will miss her smiling face when we begin at our new school. She knows every student and parent, including the names of spouses! When I was sick with pneumonia last year, I had difficulty getting the girls to school on time, and so she began a tradition of giving Kensington her own tardy slip so that she could have one like the big girls! She would write "Chubbers" (which was supposed to say "Choobers") on a little yellow slip that she could take home. But how can you correct the spelling on a name like Choobers?!

Whenever I called in to make a change in picking the girls up, she used her fancy Caller-ID, and without me saying who I was, she would say, "Okay, whose class is Raleigh in? Okay, whose class is Madeline in? And how is Dallas doing?" Very impressive. Even Emery was mesmerized by her. Don't you love people who know your name? I love it! Especially at my girls' school.

Raleigh's teacher, Mrs. Schrantz, was so great for her - a perfect fit. She genuinely enjoys her students but doesn't take any snuff, which is exactly what Raleigh needs in a teacher. Raleigh is very sensitive (and also very unconventional), and Mrs. Schrantz had just the right amount of love and tolerance. She even let Raleigh stand at her desk all day because she knew it would help her concentrate. That girl is full of creative energy.

This is Madeline with her wonderful first grade teacher, Mrs. Happe (pronounced happy). She just personifies the word! Her classroom had a great calm about it, and Madeline was a great leader in the classroom this past year. This picture was also taken with her friend Matthew, and here is an email his mom sent me that just made our day:

Although we've never met, I just wanted to drop you a little note about your wonderful daughter! Matthew invited Madeline to join us for lunch today. She is so sweet and from the first time I had lunch with the class for Matthew's birthday a few months ago, I could tell what a good heart she has!
She has looked out for him this past year and has tried to help him be included with all of the other children..I cannot express my gratitude for the friendship she developed with him. Developing friendships is very challenging for children with autism and from the very beginning of the school year, Matthew has always included Madeline's name among his friends!

Madeline with Mrs. DeCouto, her parapro. She told me on the last day of school that Madeline is the sweetest most well-behaved child she has ever met - ever. I love hearing things like that.

The girls are excited to start a new schoolyear, just about 5 weeks away. Wait, who's counting? We'll miss you, Creekview, but it's on to new horizons for us this coming year!