Zac "Continues"/The Last Day of School

Friday the 25th of May was the kids' last day of school, and Zac's final day as an elementary student.  He is now a middle schooler, and that realization has been a tough pill to swallow!  I am always amazed at the speed with which time flies, and thus I was in a state of minor disbelief as we stood in the back of the gym at Academy International Elementary School on Friday, watching Zac complete his elementary years at his 5th Grade Continuation ceremony (called such because they are not "graduating", but rather "continuing" on with their education at a higher level, yes indeedy!).  Along with the feelings of pride in his successes, joy in the young man he is, and tenderness of my heart on such a significant day, I felt bewildered: how could my baby be here already? mixed with a little bit of how am I that old?!  :)  All morning long I had been a little misty. 


The ceremony began with the 5th grade choir, of which Zac is a part, singing the awesome song "For Good" from the musical Wicked.  There wasn't a dry eye in the room.  There were some remarks from students and staff and then each of the 5th graders were recognized for their completion of the 5th grade.  Along with his Certificate of Continuation, Zac received the Presidential Educational Excellence Award for his academic achievements.  We are very proud of him and all the hard work that went towards earning the privilege of receiving that award.  Zac is SO excited to be moving on, and a little nervous too.  All new beginnings require change, and he knows enough older kids from the neighborhood to know middle school is a whole new ballgame.  But I know he will find his niche and do well, because he is adaptable and confident.  Great things await him.  What a big day for us all!  Zac, you are amazing!

Receiving his certificate and award.

The pin that came with his Presidential Educational Excellence Award.

With Madame Judith Panah, his 5th grade teacher.

Love this amazing boy!

Graduation took place in the middle of the school day and the 5th graders were free to leave after the ceremony ended.  By the time Zac realized he wanted to take a picture with some buddies, only two of the kids he wanted pictures with were still around, but here Zac is with his pals Nathan VanWie and Anthony Miles, who sadly, will be moving this summer.

Zac with Terri Dickinson, the assistant principal, and Peggy Healer, the principal, and the AIES Lynx.

As we walked out the door, Zac said, "Next time I come in here, I am going to have to sign in as a visitor."  I said, "Comments like that are banned, and shall henceforth be unmentionable." :)

My parents were in town for their regular Memorial Day Weekend visit, so they were able to attend the Continuation.  Zac was so grateful to share the day with them.

 Along with Zac's Continuation, Ben and Josh also celebrated their last days of 3rd and 1st grade.  It was a day of play and fun for all the kids.  Ben and Josh have both had wonderful teachers, Madame Chelsea East and Madame Virginie Cedotal, this year, and both boys have been very successful in school partly due to these fantastic women.  Ben's teacher, who was also Zac's 3rd grade teacher, has become a good friend of mine.  Hooray for a wonderful 2011-2012 year for all of our boys!  They are so smart and enjoy school so much.  We are blessed to have a fantastic school with great teachers for our boys to call their home-away-from-home.  It is a gift that we have boys who love to go there.

Josh with Madame Cedotal

Ben with Madame East

Ben's very cool class.

Ben with some of his best buddies, several of whom were pulled in the lottery to attend the school district's naturalist school called School in the Woods, a program only for 4th graders.  Ben wanted to go so badly, but it is pure luck of the name draw to get in, and he didn't get pulled, so, sadly, Ben will not see many them during the year unless there is a playdate planned; from back to front, left to right: Coleman, Luke, Jayden, Sebastian, Owen, Alahna, Antoine, Ben, Thomas, Brody, Alex (Antoine's twin brother).