Sheila Sims Iding in Care Corner
Well…it happens. They come to you in August. You fall in love with them by September and then they leave in June. You can be selfish and wish you could keep them forever…but you can’t. And you shouldn’t. It’s your job to prepare them academically for next year.
Their reading has matured to big words and bigger expression and fluency.
Their writing has taken off with their creativity and imaginations. They have learned the intensity of math from fast facts to symmetry and probability and discovered Legos and puzzles are math and math is FUN!
They have discovered the wonder of science from outer space to the ocean and the discovery of holding giant bugs and releasing butterflies.
They have “traveled” each continent and discovered the value of different cultures and the value of all people.
They have grown in their faith. From understanding the simple birth of Baby Jesus to the complexity of the Stations of the Cross to little hands holding Rosaries asking Mary to intercede.
My wish for these Care Corner Kids is that they take more than these academic lessons. Book learning is one thing. Life learning is another. The book learning is important but it won’t matter if you print on the guidelines when you are 25. It won’t matter if you remember the word chrysalis when you are 30. And regrouping in math can be done on a calculator if you are a 59 year-old teacher adding figures for a book order. (Just sayin’)
What will matter are the things we did in Care Corner that had to do with life…and living life…and celebrating life. So it is my hope…my prayer…my wish that these Care Corner Kids take these lessons with them.
1. Rejoice! Everyday when we announce the date in Care Corner we sing “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!”. I hope the words echo in your mind every day and realize each day is a gift from God.
2. Prayerful. Every morning we “get ourselves ready to pray”. We put our minds and hearts in the presence of God and quiet our being so we can do the most important thing we do all day…pray. I hope you remember…no matter what classroom you sit in…the most important thing you will do each day is pray.
3. Pledge. You will say the Pledge of Allegiance in every classroom. That won’t change. But don’t forget how we stood “tall and proud” every morning and said the words “under God” with greater emphasis. We said the Pledge like it is a prayer…because it is. The words “under God” make it a prayer.
4. Peace. After the Pledge of Allegiance we always added “And we pray for peace in the world.” You can still do that in your mind. You can still pray for peace. The world needs that.
5. Bells. Our classroom is in just the right place to hear the church bells at noon. We stopped whatever we are doing to sing “Jesus in the morning, Jesus in the noontime, Jesus when the sun goes down.” The church bells were a special invitation to stop and pray. Always answer that invitation when you hear church bells ring.
6. Critters. Remember the love you gave our pet hamster, Harriet. Her survival depended on us. That is an awesome responsibility. Remember the simple pleasures she gave us each day….waking up when we sang, eating her grapes and sitting in her food dish. Remember the immeasurable value of a pet…and the special honor of caring for God’s critters.
7. Charity. Your new classroom may not have a poor bank but there will still be people who are poor. People in need. Please remember the poor box in church when you go with your family on weekends…and give what you can…when you can. Your young Christian hearts are so giving and generous. Don’t forget to listen to your heart. .
8. M & M. (music and movement) Try to remember to dance a little each day. Even on a bad day if you put a smile on your face and a skip in your step….it can be better. And when you hear Footloose remember Footloose Friday and how we “cranked it up” and danced to celebrate another week of hard work. “Lose your blues…EVERYBODY cut Footloose.”
9. Silly. Speaking of Friday…don’t forget about silly story on Friday. No matter where you go or what grade or what age…don’t forget to be a bit silly sometimes. Oh there is a time and a place for silliness…but make sure you take some time and find some place for silly each day. Children’s laughter is God’s best music.
10. Pride. Own the work you do and be proud of it. Write your name neatly like it is the most important thing you will write that day…because it is. And remember our motto: “When something is hard, you just work harder.”
Care Corner has been your home away from home this whole school year. We have worked hard to be a “family” and be at “home” every school day. In a few days you will leave “home” but don’t forget, you can always come home. You have seen it this year. Older Care Corner Kids come home all the time and they don’t even knock. They don’t have to. You don’t knock on your door at home. You just walk in. And it will be the same for you. If you get a new puppy or are worried about a test or want to peek at Bessie or bring money to the poor bank you just come home to Care Corner. I can’t wait to see you.
So my precious Care Corner Kids, as you prepare to leave home and do just what you are supposed to do…go on to second grade…please take all the lessons we worked so hard on this year. I don’t know who your 2nd grade teacher will be…I just know that she is one lucky teacher and she doesn’t even know it yet. Please take all the academics you mastered, all the manners you showed, all the care you gave each other (and me), all the prayers you tucked in your heart and know my love and prayers and these ten wishes go with you…always.
Goodbye from Care Corner. God Bless your little heart. Hugs, Mrs. Iding
Our sending song each day: "May each day of the week be a good day. May the Lord always watch over you. May all of your hopes turn to wishes. And may all of your wishes come true."
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