Hackley-Review-Commencement-Supplement-2017-ONLINE-EDIT_sa

18 HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2017
Fourth Grade Recognition Day
Anne Ewing Burns, Director of Lower School, shared these thoughts with members of the fourth grade and their families at
Recognition Day, June 7th, 2017.
I have been sharing my thoughts at graduations for years, carefully crafting a
message for the moment, most likely never to be recalled again. It’s ok, I’m a forgiving
type and my feelings aren’t easily hurt but it occurred to me recently that I could
write something that each of you would definitely remember at least some of. How
did I accomplish this feat, you may be asking? Because in essence, you told me what
to say when you answered a few simple questions. I have the results to share with
you, and the data on what is most important to you as a class. So here goes…
The top two things that you are most grateful for
during your years in the Lower School are—can
anyone guess? Your teachers—and, your great friends.
You are also wrote that you are grateful for: “Fun
games in PE”; “The time a third grader helped me
when I was sick”; “The library for giving me the joy of
reading”; “The lunch staff”; “For feeling as if I have
become a better person in Lower School and how
much I have improved while I was in Lower School’;
“For the small classes and the privilege of going to
Hackley”; “For the space in the Lower School and
the space outdoors”; “For my kindergarten buddy”;
and finally, one person wrote “I am grateful for the
fascinating education and all the choices I have had.”
When I asked you how you would describe
your teachers, the top answers were “Amazing,
outstanding, extraordinary, and awesome”; “Fun and
funny”; “Kind, caring, thoughtful”; and “Smart.”
Other words you used were “Supportive,”
“Personable,” “Joyful,” “Optimistic,” “Friendly,”
“Inspiring,” “Fair,” “Creative,” and, I would add
that clearly they have helped you to broaden your
vocabulary!
When asked what you will always remember from
your time in the Lower School, there were four that
were most popular. They were “My teachers,” “Field
Day,” “All my friends,” and “Plays and performances.”
Other memorable events and moments that you feel
you will always remember were field trips, projects,
learning, playground and recess, your first day at
Hackley, “Putting up the flag in the morning,” Library
time, Mini recitals , and finally, “How helpful and
kind everyone is.”
When asked what would make you smile when you
remembered it resulted in the top two choices: Parties
and Mrs. Szabo, whom many of you had in third
grade. You mentioned many other teachers whose
memory would make you smile because of their
superhero themed classroom; Their funny dances
and funny jokes; the help they gave to you in each
subject; their love for Winnie the Pooh and clay; their
invention of the ‘oh snap’ rule; and, finally, their
always being there for you when you needed them.
And last but not least, as I bid farewell to you and
your time in Lower School, I asked you to reflect on
your hopes and dreams for your years to come in
Middle School. Listen carefully, Ms. Jean, as I am
sending this wonderful class into your care, and I am
counting on you to make all their hopes and dreams
come true (but no pressure!)
The top three winners for hopes and dreams were “To
get good grades” (that undoubtedly will please some
of the parents and grandparents in the audience); “To
make new friends”; and “To meet new teachers who
are as amazing as those you had in Lower School.”
You hope that you will have more independence, that
teachers and students will be kind, that recesses will
be long, and that you will be able to join debate and
drama clubs. You also hope you will be able to get
toppings for the frozen yogurt (that was proposed by
our new fifth grade representative, by the way, who is