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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
RECOGNITION CEREMONIES 19 Visit our online gallery to view and download more photos The Class of 2025 clearly thinking ahead about the things she will do to enhance Middle School). One person’s goal is to surpass his brother’s sports record. Another wants to be the best student he can be, as well as not continue to lose his stuff all the time. And finally, several of you wrote that you hope Middle School will be as fun as Lower School. Your reflections warmed my heart and we will miss you next year, but Middle School will embrace and welcome you and I know that your hopes and dreams will come true. Director of Middle School Cyndy Jean welcomed our new rising Fifth Graders, challenging them to explore and create. Sometimes in the middle school I launch these silly competitions—it might be to think of the best handshake or list the different ways one can use a paper clip. I know it sounds bizarre, but I am always amazed at what my students come up with. Your ideas are boundless! And when you come together to collaborate and create, it’s astonishing how much you can dream up and achieve! I want you to explore this summer—write stories, design a new game, invent something, bake, build, ask questions. I hope you come back next fall and share those new ideas and new inventions with me. Remember, there are no rules, don’t hold back, let your imagination soar.
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