As the school year comes to a close, I’ve been bombarded with questions from friends wondering if I’m feeling sad about my son’s graduation from fifth grade. My answer has been a resounding “No!” I’m ready to embrace summer—envisioning lazy mornings in pajamas and banishing lunch boxes to the back of the cupboard for a few blissful months.
However, this past week has taken me by surprise. My fifth grader celebrated with numerous end-of-year festivities: from robotics team gatherings to safety patrol parties and a special kickball game just for fifth graders. I watched you, Ms. Johnson, with a heart full of gratitude, as you sprinted alongside the kids, laughing amidst the chaos as they chased after the ball, eager to tag you out.
Last Friday was the fifth-grade bash, featuring cosmic bowling, raucous Taylor Swift sing-alongs from a chorus of neon-clad girls, and a photo booth reminiscent of my niece’s Sweet 16 party. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw you join your fellow teachers for some snapshots behind the booth’s curtain, reliving those carefree moments.
In the past, I hesitated to jump into photo booths with my kids, but this time, I seized the moment. I called my tall 10-year-old away from his pizza and bowling to capture a memory together. It struck me how quickly time flies and how my children evolve, often overnight. I no longer hesitate; whether it’s leaping into pictures or sharing spontaneous hugs, I relish these moments.
Recent events have starkly illuminated your vital role in our lives. When tragedy strikes schools, it’s your courage that shines through. I’ve learned that teachers like you will go to great lengths, even putting your safety on the line, to protect our children. This realization cuts deep—especially knowing that you, too, have a son at college nearby, worrying about his safety while you watch over mine.
Thank you, Ms. Johnson, for investing this year in my child—a year that marks the last phase of his true childhood. Your efforts have nurtured his love for learning. Thank you for the Friday dance parties, the engaging reading breaks, and the current events assignments that sparked his curiosity. Your encouragement led him to enter essay contests and explore beyond the confines of a boxed curriculum. You set high expectations while also showing grace when he needed it.
I’ll never forget that day when you sent me a photo of him on a field trip, knowing I was miles away and missing him, with a simple note: “We’re having a great day.”
Tomorrow, the little boy I once dropped off at preschool, tears streaming down my face, will graduate from elementary school. He’s not fully grown yet, but he’s undeniably on that path. I feel a bittersweet twinge, sensing that we are entering the autumn of his childhood, and my time with him is becoming limited. This year has been filled with joy, exploration, and newfound independence, all shared with you.
I can’t help but feel that middle school will be a new adventure for both of us—perhaps overwhelming at first, but ultimately rewarding. I’m filled with excitement rather than worry.
So, thank you for everything. Your humor, endless patience, and genuine care for my child have made a lasting impact. Thank you for accepting him as he is, a gift that may not always be available in the future. He was fortunate to have you as a teacher, and I was too.
What I Actually Said to My Son’s Fifth-Grade Teacher at His Graduation? Just a simple, “Thank you, Ms. Johnson. Have a wonderful summer.”
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Summary
As the school year wraps up, a grateful parent reflects on the invaluable role of her son’s fifth-grade teacher in nurturing his love for learning and supporting him through pivotal growth moments. Acknowledging the teacher’s dedication and impact, she expresses heartfelt thanks while embracing the bittersweet transition from elementary school to middle school.
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