Did you hear it?

The bell rang one last time today, to usher the school doors closed and the summer doors open.

The students actually finished on Monday. Tues and Wed were retakes and reteaching for a few students, but mostly it was cataloging textbooks and getting grades checked and uploaded and exams graded. It was indexing equipment and getting everything stored away. Removing things from walls and counting the protractors.

Thursday another 243 students marched across the stage and into the wide world, while we teachers sighed with relief. Another group launched. Some students we were so sad to see go. Some we celebrated because of all the obstacles they overcame. And some we just had to chuckle over and pat ourselves on the back for finally getting them through.

Today was about coming together as a faculty. Signing report cards, sharing a meal together, and then saying goodbye.. goodbye to those not returning. Happy summer to those coming back. Summer plans were talked of and shared.

It has been a tough year in some ways for our school. But our leadership kept us going.. and we got to the other side of this rough patch.

I was tenured this year…which feels nice. And I had some wonderful students I really enjoyed. SO in spite of the uncertainty, in spite of the struggles, I think it was a good year.

I am ready to rest, to renew and plan, to enjoy my family… and to gain momentum for the fall. It will be here before we know it. I can almost smell the textbooks now…