This isn't a very clear photo, but I love the way everyone is leaning in to see as we read our final book about our school year together with our families. Such simple things we did this year and so much beauty in the wholeheartedness of the children in their activities. For me this photo captures the children's earnestness and pride in their work and I just love that their older siblings share their interest. 

We had so much fun singing with Caroline during our family sing a long, we read our books together, we heard each child's thoughts about the year, and then we ate all of the delicious food that everyone brought! (Another blurry picture - my camera doesn't do very well in low lighting.) 

A preschool graduation isn't the place for long drawn out speeches, so I want to thank everyone more thoroughly now. This was a special year with a group of children that worked so well together. They had a strong drive to learn and worked hard at it, while having lots of fun and developing strong friendships.

I can't thank Amy enough for her help this year. She comes to school every day with a big smile on her face. She's warm, cares deeply about the children and they love her. She's a keen observer and notices so many things that I miss. She is talented, creative, generous, and caring. She's great at organizing things and making things go smoothly. Amy took our story writing activity and developed it in to one of the children's favorite activities. It was wonderful to see how much their writing grew and flourished over the year. Almost daily children asked to write with Amy and often there were others patiently doing another activity until they got their turn with her. Thank you, Amy, for everything you did to make this a special year!

This year Emma home schooled for fifth grade. She did independent work while I was teaching, but an important part of her work was to help each day in the school. She loved working with the children. She loved making crafts with them and even came up with some of her own. She did Sandpaper Letters with the children, read with them, and did all sorts of other activities. She also did a lot behind the scenes to help out, like cutting out pieces for crafts or getting ready before a party. She is excited to return to school next year where Ben, her father, will be her teacher for sixth grade. Thank you Emma for all of your help!

Look, Caroline grew! (This was an ongoing question each class.) Tuesdays were always a highlight of our week because Caroline came to sing with us. She's zany, has a beautiful voice and makes learning music so much fun. She's more than half kid herself in her ability to create the silliness kids crave, but throughout it all is serious music learning. Thank you Caroline, for enriching our weeks with your music and cheer. Thank you also to the families who generously helped support our music program!! 

Thank you to my husband, Ben, who is so supportive of my work and who helps make these parties happen in big ways! Julia, my other daughter is also a dedicated helper. She was seriously conflicted about whether to go to her last Girls on the Run after school activity or to come home to help set up. She went to GOTR, but came home after and immediately asked what she could do. Thank you, Julia!

Thank you to you parents who have been so wonderfully supportive, whether new this year or returning families who have been at White Pine Montessori for 2, 3, 4, and 6 years. Your support is so important to me and I value our friendships that have developed over the years. 

Thank you most of all to all of the children. What a great year we had together! You learned so much and grew so much and cared so much for one another. I am so happy to watch so many of you go off to your new schools next year where undoubtedly you will continue to thrive. And I will look forward to seeing returning students in the Fall. I don't know what I would do if you all left me at once! I will love to see how you've grown and changed over the summer.

Have a wonderful summer everyone!

Of course I'm looking forward to summer vacation, but there is a part of me that wants to hold on to this group of kids. So many are going on to kindergarten next year and it's hard to imagine school without them. I am so grateful for this year and this time with these children.

We sang Tingalayo with gusto (a little too much for one of our friends!) during our last Music Together class. But lucky for us, Caroline will be joining us this Thursday evening for a sing a long at our End of the Year Family Celebration. 

Everyone wanted to be with Kelsey, our sub today. 

White Pine Montessori School is a preschool located in a nurturing home setting in the Bethlehem - Littleton NH area. White Pine Montessori inspires children to develop their own natural independence, self esteem, and love of life and learning.

We had a fifth birthday party today! And what a clever birthday snack he brought to share. We had skewers with alternating strawberries and shortcake and chocolate drizzled on top. Yuuuummmmmyyyy!

White Pine Montessori School is a preschool located in a nurturing home setting in the Bethlehem - Littleton NH area. White Pine Montessori inspires children to develop their own natural independence, self esteem, and love of life and learning.