Can't believe Connor's first year of kingdergarten is almost over!

CONNOR CLARKE IS GRADUATING TO FIRST GRADE...HOW THE YEAR HAS FLOWN BY...AND TOO QUICKLY TO SAY THE LEAST!

Connor had an amazing first year of Grade School. He had an awesome teacher and did so great in Kindergarten and we are so proud of him. He has grown so much socially and academically and who would have thought that he would be at a beginning reading level at the end of the year. He is constantly sounding out words and when he sees different words he can put all the sounds together to sound out what he sees. It's amazing. He is great at Math and just received his last treasure book of the year and got a 100%. We can't wait to get his report card to see the big words....PROMOTED TO FIRST GRADE! It's bittersweet...sad that he is growing up so fast but so very proud of the achievement he has made. He has made some really great friends throughout the school year that will probably last a life time just like I made as a kid with my girl friends. He definitely draws towards the kids that love the same things he loves...like hockey and baseball.

Connor had an exciting week last week. He went on his first school field trip to the Planetarium at Rowan University, had an exciting time at Field Day and Played his last baseball game of the season.

 Connor doing his first obstacle of the day. The kids had to bounce on the ball and then run through the hoops and roll down the mat and then tag the next person. He is really quick and has speedy legs!

 Connor with his best buddy in school this year, Dillon. They really became great friends and love to play together. Dillon's Dad was his baseball coach this year too.

 Connor is ready to shoot some hoops and take off running again. All the students had such a fun day at field day.

 Connor's last baseball game of the season. He slammed a few balls into the outfield and played catcher, first base and outfield. He loves being catcher and pretends that he is "Chooch" from the Phillies. He throws his mask off whenever a ball is hit foul and tries to catch it. He came really close a few times and the crowd was really amazed at how well he played and was cheering him on to get a fly pop, but no cigar today! It's a shame he is a lefty, because their at not many lefty catchers out there. Pop Pop wants us to change him to a righty!

 Connor in full swing...he hit a boomer...then had to adjust his helmet once he got on first base.

 Connor running for that fly ball....helmet tossed immediately and looking up for the ball!  Notice in the background the big smile from his Pop Pop. He couldn't be more proud of his grandson. He came go every single one of Connor's games except one when I was working and Meggie wasn't cooperating to let him go. He is such a big part of the kids lives and is so proud of all that they do.

Connor's Field trip to the Planetarium with his Kindergarten class!

The kids were trying to block out the sun. So the teachers would say one, two, three and all the kids would put their hands down really fast for the picture. It was really funny watching how well everyone listened to them at the drop of a hat.

 This was the result after the kids put their hands down... a picture perfect class photo!

 Connors amazing teacher, Mrs. Miles and the two aides, Mrs. Menold and Mrs. Hoffman.

It was a great experience for me being the room mom and I was lucky to be able to be a part of this special day and a big part of his first year in School. I have to say it was a lot of work making sure all the parties were planned and that everything went smoothly but I did it and he was so happy that I was there for all of it.
                                                     

Kindergarten Poem

When kindergarten came it was time to let go.

You watched your child step into a classroom and grow.

Though lessons have been learned and knowledge obtained,

Your child has not been the only one who has changed.

You too have learned through this kindergarten year,

How time passes quickly with a smile and a tear.

You learned that a baby you once held in your arms

Has grown into a child with all the kindergarten charms

There are many more teachers in the years just ahead

But, none of them will ever share the special memories that we had

Being the teacher who opens the very first door

Is an honor that a kindergarten teacher works proudly for!

Written by: Dee Lehman

Well, we got the final report card and Connor's Kindergarten Certificate so it is FINAL and Connor has officially been promoted to Kindergarten and is now a First Grader!

Mrs. Miles was such an amazing teacher and what a wonderful journey she has led Connor on for his first year in school. She has opened the very first door for Connor's academic career and we are proud to say a job well done. Connor's teacher gave each student a photo album of all the highlights of the year and it is amazing to see how much he has grown in just a year. She wrote a poem for the students in the front of the book and of course I was brought to tears. It goes like this:
Dear Connor,
 You're a very special person and CONNOR you should know how I love to be your teacher and how fast the year did go! We did a lot of special things- we learned, we laughed, we cared. I always will remember you and all the fun we shared. Please come back to visit me as the grades you grow, try hard to learn all that you can, There is so much to know! The one thing I tried to teach you, to last your whole life through is to know that you are special Just because, CONNOR,  you are you!
 Love,
 Mrs. Miles 6/14/2012