Eighth Grade Graduation

Continuing along the theme of time flying and kids growing too fast...  Not only is my baby daughter eleven, but somehow I am also the mother of a high schooler.  Jack has officially finished 8th grade, and there is definitely a feeling of "good riddance" as we bid farewell to this strangest of all school years.  But the really lovely ceremony this week has left me also feeling sad to see his middle school experience end.  

It's been quite the experience all the way through.  These kiddos in the class of 2025 have been through some things these past few years.  Starting with 6th grade in the transition school at Wiley, then back to the Roxboro building for a stellar 7th grade-- which was of course cut short.  Then learning (or not!) virtually for almost all of 8th grade.  The last 2 months, with a gradual return to in person learning, have been just enough to remind Jack of the parts of school he missed.  He has expressed that he's sorry he didn't get more of a real 8th grade.  And I am angry, so angry that he did not, that this year was stolen from  him.  But I was also reminded on Thursday that the year he *did* have-- while not what we expected--will be (for good or ill) a part of who he is forever.  It is the 8th grade he got, and the 8th grade he survived.  He will always be able to look back on this year and think- if I did that, I can do anything! 

We were super impressed by the Farewell Celebration.  Held on the High School football field, it was efficient and classy.  The kids cleaned up well and looked great out there.  As with all school events, I just loved seeing all of those babies we've known for 13 years now, gathered together and growing up.  It's lovely to be part of a community where you are clapping for far more children than just your own.  

Academically, this year was not Jack's best.  To put it mildly.  It was nice that one of the celebrations was for having honor or merit roll for multiple semesters over their whole middle school career.  Four semesters of honor roll is not too shabby.  He also had merit roll for one semester, and then, as he put it, one we won't talk about.  I know he's aware that his grades this year weren't what he is capable of.  But this year was not an ordinary year and every one of us-- Jack and his mom and dad-- opted not to push it. Here's hoping for a normal, in-person high school experience that can inspire our boy to excel again...In the meantime I will focus on gratitude that after 15 months of remote learning and a global pandemic, our boy is healthy and strong and still happy at school. 

Socially, middle school has been a win for Jack.  I'm just so grateful that he has found a solid group of friends.  They forged their relationship by messing around in their classes (it was wild to have my quiet, rule following boy getting in trouble for talking!) and online gaming, and that's what carried them through the pandemic.  Skiing together all winter and playing tennis all spring... what fun.  I genuinely like this collection of young men.  They are personable and polite and fun loving.  And it turns out we even like their families.  We got a chance to get to know them while watching tennis matches, and cemented it after the graduation ceremony, when we all went out to Van Aken to celebrate. The boys ate pizza and ice cream and climbed on rocks and played tag (how cute is that!!) and we had craft beer and talked and talked with the other parents in the breezy spring air.

So much to celebrate.