5th grade graduation (and farewell to Boulevard)

Another week, another promotion celebration!  Last week it was Ivy's turn to be recognized as she finished up her tenure at Boulevard.  This brings to an end nine years we've spent at this school as a family- with its wonderful teachers and staff, and its great location just across the park...  It's crazy to think we won't have any kiddos there next year.  

The kids and I had the same last day of school this year, which was great because a more flexible schedule at work (and a kind and understanding principal) let me leave early one day to catch Ivy's clap-out, and go in late the next day for herofficial drive-through promotion ceremony. 

The wonderful Mrs. Dawson, who has spent a total of three years teaching both of our kids.  She is retiring this year-- a well-deserved rest for her, but a loss to the Heights schools for sure.  So grateful she's been there to guide our two.

Drive-through promotion ceremonies aren't quite the same as the real thing, I tell ya.  I missed the uncomfortable chairs and hot gym-- and shared joy with the other families...  But the school did a nice job having things set up for each 5th grader to feel special, including a baloon arch and photo-op with the Heights tiger, and having their name announced over a speaker.  We were the last in line for Ivy's class so we stopped the car and all got out to chat with the teachers and staff.  It was a farewell to Ivy and also to our whole family, and kind words and emotions abounded. 

Ivy and Mrs. Race, our wonderful counselor.

Mrs. Spinks, our secretary, who convinced first grade Ivy that she was "in charge" of the school because she spent so much time helping in the office....  

Ivy has been loved by the staff at Boulevard since the age of two, along for the ride to pick up her brother.  She was in the Boulevard yearbook 5 times at the age of 4 (before she was a student!)  This has been the only school she remembers and her home-away-from-home for 6 years.  Her teachers have been amazing all the way through.  Mrs. Reynolds for kindergarten, who gave her structure and a strong foundation.  Mrs. Sa'ad for first grade, who helped her feel secure when her best friends were placed in the other class, and who nurtured her leadership.  Mrs. Cohen for 2nd grade, with her incomparable creativity and energy.  Mrs. Petersen for 3rd grade, who ensured a smooth ride for Ivy even with a number of challenging students in the class.  Mrs. Bellini, Jack's 4th grade teacher, who go to do enrichment with Ivy in 3rd.  And Mrs. Dawson for the the 4/5 split pull-out class and the global pandemic.  As we told her, we couldn't have asked for a better person to help our girl through this crazy year.  With her organization and high expectations, Mrs. Dawon was the constant Ivy could count on...

One of the great things about Boulevard is the socio-economic and cultural diversity it offers our kids-- and a drawback is that our diverse neighborhood includes a lot of transient housing.  So many of the friends Ivy has made have moved away, or to different schools in the district.  These last few years, in a small-group class and then learning from home, have not helped her to expand her social circle, that's for sure. But she's had some friendships that have endured- Ta'Shiya, Ira, Ophelia.  Despite our love for Boulevard, we are looking forward to the opportunity for her to be at a larger school, to reconnect with friends she had in Pre-K, and broaden her social horizons a bit.

Among the many small tragedies of this pandemic was the fact that it stole our last year of "Boulevard Events."  We're going to miss the Wax Museum and Soul Food Cafe, the sweet music concerts and art shows, the Boulevard Blast, the awards ceremony.  We had no idea, when Ivy was in third grade, that those would be the last times we got to gather with other Boulevard families for our special events at school... Never take things for granted, people.  

Despite being out of the school building for 15 months and living through the trauma of a global pandemic, Ivy followed in her brother's footsteps and cleaned up in the awards department.  We went to Mac's back's that very evening to spend her reading award. 

And now we have two signs in our yard.... two kiddos off to bigger things next year!  We are hoping against hope for a normal school year for them, a fresh start in new buildings.