To all the parents out there who got to go to your kiddos award ceremony across various schools today and post pictures of their awards and celebrate their end of year success … congratulations!! Super proud (and envious of you).
To the parents who didn’t even know there was an end of year award ceremony today and whose week went like this (I’m proud of you and your kiddos to)…
Monday night … “Mommy, did you get a call from my teacher?”
Me … “No, why?”
Emily … “The teacher said she would call parents if we were getting an award this week.”
Me … “I haven’t heard anything. Sorry kiddo.”
Followed by coming home to total tears tonight because she had to sit through an award ceremony where she received zero recognition today.
“How was it,” I asked, trying to cover my own emotions with fake excitement.
“I just clapped and clapped and clapped,” she said, choking back tears.
Then the tears fell.
“Why didn’t I get an award Mommy?” she asked.
So we discussed what the awards were for.
Then we discussed that she started this year as a second grader in under the 10th percentile in the state in reading and math and ended up with all As and Bs at the end of the year. We discussed how she went from reading rhyming sentence books to entire chapter books on her own. We discussed how she overcame COVID and another infection this semester that kept her out of school 2 weeks and she still got 3rd place in AR points (a goal she set each semester and finally obtained at the end of the year).
We discussed the difference between learning and what is written down in a grade book. We discussed practicing over the summer to improve in areas we know we struggle in.
I was a livid parent today when I saw the photos of the awards in my newsfeed at lunch. Not because I wasn’t proud for my friends and their kiddos. I was so proud for each of them. I just knew the broken heart I was about to come home to.
So here’s to you Miss Emily! Here’s to an amazing second grade year. The school didn’t feel you should be recognized on stage for your improvements because you didn’t fit into their categories of success. That’s life! It’s a hard lesson to learn. But I am beyond proud of you kiddo.
Not everyone gets an award in life … but never stop giving it your all. That’s all we ask.
If I was asked to give you medals for second grade they would be for…
Tenacity! You never gave up this year.
Compassion! You always wanted to take toys and gifts to your friend.
Improvement! You improved by leaps and bounds.
Courage! Despite your heartbreak today, you still want to go back tomorrow. The same could be said for every setback you faced this year.
Empathy! You came home daily telling me about other kids and their struggles and asked for ways to help. I feel like I know your class through your prayers for them.
Growth in Christ! This morning on the way to school you told me you are ready to love Jesus forever.
You’ve got this kiddo! Dry your tears and know that 3rd grade is a new start and a fresh slate! Proud of you beyond words!!!