Simon's 5th Grade Promotion
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On Monday Simon finished 5th grade.
Go Simon go!
Around here that means he's done with Elementary School and will transition to Middle School in the Fall.
Talk about a range of emotions. So proud. So thankful for his teachers and aides. So excited for what's next for him mixed with a little bit of fear (that totally natural sort of fear and protective parent stuff).
Simon sparkles.
I cried while hugging his program director. I feel, and I know Chris does too, that she has been instrumental in his educational experience and his development. She's a tireless advocate for him and she has a great sense of humor. I don't think I can ever really express to her how much I appreciate her even when I try.
We all gathered together in the school cafeteria for the promotion ceremony to celebrate all the 5th graders. They have this great tradition where all the kids in the younger grades (K through 4th) line the hallways to "clap" the 5th graders out of elementary school. Yep, that was enough to make me catch my breath right there. I love that kind of lift-each-other-up action.
When the 5th graders started arriving Simon was closer to the front of the line, a benefit of that "E" last name. He walked into the cafeteria with his backpack on and eyes glued to the floor. We tried to catch his attention when he walked in but it was pretty obvious he just wanted to make it to his seat.
Katie and Peter were sitting behind Chris, Anna and I and Katie was able to catch his eye to let him know we were there and that's when he started beaming. From that point on he was all smiles.
5th Grade Promotion from Ali Edwards on Vimeo.
When his name was called we cheered super loud and he walked across the stage with purpose - head down but shaking each of the teachers hands (the hand shaking in and of itself is an accomplishment) and then straight down off the stage and almost out the door before heading back to his seat.
It was awesome. And he was so, so excited which was the best part of all.
We are so totally proud of you Simon!
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72 comments
Thank you for letting me/us be a part of The Story of Simon. I continue to cheer him on from afar.
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Congrats 6th grader! I cried a little when your Simon crossed the stage just as I do each year at my school's 5th grade clap out. As their reading coach I have watched them develop into readers that will help prepare them to be ready for the future. It's such a proud moment for the students, parents, and their teachers to see all the hard work pay off. Good luck in middle school, Simon! :)
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My son's elementary school did the "clap out". All the kids in the school line the hallways and the principal would call out the 4 graders (that's the highest grade at our elementary school) one by one over the PA system. The principal said each name like he was a play by play announcer.
The student then ran or walked the hallway getting high 5's the entire length of the floor.
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Awesome! Way to Go!!!
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Go. SIMON. GO!!!
So, so awesome! :)
My youngest son, Ethan, just graduated 5th too. They had a big closing ceremony but I am loving the clapping them on to the next grade idea. (Going to run that by the program director at his school! Thanks for sharing Ali! :)
Take care you.
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Grattis Simon!
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Congratulations, Simon! It is so awesome that you will pose as a family despite divorce. I am a wedding photographer, and I cannot tell you how many weddings I have been to where the divorced parents won't be in the same photos, and many refuse to even show up to their child's wedding because they don't want to see the ex! An amazing parent puts those feelings aside for the child. Love to see how you have handled all this with such grace!
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Congrats Simon! Way to go!
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I'm a fifth grade teacher in a not-so-very-far away district, and our promotion looked almost identical. Same stage direction, same doorways, same adults "guarding" the doors. :) But we don't do the "hand-clap" line, so I think I will suggest that to my principal for next year. Good job Simon! It is melancholy for us teachers as well, saying good-bye.
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Aw! What a milestone? They grow up so fast. Congrats to Simon and mom for getting through it :)
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[...] included the journaling from this blog post and copied and pasted the text onto a 4×6 canvas in Photoshop (breaking it into 2 text boxes [...]
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