Saying Goodbye-ish. :)

I've recently seen a list of some of the new enrollments in my program for fall. There are some names I won't see on there, too. :(

A few of my kids went on to middle school this year.

One or two are moving, one of them is a guy I've had in the program since he was six. He's still going to be in one of our programs in his new school... just not in mine, sadly.

I was talking with his dad the other day when he came to get him at our summer site. Told him that Loren* has reached that pre-teen stage. Getting long legs and his whole face is changing. He has a great personality and sense of humor. He has always had those things, but when he was a little guy, he was so shy that it took awhile to see them.

I was telling his dad that saying goodbye to kids is the hardest part of my job.
He said that I should transfer to the school they're moving to, that the whole family will miss me. He said that it's been "awesome" to be able to leave his son somewhere where he's allowed to be creative and encouraged to think and just have a good time. I thanked him and told him that I appreciated being entrusted with the care of his son.

I made sure to tell him that his new site is a good one, that Loren will have fun there. We discussed how well it works for kids to be able to meet each other at breaktime and summertime programs. By the time they get to middle school, which is damned hard to navigate (I know I sure remember it!!) they will already have friends.

This is the same dad who called our customer service line for help with his account three years ago. He told the rep that, "The person who runs the program at the site is absolutely FABULOUS!! with the children. He and his wife are very happy with the program!"
End quote.. I knew it because my former manager forwarded the remarks to me with 'kudos' as the subject line. And I kept that email.

Reading through old emails and blog posts is a good exercise for me. It reminds me that what I do is important and keeps what's important in front of me.

By the time Loren's dad and I were finished talking on Thursday, Loren had managed to get up and get his stuff and meander toward the door.

That whole pre-teen dawdling thing going on.

Those connections I form with the kids and families are important to me, of course, that's why I am still in the same school. There have been sites closer to home that have opened up over the last five years, but my goal of becoming a fixture in the school was reached about three years ago, and I don't want to move to a different site.

I have worked to build good relationships with the staff at our school, but it hasn't been difficult. They're all nice people and we have common goals. What's best for the kids is always everyone's first priority.

I'm taking a week off this summer to get ready for Matt's wedding/houseguests etc.

The way our vacation time works is use it or lose it.

Since I seriously dislike taking time off during the school year from my regular site, (I've worked through a lot of interesting things... couldn't manage it when I got slammed with Norovirus, however...) I am going to take my remaining vacation time this summer instead.

Here's the thing, though. During that week, the school will be open once again and I'll need to get out there at least once to introduce myself to our new principal and get bulletin boards done and morning program set up to happen on September 2nd.

The principal was transferred to a different school right at the end of the school year, they needed her particular expertise at a different location. I'm sure she'll be great there, but we'll really miss her at our school.

She was always very supportive of my program and of me personally. She told my manager that I may as well be on the staff at the school, because that's how she thinks of me.

I'm finally enjoying our summer program, but I will be happy to get back to the school year routine.
Except for the 5 AM mornings.
I don't love 5 AM.
Have I mentioned that?

And I'll be saying hello to my daughter a few hours after this posts. She's been visiting friends in North Carolina for three weeks. It's been awfully quiet here. And I've missed her. It will be wonderful to have her back.