Recently, I read a Facebook post written by an elementary school teacher about one of her students. It really may just as readily have been written by any one of our own amazing teachers. As you read it, please know why we make a solumn promise to you to instill in the precious children in our care all the most important skills they will need to be successful not just in school but also in life.
The following are her words, and I reprint them as I did last year at this time, because the message so resonates. They mirror my thoughts and those of our entire staff who love these sweet children. Your children! Thank you for sharing them with us and allowing us to consider them our children, too:)
From Susan Caver, first grade teacher: 'When I look around my classroom, I couldn't tell you who crawled first, who walked before one or spoke in sentences by 15 months. I can't tell you if their parents breastfed or bottle fed. No clue if they still wear pull-ups at night, because I'm sure many do! I don't know if their mom ever left them to cry it out for a few minutes or if they strapped them to their bodies 24/7. You know what I can tell when I look at my kids? I can tell which families value kindness in their homes. I can tell when a child feels loved and secure at home (and at school which sadly isn't always everyone's school experience!) I know who has pizza and movie Friday nights and which mom reads in different voices for bedtimes. I see how kids handle scary situations like thunderstorms. I can see who has a solid routine at home and who has chores and responsibilities. I can hear how you speak to your children by how they speak to others. When I look at my little friends I don't see their milestones I see who they are: their heart, their actions, their inner voice, their struggles and triumphs, and I see you; and all the love you pour into them. We are always supposed to talk about testing and benchmarks and data during parent teacher conferences and I had a mom last time look at me and say "I don't worry about all the reading and math, she will get there. I want to know....how is she, as a person? Is she kind? Does she include others?" '
It takes your breath away in its simplicity. Just love them and teach them to show love. That's our job. That's the job of a family. We feel very strongly that together we are a family here at La Casa. We will do this job together. And just love them.
In all things and to all others, Be A Blessing.
Trish (Mrs. L)