End of School

The last day of school was June 6. The few days leading up to the last day were busy and full of excitement.

On June 5 the kids' had their award ceremony.

Emma was awarded the lifesaver award for always lending a helping hand from her teacher Mr. Skates. He has been such a good teacher for her this year. I hope Mason gets to rub shoulders with him this next year.

 Emma and her friend McKenzie pose for a shot. They sat next to each other and played together at school a bunch. A few of her other friends in her class had moved before the end of the school year.

Mason had the whole first grade at his award ceremony. All the other first graders gathered together on the rug in his class room. It was very crowded, and I had wished I left Carter somewhere during this time. Sitting still is hard on Mason, but even harder on Carter. I ended up taking him out several times.

 Mason sat at the edge of the carpet near his teachers so they could offer him help and instruction before, during and after the presentation.  Mrs. Agran reminded him right before the ceremony started that he needed to sit down and stay on him bottom.

 Mason was awarded the most enthusiastic award from his teacher Mrs. Spann. She said that he cheered everyone on in everything they did. Right after he sat down the next award was given and Mason shouted out the kids name and said way to do. It only made the icing on the cake that much sweeter.  Mrs. Spann was amazing with Mason this year. It has been the first time he's been in a main stream class and she expected him to follow the rules just like everyone else. He grew so much in the few month he was in her class.

 Mason loves Mrs. Agran. She is the instructor of the behavior room, where Mason spends part of his day working on skills that are below that of classroom expectations. He and Mrs. Agran chart his growth and progress together and she helps him set goals that are attainable. A lot of his growth this years I believe comes from these two ladies who believe in him, and make him believe in himself.

 Mason also got a most improved award in Mathematics. He was so excited that Mrs. Spann gave him two awards. We see Mrs. Spann around town and Mason loves to give her hugs and tell her how he's doing. I hope she stays here until Paige is in first grade.

 Mason and his friend Kannon. I have watched Kannon with Mason, and we've had him over to our house and this kid impresses me. He is so concerned that Mason is having fun they he will play what ever it is Mason wants. I hope Mason is aware of what Kannon wants and he plays those things also.

 This is Mrs. Gustafson. She is the Art teacher and Emma and Mason love her. They think it's cool that her first name is Paige, just like their sister. Mrs. Gustafson told Emma she was going to cut Emma's beautiful hair off so she could be as beautiful as Emma. Emma thought that was funny as she doesn't think there is anything special about her hair.

 Mr. Whited is Mason aid in Mrs. Spann's class and in other classes throughout the day. He works with Mason in Mrs. Agran's class under her direction. Mr. Whited has been the stone in Mason's education and has worked through Mason's behavior struggles. I think Mason had 3 apology notes he had to write to Mr. Whited this year. I think Mason acted out with Mr. Whited because they were always together.

 And this is Mrs. Moro, Slade's Principle. I am amazed how involved Mrs. Moro is in the daily affairs of the students. She put on a family BBQ after the award ceremonies on the 5th for everyone in the school. All the teachers participated in serving and cooking, and the cooks took the day off. We love Mrs. Moro!

Emma, Mason and Paige are all looking forward to the 2013-2014 school year at Slade. Paige will be in a half day preschool there and they are all excited to attend together.