Saturday, May 27, 2023

Goodbyes

Whew, what a week I've had. My feelings have been all over the place.

There is, of course, the end of my one job and the beginning of the next looming. This was the last week of school for students. Several of my favorite kids came by my office to say goodbye, and one boy, Caleb, spent most of his last day hanging out in my office, talking. (He's mildly autistic and one of his accommodations is that he's allowed to find a quiet place to work outside of his classroom when he needs it). 

All year he would occasionally stop by my office and ask to sit with me and finish up assignments. I said yes whenever I was able to (and he didn't mind the times when I wasn't) and we'd do our respective work together.  I kept gentle guitar music playing softly in the background, and it was a peaceful, quiet atmosphere for work. He'd also come to me when he was upset about something or worried about his grades. Sometimes he just needed to talk, and I'd be there to listen--we've been firm friends throughout his middle school years. How I'm going to miss him! He's headed to high school in the fall, and I'm proud of him. He's worked hard to get there, and he's a really good kid, to boot. His parents must be proud. I hope they are.

The mother of another boy sent me an email on Tuesday asking about his attendance on the last two half days and ended it by saying "thank you for being a constant in John's middle school years and for being so easy to work with". Then later in the afternoon she actually showed up and brought me a gift: this beautiful orchid!

It's going to look wonderful in the window of my new office! In fact, it will replace a yellow orchid growing there that belonged to the outgoing secretary. How perfect is that?! It was awfully sweet of her.

There were a few phone calls and visits from other parents, too, and I appreciated it all. The end of the school year is always a bit bittersweet, with kids growing up and moving on and all that, but it seems especially so for me this year since I'm leaving. Next week there's two teacher and staff workdays, Tuesday and Wednesday, and then that's it. I've finished all of my work and packed up my office, so I won't have anything to do, really. I may bring a book. Then on Tuesday afternoon, when it's time to go home, I'll turn in my office keys and building entry key fob, and that's when I'll be officially done. This month of goodbyes seems to have dragged on, and on, and on....so I'm beyond ready. 

Onwards and upwards from here (hopefully).


18 comments:

  1. One day there will be adults who look back on their years as a child and remember you as being someone they could trust. That is such a gift you've given them and I know you will offer it to others in your new job.
    Now yes- relax. And then enjoy the sweetness of your freedom.

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  2. I hope that whoever replaces you has a heart for the kids who need a quiet place and someone to listen to them. That yellow orchid was so perfect, wasn't it? School does not let out here until June 9th. William is about ready to die, he wants done so very badly.

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  3. You've made a difference in the lives of so many children. You should be so proud of the work you have done, Jennifer. Relax this summer before the new job begins!

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  4. It's always nice to be appreciated, isn't it! That's a lovely orchid too.

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  5. That sounds like a rather nice way to end a disappointing job.

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  6. You spent the year making some pretty good lemonade of lemons that came your way.

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  7. I don’t think people realize how much time office administrators spend with “ certain “ students. There are those who have been sent to the office for some kind of behaviour issue to see the principal or vice principal but a lot of times they aren’t available ( sometimes for quite a while), so it is the office administrators who end up chatting with them or directing them to sit and wait or calling home or whatever. As well, as you said, there are students who have some kind of arrangement where they can get away from their classroom for a bit and inevitably it is the office administrator who ends up watching over them or engaging in conversation ( which may be a bit unusual depending on how far on the spectrum they are).
    I’m quite sure there will be kids who will miss you terribly as you would have been a kind face in their sometimes overwhelming day.
    But you will go on to your new school and become someone special to a new group of students soon enough!!
    All the best at your new spot! - Jenn

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  8. Well done. Now to look forward to a new group of pupils who will be equally pleasant and demanding. I look forward to hearing of your new adventures.

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  9. Onwards and upwards, yes! I totally agree with what some of the others here have said, about you having made a difference in the lives of those kids (and their parents and teachers, too).
    Love that there will once again be a yellow orchid in your new office!

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  10. Good luck on your new path Jennifer. I'm sure you'll get a lot of love and appreciation there too.

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  11. You made a tremendous difference there. Too bad it was such an awful situation. You will soar in your new school. Congratulations.

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  12. You have learnt so many new skills at your present school and you can look back with both pride and satisfaction on the way you developed, handled everything and battled on when the going was tough.

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  13. I always found the end of a school year a little bittersweet. As much as I looked forward to the freedom ahead, I also felt a bit melancholic when the last day finally came. Saying goodbye to children was never easy for me.
    Despite your difficult working climate, you provided a soft cushion for students in need. You are a survivor and a savior. Enjoy the holidays ahead!

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  14. Very best wishes for your new job - you sound to have been a great help where you are now. Some children need a 'safe' place and you sound to have provided it.

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  15. The old school was a step on the pathway and the new school will be a great next stage. I have good feelings about it. xx

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  16. Lovely ! I too look forward to your new chapter.

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  17. It's great that you got your very own orchid, a counterpart to the one already in your office-to-be. That mother must be psychic! I know what you mean about the end of the year, but honestly, I'm so focused on getting library stuff back that I can't think too much about the goodbyes!

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  18. Every new beginning comes from another beginning's end.

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