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Show Volume XXVII Issue I The Ogden Valley news Page 13 May 15, 2020 A Farewell from Valley Elementary Sixth-Grade Teachers And this is what I pray… From the 6th-grade teachers We know we speak for all of the teachers at Valley Elementary when we say that this has been the hardest and most memorable 4th term of school on record. It is not because of the teaching or technology; we would be doing all of that anyway. It is not because of the risk of germs or the constant sanitizing; or an elementary school with 600 kids—we’d be doing that anyway. We’ve loved the relationships we’ve built with parents (Thank you, thank you, thank you!) and seeing everyone rise to the occasion. We’re so grateful for your strength, dedication, and persistence. No, by far, it’s been the distancing between us and those sweet faces in our charge that makes this a 4th-term we’ll be glad to put behind us. Most of the students at Valley will return next year to us; we will be excited to welcome them at back-to-school night. We will pass them onto their adoring new teachers, see them in the hall and high five them in the lunchroom. We will watch them get taller and even more intelligent. But for 91 of you, it will be so different. Our 6th-graders have walked their last time down these halls. As we echo through them now, we know that we won’t have the luxury of a reunion next year as they go on to Jr. High. Please know dear students how much we will miss your noisy, rambunctious enthusiasm on our campus. As much as you will miss recess, we will miss this last term enjoying your humor, insights, creativity, and leadership in our school. Farewell you magnificent students! Come back and say hello (or even goodbye) anytime! And know that when we ask you how Snowcrest is going, the answer we love to hear most is “Great! So much better than being at the Elementary School!” It won’t make us feel bad; it makes us proud that you were prepared and successful because that is our ultimate goal. Know that you will be missed but also go forward knowing that you will love Jr. High! A farewell poem to you from us: Poem to Students By an unknown teacher When you saw a smile cross my face, Did you know it was because of you? And when a laugh carried my voice, It was you who did that too. Sometimes when I cry at night, Those tears were shed for you. I want the best for your life, Hoping your dreams to come true. Since we are almost finished this year, I have just a little more to say. I hope in life you achieve success. I know you’ve learned a lot this year. You’ve grown as well I see But if I could teach you just one more thing, Here’s what it would be… Your struggles do not own you. Don’t let hard times bring you down. Turn the bad into the good. Share your smile instead of frown. Know that you are valued. Recognize your worth. Be happy with who you are. You’ve been special since your birth. Make good grades and do your best. Use the most of every hour. Your efforts will bring you far in life. And give you pride and power. Realize the power of a choice. For even one can change everything. Make sure you think before you act. For hurt or joy your choices bring. Treat others with respect and love. Do not tear them down. We are here to make a difference. Your love can turn lives around. Even when it seems you can’t, Believe that you sure can. Sometimes in trying, you will fall. But pick yourself up and STAND! Where you’ve been, might weigh you down. It could cause you to lose heart. Don’t be beat by what is gone. Each day is a new start. Every moment is a gift, Opportunities surround you. Do not waste a single second. Enjoy the life around you. Cherish people... laugh always Shine your smile bright. Dance in the rain. Compliment. Get good sleep at night. Play, hug, and sing some too. Travel far and try new things. Help others younger than you. Look forward to what life brings If there’s anything you’ve heard this year, Please hear these words of mine. Hold tight to these lessons taught, And happiness you will find. Please, just one more thing… As we reflect on our time on this path, You know we have learned so much. History, Reading, Writing and Math, Technology and such. Although these are important, Listen closely to this part. If there’s only one thing to remember, We’ve loved you from the start. Sadly, the sixth-grade students are not the only ones we are going to miss next year. We also send Mrs. Wendy Wardell, Mrs. Carolyn Robertson, and Mrs. Karie Wood out onto different paths. First, thank you Wendy Wardell. You brought many amazing changes to Valley Elementary over the past couple of years. We loved your passion for technology and the amazing things that you did with robots, coding, air filters, and 3D printers with the students. Your work with grants also brought some notoriety to the school and some very cool technology that we didn’t have before. We know the students will always remember you and the teachers will be at a technological loss without you! You knew how to reach the “tough” kids. You were a great asset and we wish you well in your future endeavors. Mrs. Carolyn Robertson! You saved us. After losing Mrs. Hogge and Mrs. Evans to retirement last year, we needed another upper-grade powerhouse, and boy did we get her. Mrs. Robertson’s dedication, knowledge, and enthusiasm are hard to match. She came to us from a secondary career and definitely instilled in these students the skills and strength they will need to be successful as we send them on to Jr. High. Her expertise in Science and Math were an incredible asset to Valley. Our STEM Fair has never looked so good and will never be the same. Mrs. Warnes is particularly grateful for your organization, capability, and understanding of technology, and your ability to see the positive side of just about anything! Thank you so much for everything! We wish you the very best with your new students at Orion Jr. High. We are so grateful that you still live in the Ogden Valley so that our paths will still cross. Don’t be a stranger. The 6th-grade class of 2019-2020 will mark it for a lot of things, but gratefully, at the top of their list will be the pleasure of having you as their teacher. Mrs. Karie Wood has touched the lives and hearts of so many students and teachers at Valley Elementary. In her years with us she has become such an incredible force in third and second grade. Even our kindergarten teacher Mrs. Gobar has had the privilege of sharing students and collaboration efforts with Mrs. Wood this year. From her thoughtfully timed beautiful handwritten calligraphy notes, to her classy cheerful energy, and love of all humans, Mrs. Wood’s absence will be felt for sure. Pie day alone will never be the same without you! We should change it to “Marvelous Mrs. Wood’s Day.” Just like the symbol of the pineapple that you have in your classroom, you too stand tall, deserve a crown, and are genuinely and incredibly sweet on the inside! We love you Mrs. Wood! Things Might Be Opening Up... Including Our Creative Minds! We hope all of you on our creative arts email list are healthy and have been able to find creative things to do during these isolation times. We received this cute drawing from Jo Stephens, of Eden. She said “I was watching TV when I glanced up and all three of our dogs were giving me this look. It was ten seconds before the earthquake hit!” If you created something (visual art, written works) during the shutdown and would like to share it, please send it to us either through the mail (PO Box 556 Eden, UT 84310) or by email <mountainartsandmusic@gmail.com> We would be happy to post it on our website, and possibly in The Ogden Valley news! |