Each season brings about certain school activities along with it. For instance, in the fall we get back into our school routine. We share the excitement of those who are ready to move to that next grade. We can also relate to the wish some students have for more summer days. Winter brings the fun of indoor sporting and music events. Spring is often associated with end-of-the-year testing. It is also the time of year students begin looking ahead to not only summer, but what lies ahead for them in the next school year.

The vast majority of students we serve now will be returning to our school next year. They are able to go through the spring thinking about the fun that lies ahead for them in the next grade.

However, our fifth-grade students know that their days at Southgate are drawing to a close. I have spent some time talking to a group of Southgate fifth-graders to get their perspective on what they are thinking about as they go into spring.

These five students had spent all of their elementary years at Southgate. The students spoke fondly of favorite memories of their time here. Two students laughed as they recollected a leprechaun hunt that they had gone on while in second grade. They were excited to hear that students still get to do that activity. Two other students recalled “station parties” they had in fourth grade where they got to move to all four classrooms to do different activities. These students talked about the number of activities that helped build community in our school, such as the end of the year awards assembly and the kids of character assemblies.

Tree trust was a topic that each student talked about fondly. Tree trust is held at Southgate on a Friday in May. On this day, you will find everyone in the school outside grooming our grounds. Each classroom has an assigned area, and the PTC helps provide mulch and even new plants and trees for us to beautify our grounds. The children talked about how important this day is to them. They are proud of the work they do on this day. One girl talked about how important she felt as a younger student who was working to keep her school grounds looking good. Another student talked about how he’ll be able to visit the school even as he gets older and remember how he helped take care of the grounds.

These students talked about the adults that had worked with them through the years, and the important part they had played in their lives. Parents of fifth-grade students echoed this sentiment, telling me that they are so grateful for the way that adults helped their children in individual ways. Both the parents and the students told me about ways that adults had gone out of their way to assist them in their journey through elementary school.

The fifth-graders were excited to reminisce about their last five years in elementary school. Yet they know that middle school is fast approaching. One student said she was sad to leave Southgate, but excited about going to Ellis. Another student said he has been thinking about the transition to Ellis and knows he will have to rely on himself more as he enters this environment. All students talked about the mixture of emotions they are feeling.

As I reflect on these conversations I am struck by the memories that they shared. These students talked about the wide variety of things that are involved in school—academics, activities, and relationships. They talked about how important it has been for them to be a part of the school community.

Great relationships with adults at the school were very important to them. Safety and belonging were equally important. As an educator, it is our job to work with families to help prepare our students for the future.

We want to equip them academically, social-emotionally, and behaviorally to become the best they can be. I truly believe that our schools are working hard to meet this challenge. Talking to this group of fifth-graders — I believe we have succeeded.

By Edwina Harder
Southgate Elementary Principal