I get to sit where?

This past week, I had the honor of accompanying our 5th grade Ambassadors to all three of our K-4 Elementary schools.  These ambassadors were selected to speak to the 4th grade students at Pine Ridge, Ada, and Thornapple Elementary.  I was so proud of the job they did in representing our school, but more importantly, in representing the feelings they went through as they realized the transition to Central Woodlands was fun and easy.  All of the ambassadors shared how they had been nervous a year ago, just like many 4th graders were nervous that day.

Our students took turns speaking on a range of topics from the bus ride to finding your way around the halls at CW.  After each student spoke, 4th grade students were able to ask questions.  This was my first experience in the process of transitioning 4th grade students to our building.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the excited, but wide-eyed students take in every word of our students.

Not knowing what to expect, each building took on a slightly different theme as it came to the types of questions asked.  However, there was a topic that created cheers and shouts in all three schools.  For 4th grade students, the most important take away for many came when they found out that at CW, students get to pick where they sit for lunch.  In 4th grade, students eat lunch at tables with their class.  When our ambassadors told the 4th grade classes this, it seemed like the students had won a gold medal!  There was clapping and cheers as 4th grade students realized their maturation towards adulthood included picking their own lunch seat!  It was the highlight of my day to witness this exuberance in our future students.

It made me reflect on the how the milestones in the lives of students in K-12 education are all very different, but all important; especially during those important moments.  Life is about milestones...about accomplishments of continued growth.  Those moments can be when a student ties their shoe for the first time (opening up a whole world of non-velcro shoe choices) or seeing the sense of accomplishment on the face of student opening up their college acceptance letter.  All of our students' milestones are important...I am glad I was able to be there for this important 4th to 5th grade milestone!