longs donuts, a fun visitor, whose toes and clotheslinekids...

I have bragged and showcased "my kids" all year long but this blog starts out about MY KID!  I mean who couldn't love a kid who wears this shirt and brings her Mom Longs
Donuts and balloons and party hats and party plates?

Molly Connor...my favorite daughter.

...and polka dotted balloons.

...and then I got the bad news...I had to share.

...and then a good morning got even better when another one of my "old kids" stopped in to see if I needed help...duh...I ALWAYS need help!

Isn't he darling?  Alex Betz...son of Mrs. Betz...is a tall kid so he reached everything that that the short kids can't.  Just look at that smile...I could eat him up.

I had a couple of other pics that I've been wanting to share so I've thrown them in here.

I would have worn these...back in the day.  Anyone know who these tootsies belong to?

Race Day wear by the talented Maria Rippetoe of Clothesline Kids modeled by Emalie Rippetoe of Room 7.  If you haven't already "friended" Clothesline Kids on facebook please do so.
 

We also had field day and the weather was perfection...all in all...a very good day!

seriously...i love these guys

Seriously...I love me some Cardinal Ritter High School Seniors...I mean...I went to their prom!!  It's been an age old tradition at Cardinal Ritter for every Senior to invite a teacher that has made an impact in their life to a Senior Day luncheon and every year since I've had a class reach Senior-hood...I've been invited.  I'm not bragging...it just means I'm doing my job.  But what is truly amazing to me, year after year, is that these kids reach waaaaaay back into their memory bank and remember me.  It not only means I'm doing my job but that St. Christopher School is an amazing place that fosters this kind of community.  

Seriously...not only was Sarah a first grader of mine but since the day she left my room for second grade..she has been my friend.  

I'll hang in there for another four years Sarah and if you can get hired as my replacement I will bequeath you all my "stuff".

Seriously..this handsome kid is a schmoozer...always was...always will be.  Within five minutes of sitting down with him today at lunch Harry ALMOST had me convinced that he had spent spring break doing mission work in Mexico...and I am NOT a gullible person...look at that face...he's got the power!

Harry was my biggest surprise today and I love you for it..."one of the greatest teachers ever"...schmoozer!

Seriously...I was at his baby shower before he was born...I bought him the cutest pink outfit ever...were we shocked when out came a bouncing baby boy but perhaps not as shocked at his Mom Shiela was.  Found out tonight his Dad had even painted his room pink...that must explain his gentle side.  

No Casey...thank YOU

...and because it wasn't all about ME today let me show you who else was at my table.

Emily...she looks exactly like she did in first grade...same exact smile!

...and she invited her old kickball and volleyball coach Mr. Steve Hay (also of St. Christopher's)...and I don't mean "old, old"!

Robbie...who came to St. Chris in first grade...

...invited Miss Elizabeth Anderson, his fourth grade teacher...aawww...they are about the same age!!!

But getting back to me...here are "my" kids.

Sarah Gillaspy, Harry Massonne and Casey Moorman

Here's my letter to you:


Dear Sarah, Harry and Casey,
You are why all of us at St. Christopher's do what we do.  It certainly is not for the money, the glory (??) or the fame.  It's because we love what we do, where we do it, and who we do it for...and the truth be told...you are the ones who make an impact on our lives as much if not more than we make on your lives.
Keep up all your hard work and your faith and always think to yourselves...would the decisions I'm making merit a pink slip from Mrs. Connor.


Love, 
Susan Connor

dear kindergartners...

Every year in May, we sit down, grab paper and pencil and write down "words of wisdom" for the kindergartners on what to expect in first grade...I absolutely L.O.V.E. these letters.  Miss King reads them to both classes and then returns them so the kids can take them home and share with their family.

ENJOY!

I don't think she left out one thing!  Oh..and Bethany...she called us glamorous!!

Letting Malcolm out doesn't really hinge on them being good...sometimes he just needs some loving.

Usually our "all class treat" is a chance to do the happy dance...I'm getting good at the "sprinkler" dance!

anonymous?

Thanks Kelly!

Lately every morning we "make a plan" together to stay on green...it is really effective as they seem to take ownership of the plan THEY put out.

First grade rocks...best. compliment. ever.

Just let me state...Malcolm has NEVER EVER bitten anyone!

This year, for the very first time, some of the kindergartners wrote us back...I put them in a folder on the computer table and believe me...they are getting very dog-eared from all the handling they are getting from my kids.
  
Welcome future first graders...looking forward to next year!

6th grade graduation...

6th grade graduation was last Wednesday, May 23...it was a strange graduation for me because for the first time in 24 years...I had never had this class.  The year they were in 1st I "looped" to second with the same class I had had in first.  However, that doesn't mean I didn't have any connections with this great group of kids.  Stay tuned to see some of those "special" kids.

These were part of the favors each child received.

Some years ago, we had a horrible tragedy at St. Chris when one of our 5th graders was killed in a freakish home accident...her name was Katie Bell.  Katie had given her 2nd grade teacher a spider plant the year she was with her and that same spider plant has produced hundreds of spider plants that both Mrs. McKee and I have propagated and given out over the years.  This year's 6th grade each got a start of the Katie Bell plant...and the gift goes on and on.

...and what would graduation be without a St. Christopher medal to keep them safe and sound on their travels beyond our walls.

It's amazing how our cafeteria can be transformed.

No words necessary.

And now we come to the "special" kids part...the kids that I do have that connection with even though I did not have them as a class.

Austin Sgroi...a very special kid near and dear to my heart...I "let" him sit in his brother Sam's seat and let him write words in Sam's dictionary (I forgot to check what words he wrote!!!)

Pure trouble but aren't they a handsome bunch ...as you can see, they are in the water storage room...or what we affectionately call "The Teachers' Lounge".
Sean, Josh and Bryce

Emma...

...and because she is a girl who got her hair "done" for graduation we had to show the back too...why her hands are folded I have NO idea unless she was trying to look holy...you don't fool me Emma!

The 6th graders have a neat tradition here in that they all write one line of an original prayer and then Mrs. Betz does her magic thing and it becomes one very beautiful and heartfelt prayer that the kids read during Mass...just lovely.

It's sad every year when we have to say good-bye to another years crop of amazing kids, who for the most part, have been with us since pre-school or kindergarten.  One of the benefits of a small school is that we grow so attached to these kids and their parents...but it's especially sad when the child is the youngest in the family and so we say good-bye not only to that child but to their families also.  However...we know that the majority are just moving on down the street to Cardinal Ritter Jr. High and if these kids are anything like the kids that have gone before...they'll stop by and say hello whenever they get a chance.  They always do. 


Congratulations 6th graders...you did it! 

sarah

"My" sweet Sarah is graduating from Cardinal Ritter High School next week...how is that possible?  I first met Sarah when she was in Kindergarten and her brother Peter was in my 1st grade...she was a power house even then.  Sarah is off to ISU this fall to beome a teacher and she would like me to retire in four years so she can have my classroom..she is a natural born teacher.

Saw this on instagram and it made me laugh...so many props Sarah...(but I know that was your mother at work)...

But this is the Sarah I think of most...laughing...always laughing.

Celebrating her 18th birthday with us.

Some raw footage from her Senior pics.

Capturing the moment when Sam asked her if she had hit puberty yet...excuse the finger in the camera...I was laughing sooo hard!

More raw footage...but so beautiful.

All glammed up at prom...in the rain.

Thanks for sharing your Senior year with the kids of Room 7 as our cadet teacher..and thanks for sharing your last 12 years with me.


Senior pics by mollyconnorphotography