Seeing Green

Even tho Erin's been training all week to be a volunteer at Brookfield Zoo, today was the first day she was told to wear her uniform.  She looks so good in the bright emerald green color that makes the zoo volunteers easily recognizable.  If you happen to be at the zoo on Mondays or Tuesdays this summer, look for Erin - she'll be happy to share some animal facts with you!

Last Day of 4th Grade

It was Irving's last day of school today, and the teachers did their annual dance (watch it here).  New this year:  Elvis was on the building!  Yep, that's Mr. D, the beloved janitor, dressed up as Elvis, dancing around on the rooftop!

 Ms. Payton's old chair was in sad shape.  She can't remember exactly how long she's had the other chair, but we're pretty sure it's been at least 15 years.

Meanwhile, we said good-bye to a long-haired Drew, as he participated in Irving's shave-the-head-on-the-last-day-of-school ritual.  He looked like this going in this morning:

then he headed to Mr. Gray's room, where he got the long stuff buzzed off:

and Mr. Sak finished him off with a total shave:

This group of guys has hung out together on the last day of school since they were in first grade.  I makes me wonder if they'll keep it up after next year, their last year at Irving.

It's official:  summer's here!

8th Grade Pomp and Circumstance

Tonight was Erin's eighth grade graduation.  She entered middle school a mere 12-year-old tweener, and is exiting as a mature 14-year-old, who is more than ready to tackle the challenges of high school.

Last 4th Grade Field Trip

Today was the last full day of fourth grade for Drew.  The afternoon was spent hanging out at Rehm Park, playing a water version of duck, duck, goose.  There was also a water balloon toss, which Drew and his partner won.

Notice the length of Drew's hair.  He's not had a real hair cut in four months (we did force a bang trim when the head flinging a la Justin Bieber became an intolerable obsession).  Tomorrow:  Off with his hair!!!

A Beautiful Thank You

I just love it when people say "thank you" with flowers.  This is the third time this year I've been so lucky to be thanked in such a wonderful way.  These gorgeous flowers are in a basket, which now hangs from my front porch.  Ms. Payton gave them to me (along with a note so beautiful and heartfelt it made me cry) to say "thanks for being a room parent all three times your kids were in my classroom."

Last Week of 8th Grade: Killing Time Part 2

Today the Julian eighth graders took their annual trip to Great America.  Here are some of Erin's favorite pics from the day.

Tomorrow is graduation practice, and Monday is Career Day, with the graduation ceremony Monday evening.  This school year is so over for these kids, and they truly are just killing time for a few more days.

Last Week of 8th Grade: Killing Time (Part 1)

The academics of eighth grade are over, and everyone knows it.  The teachers have turned in the grades already, and many of them started packing up their rooms last week.  There are, officially at least, five more school days to kill before graduation.  Let's just say not a whole lot of traditional learning is gonig to happen this week.

The eighth graders headed into the City today to "hone their map-reading skills."  They already did this once back in the fall, but there was agreement among the teachers that another trip could probably be justified.  Erin's group met up with a couple of other groups, and they all hung out...at Lincoln Park Zoo...at Water Tower Place...and yes, in Lake Michigan!

Here are Erin's favorite pics from the day (notice, there's no map in sight, anywhere!):

Erin's assessment of the day:  best.field.trip.ever.