Dear Mercedes,
This week you brought home your first progress report of
Senior Kindergarten, and we had an opportunity to discuss your work so far with
your teachers as part of a ‘student-led conference’. Gone are the days of
stuffy parent-teacher interviews that list all of your strengths and
weaknesses. Instead we had the opportunity to have YOU lead us around your
classroom, show us the different workstations, demonstrate the type of
activities you do on a regular basis, provide us examples of some of your work
to date… it was awesome! Of course, there was also the opportunity to speak
with your teachers, and as your progress report said that you were easily
meeting all expectations, I didn’t expect your teachers to tell me anything
differently in person.
They told me you were “delightful” and “a pleasure to have
in the class” – they said that you are helpful and considerate and love to
assist with the JKs whenever needed; they said that you were quiet and often
shy, but that it hasn’t hampered your social skills at all. You have a lot of
friends, as we can see wherever you go (judging by the frequent chorus of
“Mercedes! Hi Mercedes!” whenever you enter a room). You are constantly writing
(duh) and doing fantastically great with your reading. They said they just loved having you in the class and seeing
you blossom, and of course, we are so thrilled at how you are doing. Academic
achievement is not the most important thing, although of course, it’s great to
see; but it’s so nice to see your other skills growing – empathy and kindness
and friendship and attentiveness.
We are so proud of the wonderful person you
are growing up to be. It is hard to believe sometimes that you will be six in
only three short months, but as I reflect on the way you speak, and the things
you converse with us about, and the awareness of your world you are quickly
gaining, it isn’t that hard to imagine. I love how perceptive and analytical
and straightforward you can be, but also that you are still so sweet and
snuggly and funny. I love lying down with you in your bed a couple of times a
week after Daddy has tucked you in – we chat about whatever you feel like chatting
about and snuggle, and it leaves me feeling peaceful and whole. I love how you
absolutely dote on your baby brother – giving him what he wants so that he
doesn’t cry, watching out for his safety, hardly complaining when he
football-tackles you to the ground. I love the special bond that you and Lexi have
– making up complex, imaginative games to play together, snuggling on the
floor-bed, laughing hysterically at her crazy antics at the dinner table. I
love seeing your father reflected in so much of your personality – watching you
two play board games and laugh at the same Christmas movies and become obsessed
with Pokemon together.
It’s a joy to watch you grow into yourself – we love you
muchly Shmeecee.
Love,
Mama
