Last week I had someone drive me around to drop off end-of-the-year presents for my students, along with their “graduation” certificates. I usually give my students a small present at the end of the year and I didn’t want to miss that opportunity this year. Many teachers give a book or a few small items to their elementary students at the end of the school year.

As my students were online all year, and were from many different schools, all over the city, it took all day. I had my class on my phone, which was paired to my laptop and so I could see them on my laptop as well. When we got to a house, all of the students waved at that one student from my phone. I had work for the day that they could do with minimal direction or help from me.

I was so glad to have the opportunity to say good-bye to my students in person. We will still have a virtual graduation ceremony on the last day of school and parents and families are invited. It’s important to have fun days like this and to mark the end of this very different school year.