Last week, as we ended the 2021-2022 school year, we got to celebrate our fourth graders as they closed out their elementary years. Wow! What a journey it has been. They were mere first graders the last time they had a “normal” year. If we only knew that the next few years would bring us masks, distancing, cohorts, nose swabbing, close contacts, quarantine, and remote learning.
It certainly wasn’t easy. There were challenges along the way as new guidelines came out, mask mandates were lifted and a new “normal” started to evolve. This class will forever be changed by the events of the last few years, but not how you think. They showed up everyday with smiles, ready to learn. Their experiences have taught them resiliency and perseverance. It taught them to appreciate things, even school a little more. They had to learn to go with the flow and trust. Not an easy thing - but they all did it.
Change can be scary, but it can be exciting! Our wish is that they always remember they have people here cheering for them. People who love them. Their roots were planted firmly in Studley, and they always have a place to come home to.
We wish them nothing but the best next year in middle school and we have no doubt that they will make their mark on this world because they are and always will be Stars!
So, to our fourth graders - continue to work hard, make good choices and surround yourself with people that bring out your light. If you live in a respectful, responsible and safe way, you will succeed. Don’t worry about competing with others. Be the best version of yourself, and the world will be a better place because of it.