Cascade Ridge...end of year

On June 16 at 9:30 am. my teeny tiny baby, Maryn had her 5th grade "Cast off" from Cascade Ridge Elementary. (They didn't want it to be a graduation, but a "kick off" onto the next grade) I went a little bit in denial that she was really graduating from Elementary School because our school in Redding, RSA, went until 8th grade. I was fine with letting my kids skip right over jr. high. Plus, I think it was just last week that Maryn was being potty trained and learning to walk. But, now to make it worse middle school here goes from 6th-8th.
During the ceremony I got all sentimental thinking that Ady and Maryn will never be in the same school again, ever. They have become such good friends playing at school together, walking home together and having the comfort of seeing each other at recess and in the halls. Emmy and Maryn will never be in the same school, ever, not to mention Kaden. So, bye-bye Maryn. Nice knowin' ya! I remembered her first day of Kindergarten with Mrs. Sheilds at Rancho Canada. She wore her green plaid skirt and seemed so grown up. sniffle.
Anyway...I was impressed with the whole program. The Principal, Mrs. Belt gave a wonderful speach to the kids about continuing on being nice people...to understand the importance of their family and friends...to take care of each other...to be a good citizen. I thought it was such a great speach that I took notes but now I can't find them, so I can't remember anything else she said. Mrs. Belt is leaving the school so we'll have a new principal next year. The kids all went to school early to have their picture taken with the principal. So, here's Maryn and Mrs. Belt on "Cast off" day.
Maryn's teacher, Ms. Trudeau was so wonderful from the first time that Maryn walked into the classroom 2 months after school started. She isn't married and has no children so she adopts her class, or her kidlets as she calls them. She loves them so much. Since we live close to the school we are aware that she is there SO early in the morning and doesn't leave until several hours after Maryn said that as school got closer to ending Ms. Trudeau couldn't even talk about it without breaking down in tears. She loved her kids so much and they all knew it too. I was impressed that even though all the other teachers shook hands with their students or hugged the girls and shook hands with the boys when handing out diplomas, Ms. Trudeau hugged and cried with every one of her students. It was special to feel her love and know of the loss she would have without her students.


After a few songs and handing out of the diplomas there was cookies outside and opportunities for lots of pictures. Here is Maryn with her proud parents.
I think Maryn took a gazillion pictures with her friends. The teacher commented several times on how Maryn jumped right into the social scene of school and that made her quite popular with everyone. So, here are just a few of the pictures with her friends...

ADYSON'S LAST DAY:

We were blessed to have wonderful teachers for both girls. Adyson's teacher was Mrs. Gilstrap. She was an older, funny, super creative, peppy and yet stern teacher. Ady really liked her which is all that mattered. It was so painful for Ady to walk into school that first day in October being the new girl, but by the end of school Ady loved her teacher and had tons of friends in her class. Mrs. Gilstrap had to have knee surgery so she was out the last week of school. We were able to snap this photo her last day with the kids.