Processional
Download the Powerpoint Presentation which was shown to the tune of "Pomp & Circumstance" or an HTML version of the presentation. (Note that the latter will load much faster and work with most browsers.)

Pledge of Allegiance

Learners and Friends! (Sharon Carver, Director)

At graduations, people usually share memories of the year and give advice for the future. Today, I'm going to talk about three lessons that you and your kindergarten friends shared with our school family this year, and I'm going to give you some ideas about how those lessons might help you be a good learner and a kind friend no matter how old you are.

One of my most fun days with your class was when I brought some of these to share. Sh-don't tell. Let's ask the adults what they see in my hand- a round brown ____ (rock). That's what I thought when I first found this and all the other ones that I collected. That's what the kindergarten friends thought, too, when I first brought them into the classroom. We were only looking at the dirty outside. Do you remember what we did next? With goggles and tools, we tried lots of ways to look inside, and we discovered that these rocks are- GEODES! With beautiful crystals, iron, and talc.

As a learner and as a friend, take time to investigate because it's what's inside that really matters. Many times, things that look wonderful on the outside, might not really be so good, like a shiny toy that breaks really easily. Other times, someone might look or act odd, but she might be a really nice friend when you get to know her. Let the rock remind you to take time to investigate.

In the ARTISTS unit, you learned to use some simple paint strokes to create beautiful masterpieces, like the dots in pointillism. When each of you painted easy circles inside a square, you created something so attractive that we used photographs of it for our holiday card with this poem about friendship.

A ball is a circle.
No beginning, no end.
It keeps us together
like our circle of friends.
The treasure inside
For just you to see,
Is the treasure of friendship
You've granted to me.

Remember that learning well and being a kind friend doesn't require anything fancy or complicated. So, let the circles remind you to keep it simple.

The BIRD Unit taught us all about the amazing diversity of our feathered friends. Each one has just the right size, beak, feathers, and feet, etc. to survive in the habitat where it lives. Each one is adapted to its unique situation so it can get enough food and water, build a safe home, and raise baby birds too. In fact, if all the birds were the same, there wouldn't be enough food or homes for all of them and they would have to compete or fight for it. With people friends, variety is good too. It's better for everyone if we don't all try to be the same. Even if we like different things and have different talents, we can all get along and help each other learn. As you grow up, let the birds remind you be yourself.

Thank you friends, for all of the learning we have shared. Congratulations on your graduation from kindergarten.

Be sure to keep in touch so that we'll get to hear about the things you discover when you investigate, the beauty that comes from your simple creativity, and the unique way that each of you grows as a learner and a friend. We look forward to your continuing friendship with your Children's School family. Thank you.

Download the Powerpoint Presentation that accompanies this speech or an HTML version of the presentation. (Note that the latter will load much faster and work with most browsers.)

Presentation of Diplomas

Greek Tragedy "Perseus and Medusa"

Teacher Appreciation

As you can see from the many learning experiences we've discussed this morning, the quality of our kindergarten program is primarily a result of the combined talents of our teaching team- Mis Hancock and Mrs. Perovich. They were supported this year by Mrs. Bird, Miss McMichael, and Miss Saavedra, as well as in many ways by the entire staff. Let's all give them all a round of applause to show our appreciation.

Kindergarten Slide Show