On Monday, the children learned that next Tuesday would be Keaton’s last day at New School West. During morning meeting, he shared his upcoming travel plans: I’m going to visit great grandma and grandpa in Maine. There’s a broken down hotel there, and I’m going to see if there are diamonds in it. I’m also going to see my mom’s parents in Utah. Keaton also told the group he will be attending Coeur d’Alene Avenue in the fall. He also communicated how he was feeling – I wish we could have graduation before I leave. I’m feeling in the middle about it – happy, mad and sad. I like the dinosaurs and the building area. I don’t want to go to a different school and I want to stay here. I’ll miss my friends. Hearing his words motivated the group to think of ways to make Keaton’s last day of school feel special:
Cynthia: What do you remember about Keaton? What does he like?
Tallulah: We can decorate the classroom with dinosaur-shaped things. We can make notes for him.
Jack: He likes the color red.
Asher: We can decorate with transformers too. I’m thinking we can put transformer hearts that are red.
Mars: We can make balloons shaped as hearts.
Tallulah: How about we can make a balloon that is a fire breathing dinosaur. Maybe we can print Bakugon coloring pages for the notes!
Penny: We can make a crown for him or we could dress up for him and he can dress up too.
Rufus: I have a string that has dinosaurs on it. I can bring it so we can use it.
Everly: I have a red ribbon and we can make bows and hang it around the ceiling. We can cut out red butterfly shapes.
Asher: He doesn’t like ribbons or butterflies. I know because I’m his best friend.
Susan: Maybe we need to gather more information from Keaton. What do we want to know so we can make his last day special?
Mars: What do you like? What are your favorite colors?
Asher: Do you like ribbons and butterflies?
We asked Keaton those questions and his answers were shared with the Basils and the Aloes. His responses were: I like dinosaurs (Indominus Rex and Scorpiosaurus) and Transformers (Bumblebee). I like ribbons and Painted Ladies. My favorite colors are red, orange, green, blue, silver and golden. The children also had an opportunity to share their feelings and memories about Keaton:
Everly: I like playing the Yummy game and ponies with him. I feel sad because I will want to play Yummy with him.
Mars: I feel sad for Keaton having his last day because I will miss him. I like to color with him. Once we colored together a Pokemon card from his dad and it was for me, and it made me feel happy. I love you and I’ll miss you.
Jack: I like to play superhero with him and I’m going to miss him when he leaves because I like playing with him.
Tallulah: I like to play Yummy with him. He runs away and I chase him. I learned dinosaur names from him. He told me that a kind of dinosaur is an Anchisaurs. I’m going to miss him. I love him.
Eve: I like to play with the spray bottles with him. We like to spray the plants on the ground. He was helping me make stuff like pictures and that made me feel happy. I feel sad that he’s having his last day. I love you.
Rufus: I like to play Spiderman with Keaton. He’s one of my best friends, and I’m going to miss him.
Asher: I’m not really happy but a little bit of happy and a tiny bit of sad because we are besties and we won’t see each other at school. I feel a little happy because I can still have playdates together. I want to have a playdate in Santa Monica pier and Universal Studios together. I like to play with him – we like to do mostly everything together. I will miss you and I love you.
Penny: I feel happy about making Keaton’s last day special. I’m going to make him a crown because I want him to be a king. I’m sorry you will miss Asher.
Elliot: I like riding bikes with Keaton. We make trains by connecting the bikes together. I love you. I hope you have a good time at your new school.
Words from the Aloe Friends:
Christoph: Keaton, I also like transformers and I hope you really like your new school!
Dylan: Keaton, I hope you have a good time in your new school.
Chloe: I hope your other school is nice, Keaton. I remember when we played in the sand area long time ago. I really liked that.
Mason: Have fun in your new school!
Levi: I love you. I miss you and I made a painting for you with all your favorite colors.
Aloes: We all wish you the best in your new school, Keaton. We love you! Goodbyes are always filled with many things, sadness for what will be missed, excitement for what’s to come, and hope for future hellos. We are so excited to celebrate Keaton’s last day and know it will be filled with laughter, dancing, air hugs, and a special lunch thanks to Deirdre and Sean. As we send you off, we wish you a trip filled with happy encounters and long-awaited hellos!! Know we will hold you forever in our hearts.
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