Answer:

June 22, 2020

Dear Heath Community,

TODAY is the last day of school. Mr. Patel and I were at the school today and there was a distinctly different vibe than usual. Mr. Brandl, our head custodian, was leading a team of folks in the deep cleaning efforts already underway. A few teachers came in to close their rooms for the summer. A few staff stopped by for a final FAREWELL. All in all, it was very quiet. A different vibe entirely than the typically joyful chaos that helps us all enter the summer vacation with a song in our heart and spring in our step. Each person loves the last day of school for their own reasons. For me, I love the “all hands on deck” efforts at closing shop – kids leaving with over full backpacks, the end of year popsicle parties, the extra recesses, the dance parties, the lingering that happens in the lobby and playground long after the year has officially closed.

What can you do today and tomorrow to close the school year in your home? A special dinner? Reclaim your dining room table by tucking away all the school materials? Take a break from screen time? A trip for ice cream?Whatever it is, young people NEED ritual. Take some time to mark the OCCASION. Happy last day of school, Heath!