June 2, 2021
Dear Students,
Well,
my friends--you have made it. This was a
year literally unlike any other for all of us.
There was so much we needed to adjust to and recalibrate, again and
again, as the year progressed. Some of
us thrived in this new way of doing school, but for many it has been difficult
to readjust to our new way of education during the time of the pandemic. We didn’t always do things the best way, even
despite our best intentions. Students and teachers alike made mistakes and had
to give ourselves grace for our learning curves. (I think giving ourselves
grace and giving others grace might be the most important lesson of all this
year.) For all of us, it probably looked
like we were ducks skimming across the pond--seemingly calm and placid on the
surface, but kicking furiously and somewhat chaotically below where no one else
could see. Nevertheless, you rose to the
challenge and persevered, and I am so very proud of you. There are many experiences you may feel you
missed out on during this senior year, but probably the biggest experience was
just the day-to-day social interaction among classmates and between teachers
and students. Trust me when I say that
your teachers also missed that interaction dearly. I missed not getting to see your faces and
build an in-person community together throughout the year. Regardless, we were a community, albeit an
online one. That did not make any of you
less important or appreciated in our class.
I value the time I got to spend with each and every one of you.
As
we close on this year, I want to offer my sincere congratulations and best
wishes for all your future endeavors. I
want you to know you have all made an impact on me, and I am grateful for the
opportunity to have taught you (Yes, you—even those of you thinking to
yourself, “She probably doesn’t mean me.” All of you.)
This may not have been your favorite class, or maybe it was. Regardless, your presence, your insights, and
your personalities were all a part of
what made this year a unique and memorable one.
Even through a small screen, I could see your hearts clearly. You are all amazing human beings with so many
possibilities ahead of you. I hope you
trust yourselves to reach out and take advantage of those opportunities ahead,
and I hope that you continue to cultivate and foster those friendships and
relationships that will be your safety nets when you fall short of your
goals. And you will fall short
sometimes--but you will survive. I know
this because you have survived every unknown thrown at you this year. You will
recalibrate. You will redouble your efforts. You might even change course. That’s what growth looks like--finding the
path you were meant to travel. I hope
you travel that path with all its twists and turns with joy, with passion, and
with kindness to yourselves and those you encounter along the way.
I
wanted to take this time and opportunity to thank you for your contributions
and your work, but most especially for the personality you brought that helped
shape the community of our classroom. I
wish you success in whatever way you define it, and more importantly, I wish
you happiness. I know I have played this
song for you before in class, but I wanted to give you the lyrics as well, as I
feel this is pretty appropriate for the occasion; I hope you find the sincerity
of the message, from my heart to yours.
Here’s the link to the video. Watch it--it will make you smile!--and then
come back and read the lyrics. This is
what I wish for you always…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFkTu8Y1KLs
Have It All—Jason Mraz
May you have auspiciousness and
causes of success
May you have the confidence to always do your best
May you take no effort in your being generous
Sharing what you can, nothing more nothing less
May you know the meaning of the word
happiness
May you always lead from the beating in your chest
May you be treated like an esteemed guest
May you get your rest, may you catch your breath
May the best of your todays be the
worst of your tomorrows (wohoh)
May the road less paved be the road that you follow (wohoh)
Well,
here's to the hearts that you're gonna break
Here's to the lives that you're gonna change
Here's to the infinite possible ways to love you
I want you to have it
Here's
to the good times we're gonna have
You don't need money, you got free pass
Here's to the fact that I'll be sad without you
I want you to have it all
Ohh!
I want you to have it all
I want you to have it (all)
I want you to have it all
May you be as fascinating as a slap
bracelet
May you keep the chaos and the clutter off your desk
May you have unquestionable health and less stress
Having no possessions though immeasurable wealth
May you get a gold star on your next test
May your educated guesses always be correct
And may you win prizes, shining like diamonds
May you really own it each moment to the next
May the best of your todays be the
worst of your tomorrows (wohoh)
May the road less paved be the road that you follow (wohoh)
Well,
here's to the hearts that you're gonna break
Here's to the lives that you're gonna change
Here's to the infinite possible ways to love you
I want you to have it
Here's
to the good times we're gonna have
You don't need money, you got free pass
Here's to the fact that I'll be sad without you
I want you to have it all
Ohh!
I want you to have it all
I want you to have it
I want you to have it all
Oh ho! I want you to have it
Oh ho! All you can imagine
Oh ho! No matter what your path is
If you believe it then anything can happen
Go
go go! Raise your glasses!
Go go go! You can have iiiiiiit all!
I toast you!
I
want you to have it all.
Come back and visit every now and
again, send me an email, or catch up with me via social media (FB, Twitter, Instagram). I would love to keep in touch with you as you
head off on to the next chapter of your book.
May you write your dreams into the story of your life.
With
love,
Ms.
Lutjens
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