Good morning!! Congratulations!! You all successfully completed elementary school! Give yourselves a round of applause. That’s a big deal! Say, “I’m a big deal!” Yes, you are a big deal!! This is a major milestone. You completed five years, for some of you six and even up to ten years, of formal education in a school setting. That’s a major big deal! Give yourselves another round of applause!
Someone told me that I’m in Bulldog country!! Is that true?! Did you know that there are three things that people love about bulldogs? Well those three things are inside of all of you. All three of them were used by you to get you to where you are today.
- Stamina- enduring challenges and using all of your energy and might to complete tasks. You had to have stamina to learn to read, then to read to learn, work with your peers, complete projects, and meet the expectations of each of your teachers.
- Strength- you were strong during this journey. I’m not only referencing physical strength though that’s important. You have to eat right, exercise, get rest, and take care of your body for physical strength. You also need mental and emotional strength. You have to continue to nurture your mind– that’s reading and writing…even over the summer, engaging in discussions and solving problems. Emotionally, you have to be sure to express your feelings, take breaks, and nurture your spirit.
- Perseverance- you had to keep going to get here. You will have to continue to persevere to complete middle school, high school, and beyond while working to achieve your life goals. So don’t quit because you can do anything you put your mind to.
Now, this year, you all were the big kids on campus right? Felt pretty good huh? Well I hope you all enjoyed it because you are going to a bigger school with bigger students now. You are no longer the big kids on campus. But that’s ok…because you are going to use those three characteristics of a bulldog: stamina, strength, and perseverance to lead in your new school setting. How do we lead? Well, here are three things I want you to do to be a good leader:
- Work hard- everyone here knows who you are. In your new school, they won’t. So the best thing is to let your work speak for you. Work hard, complete assignments well, and always give your best.
- Be teachable- none of us know everything right? Look to the person to the left and right of you. They know something that you don’t! And guess what, you know something that they don’t too. That’s why we always have to be teachable and willing to learn something new. Ask questions when you have them, get a tutor if you need it, and ask your teachers and parents for help.
- Consistently do what’s right- this speaks mostly about your character. Always do what’s right even when no one else is watching you. Doing what’s right makes you feel good and it’s the right thing to do.
So, you all are ready. We know that you all are the bulldogs. You have stamina, strength, and perseverance. We also know that you all are ready to lead on your new campuses. To do that, you will work hard, be teachable, and consistently do what’s right. Be sure to take it all in. Celebrate this accomplishment. Enjoy this milestone. While doing so, thank the people who helped get you here because you didn’t get here alone. Let’s ask our 5th grade teachers to stand as we give them a round of applause. Now our former teachers, staff and faculty please stand for a round of applause. Our principal, assistant principal, and administrators, please stand for a round of applause. Most importantly, will our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, big sisters and brothers, little sisters and brothers, cousins, and friends…please stand for a round of applause. We appreciate all of you!!
Ok bulldogs, you are ready to lead in 6th grade! But, before you go, there is something important that we must do!! Know what it is? It’s…take a selfie!
Until next time,
Xoxo
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