Graduates of the elementary and middle school divisions of Eastern Mennonite School celebrated this week with parents, grandparents, friends, and teachers completing milestone years and preparing to move on.<\/p>\n
Elemental<\/strong><\/p>\n We celebrated 19 fifth grade graduates on June 3. Teacher Erika Gasch<\/a>o shared words about each one\u2019s character and contributions to the community. The graduates shared comments and performed a sword dance. Joy Anderson<\/a>, music teacher, explained that we do the dance each year because it is difficult (and \u201cwe like to try hard things\u201d), it involves some risk (\u201cmistakes are awesome!\u201d she often says), and it is a collaborative effort. The group heard scripture and sang \u201cUnity,\u201d a theme song of the school that says \u201cJesus, help us live in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n Maria Archer, K-8 principal, shared the following reflections:<\/p>\n This is the second year to have a different kind of graduation ceremony. Last year, it was just 5th graders and their parents, and a few teachers, meeting remotely on Zoom. This year, we are grateful to be in-person, but we are missing K-3rd students and their teachers. And I\u2019m feeling a bit nervous about being so high up on this stage, but I\u2019m doing it anyway.<\/em><\/p>\n None-the-less, this is an exciting day for all of us as we look forward to the end of the school year and anticipate our summer adventures with our families.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n From the very first year EMES began, the partnership we have with our parents has been very important to us. And this has never been so true as it has this year. We have been in-person for most of the school year, and it is because all of you here have made it possible. Our Parent reps and parent leadership team met diligently all year long, helping us process many things. You, our families, have followed our protocols, checked in with screenings, and been diligent when anyone in your family was sick. Even though everyone may not have agreed with every decision we made, this community pulled together for the good of us all. Thank you, thank you.<\/em><\/p>\n Not all of our faculty are here today, I do want to thank them for supporting each student, teaching in person and online, being flexible, cleaning tables, wearing microphones, and taking your student outside even in the cold. You have made it, and you deserve a rest. Amidst all of this, you continue to laugh together, cry together, and work as a team. Thank you for making my job very rewarding.<\/em><\/p>\n Students, thank you for coming to school each day ready to learn, wearing those pesky masks, and smiling and laughing underneath them. You have lifted me up when I was exhausted, and you showed so much resilience. You deserve a rest too.<\/em><\/p>\n Eighth grade<\/strong><\/p>\n Eighth grade graduation took on a more formal feel in the auditorium this year than it usually does in a local park, but this was how we made it work this year. Jennifer Young<\/a>, middle school team teacher, coordinated the event.\u00a0 We celebrated 37th eighth graders by naming and affirming character qualities they have each brought to the school.<\/p>\n Comments from Maria Archer:<\/strong><\/p>\n So, here you are at the end of your middle school years. Some of you came in 6th grade, and others joined in later. You are a group of 37 individuals. But there are also some qualities of you as a group that I have noticed over the past 3 years:<\/em><\/p>\n You are Loyal to each other \u2013 support each other, stick up for those who are being hurt or misunderstood. You are ready to challenge anything that gets in the way of your classmates\u2019 dignity.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Speak your minds \u2013 As I watched you debate in Bible class, speaking about controversial issues, you stood up for your beliefs and you listened to each other. You even enjoy debating with the adults around you.<\/em><\/p>\n