Letter from a First Grade Mother

ROUGH DRAFT

Dear First Grade Teacher ,

Hope you had a long restful weekend.  -On to the second week of school.  There are just a few things I thought you'd like to know about Rylie.

Rylie was tested last year for allergies.  She is allergic to a number of foods as well as mold grasses and a list of other things.  She took shots last year, but we're seeing how she's doing this year without them.

She often has a stomach-ache after eating.  Her nose runs and she gets gray circles under eyes. She is your student that will use more than the two boxes of tissues brought at the beginning of the year. She developed a runny nose and crud this past weekend. She's not feeling well today.

 She cried not wanting to go to school this morning.  I'm giving her medicine, but I know she would feel better if she were at home in the living room still wearing her pajamas watching Doc Mc Stuffins. 

I must also let you know, if you're not aware yet, that she is a drama queen.  She's been told not to play the "sick card" so hopefully you won't have  a problem with that.

She doesn't like reading yet.  This breaks my heart.  I SO want her to enjoy reading....and writing.  I pray you find a way to instill a love  for something I find so important.  I pray that you will help her discover the magic that is found in a book and that can be created on paper.   

Her feelings were hurt on the playground last week.  You may not know, but she gets her feelings hurt easily.  She is tall for her age and seems so confident, but really she breaks so easily.  She works hard to make sure everybody likes her.  I was that way.  I hope someday she will be able to walk away from the jungle gym unscathed when a girl (who is an old friend) doesn't want to play with her.  Until then will you hug her often so she'll know she's ok?

I was so proud of her Sunday night.  She counted all of her birthday money by herself.  There were different bill amounts and change.  Did you remember that she had a birthday?  I have a list of things that she's good at that I can share with you if she's ever testing your nerves.

She told me she got in trouble last week for talking to you without permission.  I'm glad she told me.  That means she is thinking about what she did.  I told her to remember that she had an invisible talking ticket in her hand and that she couldn't talk without raising her hand and waiting until you acknowledged it.  I hope that works.  I want her to behave.

I have so much more to say but I don't want to use up your entire conference period.

Looking forward to a great year,

Kristi Burden

I actually sat down this morning to type a simple email to Rylie's teacher.  But before I knew it my heart had taken my fingers hostage and I had written more words than a teacher could bear.  I've shamelessly shared some of what I originally typed and the thoughts I held back in restraint.

Before I pressed send, reality struck so instead- I forced my finger to rest on the delete button relinquishing control.

And I prayed putting my children back in the hands of the one who both knows and meets their needs.

Help Rylie's teacher.  Help Hayden and Hallie's teacher.  Thank you for the investment these teachers have placed in children's lives.

Help them to know the value and see the beauty in these children you have lovingly created.

Help them instill a love for learning whether it be counting, dribbling a ball or having good character even when they've been hurt.

I pray they would be loved even when they're hard to love.

Keep them safe.

Amen.

I'd love to hear from you-  kristiburden@gmail.com