When each of my boys started Kindergarten, I began having this book signed by their teachers at the end of the school year. The idea is to fill it with sweet school memories from each and every year K through 12 and give it to them at their graduations.
I have a recurring calendar reminder each year to do this, so that it doesn’t slip through the cracks.
I’ve adapted my process over the years and have not yet had a teacher that wasn’t happy to sign their book.
For elementary school, I just sent it in a sealed envelope and emailed the teacher with a heads-up. They signed and sent it back home, with the boys none the wiser.
When John started middle school, I really didn’t know if I’d get the courage to ask middle school teachers, or if they would even have the time to do it. In both 6th and 7th, I’ve sent very humble emails with a ton of “outs” and explained my little project to John’s two favorite teachers. They have honestly been so kind about it, and even flattered that I asked. Instead of trying to send a book back and forth, they have written on note cards and left them in the front office. I pick them up and then use double stick tape to add them to a book page.
This year was different for obvious reasons. I simply emailed Whit’s classroom teacher and John’s two favorite teachers (science and Spanish). I explained my project and asked if they would simply email me something I could print at home and add to their books. A sign of the times, no?
I got an email back from two of the three. I copied the content, pasted it in Word and then printed them on full page label paper. (I love this paper and for $12 for 100 sheets, it is great to have around for all sorts of projects! Affiliate Link) I trimmed them down and then stuck them in their books.
John’s science teacher offered to send a hand written note. There’s just nothing like that. For this, I used double stick tape to attach it to a blank page in the book.
Now, for a little real talk. When we moved to e-learning, it didn’t change much for Whit. He just carried on (until we stopped.) On the other hand, I learned that John needs that personal, social interaction from both teachers and classmates to be engaged and succeed. Online was a real struggle, when we’ve never had a single issue with him in nine years of school. Add to this the fact that he was missing friends and sports and church and I broke my own rule… I gave him the notes to read from his teachers. He needed to see in black and white that his teachers adore him, are proud of him and believe in him. <3
We leave behind elementary school forever, and I am overwhelmed by how much I will miss our sweet, neighborhood school and the teachers, faculty, staff and village of volunteers that poured everything they had into my boys. One leaves middle school, but the other will begin so the finality of that move didn’t seem quite as monumental. Regardless, I cannot wait to see the places we’ll go in the years to come.
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I’ve done the same for my kids since preschool. This was my daughter’s last year in the school she has been in for 9 years so she had a whole list of extra staff members she wanted to sign her book. It took most of quarantine, but we now have all but one signature! I’ve delivered and pick up the book from teacher’s houses, met teachers at school, even met one in a parking lot! The signatures this year mean so much more. I sure hope she treasures this for many years.
That’s amazing! I love that you were able to get so many to sign. This year it is even more special than ever. Congrats to your daughter!
So sweet. I started this tradition with having her teacher sign her school yearbook. I thought the same thing this year and emailed the teacher asking if she could email her dedication. Fingers crossed I receive it.
I hope you do!
Amanda, This will also be quite adjustment for you, no more volunteering and us getting inspired with your creativity, boo hoo.
Tell me about it! Pretty much all my boys are interested in is food. Expect a lot of recipes. LOL. I did score a volunteer job at the high school front office and still have my slot at middle school. That should just about do it. :-(