Dear Nearly Second Grader,

          Thank you for letting me be your teacher.  You have helped me recall that I can be an okay teacher.  I appreciate you all trusting me and for exceeding my expectations.  I look forward to seeing and hearing about all the great things that you will do in the future. 

          This was not a normal school year.  We didn’t get to end things in a way where we were together and that is something that many of us struggled with.  I feel lucky that I got to know who you were in the classroom and then get to see what you were like in your home.  For this reason, I feel like I grew closer to all of you than I have with some of my past classes.

I want you to know that I am willing to help you out with whatever you may need anytime.  Your families know how to get in touch with me and I can find a way to help you.  Just let me know what you need, and I will work hard to figure out a solution…not just now, but forever!

I know there are a lot of questions about next school year.  I don’t have the answers you are looking for right now, but I do promise that I will work hard as part of a team to come up with a realistic plan to keep us all safe.   Like I said on the first morning of first grade— it is my job to keep you all safe.  Learning that I am going to be a dad has helped me evaluate the decisions that are being made.  What I want for my new baby is the same as I want for my students…a place where all are safe and can prosper. 

I hope this summer you can visit the places and people that you want.  Take it easy on your family members because they have been taking on more jobs lately than ever before.  I have what could be the busiest summer of my life with fun stuff like moving into a new house and getting married, as well as not so fun stuff (like figuring out what insurance plans we should use and setting up new accounts for living in a new state)!  Keep making me proud!

Love,

Mr. Stevenson