5th Grade Graduation

Next up on my list of events that I just did not have time to blog about this Spring is CJ's 5th grade graduation.

5th grade graduation for Tildenville elementary took place on Tuesday, June 8th. The day consisted of a graduation ceremony and a lunch/celebration for the kids.

Before the big day came, CJ and dad took a trip to Kohl's to buy a new pair of dress pants, shirt, and tie. CJ has grown A LOT this year, so there was no way that any of his good clothes were going to fit anymore. I was a little bit worried when I sent the two of them out shopping together, but they did good. CJ's new outfit looked good, fit good, and made him look so grown up.

During the ceremony the kids sat with their classes while the principal, 5th grade teachers, and specials teachers handed out awards, medals, and promotion certificates. The principal, Dr. Balgobin, delivered a nice commencement address and the ceremony was complete. CJ looked so proud and handsome in his new clothes.

After the graduation ceremony the kids, parents, and teachers went out to "Tiger Park" to take pictures and socialize while the decorating committee transformed the cafeteria into a tropical cruise ship. CJ is wearing the "Founders" medal that he received during the graduation ceremony. "Founders" medals were given to every student who had attended Tildenville since Pre-K or Kindergarten.

Once the decorations were up and the transformation was complete the students were welcomed back into the cafeteria. Each student was given a lei as they entered the room. The room was full of tropical decorations and steel drum music was playing during the party. The students choose pizza, corn-on-the cob, and watermelon for lunch. Not the most tropical cruise ship meal I have ever heard of, but hey...it was their choice.

After lunch the kids took more pictures, talked and played together, ate cake and ice cream, and just had fun. It turned out to be a nice celebration and a fitting end to six long, hard years of elementary school.

In the end CJ walked away with a stack of certificates. He earned A/B Honor Roll for Reading, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. He received a Citizenship award and a Pioneer Award. And, last, but absolutely not least, he got his Promotion Certificate for finishing 5th grade.

I still cannot believe that he has already finished elementary school and will be heading off to middle school in just 8 or 9 weeks. Wow, where has the time gone? Sometimes I still see him as that sweet little 5 year-old who just started Kindergarten, but he is not. He is almost 11 and growing up fast! Too Fast!