our class pool party after the graduation ceremony. i have been dreading this day all year. one of my duties as the fifth grade teacher is to put on this performance called a graduation ceremony. i have been stressing out over this event. i wake up in the middle of the night thinking about what to say, what to do to make it memorable for the parents. this was my first year back as a teacher, after four years. it was tumultuous to say the least. and now it is over and i honestly see this graduation as an opportunity for the parents to sit and judge me on how i did. i know some were not pleased with everything i did. it is hard to get back on the bike and learn to ride again. i feel better equipped for next year. but i feel i did not do well this year. so they graduate. i gladly send them on to sixth grade and welcome a much tamer class for next year.