Pete And Repeat

Funded Feb 13, 2009

I apologize for the tardiness of this note, as I have been busy closing a school in a district that faced financial limitations. After much consideration, the school board was forced to terminate the existence of our neighborhood school... one that I can see from my living room window, my children attended and the place where I started my teaching career 23 years ago. Since that difficult decision was made, my time has been filled with many tears, parades, celebrations as well as efforts to pack carefully collected resources for archival and legacy purposes.

Know that not one child wanted to give up their cherished binder full of coveted poems to place in the school's time capsule. When asked to identify their favorite and fondest memories from the school year, they all felt that the "Pete and Repeat" books were a treasure, but none wanted to bury it for posterity. Instead, we took pictures of the children and their books and placed them in the box that is to be unearthed in 25 years. Undoubtedly, they are happy with their decision to keep and use the books as well as preserve the memory in the time capsule.

In the time that I have been preoccupied and unable to construct a well deserved thank you note to you, I have heard more appreciative comments from parents and children about the reading books that they constructed with the materials that you supplied. One mother passed me in the street and reiterated the fact that her child reads and re-reads the poems and stories in his notebook each and every night before he goes to bed. The fact that he chooses to repeat and practice his fluency skills is a reward for all of us. Another mother relayed her daughter's appreciation while we were at a Pampered Chef party. She said that the theatrical instincts of her daughter were highlighted as she was planning a birthday party that included reading and re-reading poems as part of the celebration activities.

Your thoughtful gift gave a happy group of children the chance to practice what they learned and be excited about their reading abilities. Thank you for your support and encouragement for learning. ”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Ellison