Thanking secondary school

[Jarl]

In a couple of weeks time my DS 17 will say goodbye to his secondary school after he has been studying part time and full time are university for the last two years. In a way he is still very attached to the school.

Now he wants to thank the school and all his teachers in a way for giving him (and all kids like him) the chances and flexibility they provided him with. Of course DS has thanked his teachers individually more often, but when it comes to these personal and sensitive topics DS find it really hard to thank people. Therefore he wants to show his gratitude at graduation.

The only question is; how? How do you thank a school that is doing well with your kids? DS does not want to give something to individual teachers since he respects every single one of them and it would lead to him forgetting someone. He wouldn't mind seeking publicity to do something.

Any ideas?

[Unmanagable]

Perhaps a you tube video with a song he loves that accurately expresses his feelings, include pics from special school events, people that inspired him, pics of what he hopes to accomplish from there, pics that reflect hope and support, etc.?

Please hug your son for me and thank him for wanting to express his gratitude in a meaningful way for all involved. And, thank you.

[ccom5100]

Is he leaving the area for college or a job? If not, he can volunteer, on a part-time basis, to mentor other kids and give them the same support that he experienced at the school.

[Jarl]

Thanks for your replies.

@ Unmanagable: That's some idea that I am pretty sure of DS has not thought of yet. I will suggest it (and hug him ).

@ ccom5100: He is leaving for college. Last year he has been an assistent tutor for 7th graders in the twice exceptional program, but unfortunately there is not enough budget to continue these special classes. He has also been asked to give a class ICT every once in while. Perhaps there are more possibilities in which he could make himself useful in the future!

We are open to any other suggestions!

[Unmanagable]

I'm so excited to hear what he chooses to do.

[amber3902]

Since your son doesn't mind seeking publicity to thank the school,
how about contacting your local news channel and see if they'd be willing to be
a piece on the school?
They could interview him talking about how the school has helped him, it would also help spread the word about how great the school is to other parents we well.

[Jarl]

Thanks again for your replies!

DS is currently working on a column to send to a national newspaper that publishes one of the reader's columns every week. Of course the chance he will get published is slight, but he is a good writer after all (last month he won a prize with another column). Tomorrow afternoon is the deadline and if (if, if) his piece gets elected, it will be published Monday. Perhaps the week thereafter.

Let's hope for that, or else he'll have to think of something else.

[Unmanagable]

Awesome!!! Sending lots of good vibes his way! Thanks for coming back to share.

[CrazyLazyGal]

How sweet of him! I love the ideas that have been suggested. Even if he's going away for college, he can still help out. For instance, when he comes home for Thanksgiving, he can help the school set up for their homecoming. College breaks are often longer than high school breaks, so he can tutor or otherwise assist when he's on break. If the school is doing some cosmetic renovation like painting the walls, he can help that way.

Some work for school fundraisers, such as designing flyers or contacting local companies to advertise in the yearbook, can be done remotely.

He's gotten into college, so he's had some success in the admissions process. Maybe he could help students with that.

He can also be a class representative for reunions.

You mention that he's working on a letter for a national paper. How about your local paper? It's much more likely to get published and read by people in the town.

[Jarl]

@ CrazyLazyGal: You suggest some very useful things that I will pass along to my son. Thanks a lot!

The problem with the local newspaper, is that we don't live anywhere near the school. It's kinda complicated in a way that the story isn't too relevant for our local newspaper (since the school isn't near) nor the paper over there (since DS doesn't live there).

This contest is just something that happened to cross DS's path and he decided to give it a shot. The deadline was this afternoon. If his piece is elected, he should hear before the weekend. It might be next week as well, but no later since he has said some things about current events that will be outdated by then.

DS mentioned today that after all this 'working on' he will possibly be able to handle thanking people in person. However, he is still convinced that by doing that one cannot avoid forgetting people.

[Jarl]

DS was invited to assist at a bbq for a bunch of 9th graders (in the gifted program including twice exceptional) today. It was all sunny, no incidents and everyone had a great day. DS didn't know all of the kids, but according to him there are all very respectful and sweet.

Because we live a distance away and DS had to travel quite a bit to get to the BBQ place, he had been offered a ride by the 9th graders' tutor. This man has taught DS for 3 years and he has been the most important teacher for DS. And now comes the point of saying this: on the way back in the car DS actually THANKED him for being there, for advocating for him last year, but mainly for SEEING him for who he is. Apparently DS got slightly emotional, but he wasn't even embarrassed. In return the tutor emphasized what he appreciates DS for and how this feeling is completely mutual.

I truly have no words to express how proud I am of my son.

Graduation is this Friday.

[sighduck]

lol... the main things i learnt in high school was how to handle the darkest elements of society, we had a school so corrupt that one of our PREFECTS was a dealer of marijuana

[CrazyLazyGal]

Aren't supportive teachers wonderful?

I would definitely write to the principal and district superintendent about this teacher. Letters like that can help a teacher get tenure, be promoted, win awards, etc.

[SquarePeg]

So nice to hear of a supportive school and teachers, loads of great ideas people have posted so something to thank the teachers and raise awareness in general so that other schools can follow suit. I think everyone remembers good teachers who have helped and encouraged them. Lovely to hear he has done so well. Good luck in the future.