Tradition for Graduation

I am big on traditions and this is one that I started last year and I hope I can succeed in finishing for all my kiddos. What is is you may ask? A time capsule of messages from all the people who have influenced my kids on their journey to graduation. Teachers, coaches, mentors ect. The plan is to have them sign this and leave a note without the kids knowing what it is. So far the blow method is working for my 1st grader but we will probably be changing it in a year or 2 as he gets snoopy. 

So how does it work?

Buy this book or one of your choosing Click Here . My husband and I were each given this one at graduation by people who influenced our lives so it holds a significant meaning to us, also our kids LOVE Dr. Seuss books and you can never be to old for a good Dr. Seuss book 

Money saver tip: watch for Target to have their DR Seuss book sale (near DR Seuss's Birthday) or put it in you amazon cart and pick it up when it is NOT graduation season. 

Add a cute note to the teacher. Below is what last years note looked like when we sent it in. This year I am working on stickers to place on the inside cover of the book. Make sure you kids Name is written on the book, first and last. You never know how many Jonny Smiths there will be and if you will move schools over the years. Also make sure your name is somewhere on the note so the teacher's know who to get it back to. This is really important if you have a different last name then your child.

Our note format (boy)

Dear Teacher,

    As parents, we appreciate the countless hours you have poured into our

Son, (child’s Name). The knowledge, guidance, and leadership you have

demonstrated will always remain in his heart. You have played such an

important role in his life and have helped him grow in so many ways,

and for that, we cannot thank you enough.

   

As a favor to us, we would like to ask you to please take a moment to

write a small note to (Child’s Name) anywhere inside this book. In honor

of you, we will present this book to him as a surprise at his high school

graduation.  We cannot think of a better way to celebrate this achievement

than with the words of those who directly impacted his education.

   

Please notify us when you are finished so arrangements

can be made to pick up the signed book.

     Our sincerest gratitude,

(parent’s Names)

Parents of (child’s name)

Class of (graduation Year)

Our note format (girl)

Dear Teacher,

    As parents, we appreciate the countless hours you have poured into our

daughter, (child’s Name). The knowledge, guidance, and leadership you have

demonstrated will always remain in her heart. You have played such an

important role in her life and have helped her grow in so many ways, and

 for that, we cannot thank you enough.

   

As a favor to us, we would like to ask you to please take a moment to

write a small note to (child’s name) anywhere inside this book. In honor

of you, we will present this book to her as a surprise at her high school

graduation.  We cannot think of a better way to celebrate this achievement

than with the words of those who directly impacted her education.

   

Please notify us when you are finished so arrangements

can be made to pick up the signed book.

Our sincerest gratitude,

(Parent’s Names)

Parents of (child’s Names)

Class of (graduation year)

Next step is to send it in to the teachers. I recommend sending it in a week or two before school is out teachers are normally less stressed at this point and it's not to hard for them to find a moment to write.  This year and last we just slipped the book into an envelope with the teacher's names we wanted it to go to and a quick note on the outside. I also have my address and contact information on it in case it gets lost between school and home. I'm up at the school everyday for pick up and volunteering that it wont be to hard for me to pop in and grab it if needed. But if you have a bus rider, walker or rely on your little to transport it you never know where it may end up. 

Once the book is home I check to make sure all the asked teachers filled it out and I admit I like to read the notes they leave. I then put the book back in the envelope and we tuck it away on our top shelf next to the kids Birthday books.