New Beginnings – The Last, First Day of School
My daughter Kathleen asked me to find this wonderful photo of her this past week. It was taken on her very first day of preschool. I love the photo as it shows how happy she was heading off on a major life adventure. When Kathleen asked me for the photo and told me that she was planning to put up a post on FB about her last first last day of school, I asked her if I could post it on my blog. Kathleen is currently in graduate school and starting her very last class in a master's program at Northeastern University. Her very last class begins today, as do the classes in the Newburgh School District. I thought the timing was perfect to share.
Thanks Kathleen for the guest blog.
My Last, First Day of School
Today is my very last, first day of school. This journey which I started over two decades ago will soon come to a close, as I complete my Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management at Northeastern University. As I think back to all the first days, all the new lunch boxes, and all the new classrooms, I feel grateful for all that I have learned, and for a foundation that will push me to continue to learn as I (finally) leave the classroom behind.
I’m the only member of my family who was born and bred in Newburgh, New York. A proud graduate of three public schools in the Greater Newburgh School district, my educational journey was rich and full of memories. Newburgh’s schools offered me so many opportunities because of the large size and diversity of the district. In elementary school I juggled learning an instrument, being a Peer Mediator, and President of the Student Council at Gardnertown Fundamental Magnet School. At North Junior High, I competed on the Debate team, where I learned the importance of powers of persuasion, and found my voice as an opinionated young woman. In high school, I got to perform top-notch musicals with Broadway quality sets, while giving my best try at hard-hitting journalism at Newburgh Free Academy. All this and a student body whose diversity is unrivaled, whose experiences helped shape and prepare me beyond the classroom, but for the real world.
While I was not always a happy student, and I know there were many, many arguments and tears, I am incredibly grateful for my public education in a place like Newburgh. I have vivid memories of my classmates and teachers, and I believe their contributions to my education in Newburgh are a major reason for most of my successes. I’ve gone to university and worked alongside many who had fancier private educations than I did at Newburgh, but I think the lessons I learned in these early years have grounded me and motivated me to give back.
I look at this picture of me at age 3, brimming with pride as I head off to Pre-K and I think of all I have learned and how far I’ve come: I’ve traded in my bunny-shaped name tag for a State Department badge. I’m graduating with a degree that I hope will help me continue my career in fighting the global HIV pandemic. And I finally get to pick out my first day of school outfits all by myself.
On this, my last, first day of school, I wish all the students in Newburgh a year of new experiences, and great growth. Take the time to learn from your classmates as much as your teachers, and try not to give your teachers as hard a time as I did. Find something you love to do and find others who want to do it too. My memories doing after-school activities are some of the best of life. Mostly, make sure you know how lucky you are to be living in a country with a public education system, and in a district with as much to offer as Newburgh. I know its hard not to count down the days (I know I have only 40 days left!) but try to take advantage of this time.
I hope you all -students, teachers, and parents alike- have a rewarding school year, create many memories, and take full advantage of all that the Greater Newburgh School District has to offer.
published by: Janis Borgueta Key Properties of the Hudson Valley in Newburgh NY. Her blog is about living, working and Real Estate in The Hudson Valley. Information here is a community service to the public. Please subscribe to this blog. When you are looking to buy a new home, Search the MLS for New Homes in Newburgh NY. You can contact Janis at (845)-527-7115 or find her on Google+
My Last, First Day of School
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