Valedictorians have hotdogs with Mayor Bloomberg

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By Joyce Szuflita
Since Murrow is a "non competitive" school there was no mention made at graduation of the fact that my brilliant young relative was Salutatorian (knowledge is its own reward - I really believe that - although she is not so sure - file that under "life lesson"). She did get an invite from the Mayor to come to Gracie Mansion for hotdogs with all the other lovely valedictorians and salutatorians from high schools all over the city. But that is not what I want to talk about...

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Wordsworth for parents of all graduating students

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By Joyce Szuflita
I heard a wonderful interview with Priscilla Gilman on Leonard Lopate's WNYC show yesterday. Her memoir is called "The Anti-Romantic Child" about her son with hyperlexia. It sounds like a terrific book, but I had a driveway moment (while parallel parking) when she read an excerpt from "Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey" by William Wordsworth. Yesterday was my daughters' effective last day of high school. It is over. We did a good job; they did a good job. It is time to push them out of the nest with a brave face. So for all of you getting ready to leave the fours, 5th grade, 8th grade or 12th grade...

--That time is past,

And all its aching joys are now no more,

And all its dizzy raptures. Not for this

Faint I, nor mourn no murmur; other gifts

Have followed, for such loss, I would believe,

Abundant recompence.

pta: put this in your fundraising 'must do' folder for next year!

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By Joyce Szuflita
Do you want an eco-friendly/healthy/creative way for your school to raise funds and partner with organizations that help kids overseas go to school? Tired of buying cheap t-shirts, water bottles, wrapping paper and chocolate? Say yes (that chocolate isn't that good).

Check out PortraitPressFundraising.com. This great system was developed at Brooklyn's own PS 295 by a local mom. A class or school can request a kit. The students create self-portraits that put their individual personalities and creativity at the heart of each fundraiser. This artwork is then printed on high quality, eco-friendly products like tea towels, pillow cases and tote bags. They even give you the marketing materials!

words of wisdom from the last parent / teacher conference ever

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By Joyce Szuflita
I have made it through 284 parent teacher conferences (give or take a couple). I know that I am extremely lucky to have children who are focused students. Sometimes I went to the conference to understand the curriculum, clarify homework policy, eyeball the interesting character that my child was doing impressions of, offer support, but mostly it was a pathetic ploy to hear nice things about my kids, and sometimes to bask in reflected praise. I will say again, emphatically, that I KNOW how lucky I am. So what is the parent of a graduating senior doing showing up at school in May? I told the teachers to put away the grade book for a minute and give me their parting words of wisdom for a college bound student. I was moved by their advice.

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