September 8, 2003 at 4:35 AM

Starting School

My daughter’s first day of first grade was last week, and her teacher sent her home that afternoon with an odd gift. It was a paper bag containing an assortment of seemingly random items: a cotton ball, chocolate kiss, sticker, rubber band, penny, star, tissue, toothpick, bandage, gold thread, eraser and Life Saver candy. Attached was a note that explained it all:

Dear First Grader,
Welcome to your new classroom The items in this bag have special meanings.
-The cotton ball is to remind you that this room is full of kind words and warm feelings.
-The chocolate kiss is to comfort you when you are feeling sad.
-The sticker is to remind you that we will all stick together and help each other.
-The rubber band is to remind you to hug someone.
-The penny is to remind you that you are valuable.
-The star is to remind you to shine and always try your best.
-The tissue is to remind you to help dry someone’s tears.
-The toothpick is to pick out the best qualities in your friends and in yourself.
-The bandage is to remind you to heal hurt feelings in your friends and in yourself.
-The gold thread is to remind you that friendship ties our hearts together.
-The eraser is to remind you that everyone makes mistakes and that is okay.
-The Life Saver is to remind you that you can come to me if you need someone to talk to.
With love,
Mrs. Teacher

A precious gift indeed!

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