6 years ago, I wrote a letter to you on your first day of kindergarten. I read that letter and realized I have so many of the same hopes and dreams for you as you start your first day of junior high.
It’s finally here! We’ve been talking about it for months- your first day of junior high. You know this is a big deal, but there’s no way you could fully comprehend the significance of today- the first day of your secondary school years, which will span more than half a decade. You are the Class of 2031, a year that what felt like yesterday seemed impossibly far into the future, but I know much too soon I’ll be staring at you in your cap and gown saying, How did we get here so quickly?
And So it Begins
The context of so many of your lifelong, concrete memories begins today. Your elementary years, the source of enormous change and growth, will soon be only a collection of fuzzy memories. But years from now, you will definitely recall much about your junior high years, and these memories will bring you great nostalgia as an adult.
Today, a seemingly ordinary day in August, is the start of something really special. What you experience in the coming days, months and years will shape your beliefs, your passions, and the way you relate to other human beings throughout your life.
It’s impossible to predict all the highs, lows and in-between moments you’ll experience in these years, but there are a few key hopes I have for you as you start this junior high journey.
My Hopes for You as You Start Junior High
I hope you will make wonderful, life-giving friendships, and you won’t waste too much time trying to be popular.
I hope that you will work hard for your grades, but won’t let the pursuit of all As dull the joy of learning.
I hope you will continue to read for fun, and fall in love with fictional characters you won’t want to say goodbye to as you turn the last page of a book.
I hope you will also fall in love with your smart, passionate teachers who will make literature, history and even algebra come alive in your classrooms.
I hope you will graduate with a firm grasp on the differences between your and you’re, to and too, and there, their and they’re. (Trust me, when you are trying to make a point on the internet, the grammar police will be out in full-force).
I hope that you’ll bravely raise your hand, even when a classroom discussion makes you uncomfortable or you aren’t certain you know the right answer.
I hope you will keep track of your hoodie and Stanley cup, and remember to put your homework in your backpack, because I’m not bringing it to school for you if you forget.
I hope you are kind.
I hope you make good choices (your neighbor whose test you want to copy from probably doesn’t know the answer either).
I hope you love learning.
You are Ready
Your lunch is packed. Your new backpack sits patiently by the door, anxiously awaiting adventures of the next 9 months. When I hug and kiss you goodbye this morning on your first day of junior high, I may find my eyes filled with tears, just like I did on your first day of kindergarten. I won’t be crying with sadness, but with pride, excitement and anticipation at the wild, wonderful adventure that’s ahead of you. You are ready. Go chase your dreams, sweet girl.
I hope you have a great first day of junior high. I can’t wait to hear all about it.
