The End, Part Two: Project 180, Day 180

Another 3:00 AM start, but I got it done: a Sappy Sy Rhyme for each kid, for each class. Glad I continued the tradition. Believe I would have missed an important opportunity to cement and seal the yearlong relationship I have worked so hard to build with my little humans.

Today, I say goodbye to periods 2, 4, and 6. Yesterday, the farewell was harder than I expected. I got choked up reading the Sappy Sy to period 3, and we all had a good cry. Haven’t done that since I cried at the end of year two, twenty-one years ago. The mixed blessing of connections. Wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Though tomorrow is officially our last day. Today wraps up Project 180: Year Three. My count got a bit off with snow days. In all, it has been an amazing year, and I am looking forward to reflecting and recharging this summer to get ready for Year Four. Will write some more tomorrow about that. For now, here are the Sappy Sy Rhymes for today.

Sappy Period 2

Up at 3:00 AM
Tryin’ to find a rhyme
Gotta do my Sappy
One last time

But this one’s different
Special you see
It’s the last one
To you from me

So here it is
Here we go
To all the young people
I love and know

First there’s Brady
A quiet fellow.
Bright and insightful
But always mellow.

Philip, my biggest
Regret to tell
“Cause I failed to bring
Him out of his shell

Josh, himself
He generously shared
And consequently
We all cared

Emily our friend
Though she’s cool
Seems a little confused about
The word high school

Mohammed smiles
But only sometimes
On Tuesday and Thursday
It’s Access Time!

Ava, not Ah-Vuh
For her part
Let us see some
Of her great big heart

Oh that Jessie
Her spirit a force
I will miss her dearly
As a matter of course

Addison
A gentle spirit I find
I think there’s more than he shows
In his mind.

Danny boy
Kind and true
I’m so glad
I now know you

Milana so kind
Faced her fears
We’ll never forget
Your genuine tears

Ciera, one thing
I think it worthwhile
Please never hide
Your fantastic smile.

Chelsey, I’m glad
you made it here
Thank you for
A wonderful year

For Jeremiah
A great big thanks
I now know more
About Army tanks

Esteban, I’m sorry
It’s been hard of late
Summer’s near
Not long to wait

Braedon, thank you
For stepping up
You gave me hope
You filled my cup

Beckett, though serious
Has got some funny
And he can run like
The Energizer bunny

Joshua S
Knows what he wants
He shows it through confidence
Neither brags nor flaunts

Ashley T
I know it’s been rough
But through it all
You’ve been pretty tough

Kyle, it’s okay
I think I understand
School doesn’t always fit
Everyone’s plan

Bae, here
Here in the end
I’ve discovered many are proud
To call you friend

Eva, thank you
For sharing your spice
Sorry I ever
Skated thin ice

And now it seems
We’ve reached the end
And for that I’m sad
My dear young friends

I will miss you more
Than I can convey
But I hope these words
Will with you stay

Connections matter
They get us through
Could not have done this
Without you

You shared yourselves
Your ups and downs
You daily shared
Your Smiles and Frowns.

Look around
What do you see?
Not just a class
But a community

So, as you go
As you leave
As you follow
Your path that weaves

In and out
And around
Remember the connections
That you’ve found

And build some more
As you go
For it’s not how far you get
It’s how well you know

I’ve done this now
For twenty three
But more connected
I’m not sure I’ve been

I cannot, will not
Forget you ever
You have all, dear friends
Made me better.

Thank you.
I will miss you.
I love you.

Sappy Period 4

Up at 3:00 AM
Tryin’ to find a rhyme
Gotta do my Sappy
One last time

But this one’s different
Special you see
It’s the last one
To you from me

So here it is
Here we go
To all the young people
I love and know

First, there’s Jade
A little crazy at that
Please be careful
With your tats

Anni, I know
The secret to your art
It’s because you have
Such a great big heart

Jackson lives
And Jackson learns
Please, young friend
No more burns

Kellen I will
Remember ever
Your one true love
Dr. Pepper

Thomas passed
And it’s okay
We’re just glad
You’re in our day

Dom must be
An awesome friend
‘Cause she puts up
That kid named Bren

Danielle so nice
Never mean
And she’s also
The sandwich queen

A.C.’s quiet
Of that no doubt
But just once I’d love
To hear him shout

And then Leonie
Our German friend
So sad it’s come
To an end

Zach’s the man
He’s the start
To Smiles and Frowns
He plays his part

Bren that poem
Was no full senda
Made us say
Dammit, Brenda

Jake our drummer
He plays in the band
No one can do it
Like Jacob can

Ty learned
The toughest lesson of all
You can’t win a fight
Against a wall

Cassie I know
Maybe not well
But thank you for coming
Out of your shell

Jordyn takes care
Of all like a Mom
We tease her a bit
But she’s really the bomb

Caleb I hate
To say “so long”
Take care of yourself
Keep staying strong

Ryan P
A man on a trek
I hope you create
The best Magic deck

Eve the wonder
She shares her art
Eve the wonder
Creates from her heart

Jordan’s got layers
We never knew
She’s traveled a lot
And climbs rocks, too

Ryan R
He’s the man
Not much he can’t do
With a tool in his hand

Germaine’s got style
Not to be dissed
Check out the bracelets
He wears on his wrist

Tarrah your silence
Speaks to me
I understand
I hope you see

Maria grew tall
In front of our eyes
Courage is much more
Than physical size

Mikey the Godfather
The boys in his care
He seems most happy
When they are there

Where is Tyler?
He’ll be a bit late
We’ve come to accept
That maybe it’s fate

And last there’s Shai
Who finally shared
I think it’s ‘cause
She learned we cared