,-
Danny and his family moved
this summer from Southfield to
West Bloomfield.
"I already have a bunch of
friends in West Bloomfield from
Camp Tamarack," he said.
"In elementary school, you're
still with little kids," Danny
said. "In middle school, you're
with sixth-, seventh- and eighth-
graders. You get to act older."
Sherry Kraft, who left for her
class an original poem, dis-
cussed the changes that lie
ahead.
"Well, I know we'll have
homework every day," she said,
"and we'll only have five min-
utes in-between classes. I'm go-
ing to have to cut down on TV,
too."
Next year, students' days
start at 7:45 a.m., as opposed to
8:30 a.m. this year. Students
will have more than one teacher
every day. They could have four
to five.
"At least there's one piece of
good news," said Doug Burda.
"We get out at 2:30 p.m. every
day."
At least one of Miss Blau's
students feels smarter than he
did one month ago.
"I learned a lot in our unit,
rowing Up Healthy," said
Sean McCulloch. "I learned
what all the parts of the body
are called. And I learned what
happens to girls' and boys' bod-
ies."
Sean received a five-star gen-
eral award at graduation for
memorizing an eight-line poem,
the Gettysburg Address, all the
U.S. presidents and all the U.S.
states and capitals.
Jasleen Kishmish and
Joshua Linton, who will go to
Birney in the fall, were two of
three fifth-graders who won the
award for all-around best citi-
zen.
Our class did pretty well,"
said Miss Blau, who handed out
some of the awards at gradua-
tion.
Anita Alosachi, Sherry Kraft,
Alaina O'Connor, Jennifer Kur-
land, Tiffany Edwards, Eliza-
beth Mathis Rogers, Sonya
Gatlin, Chantal Shaw and
Melissa Levi won awards as
Rainbow Readers for having
read 20 books.
Doug won national recogni-
tion for his score on a state sci-
ence exam.
Miss Blau feels bad she can't
follow all her students' progress.
She will continue to teach
fifth grade at Leonhard, but on
a part-time basis next year.
"I'm teaching half a day next
year so I can devote my time to
For Miss Blau
And Our Class
SHERRY LYNN KRAFT
As we entered 5th grade
Green as raw recruits,
On our journey
Through the year
We planted sturdy roots.
We learned about telecommunications
And visions of future plans.
We developed friendships with pen pals
And learned about life in other lands.
Our fifth grade class
Can challenge all comparisons
For it is the finest of them all
And our records shine for all to look upon
In Summer, Spring, Winter, and Fall.
There are no words to adequately express
Our thanks to Miss Blau for her thoughtfulness.
She would always have a huge smile on her face.
She would greet us with a warm embrace.
Her unusual ideas made learning fun
And interesting for everyone.
Through her guidance and help
We were taught how to share
And we learned how to say "No" to drugs
In a program called D.A.R.E.
Leonhard Elementary School graduates listen to graduation speeches.
finishing my Ph.D," said Miss
Blau, who is researching meth-
ods of alternative teaching.
Miss Blau credits her stu-
dents with helping her learn to
better manage her time and
many commitments. She
learned she could still be a
"magical teacher" without con-
tinually coming up with
bunches of innovative projects,
she said.
"The more special projects I
tried to have us do, the less time
I had to be with you," Miss Blau
told her students. "You sug-
gested it so many times I final-
ly took your advice, and I
discovered I became an even
better teacher." ❑
When students needed help
Miss Blau always took the time
To answer their questions on
Wednesday's "Homework Hotline."
But more than this she was a friend
Who would be on our side until the very end.
Having her as a teacher has been a pleasure.
Her friendship we will always treasure.
Even though we are graduating
and we will be off to a new start,
Fond memories of Miss Blau and her class
Will stay forever in our hearts.
For Miss Blau and her class — Have a great summer!
Sherry (6/16/92)