How can this school year be over already? I am pretty certain I still have back to school flyers sitting on my desk. Yet, here we are, another year wrapping up another year at warp speed. Last band concert. End of the year picnic. Open house. Backpack full of evidence that the school year did indeed take place. The school has so many end of the year traditions, I couldn’t help but add a school year tradition of my own.
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One of my favorite favorite end the year traditions is digging out the Dr. Seuss books I bought when my oldest was in second grade. They were in 2nd grade, kindergarten and just entering preschool when I bought them. This year I handed the books off to their teachers and now have signatures and messages from 10th, 8th and 4th grade teachers.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go
The idea is pretty simple & certain I saw it first on Pinterest but won’t be able to give credit to who gave me the idea – but kudos to the mom (or dad) who thought this up! I bought the Dr. Seuss book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” for each boy. At the end of each year I place it in a large envelope with a message on the outside for the school asking kindly that they pass the book around to all teachers. 
There is a quick paragraph asking & thanking teachers for putting up with said son for the year and to sign a message anywhere in the book. I usually list all the teachers so that they can check off who has signed the book. I even include coaches for any sport seasons they do. So far I have a 100% success rate each year! High school was a bit different – bigger school, more teachers. For them I do email the teachers prior to dropping off the book at the front office – and have been met with only positive feedback!
I will admit, I have forgotten to do this. Last year was the first year that I had all three boys at three different schools. It was a bit of a challenge (understatement) to manage all three schedules. I didn’t realize it until the start of the next school year that I had forgotten to do it. I was mortified. Instead of admitting defeat, I typed up my note and explained what I had been doing & how I forgot to send the book around in June. By the end of August I had the book caught up and ready to go for this year. Phew!
It is never too late to start. Maybe just focus on the middle school or high school years. Capture those grade school memories midway through your time there (and hunt down a few past teachers if you can!). I know the boys roll their eyes sometimes when I break out the book at the end of the year…but I have also seen then flipping through the pages seeing what their teachers wrote & spot smiles on their faces. Educators make a difference in our child’s lives. This is one way to show not only our kids who impacted their school days, but also to show the teachers that we felt they made a difference in their lives.
What a great memento for the kids!
What an awesome idea. After your kids graduate and move on with their life it may be years before they look at their books again, but rest assured there will come a time when they are settling into their own adult lives that they will be unpacking boxes and come across their book. They will sit back from unpacking and read through all the messages with a smile on their faces!
That book is so cute and writing down our memories is important but I forget too!
Such a great idea to provide encouragement for your kiddos! I may have to try this. 🙂
I love this idea! This is going up there with the starting email addresses when you get the happy news and then sending updates until they rea h 18, then giving them the password on their birthday 😍
I’ve seen others who do this and think it’s such a lovely idea.
Very sweet idea! Makes me wish I had thought of this idea when my kids were in school.
What a beautiful idea! I’m sure your children will always treasure this keepsake!
I love this book. My son just graduated high school and the message is still appropriate.
One of my favorite books too! And I always love traditions like that!
Now, can you believe summer is over and ANOTHER school year is beginning?
I can’t! Summer went by too quick!
I have seen a lot of parents do this, and I think it is a wonderful idea. What a wonderful treasure for children/ young adults to have.
This is such a cool idea!!! My sister gave my daughter an “Oh the places you will go” party for her high school graduation. It was so much fun!
This is a great idea! And someday your kids will treasure this even if they don’t appreciate it now.
Such a cool tradition! Love the book too!
What a lovely keepsake!
Love this book! We read a lot of Dr. Seuss at my house and this one is so important!
I don’t have kids, but if I did, this would be one of the most memorable and special gifts you could give your kids. And I’m sure the teachers take pleasure in it as well.
What a treasure trove! So cool. Thanks for the idea!
What a great idea. These are memories that they will treasure. Though, I see my oldest saying no way and refusing to do it. LOL!
I love this idea! What an amazing keepsake that will mean more as the years go by.
What a neat idea! Thanks for sharing it!
My kids are grown and out of the house, but this sounds like an awesome idea for my grandsons!
I love this idea! Totally starting it now! Thanks for the idea!
What a fun way to create memories!! I always loved this book.
I grew up with this book! What a great way to use this story!