Memories of the end of the school year

I am starting to get my classroom in order for the summer: putting things up, removing bulletin boards, storing things back in their correct place, etc. when my mind started to wander back to my elementary school days. I remember (especially from 6th grade on) we would spend the last week of school helping the teacher clean. We would have to bring in sandpaper and sand the edges of the books. I guess so they looked new for the next year.

I loved this time because we didn't have to wear our uniforms. I even remember one year - not sure what year- when I missed the last day of school because I was sick. I was so upset. I remember my mom telling me I couldn't go to school, as I was lacing up my new tennis shoes. A very big deal in a uniform wearing student's life.

Now I look at the end of the year a different way. Where did the time go? It seems like we just started school and it's now the end of another year. Unlike my Catholic school days when we got out before Memorial Day-I have until June 10th to get everything done.