Creating A Legacy At Mary J. Tanner
The end of the year is an exciting time for students and teachers alike. While summer plans may be at the top of our mind, third grade students at Mary J. Tanner Elementary School have also completed a special project that will make sure their mark is left on the school for the next generation.
Each year, the third grade comes together to complete the annual Legacy Project, which enables students to draw designs on their own piece of slate that will be placed in either the school foyer or courtyard permanently. What makes this project more significant this year is that this is the final year third grade classes will be held at Mary J. Tanner, with the grade making the move to Granville Elementary School beginning this coming fall.
For third grade teachers Kim Bean, Shannon West, and Katie Fredette, that means this year’s Legacy Project felt like a marker in time.
“It’s always fun to come together as a grade and create these slates for the school, but this year definitely felt a little more impactful,” said Mrs. Fredette. “As teachers, it felt like the end of an era and we’re definitely going to miss having this experience with our students at the end of the year. At the same time, we’re excited to be making the move to Granville Elementary.”
“It hit us all in a different way knowing that this Legacy Project was going to be our last,” said Mrs. Bean. “Nonetheless, it’s always exciting to see how the students reflect on their time and what designs they come up with for the project.”
The project takes a few weeks to come together towards the end of the year. Each student first sketches out how they would like their slate to look on a piece of paper, with the prompt for the design being what memories are your favorite of Mary J. Tanner. Once the students complete their sketches, they are given their slates to create a lasting image. From there, the school will place the completed slates around the school campus for future students to see.
This year’s slate design follows a long tradition of Legacy Projects that the outgoing third grade classes have been able to put together.
“In the past, we’ve had classes do tie-dye, quilt squares, and even write letters to their future selves,” said Mrs. West. “We try to create a fun, engaging project that will excite students and give them the motivation to create something unique and true to themselves.”
While the students are excited about moving up to the fourth grade, the impact of this specific Mary J. Tanner Elementary third grade class being the last is impacting the teachers differently.
“It’s an exciting time in one respect, because we’re going to start new traditions and new activities with next year’s third graders at Granville Elementary,” said Mrs. Fredette. “It’s also giving each of us some time to reflect on everything we’ve done with our students in this building, and it can be hard at times realizing that we won’t be back in the same classrooms next year.”
“This year’s third grade class was really special for all of us,” said Mrs. Bean. “It’s been so fun being with them every day in this building, so it’s always hard to say goodbye for that final time. Add in the fact that we’re also saying goodbye to the building, and it gets a little harder.”
“It’s a big move for everyone involved, and I feel like this year’s Legacy Project is also a Legacy Project for the teachers,” said Mrs. West. “We all hope we helped make an important impact on this school, and we’re going to miss working with the other grades and our principal. Of course, we’re extremely excited to get started at Granville Elementary next year and work with the faculty and staff on fun projects.”
Parents and guardians of third grade students will be able to see this year’s Legacy Project during the Moving Up Day ceremony this year. Students will get to look at the finished slates during a special end of year picnic for students and staff in the courtyard.