Friday was picture day! Every year, I look forward to watching my students enter room 157 with freshly sprayed hair, collars up, ruffles, fancy shoes, special jewelery, and all the accessories of "Picture Day" when you are six years old. This year was no exception. Everyone made a fuss as each first grader walked in to the cheers of "Ooh" and "Aah". Ryan said it best when he said, "I can't wait for picture day!" I got very lucky this year, as I one of the first to spot the sign-up sheet taped to the counter in the main office, allowing us one of the coveted "morning slots". Pictures are so much better when they aren't tainted by the remains of "pizza day" or the tumbles of recess.
After taking individual pictures, we ventured into the auditorium for the famous (and sometimes infamous!) class picture. As each child went obediently to their assigned position on the risers, I asked myself, "Why is picture day always so exciting?" It could just be thrill of standing on those risers or the idea of looking into the great big camera. I suspect its something more.
As a busy Friday came to an end and the last student gave me a hug and said, "See you tomorrow!" (I've given up reminding them that when it's Friday, we won't see each other tomorrow!), I reflected on the idea of picture day. Perhaps, it's such a great day because nothing else in the world matters, but smiling, looking at the camera, and standing next to your friends. That single class picture captures a group of children and adults who will laugh together, sometimes cry together, learn new things, work out arguments, explore the wonders and the challenges of reading, celebrate birthdays and holidays, miss each other on snow days, strive for more and better, run together at recess, help each other to the nurse when our knees get skinned...all for 182 days. Next year's class pictures will be different. We won't look the same and we won't be with the same people, but for this year and this class... Picture Day was picture perfect!