dear class of 2026,

Tomorrow you begin your first day of school. Congratulations, you're officially big kids!

I know that starting school can be a scary thing, but you know what? I'll be with you every step of the way. And I feel so lucky that I get to call you "mine" for the next 190 days.

You're going to learn so much in Kindergarten. You'll constantly surprise yourself with what you know, and you'll run to show me when you find the word "go" in a book, because it's a word I taught you to read. Right now, you don't know anyone else in the room. But I promise you'll make friends...and soon. People you eat lunch with, play outside with, tell stories to, maybe even meet outside of school, and perhaps friends that you'll sit next to at your high school graduation.

You'll grow. You're so tiny right now...but those pants you're wearing? They'll be too short in 10 months. The buttons won't snap, and your toes will be tight in your shoes. By June, you won't look like a baby anymore, but like a big, grown-up kid who's ready for first grade.

And you will be...ready for first grade, that is. My job is to get you there. We'll work hard. We'll share. We'll take turns. We'll say "I'm sorry." We'll try our best. We'll be respectful. We'll smile and laugh. We'll try new things. We'll have fun. We'll use manners. We'll make mistakes. We'll care for others. We'll speak kindly. We'll help clean up. We'll listen and learn. We'll help each other. We'll challenge ourselves. And when it's all said and done, you won't need me anymore. You'll know everything you need to know to go to first grade. And I have no doubt you'll be successful when you get there.

But for now, you're with me. I'm blessed to get to be your first teacher, and I hope I make a positive impact on your life and your education. I hope that I make you excited about school and learning. And I can't wait to see what adventures this year has in store for us.

xoxo, Mrs. Miller