Embrace freedom

Gordon’s Middle School begins in fifth grade.
 

This week, as a farewell gift to the fourth graders, Lower School Director Minna Ham gave each of them a goldfish to release into the pond.
 

It was a tribute to the work Lower School does to advocate for Gordon’s wetlands and the ecosystem they support.
 

But it was more than that, as well.

Ms. Ham had each student write words of advice for their goldfish.
 

At the end-of-the-year assembly, as the fourth graders prepared to become the smallest fish in the big pond of Gordon’s Middle School, she read those words back to them, saying:

Dear little fish,
Do not worry. There will be other fish there with you if you get scared and really nothing bad can happen. Plus, I bet all the other little fish are worrying like you but it will be just fine. I promise!

Dear little fish,
Some advice to give you when you move, is to keep a happy attitude. 

Dear little fish,
You might be scared, but don’t worry. I have to do this next year too! Please stay safe, and don’t worry.
 

Some other words:

Be brave, don’t be afraid.

Stick together.

Stay strong.

Make good friends.

Be curious, but not too curious.

You will meet new fish. You will survive.

Go in a space you feel safe in.

You got this, little bro!

Have fun under the water. Make friends! You’re going to love the pond.

We love you.
 

Then she continued:

"When the fish were released with love and care, some took right off and went right into the middle of the pond with vim and vigor. Some were tentative and slowly swam around, investigating a small circumference before moving further out. Many found another fish or a group of fish and stayed together."
 

"I want to share one more message that struck me because I think it is important advice for us all to remember, especially in these current times. Students, teachers, parents, and adults.  The note simply read: 'Dear Little Fish, my only advice: embrace freedom.'"
 

"Simple and so easy to forget, to take for granted, and lose sight of until it is taken away. So fourth graders, soon to be fifth graders, embrace freedom and do not forget that with freedom comes responsibility."