The 2018 Farewell Letters To Orchard

STEVE THOMPSON | 47 YEARS

Dear Orchard,

Orchard has always been a unique school, and that is what I have loved about it all through my years here. It is a tough task to describe what makes Orchard such a wonderful place for kids. To understand our school, you have to come and experience it for a period of time. Most of our parents never had the opportunity to attend a school like Orchard because I don’t think there is another one anywhere. The opportunities to learn and enjoy new experiences are almost endless at Orchard.

I have always believed that our school has charted its own path. We don’t try to copy what other schools are doing. Not at all. At Orchard, we work with kids and set up programs and educational plans that fit each student’s needs. And that , in my opinion, is the best way to teach and help our students.

As you walk around our campus, indoors and outside, you see countless examples of learning going on each day. I have always enjoyed seeing our teachers and students engaged in learning through academics, fine arts, athletics, and outdoor education. It is really fun to see our kids working with teachers as well as their own peers on projects. I do want to come back and visit to see those interactive learning activities continue to be a large part of our daily schedule.

In conclusion, I have thoroughly enjoyed my years here as a student, teacher, coach, athletic director, and a parent. Being flexible and willing to adapt are two of the key ingredients for success at Orchard. I always tried to do things the right way, which is the Orchard way, but not be too rigid. I learned that from my father, Gordon Thompson, our headmaster for 45 of his 53 years at Orchard.

As we get closer to our 100^th year as a school, the upcoming celebration will be exciting and well deserved, and I hope to be part of it in 2022.

I will close with one of my favorite green and gold chants: “Let’s Go Owls!”.

Steve Thompson, ‘63

MIKE BROWN | 41 YEARS

Dear Orchard,

In so many ways it is going to be difficult to leave Orchard and move on to a new chapter in my life. This has been such a huge part of me for 41 incredible years. Orchard has changed tremendously in that time, but in what matters most, it has remained the same wonderful place of child-centered education and a community of warm, caring people. I will miss the kids, I will miss my team, and I will miss the friends and teachers who have been so important in my life.

 

I will take with me many great Orchard memories: of teaching and coaching, of watching my kids go to school here, and of meeting and marrying my best friend Deb during my time here. Most of all, I will take with me the memories of good times, many laughs, and the experience of working together in helping kids to be successful students and strong young men and women.

 

Saying thanks seems to be all that I have left. I think I have given everything else. Thank you, Orchard.

 

Fondly and Forever,

Mike

DIANA SHELLHAAS | 35 YEARS

Dear Orchard,

 

I am finding it difficult to believe that this year will be my last as a part of this wonderful place! It has been a good match for me (obviously, or I would not have stayed for 35 years!), but it is now time to give my full attention to my family and get out there and see some wonderful places in this country. As I reflect back over my time here, it is hard to believe that for over half my life I have been a part of this community! I honestly believe that I have learned as much if not more than I have taught. A lot of what I really needed to know about how to live and what to do and how to be as both a teacher and a human being I learned here at The Orchard School.

I take with me so many memories and hope that I have left a few as well. And so I share a few of those memories and lessons I have learned:

 

Always do what is best for kids. Let that guide every action and decision that is made.

Balance your time at work with your personal time with family. There is nothing more important than family!

Celebrate all the wonderful things that happen at this school, for there is much to celebrate! “Chip,chip,chipping in” is my favorite chapter in The Path Well Chosen.

Dedicated faculty are the heart of this school.

Experience is the best way to learn, so just jump right in and try it!

Facilitating learning is the highest level of teaching, giving ownership and leadership to the students. This is not easy to do, but represents learning at its best.

Goats make me laugh! Gardening here with the kids and fellow teachers and parents makes my heart happy!

Helping hands are an absolute necessity in getting many things accomplished here on a daily basis. Thank you to everyone who has chipped in and help out with so many tasks over the years. Handcuffed at the White House by secret service agents. A great story and a memory never to be forgotten!

It is IMPOSSIBLE to not be impressed with what goes on every single day at this school!

Jumping for the pamper pole platform 25 feet above ground to catch a trapeze was one of the scariest things I have ever done! Joe Bricker, you were always there when I needed you and helped me to work through new ways of doing things. You will be missed!

Knowing the strengths, talents, interests and weaknesses of each individual (adults as well as children) is how we help each other to grow.

Life-long love of learning was a seed planted by my father, but I never really knew the full extent of its meaning until that seed was nourished and grew through so many experiences here at Orchard. I will strive to continue to learn new things as I embark on this new stage of my life.

Many hats have I worn…8th grade science teacher, 8th grade math teacher, assistant technology teacher, 5/6th science teacher, 5/6th team leader, science curriculum committee chair, K science teacher, interim co-director of middle school, curriculum coordinator, outdoor education coordinator, transportation coordinator, grounds supervisor, woods manager, challenge course facilitator and manager, injured turtle doctor, car parking, tractor driver, chicken wrangler, goat herder…..and the list goes on and on! So many opportunities to learn and give back!

Never say never. There is always a way of making things happen if it is better for the kids.

Orchard, you are a very special place unlike any other that I have been a part of. Thank you for helping me to be the person I am today. Of course, keep taking those kids Outdoors!

Parents as partners makes all the difference in what we are able to accomplish with each individual child.

Quiet is not a word that applies to the lunchroom and I hope it never does.

Reduce, reuse, recycle. Gordon Thompson and Fred Lorenz were masters at this long before this phrase became so well known. I learned much from both of them and they are sorely missed.

Science sisters forever! Deb Brown and Linda Prell, you both were such great mentors and support as we built a great science program together.

Traditions are an important part of the foundation of this school…don’t take them lightly.

Under the canopy of the woods, under the stars on a campout, under bridges canoeing the White River, underground at mammoth cave, under water snorkeling the reef around the Dry Tortugas…. memories of some of my favorite activities with students.

Violets are one of the first wild flowers that our preschoolers learn to identify. Did you know that we have white, purple and yellow violets in our woods? Vicky Prusinski, you are the wind beneath my wings. How fitting that you will help to carry the torch as the outdoor program continues to grow at Orchard.

What will I do now? I am excited to begin to explore all the possibilities!

Xeranthemum was the only flower that I could find that begins with the letter X for the alphabet garden.

Yes was a word that always came to quickly out of my mouth when asked to do something. I don’t think I ever learned the word NO.

Zany, zappy, zealous, zesty, zingy, zoic, zonal, zoological…a few words to describe various days at work and thank goodness this is the last letter of the alphabet!

 

 

With heartfelt gratitude,

Diana Shellhaas

BECKY BURTON | 19 YEARS

Dear Orchard,

I can’t imagine my life without Orchard. I can’t imagine not being part of this community which has become my family, where I raised my children. I can’t imagine my life without the beautiful laughter and warmth of these children. I am also so thankful. Thankful to have had almost 20 years in the most amazing, supportive, loving and generous community I could have ever imagined. Thankful for all of the very fulfilling and rewarding experiences which being part of your community and family have given me. And, although I am nervous about what lies ahead, I am also excited about the unknown!

 

So many things I hadn’t thought about before are dancing in front of me. I will be looking for employment in Denver and exploring a variety of new avenues. This is both thrilling and anxiety provoking. I can’t even imagine not being in my Orchard classroom any longer, but I am open to the new possibilities ahead! Anyone who knows me knows that my children, Chloe and Taylor (class of 2009), are the centers of my universe. I know that my life is fullest when we are near one another. So, Denver here we come!

 

I believe when doors open, I need to walk through them. I was so uncertain and scared at first. Then two beautiful things happened which confirmed to me that I had made the right decision. My niece, Kemper Bricker (class of 2014), recently committed to U.C. Boulder. She is very special to me and we will both have new Colorado adventures! Secondly, Allie DeHaven (class of 2007), a previous student of mine at Orchard, will be the new 5/6 Boost teacher. Allie faced her own challenges head-on, and has become an amazing teacher. She volunteered through University High School in my classroom for J terms. I love and admire Allie so much, and for her to become my replacement is a dream come true for both of us. Having Allie in this position made it clear to me that I was up for a new challenge of my own. I know she will love and respect your children as deeply as I do. Your children are in gentle, committed and very dedicated hands!

 

Thank you. Thank you for making a profound difference in my life. Thank you for impacting my life in a meaningful and extraordinary way. Thank you for trusting your beautiful children to me. You have filled my emotional and professional bucket. Not only did I raise my children here, I feel as if I came into my own here. I will be forever grateful for the last 20 years. I will still be traveling with the Orchard community, at least for 2019. I can’t quite say goodbye yet.

 

With so much love and respect,

Becky