What did your last written Thank You note look like? I’ve seen many that go like this:

“Thank you for the xx. It was very thoughtful. I will use/display/keep it. Sincerely.”

Ugh. I insisted that my own children learned to write more meaningful notes. Not a lot longer, just more specific.

“Dear Grandma, thank you for the writing stationary. I decided that the perfect thing to do was to write to you with the first piece of paper. Doesn’t it look great? I really appreciate the gift. Love.”

We have a tradition at our school (and many others do too!) to write letters to our graduating seniors. The letters are put in a large envelope and handed to students at graduation practice. Some seniors will have envelopes stuffed to the brim. Some don’t. Our senior advisor does his best to make sure every graduating senior gets several cards. What would you put in a note to a senior who is graduating high school?

Some students I have known for four years (occasionally five) and others for a few months. Some have never visited the Media Center unless dragged in with a class. Others have it written into their legal documents that the library is a safe space for them. We accommodate the students who want a book, need a break, dual enrollment students between remote and in-school classes, and focused students who need the space to work.

This year our graduating class has almost 400 students and I do not know them all. But I know many. I have my own philosophy on only writing letters to those I can write a personalize message. For example, I have a student-athlete working with me for the last few weeks of the semester to make up his work-based hours. Due to issues beyond his control, he needs some additional work hours for graduation. He works in the library six hours a week to get his requirement completed. I knew who he was before he started, but now I actually know him a little better.

“…I hope your dreams come true. Recognize that our dreams change over time. With your personality and intelligence, you have many, many options…”

I have a student with many issues that has included the library in her IEP as a safe space. She is graduating this year. Last year, she decided to attend a pep rally. Her case manager and I decided we need to be there with her, in case the noise was too much. But she brought with her high quality, over the ears, noise-cancelling headphones and wore them. She was fine. More than fine because she could participate in this school event without issues.

“…I loved your clever decision to wear headphones and go to the pep rally. I now follow your wisdom and also wear headphones at pep rallies. Thank you!”

I have a senior who almost lived in the library last year, as a junior, during his dual enrollment classes. This year, I rarely get a glimpse of him. Humor is perfectly acceptable.

“…I’m afraid that just because you ghosted me, doesn’t mean that I’ve forgotten you…”

Some are short – really only three lines long. Some are a few sentences longer. Students need to know that we see them. Sending a generic letter just seems rude. Though I will admit that any student I write to, that is headed to college, gets this additional message:

“P.S. Your college librarians really want to help you. Stop in and say hello. Know that they will help you with your research and to find a good book!”

Research shows that students who had a certified school librarian in high school are much more likely to use the services of a college librarian. College freshman’s grade point average was higher with a certified high school librarian (Farmer & Phamle, 2021). I just want to stack the odds favorably for my students. I know that they will do much better in college with the help of an academic librarian. I’m just passing the baton to the person on the next leg of their journey.

Reference:

Farmer, L. S. J., & Phamle, S. (2021). Transitioning to college: Impact of high school librarians. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 47(1), N.PAG. https://doi-org.proxygsu-k12d.galileo.usg.edu/10.1016/j.acalib.2020.102262