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Handwritten letters filled with innocent, shaky handwriting and clumsy yet heartfelt words of gratitude were perhaps the most special part of this year’s Dewey Hai Phong Primary Graduation Ceremony — a moment when love and appreciation were expressed in the purest, most genuine way.
Ms. Thu Thuy – Parent of a Grade 5 Tunis student, shared emotionally while reading those “little pieces of heartfelt love”: “What moved me the most was not the report cards or compliments… but the three smallletters from my three daughters. Some handwriting was still messy, some words were so simple, yet every line made me pause in silence. Thank you, my children, for growing up kind, loving, and knowing how to say thankyou. Thank you, Dewey, for not only teaching knowledge, but also nurturing beautiful souls.”
Dewey Hai Phong’s Primary Graduation Ceremony ended with tight hugs, teary eyes, and the tears that had been held back all ceremony finally rolling down cheeks — marking the growth journey of 81 little “Deweydolphins” of Grade 5. A school that, as Ms. Vu Thi Tuyen – Parent of class 5 Tunis shared, is “a place where trust was placed in the right hands,” where “teachers not only teach knowledge, but also help each child become a special version of themselves.”
Like a “time machine,” the ceremony brought parents and teachers back to the very first days when the children stepped into school with eyes full of wonder and hesitation. Some awkwardly learned how to put awaytheir shoes and fold blankets by themselves; some hid behind their parents, too shy to enter the classroom. And yet today, those same “tiny footsteps” can confidently stand on stage to write poems, perform, debate, solve math problems, and tell their own stories through experiential learning projects such as “The Voice of Hands” and “The Final Lesson” — leaving parents and teachers deeply emotional as they witnessed how muchthe children had grown.
That growth was seen most clearly when the children walked onto the stage hand in hand with their parents to receive their graduation certificates. Those little hands were now confident enough to hold tightly ontotheir parents’ hands, smiling brightly amid endless applause. It was not only a proud moment for the children, but also a touching reminder of the unconditional love, companionship, and support from grandparents, parents, and family throughout their journey of growing up.
“The school year ends with so many memories
Missing the school from the very first days
Graduation sunlight fills the classroom doors
I send my gratitude to my teachers…”
…
The song left the entire auditorium astonished and emotional, because every lyric was actually written by the Grade 5 “little artists” themselves during their subject projects. Now, those verses had become a graduationchoir carrying the sound of growth and farewell.
The Primary Graduation Ceremony may have come to an end, but the journey of growing up for these little “Dewey dolphins” has only just begun. May the children always keep their innocence, kindness, and courageto try, to be different, and to confidently continue writing beautiful new chapters of their student life ahead.
