Nebraska kindergarten teacher uses the alphabet to say ‘Aloha’ to summer

As most K-12 schools across the state celebrate the last week of classes, kindergarten teacher Emme Brown finished her annual alphabet countdown to the last day of school.

Brown has taught for five years at the consolidated district Sumner-Eddyville-Miller Schools, about 40 minutes northwest of Kearney. In her first year, Brown started counting down the final days of schools with the alphabet, starting with Z. The tradition has stuck.

“It's fun to also hear like my past students, when they're like, ‘What countdown day are you guys on?’” Brown said. “They understand, and they realize that we're doing it, and then it's like, ‘Oh, I bet you're on this day today.’ It's just fun.”

Brown said one of the best days is the marriage of Q and U. Her class holds a wedding for the two letters.

“Q and U get married because it helps the kids remember that they're always together in the words, so that one's always super fun,” Brown said. “As kindergarteners, they’re always so giddy about it.”

Another favorite for Brown is K day, which she deemed kings (and queens) day. This year, she printed off crowns with each student's name for an extra flair. She also enjoyed putting crayons in her hair on crazy hair day for the letter C.

Sumner-Eddyville-Miller held its last day of school Wednesday. Brown said the final day’s theme was Aloha for A day to help say hello to summer. She bought the students leis to wear as they enjoy their end-of-school-year carnival.

Brown said she hopes students remember that learning can be fun, especially as they head into summer break.

“I feel like sometimes learning is ‘Ah, I gotta go to school,’ or it's like a dreaded thing — not so much in kindergarten but as they get older,” Brown said. “Learning is fun, and to keep learning, and also that it's fun to be crazy. It's fun to do fun things.”

Brown added that for teachers, she hopes they remember to enjoy each moment.

“Remembering to slow down, even in like the crazy, because it is crazy,” Brown said. “There's a lot of things going on at the end of the school year, so slowing down and enjoying the moments with the kids before you let them go.”