Classroom Therapy Golden Polar: A Wonderful Diary of his Adventures

A Special Message from Rochelle:
I honestly could not wait for this special surprise party, which took place on May 23, 2003. And, to be able to join in all the fun since I couldn't be at the party myself, I sent a huge box of Golden presents. There were goodies for Polar, for his mom Pam, for the teachers, and for all his classmates.

Below, you will find a letter of thanks that was written by Golden Polar to myself, so please excuse the poor spelling and grammar!

dEAr Ant roSHELL

thangk yu fur awl thuh GRate PREzENTZ!! I thingk meye faverit

wuzz thuh treets that lukt like hut dawgs!! I also REALee liket the fun knee

soundin toy, mi bigg bruthr likes that 1 2! Thuh parti wuzz alot uf fun,

an I gott to play with awl mi kids, and i helpt them opn there pREzentz

from u and they LUVd them. we awl had alot of fun!! I got hoome layt. it

wuz a vry bizzy day so i wuz POOOPT owt! Mom had dAD along to taek

lots of pitchers and he also wuz holdin a big blakk CAMruh that i thingk

they calld a VIDo camruh! I felt likke I wuz a vry SPechull boy. But

then mom cryd a liddule cuz shee sed hur liddle boy iz GRowin up. i

didnt undurstand that, but ooo well I had a blasst.

thangk yu agin 4 helpin meye mom SELLibreat meye bIRFday!!

Yur Pal, POLAR

Polar's party was great, and he just had a ball. The kids loved seeing him in his hat and shirt that, of course, his mother made him wear! He knew that something was going on because there was this huge box in the room and a bunch of wrapped things where we usually sit! So, we started out the Don't you love to open presents?

time like was always do by answering questions and letting the kids tell him about their week, etc.

But it gradually got to the point where we started to pass out presents. Of course, while Polar was opening his, which they loved to have him do, they all had different theories as to how he would open his presents. He was slightly hesitant at first but once Lisa gave him some direction on how to proceed, I think he figured it out!!

The children just loved all the neat things Rochelle got for them, such as the fans and the Golden Retriever stickers and of course the cool shoe laces. They loved the cards with a picture of a Golden on them, as they thought it was actually Polar. The neat little car/jet toy, Serigo just loved that. Chanse wouldn't wear his hat but he seemed to really enjoy his presents. And, the cards that each child got from Rochelle, well they each had Polar and I read them to them!!!

They made a huge poster size letter for Polar and they all signed it. Mrs. Brown was really touched by the neat gifts Rochelle got for her as well, she seemed very moved by it, and of course I was just so proud of how Polar handled it all. He seemed to be on his best behavior and was very interested in what each child was opening.

And, they really enjoyed sharing everything with him!! They even made him come over to the table and share a piece of birthday cake, which they insisted he have, and which of course, he didn't refuse!! I was so moved by all the concern for him, and how they each said, pretty much at the same time, that Polar needed a piece of cake!!

All in all we had a great day thanks to Rochelle's help, and of course my husband's help with the camera and the video! Polar was asked to visit another classroom before the party so he was very busy yesterday.

The fourth graders from the class must have had a zillion questions for him! We are hoping to get back for one last visit before school is out for the summer.