Pam's Retirement . . . Or Not!

 After 28 years in the classroom Pam decided it was time to hang up her hat and she has worn many over the years.

Pam planned well in advance for her retirement and knew that she would be leaving the many duties of a classroom teacher behind.  

 

 

She looked forward to a future of relaxation.

 

However, her plan changed when a new opportunity came along with just one phone call.  "Pam, would you consider teaching part time next year?" 

 

 

As a result, Pam will be leaving the beloved Elk Grove High School Grenadier behind to become a Husky at John Hersey High School.  New adventures await in "semi-retirement."

Sue is Amazing

My good friend and former colleague is retiring this year after 30+ years of service to Elk Grove High School.  Sue graduated from EGHS, raised her children in Elk Grove and said she was going to "walk" when her first grandchild graduated this year.

No one deserves a retirement celebration more than Sue, but the Coronavirus got in the way. Social distancing and shortages of crazy things like toilet paper may be our temporary "new normal". . .

but at least I can deliver some cookies to commemorate this milestone event.

Sue may be saying good bye to EGHS. . .

. . .and leaving the beloved Grenadier behind.  .  .

however, Sue is amazing, and there is no retiring from that.

Congratulations to a special person, may your future be filled with love, laughter, family, friends and beautiful beaches!

Retirement Celebration

Congratulations are in order for a former colleague who is retiring this year.

The cap and diploma, are orange and blue to represent the school where she currently teaches and the mascot represents the high school where we met.  It's hard to exclude the Grenadier since he beat out 63 opponents to be chosen as the best high school mascot in the state of IL.

Finally, I added a tag to acknowledge the third high school in the district where Laura started her career.

Congratulations, Laura!

Linda and Cliff are Retiring

Congratulations to Linda and Cliff, as they retire from teaching.  Elk Grove High School is losing two of the most creative teachers I have ever known, they were an inspiration to their students and their colleagues.

Relax, reinvent, recreate, renew, rejuvenate, reimagine .  .  . retire.

Celebrating Graduation with Friends

Traditional designs and the logo of the University of Iowa for Kaitlyn's celebration.

For Markos, a Grenadier. . .

a celebration of school activities and achievements.  .  .

and a University of Illinois t-shirt hidden at the bottom of the collection.

Time To Retire

Congratulations to my former colleague as they leave their careers in education.

For Ralph, the dog lover. . .

For Maria, a librarian . . .

Celebrating Graduation with Friends

A football theme for Jack .  .  .

Traditional diplomas, caps and tassels for Mya .  .  .

A Grenadier and a U of I t-shirt peeking through the green and gold for Andrea .  .  .

References:
Creative use of cutters:  Upside down Snowman for the football player.  Flower for the mini diploma.
Football player tutorial:  http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/2014/09/decorated-football-player-cookie/
Mini diploma:  http://www.madriscookiekitchen.com/
Standing Graduate:  http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/2013/05/standing-graduate-cookies/
Tassel: http://kimsmom76.blogspot.com/2014/05/graduation-tassel-cookies.html

Good-bye EG, Hello U of I

Graduation season continues. . . this weekend we are celebrating the achievements of a family friend. It was fun to have the opportunity to visit an old friend, the Grenadier.

Since Dorothy is planning to attend the University of Illinois, I made some t-shirt cookies that were hidden at the bottom of the tray. 

Revisiting an Old Friend-the Grenadier

The first time I made  "Gren" cookies I spent a lot of time planning and worrying about that big black mustache, so it was fun to have an opportunity to make this design again.  Note to self:  if there is a next time, the hat needs to be bigger!

Congratulations to Stephanie, a talented, hard working teacher who recently received the "Outstanding Contributions to Education" Award in her district.


Other Grenadier cookies:
An Unusual Mascot 
and  
August 5, 2013 

Welcome to the USA

 Twenty years ago, I participated in a two year, cohort, graduate school program and developed a strong friendship with another member of the group.  Jodi was a young teacher in the process of finishing graduate school, planning a wedding and preparing to move to Cyprus with her new husband.  After nineteen years of living and working abroad, they are returning to the USA with their three teenagers and a dog.

I made an eclectic collection of cookies as a welcome gift, took pictures of them and created a card that said:

As you leave the beautiful 
beaches of island life behind,

keep Cyprus in your heart,





 

as you embrace the journey 

of your new life in the

United States.

Welcome to your new home,

and GO GRENS!

You can learn more about the Gren(adiers) here.

The Grenadier--An Unusual School Mascot

 The Grenadier, a brave, French soldier, is the mascot of the high school where I worked for 25 years.  Yes, there are Elks in the village, but the animal is the mascot of Grove Junior High which  opened prior to the high school.  As a result, an unusual mascot for the secondary school.

Three years ago when I retired from Elk Grove High School, I packaged dozens of cookies as farewell gifts to my co-workers.  My first design idea was to make the school mascot, however, it was a busy time so I opted for an easier design.

This summer I finally had the opportunity to create the Grenadier in cookie form. I have given them to:

-a former colleague who retired,

-a former colleague who recently became the Principal of the school,

and

-some children that will be new students at the school.

Turns out this guy really wasn't that hard to make once I realized what cutter to use--candy corn did the trick!

To see another version of the Gren check out my cookie friend and former colleague, Donna's photos.  She made her version of the Grenadier for her class reunion and she is a very creative photographer.

Go Grens!