Letter of Recommendation

At back-to-school night last month, Alex' 8th grade language arts teacher, Ms. Waits, gave all the parents a homework assignment to write a letter of recommendation recommending our child for her class.  First of all, can I just say (well, scream really) that I really loathe when teachers give the parents homework.  Loathe!  I am the mom.  I have a Master's degree.  I did my time, and have done more homework in my life than any sane person should have.  I'm done.  Seriously.  It is hard enough to get my kids to do their homework, let alone having to do it myself! ARGH!

Anyway, The assignment was due today, and although I have had a whole month to do it, I procrastinated like crazy, and finally started it at 1:30am.  I know.  I know.  I am not being a very good example.  I never would have procrastinated an assignment like that in college, but college was a LONG time and 6 kids ago, so I have gotten a little sloppy with my study skills.

Anyway, I thought I would share my letter of recommend on the blog, (even if it was written in the middle of the night and my be totally incoherent.  I might have to remove this post after reading it in the light of day with a functioning brain).  But know this - I meant every word of it.

Dear Ms. Waits:

 

I am excited for the opportunity to tell you about my son Alex, and why you are going to love having him in your class.  Alex is a one-of-a-kind kid.  He is the oldest of six boys, and takes his responsibility as big brother seriously, (sometimes too seriously).  In fact, Alex takes all responsibility seriously, including homework and school work.  He is very organized and knows how to get down to business.  He always does his homework as soon as he gets home, and keeps track of everything he needs to do.  He is a walking calendar, and can always seem to remember dates and times, what needs to be done when, and he does a good job of reminding me when I need to be where. 

 

Alex also has a fantastic memory of events, and can recall with great clarity things we did years ago, even when he was very young, and often remembers the smallest details about things that we have done better than I do.

 

Alex has a big heart, and is always looking for ways to serve others.  There is an older widow down the street that he visits on a regular basis and spends hours with doing service for her, and just talking with her.  Last Thanksgiving he earned some money and used the entire sum to pay for Thanksgiving dinners for a dozen people at the local homeless shelter.   It was entirely his idea.  In fact, he has recently been asking for jobs to do around the house to make some more money to donate for this’ year’s Thanksgiving dinner at the shelter as well.

 

Alex has learned that he has to work harder than most kids to accomplish his goals, but he does work harder, and that makes all the difference.  This is evidenced by his perseverance and progress in Boy Scouts.  Alex will be receiving his Life Scout in the next month, and is well on his way to receiving his Eagle Scout in the next year or two.

 

Beyond that, Alex is very helpful, and loves to serve others.  He loves nothing better than to spend a Saturday doing a service project for someone.  As the mom, I know I can rely on him to do what he says he will do.  He always does his chores and responsibilities without being told, and all the extra things that are not his assigned chores that I ask him to do, he does willingly and happily.  I always know I can rely on Alex.

 

So, if you are looking for a caring, responsible, organized, hard working, and reliable student for your Language Arts class, you need look no further than Alex VanBuskirk.  I am proud to recommend him for your class.

 

Sincerely,

Rachelle VanBuskirk,

Mom