Shannon's last goodbye: Closure affects teachers, parents, students

M.D. Shannon Elementary’s last day of school Thursday was not only bittersweet for employees but an unhappy, uneasy time for students, too.

“I feel sad because I can’t see all of my friends,” fifth-grader Dontrell Miller said. “And they are all going to different schools. Some of my friends are going to Wyandotte and a few of my friends are going to Norman.”

Of all his teachers, he’s really going to miss his fourth-grade teacher Tonya Davis.

“I’m going to miss Ms. Davis because she does fun stuff that helps me learn,” Miller said.

Science and social studies are Miller’s favorite subjects. He likes animals and rocks.

Departing Shannon Elementary will be difficult for Miller. He has been a student at Shannon since pre-K at 4-years-old. Now, he’s 10 and just completed his fourth-grade year.

His bond with classmates has lasted six years.

Dediara Miller, Dontrell’s mother, is affected by Shannon’s closing in two ways — as a parent and part-time employee.

Miller worked as a crossing guard and custodian at Shannon.

While Shannon employees have their new assignments for the 2016-17 school year , she does not. Miller is displaced.

Miller is also heavily involved in the Parent Teacher Organization and is a substitute teacher.

“I didn’t realize this was something they were trying to do for years,” Miller said. “This is my first year hearing it. We heard about the closing in February or March.”

As a parent, Miller is concerned about the changes because her son receives speech therapy for stuttering problems. He has been with the same speech therapist since pre-K.

“I think with this drastic change, I feel like it’s going to push him back because he has to get used to a whole new environment and new set of people,” Miller said.

“I know sixth grade, they’re going on to junior high school, but they’re kind of prepared for that. They weren’t prepared for this. And then it came so suddenly, nobody knew it was happening.

“And it affects me, too, because that was my job. And so right now, I don’t have a job.”

Establishing trust and relationships with school personnel has been important for Dontrell Miller’s social, emotional, and academic progress in school.

School closures are “a traumatic experience, not only for the students but also for the teachers,” said Stephanie Jones, associate professor at Harvard University.

Jones is also a developmental psychologist specializing in social and emotional learning. She recommends safe spaces for students and teachers to express their feelings about the changes without being judged will help make the transition easier.

“I’m concerned about the changes and him fitting in,” Miller said. “He was kind of standoffish. He came out of his shell by knowing his teachers.

“My concern is that he doesn’t go back in his shell and stop raising his hand in class. The teachers he had wouldn’t let him go into his shell.”

The change is scary for Dontrell Miller. The smaller, familiar learning community has served as a positive environment for his success.

“It’s going to be different students that I don’t know,” Miller said. “I feel nervous and afraid (of a new teacher) because it’s not going to be a familiar face.”

Miller says a fun, learning environment will help ease his fears.

“They (teachers) will make learning a little bit fun,” Miller said. “In science, I would like the teacher to do experiments. And in social studies, I would like the teacher to bring a globe or map so we can see the states.”

He enjoyed math and reading activities using tablets in class because it shows students of their progress.

“I think it helps me to learn because if I get a low level (score),” Miller said, “I’ll try to learn more and try to bring it up.”

Drawing superheroes is a favorite of Miller. He also enjoys drawing animals and plants.

While in pre-K, he was tested and approved for the district’s talented and gifted art program. He started the program in kindergarten and has worked with the same teacher for five years.

Miller was an active student at Shannon. He was a member of the Shannon Singers, 4-H, math , and science clubs.

Miller will miss the fun things planned by his principal Shantelle Toups.

“What I’m going to miss the most is doing the fun things Mrs. Toups did, like the dance party,” Miller said. “I like singing but I won’t miss chorus.”

Despite the sad feelings of his school closing and fears of moving forward, Miller is excited about the summer. He was most thrilled at the idea of going on vacation and watching the Angry Birds movie.

His summer will be filled with swimming lessons and creating art projects at a summer program.