A farewell letter to your students, one they'll keep after the last bell
Written by hand · Sealed with wax · Sent as one link
By June, you know things about each student that no report card says: who started the year silent, who stayed behind to stack chairs. A good farewell letter names one of those small things and then points the student toward what comes next.
Free · No sign-up needed · Sent as a link
Ways to begin
“Dear Maya, in September you wouldn't raise your hand, and in May you argued with me about the ending of a book. Please never lose that.”
“Dear class, you taught me as much this year as I taught you, and before you go I want to tell you a few things I noticed.”
“Dear Daniel, when you walk out of this school on Friday, I want you to take one thing with you: you are better at starting over than you think.”
What to write
1. Pick one specific moment for each student, like a question they asked or the day they helped a classmate, so the letter can only be about them.
2. Avoid grades, test scores and old mistakes. Praise effort and character, and skip comparisons to other students.
3. End with one wish or one thing to keep doing next year, rather than a general 'you'll go far'. A student can hold onto something that concrete.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How long should a letter to each student be?
Four to six sentences is enough: one real memory, one strength you saw, and one wish for what's next. For a whole class, write a shared opening paragraph and then add a personal line for each student.
Q. Can I make the letter open on the last day of school?
Yes. Set an opening date and the letter unlocks at 00:00 that day. You send one link by text, email or any messenger, and the student opens it in a browser with no app and no sign-up. You can add a password if you want only certain people to open it. Writing and sending are free.