The kids knew we were going to have a picnic today. The cafeteria was to be closed because the fifth graders were having their graduation lunch, so all the other kids would have boxed lunches (crud) sent to the classrooms. But Ms. Yager's class was having a picnic!
I was excited today because I love to give presents. And I love those kids. First, I sent Ms. Yager out of the class for five minutes and the kids gathered on the green rug so they could see what was in the BIG BAG. It was the quilt I had put together from the squares the children had made last week on the theme of 'If I could Fly', from the story, "Tar Beach" by Faith Ringold, the incredible quilt maker. The kids were enthralled and excited to be able to give their teacher this gift they had made. They lifted up the edge and haltingly read: 'For CareyAnne, a gifted teacher, from Miss Molly and the students.' They marveled to see their very own squares displayed on a royal blue background.bCareyAnne came in and the kids were so excited to give her this gift they had made. They told her that she could wrap up in this quilt on cool days in Arizona - where she is going to be next year.
Next, I distributed book gifts to each student. I told them ahead of time that each book was different because each student was different and unique. Each book was wrapped and labeled and we opened them one by one. These needy kids were just great. They appreciated each other's books and waited patiently for theirs. And for the next half hour everyone was reading their books, sharing with others. It was magical humming as kids read, leaned on each other, sat on laps, and exclaimed about their delight. They could not believe that these books were theirs forever and they could take them home. I had chosen several books in Spanish or in both Spanish and English so that families could read the books together. And, indeed, several of the kids came to me to say that their moms would read this with them.
The picnic was wonderful! We spread out on a king size sheet under an old oak tree. The kids sat around the edge. Many helpers put out the plates, cutlery and food items. All the kids waited until everyone was served, and then they dug in to a picnic of fried chicken, pasta salad, raw vegetables with yogurt dip, pickles, French bread, watermelon and brownies. No one complained and everyone ate. Many wanted seconds. Lots of these needy kids wanted seconds before the firsts were finished! The bottled water in an iced cooler was a hit, as my husband had predicted. There was nothing left! The whole thing was fun, sweaty, and dirty from the black sand of the Florida dry season and the energy of children.
When we went inside, grubby, satisfied, and full of love for each other, being cool in that air conditioned no-windows classroom, it seemed it was O.K for the moment. We spent the next hour playing a version of 'school store'. At the beginning of the day (after the mice sang the National Anthem), CareyAnne had given each child five dollars in play money. For each time a student tattled or argued he/she would deduct 50 cents. We were relentless about recording these transgressions! At the end of the day each child would have whatever money left to spend at the class sticker store (a math activity in which the kids had to make change). Every child had a chance to step a time or two to purchase stickers of his/he upr choice
After the kids 'got it' about the tattling and arguing, it was incredibly pleasant and communal. They began to pay attention to each other and they tried to understand that some things that happen, just happen by mistake. No big deal. You don't have to tattle or report on it. Each child bought many stickers at the 'store'. Only one child, a problem one, tried to steal money. I am saddened to think I can see into his future- a young man out of control, manipulating the truth, probably violent.
This school has taught me so much. This is a Title One school, one of the poorest. It is out in Nowhere, East Overshoe, actually Lacoochee, FL. (close to where I live.) I have a vision for such schools as this. It is here that we need the VERY BEST in the way of principals and teachers. But that is not the case here, and I imagine this is true everywhere. There is no joy at Lacoochee Elementary School as far as I can see from being there for two years. I have never gotten the slightest indication that anyone teaching here goes home energized. It is difficult even on the most wonderful mornings to get anyone to respond to my cheery "Good Morning!" Their heads are down, they are determined to get through the day. There is no excited talk of pedagogical issues,no interest in kids (other than to complain about them),they don't read and they have no close feeling of being a team with a mission.
Except in the classroom, no one has ever either met my eyes in friendliness, or sent me a thank you. Many of the teachers I have met there do not speak grammatical English, and I am not talking about Hispanics. But I do not think that these teachers are dim. They don't have leadership!
What if you got an energetic and intelligent principal for such poor schools as Lacoochee? Someone with energy and creativity and the desire to create a crackerjack team of teachers? Someone who could recruit teachers with idealism. Someone who could lead and energize? Someone who could inspire teachers and students? Someone who could get down and dirty with students on their level, leave the pointy toed high heels in the dust, and be just human? What if such a principal could attract the best and brightest teachers? What if the principal could let the current teachers know IF THEY HAD A JOB FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR? What are we thinking? And actually, how can we expect our children to be good readers if the PARENTS AND TEACHERS DON'T READ?
We are failing our children if we don't get it together better. Our teachers and especially our principals need to be the best! What are we thinking to let the mediocre and worse teach our kids? Our kids spend the majority of their daily lives in school. It is of the highest priority that their time there is quality time. I believe that teachers should be paid as the highest ranks of workers and that we should, in turn, expect the highest quality from them.
Our children are our future, as all of you know.
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