Last Day of School

Wrapping up this school year has been quite the feat, given other circumstances in life this year. Without going into tons of details, there have been several changes surrounding me and when changes occur, it tends to take tons out of me on every realm.

And so I have been really trying to finish well, to stay engaged, to complete the tasks ahead of me, and mostly, to listen to my kids, as we wind down. And yet it has really been challenging.

Closing things down started on Wed when I had my last class with each of my students at Allen. The week before we had began these home-made books, and so on Wed we took time to read each other our stories as well as have (another) little fiesta. As the kids talked about their books and shared memories from the year I was overcome with gratitude for the ways in which these young ones have taught me so much. My K-5th graders are so full of life, so vibrant, so eager to share what's on their hearts and minds. Oh and they love so generously. One girl even wrote her book about me. (There once was a beautiful, kind, and fun teacher...) NOT EVEN KIDDING. (sigh).

And then yesterday was my last day at Francis Slocum and my chance to really say goodbye to my kids at Mcculloch. And so, even though one of the kids at the Elementary school was a rascal and had to be sent back to his room and miss the party :(, and another, one of my harder students at the Middle School broke the record bowl I had made him on purpose because he didn't want anything from me, I still was so full of love and care for each of them. I know that these kids, so many of them, don't have it easy. For a variety of reasons, there lives are hard. And yes, sometimes they make stupid decisions to act out, to not listen, to be mean, to take it out on others or the Teacher, and yet, they are just so darn cute too.

And then this morning, when I thought that I shouldn't really expect much, that most of the kids would be gone anyways and that my hours would mostly be spent packing and tidying the room, three kids specifically came to my room to say goodbye to me. And one of them was the kid who broke the bowl. The youngest of the three, who also happens to be my favorite looked at me and said:

Have a good summer, Miss. Schmidt.
I'll miss you.

That was it. That was all I needed. For all year--for all the tears and anger I've held, for all the disappointment and frustration I've felt at our community and circumstances and families and, and, and...these few words made everything else disappear and my heart again, is so full.

End of the year fiesta

Last night I invited all 40 of my kids (K-8th) and their families to our local park, Matter Park, for an end-of-the-year fiesta. I asked the parents to chip in and bring either a main course or a side and dessert; I would provide drinks and paper goods. But, being the planner that I am, a few days before-hand, I decided to pick up a few extras, just in case...(chips, desserts, prizes, coloring stuff, playdough, facepaint, chips and salsa from MI PUEBLO...) and then as the time drew nearer I wondered if I had everything...so I called a friend and asked him to pick me up some ice, a ball, and to bring corn hole...) Then I wondered if anyone would bring a main course because I had heard back from several of my kids that their parents were planning on bringing a dessert...so a few hours before the main event I called the (new) roommate, Jess and asked if she had any CHEAP ideas for a main course...she suggested nachos (with meat!). I thought that was a fabulous idea and so off to Walmart I sped again. And while I was there I kept thinking I should pickup a pinata because that would just be so darn fun, but then I thought (even more strongly) that I was already over-budget and just really didn't want to spend any more money. So I got home and began unpacking my loot and told Jess what the plan was and that I had really wanted this pinata...and then she's like--hold on--did you see this?? And she whips out this AMAZING ADORABLE pinata! And it's already filled. Wow, I was SO grateful.

So with my meat cooked and my car filled to the brim with goodies (add 5 hulas to the mix, please!) I drove off to the Park, eager to see who would turn up.

Unloading my car alone in 100 degree weather was a sight to be held, for sure. But as the time approached I quickly forgot my sweatiness (another sight to be held) and smiled as the first car drove up. It was four of my kids--yes! And then, another car, with two of my guy friends who had offered to be male presence to this gang and I was so grateful (and later another friend would show up and be an incredible taxi car driver as well as the best program director around town--organizing kickball for 20 or so kids by himself...). Then more, and more, and more. I think by 7pm we had close to 40 people. Wow!

We ate (95% desserts and 5% main course--4% of it my mega nachos and 1% a family's spghetti dish) and then it was one thing to the next...and I just couldn't stop smiling. THIS, I thought. THIS is why I love my job. These kids are AMAZING.

Essential questions

One never knows when important questions will come down the pike:

One student: Ms. Schmidt--what color is Michael Jackson?
Another student: Yeah, what color is he?
A third student: Black, white, mixed?
Me: Great question.
First student: Well, right now he is just bones...
Me: Hm.
First student: So what color is his soul?

Today's encouragement

Student: Ms. Schmidt--You're a cool teacher, but you are weird too.
Me: Ha. Well I'll take it.
Student: Yeah--I mean, you make weird faces and all.
Me: Yes I do.
Student: You're so weird you make _________ look normal.

Kidnapped (again)

Sometimes I'm privy to some really great conversations. Here's one from today:

Student 1: What if you got kidnapped by someone, but your new life was better than your old one?
Student 2: Like you had a zillion video games and a big screen TV?
Student 1: Yeah--I would invite friends over.
Student 2: And then I would ask them to sign me into their will.

We all break the rules

Student: Miss, S, please let me...
Me: No, I can't.
Student: We won't tell...
Me: Yes, but you'll know that I broke the rules.
Student: So, we all break the rules.
Me: Yes, but I am not going to do it.
One student: Listen, our ancestors broke the rules. We are Mexican!
Another student: Yes--everyone broke the rules way back when. The whites came to this land and took over...

You never know what will be the spark for a great conversation in my class...never would have thought me not letting them do what they wanted would have brought us back to Christopher Columbus' era.

A new pet

For the last few minutes of class today I let a few of my kids play on the computer. They pulled up a game on penguins and the following conversation ensued:

Student: Miss S--would you like to have a penguin as a pet?

Me: A penguin as a pet?

Student: Yes, a penguin as a pet!

Me: No, I would not like to have a penguin as a pet.

Student: Oh, I would. I would throw him on the ice and watch him slide.

Me: Ha.

Guess What?

Student: Miss Schmidt, guess what?
Me: What?
Student: There is one class I hate more than this one.
Me: Hey, we are making progress :)

Victory!

Had a moment of victory this morning--we started our final project at the middle school today and it was a project I have been pretty excited about. I passed out the papers and began to explain how the kids would be creating their own culture. They were to create both a visual as well as write a one-page paper that outlined the information.

I could sense the groans even before I began talking, so I started by saying, "Guys, listen. This is our last project (immediate cheers), and I am really excited about it, so stick with me and here we go..."

The groans and complains were vocalized as several students began saying how much they hated class, they hated their new seats (it's never too late to implement a new seating chart--3 weeks to go and yes, I moved them first thing Monday morning), that the projects were boring, etc...Thankfully, because I have been around these kids, and know their tendancy to complain and moan about, well, everything, this didn't have that great of a negative impact on me (although no one really loves hearing that their students hate them, etc...) and so I mostly ignored their comments and kept talking.

One kid, who has been a mostly good kid for me, respectful, did what I asked, quieted other kids down, etc started up with me. He didn't want to sit next to the student I had placed at his table. He didn't want to work on the project...and so he asked if he could sit outside. I told him no. Then he started making noises with his papers, hitting them against the table.

Usually, this offense warrants sitting outside, especially if a student continues after I've asked him/her to stop. But thankfully, in a (brief) moment of wisdom, I told him, "Listen, I know you want to go outside and so that's why you are making noise. But I am NOT sending you outside." Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect. I know he has cussed teachers out before and he's a big kid and so I waited, unsure of what would follow. Shockingly, he let out a sigh and then--

QUIETED down.

I moved on, walking over to the enormous contraption that holds all our paper and started asking the students what colors they wanted for their poster board. And then, like Santas little helpers, they all went to work.

What a sight--to see them so quietly and intently, working on this project, our final project.

My heart was so full.
And so happy.

WHAT a victory!

Soccer

Smallest 4th grader ever: Guess what, Ms. S? I have soccer tonight.
Me: Oh yeah? Awesome!
S4G: Yeah...but we will lose. We always lose.
Me: You do? I am sorry--that stinks.
S4G: Yeah...the other teams have tall, good kids and we have short, bad kids.

MJ

Walking to class with my 1st graders today two of them asked:

First Student: Ms. S--is your boyfriend Michael Jackson?
Second Student: Yeah, is he??

Friday and a half

Student: Ms. S, can I see my grades?
Me: No, it's not Friday.
Student: I don't care.
Me: Well, that's the rule.
Student: Well, I think we should be able to see our grades Mon, Tue, Wed, or Friday and a half.
Me: Friday and a half??!
Student: Yeah--Friday at noon. DUH.
Me: Oh, good one.
Student: Yeah I invented Friday and a half.
Me: Good to know.

And the education continues...

Got a note from two of my girls (the ones who usually write me notes...)

Dear Ms. S

Bla bla bla....

And then at the end it said:
We love you (No homo)

"No HOMO???" I asked. "What does that even mean?"

One kid spoke up (really patronizing voice): "Ms. S. Homo stands for HOMOSEXUAL."
Me: Thanks you...I knew that (rolling my eyes). But why is it at the bottom of this note?
Girls: It means we love you, but we don't love you...you know...no homo stuff.

Oh my gosh. Ha.
Thanks for the clarification.
I was so worried...