Ahhh, the fire drill. Today is the first of many throughout the year. In 22 years, I’ve helped lead children through many fire drills, but this one feels different. Too many school tragedies make the serious nature of emergency procedures heavy and all consuming. I don’t see that my class feels that because they are so very small. I hope they don’t.
We have been practicing forming straight lines and walking quietly in the halls. Oh my. Have you ever tried to nail Jello to a tree? Or bagged lightning? These kiddos are adorable busy every second of the day. Their minds are absorbing every detail. They know incredible facts, with brains that race a million miles a minute. But, their bodies are 6 and 7. And, we have a serious lack of teeth in our group. I guess I fit in that respect.
The drill starts with ear shattering alarms, piercing the brain. I am sure these are heard in the next county. Why they are at that decibel in a room full of littles, I have never figured out. Along with the unsettling buzzing, there is are two strobe lights that flash repeatedly. This is to alert the deaf. Well, might be after the intense noise. Between the two parts of the alarm, the children must race to their pre-designated place in line. In seconds, we will be walking across the gravel playground towards the land of the lawn.
Movement must be in a speedy but silent straight line. I must grab the class roster and my paddle and three squares of paper. A green, a yellow, and a red. I hold up the green if I have my entire class with me. A yellow if one student is gone receiving services, like speech, or the red if there is someone that is unaccounted for. I’ve had principals that would sneak kids away just to throw a wrench in the drill.
This blaring and flashing lasts until every child, (almost 700) at our school, is accounted for. Usually within 15 minutes, we are back to penmanship and our ABC’s. Pretty amazing, actually. I hope today goes well. My class if full of amazing children. They need to rise to the occasion and do their best. I already know of four that melt down with loud noises. These littles have been through the wringer with Covid. They are survivors.
We have just started the chapter book, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis. It is my very favorite read aloud, and I’ve read my copy to a countless number of children. I’ve never wanted to see the movie because it would destroy my own thoughts of Narnia. I’ve never read the other books in the series. Just this one is enough.
At first, I didn’t know if they would even be able to follow a story without pictures. Boy was I wrong. They are glued to every word. Even my most busy students are listening. The next day, we review what we read and go on. As we finished Chapter One yesterday, they were disappointed that we had to stop. So was I.
We’ve now experienced the first indoor thunderstorm of many. During an indoor thunderstorm, the children take three books and find a spot where they can stay “dry”. For 20 blissful minutes, we read quietly. Zero level voices. Mind on reading. When everyone gets ready, (just before the first hint of thunder, of course), the storm begins. Thank goodness for the blessing of a good cd player. Yesterday, every foot was under a table while every child was enjoying a great book. I haven’t met a kid yet that didn’t enjoy a good old indoor thunderstorm. I remember having a few when I taught continuation high school. Something are just too fun to miss. For somethings, we are never too old.
My grade book is filling up while my grading is stacking up. The dust bunnies again form along my baseboards. By 7 PM, I am completely exhausted in the best way ever. I hope I manage to tired my littles out because they do me in.
Friday afternoon has new meaning. A group of teachers meet every after school at a popular spot in town. From 3:30 – 6:30, they become regular women that have created magic for an entire week. With superpowers of kindness, love, compassion, and empathy at a low, they meet to regenerate for a weekend with family and friends. This sounds like the healthiest idea yet. I plan to join them this week.
That’s the news of the day. I’m off to prepare for the 9:20 event. Please keep me in your prayers. I’m really trying my best to stay out of trouble.
More tomorrow.