Oy. Vey. What a tale I have to tell.
Yesterday was another blistering day in the desert. The morning temperatures were not that bad. It does seem the AC keeps up until it doesn’t.
Then. It doesn’t.
By the time recess came, I was ready to go stand in the shade with the very dry 102 degree breezes to blow away trickling sweat. Of course, vanity would never let me wear a sleeveless dress without a sweater. Those of you that understand do. Bat wings are more appropriate for bats than ladies.
Yesterday was an active recess duty. The tetherball rope suspended the ball above the reach of the littles. Thankfully our newest teacher, who is only 18 year old, was nimble enough to release it. (She is already one heck of a teacher.)
There were the random cases of bumps and the blues. Racing littles. Hot littles. All very tiny and extremely active. It takes five adults to watch 100+ 1st graders. Even then, we had a boy breach the girl’s bathroom. The bathroom is the only respite from the heat and a great place to play when you are 5 or 6. The echoes are amazing when screaming during true play. And then, there is always the water which is cool and inviting.
Yes.
Yesterday was quite the busy afternoon on the playground.
As a grade level, we made the executive decision to decrease recess minutes from 30 to 20. Being so hot, it made sense to shorten time in the sun for everyone. At 1:35 on the dot, the first whistle blows and everyone freezes. When the second whistle blows, everyone trots off to their designated spots for pick up.
My class lines up in number order. By now, they know their numbers and count off as we enter the room. It’s important during events like fire drills, when stress levels are high. The lunch ladies love it, because the numbers place the children in alphabetical order. It makes everything easier. Number order is a wonderful thing.
Well, I was listening to the hot and tired children count off.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
7.
S.T.O.P. RIGHT. THERE.
There must be some kind of mistake. Hot? Yes. But we are missing 6.
Try it again.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
7.
Immediately I counted heads.
20 total. One absent. I needed a head count of 19, but only 18 were present.
18 little heads.
One missing!!!!!!!
Scanning the playground, my heart sank. I was on duty. #6 had escaped. The playground was empty. 100% empty. My students and I needed to get out of the heat.
Being in charge of 18 littles is not a post I could abandon. I closed the door, while one remained lost at sea.
Immediately, I bolted across the room to the intercom.
“Yes, Mrs. Hurt.”
“We have a missing child. Girl in pink. Did not return from recess. Please help.”
The other littles were oblivious. This was snack time with a touch of soft music. The overhead lights would be off for 10 minutes, making things feel a little cooler, if only in our imagination. I couldn’t believe there was an empty seat. One little empty seat. My heart was racing.
Continuing to check the playground through the window, the view remained the same. Empty. Gravel filled. Hot as anything. Still swings. Vacant basketball court. No one at the covered tables. My little had vanished.
Morning headlines were racing through my head.
“Mrs. Hurt Loses Her Little”
“One Little on the Run. Last Seen Playing Hopscotch.”
Just then, a heavy knock shock the playground door.
Upon opening it, I found a very tired Vice Principal and one tiny little holding a stolen flower. From where this flower was picked, I haven’t a clue, but it was already wilted. The lost was found.
Where did she go?
A friend can be a friend sometime. Sometimes, it’s straight up “Thelma and Louise”.
Two little girls decided to purposely hide and then go hunt for flowers. School and learning just wasn’t what they had in mind for the afternoon. Flower picking was a better idea.
Thank goodness all ended well. I counted heads frequently until 3:05. Thoughts of a fall fieldtrip to the pumpkin patch are on hold for now. Thankfully, my little Houdini was lost in a locked playground. The pumpkin patch would be another story entirely. We’ll try for a fieldtrip to the Christmas Tree farm. That will give everyone a couple more months to grow.
Whatever you do today, please keep eyes on loved ones. Hold hands crossing busy streets. Don’t lose anyone you love.
Yes. It’s a fact. I’m falling for my littles. But, after all is said and done, they really had me at “Hello”.
More tomorrow.