Sunny Days
March 17th, 2009Today was a good day. For those stuck in an office somewhere, I pity you. For those fortunate enough to have lunch duty¹, it meant a cup of coffee outside while the more adventurous and energy-filled of the sixth period lunch population lolled in the sun or played hack-sack.
I like lunch duty, though not just for the chance for sun. It’s also a chance to touch base with by kids in a way that isn’t soley defined by the classroom, by the structures of what will and will not be covered within those four walls.
For example, lunch started with the urget text message, “Come here!”
Assuming that it must be important, I did so, and after gently reminding the texter that I prefer to not be given commands as a dog (which earned a sheepish “please”²) I was immediately bombarded with, “Who was Saint Patrick and why the heck do we celebrate this day?”³
But the best part was the kids outside. There’s something right about seizing a few minutes to just relax and enjoy the break of winter, something so very human.
The only negative? For years and years, there was a basketball hoop out there the could use. I understand it was destroyed several years ago—but I would like to see it back. It seems like a terribly small thing that could allow a great many better moments for many of our kids.
1 A friend of mine, who teaches in Nashua, was shocked to learn we let kids outside. “When kids leave the building they’re photographed, ID’ed and bagged for skipping… Of course that’s because they seldom make it back for 4th block…” I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again—we have good kids, more or less. What we need to do is help them develop the skills they need to do well. ↺
2There is always a chance to coach on behavior. Always, and doing so is one of the best ways we can help. Teaching someone to say “please” might mean more than we can imagine. ↺
3 I should have been Catholic. By the time I got done explaining feast days, sainthood, the Irish, Irish immigration, the color green, and how it’s not just beer, their eyes were glazed over. But they did ask. ↺
