One of the things we enjoy in our new school is space. The entire school can finally assemble together all at once in our own building. We do so every Friday morning.
Today, at the close of Family Groups, I walked back to the office and was met by one of the regular mom volunteers. She and other moms had been listening to the students’ songs of worship as they wafted down the long hall into the lobby.
The mom says, “It was so beautiful… we were nearly in tears.”
I was too. God has blessed us with a school that finally fits our mission.
Friday, September 24, 2004
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Is It Contagious?
A first-grade boy bites a sixth-graders finger. It breaks the skin. The older boy is okay with that; I'm not.
I tell the younger boy, “There are two reasons we don’t do that. One, people just don’t go around biting people. Two, your mouth is a germy place. You can cause bad infections.” Then thinking about universal precautions, I add, “If you had HIV, you could give it to your friend.”
The firstgrader's brows knit together for a moment in thought, then he offers helpfully, “Well, I do have dust allergies.”
I tell the younger boy, “There are two reasons we don’t do that. One, people just don’t go around biting people. Two, your mouth is a germy place. You can cause bad infections.” Then thinking about universal precautions, I add, “If you had HIV, you could give it to your friend.”
The firstgrader's brows knit together for a moment in thought, then he offers helpfully, “Well, I do have dust allergies.”
Friday, May 21, 2004
The Turning Point
This morning we’ve had a grand excursion. All 310 students and teachers and staff walked to the new school several blocks away from our current site. We knelt on the dusty, mid-construction, concrete floors of our classrooms, music rooms, gym, and offices. There on the floor, each individual wrote their favorite Bible verse.
In a few weeks, these precious promises of strength and protection will be covered with carpet and tile and wood. But we will know what’s there, invisible yet present.
Next week we will dip our hands in paint and leave our indelible prints on the walls of the old school. There is a sadness and a joy in leaving one home for another.
[For the “new school” story in pictures, click on the link to “Our New School”. All blogs below this occurred in the old building. All blogs above are set in the new school.]
In a few weeks, these precious promises of strength and protection will be covered with carpet and tile and wood. But we will know what’s there, invisible yet present.
Next week we will dip our hands in paint and leave our indelible prints on the walls of the old school. There is a sadness and a joy in leaving one home for another.
[For the “new school” story in pictures, click on the link to “Our New School”. All blogs below this occurred in the old building. All blogs above are set in the new school.]
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Good Advice
A fifth- and sixth-grade class created bookmarks to send to El Salvador. They were to draw a picture, quote a Bible text or put on some kind of saying. One child did all three.
There was the picture: a monkey.
There was the saying: “Don’t monkey around.”
There was the Bible passage: the seventh commandment!
There was the picture: a monkey.
There was the saying: “Don’t monkey around.”
There was the Bible passage: the seventh commandment!
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Morning Question
Every morning I give announcements over the PA. Each day I ask a question students can answer for “Rogers Dollars.” As I visit a first- and second-grade classroom, a boy suggests a morning announcements question to ask.
With a big smile he enthusiastically says, “Ask them ‘How many teeth are in a dog’s mouth?’”
It’s not unusual for students to suggest questions knowing they’ll be able to answer them and earn easy money. I’m glad this boy knows about dogs, so I ask, “How many teeth are in a dog’s mouth?”
He grins expectantly and says, “I haven’t got a clue!”
With a big smile he enthusiastically says, “Ask them ‘How many teeth are in a dog’s mouth?’”
It’s not unusual for students to suggest questions knowing they’ll be able to answer them and earn easy money. I’m glad this boy knows about dogs, so I ask, “How many teeth are in a dog’s mouth?”
He grins expectantly and says, “I haven’t got a clue!”
Friday, April 30, 2004
What's Missing?
As the day started I was running full-tilt. I’d gotten up early and had already worked several hours before school began. As I hurried out to greet students, I failed to turn on the hallway music. While greeting kids in the hall, I realized that there was a strange quiet in the halls.
The next student to greet me was a second-grade boy. I said, “Hey there, Sonny, what’s missing this morning?”
He shot back, “My tooth! I lost it last night at 9:48 p.m.!”
The next student to greet me was a second-grade boy. I said, “Hey there, Sonny, what’s missing this morning?”
He shot back, “My tooth! I lost it last night at 9:48 p.m.!”
Thursday, April 29, 2004
New Light on the Revolution
Today, a fourth-grader responded to a test question which asked why the Revolutionary War broke out.
His answer: “The colonists were using tea for gunpowder.”
His answer: “The colonists were using tea for gunpowder.”
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
That Other Education
A room mother reports that a second-grade boy confided in her that he knew the worst word in the world! “Oh Honey, I’m sorry to hear that,” she says, “What is it?”
He leaned close, cupped his hands around her ear and whispered, “S-X-E!”
“I told him that sex is a wonderful thing,” she says.
Now I bet he’s really confused.
He leaned close, cupped his hands around her ear and whispered, “S-X-E!”
“I told him that sex is a wonderful thing,” she says.
Now I bet he’s really confused.
Friday, January 09, 2004
Coming to School
Our new kindergartner is upset. He’s just starting school and was hoping to be a first-grader. After testing, his mom and I agree that kindergarten will be a better start. He is devastated and refuses to meet his teacher.
“My friends will all laugh at me,” he wails.
“Do they go to this school?” I ask.
“No, but they’ll find out,” he says miserably.
“What grade are they in?”
“Pre-school!” he pouts.
I assure him that school can be fun. He doesn’t have a choice on what grade he’ll be in, but he can choose whether he’ll be happy or grumpy. “School’s a lot more fun when you’re happy,” I assure him. He looks doubtful.
Wednesday is a snow closure, so Thursday is his first day in school. Friday morning with a slack face and sad eyes, he approaches me, “I didn’t have fun yesterday…”
I’m hurting for the little guy and quickly fish around in my brain for some sensitive, yet encouraging thing to say when he finishes up with “… I had a BLAST!”
“My friends will all laugh at me,” he wails.
“Do they go to this school?” I ask.
“No, but they’ll find out,” he says miserably.
“What grade are they in?”
“Pre-school!” he pouts.
I assure him that school can be fun. He doesn’t have a choice on what grade he’ll be in, but he can choose whether he’ll be happy or grumpy. “School’s a lot more fun when you’re happy,” I assure him. He looks doubtful.
Wednesday is a snow closure, so Thursday is his first day in school. Friday morning with a slack face and sad eyes, he approaches me, “I didn’t have fun yesterday…”
I’m hurting for the little guy and quickly fish around in my brain for some sensitive, yet encouraging thing to say when he finishes up with “… I had a BLAST!”
Friday, November 14, 2003
Burdens and Blossoms
A third-grade girl is happy to be with her friends at Rogers. Happy, and blessed. She was taken from her mother by the State last year. She is sponsored by her kind-of-grandparents who are both are retired and living on a very limited income. "Grandpa" has serious health problems.
Her sponsors have so many burdens, that it seems impossible for them to sponsor her. Yet, month by month they manage to scrape up the means to do it. They feel compelled to. And undisturbed, planted in good soil, this little girl blossoms.
Her sponsors have so many burdens, that it seems impossible for them to sponsor her. Yet, month by month they manage to scrape up the means to do it. They feel compelled to. And undisturbed, planted in good soil, this little girl blossoms.
Friday, October 03, 2003
Growing Girls
I drop by a third- and fourth-grade room to see how two lively girls are doing. The teacher says that the first girl is very observant, ready to offer a pen when she sees the teacher needs one. In fact, the girl tries to direct everything, and the teacher has encouraged her to let other people lead.
I say that’s another advantage of our Family Group program. Yes, we often think of younger ones growing into leadership roles as they mature. But in this case we can ask her to learn to follow since she’ll want that from her Family Group members when she becomes a leader.
“What about the second girl?” I ask, knowing that she has a serious problem staying on task.
The teacher tells me that one day she assigned a project for the class and the students asked if they could sit together. She responded with, “You can sit any place that will help you focus and be successful.”
The students were getting settled and the teacher had begun her own work when the second girl plunked down right next to her.
Surprised, the teacher asked the girl, “Is this a place where you can focus and be successful?”
With a weary sigh, the girl replied, “I hope so.”
I say that’s another advantage of our Family Group program. Yes, we often think of younger ones growing into leadership roles as they mature. But in this case we can ask her to learn to follow since she’ll want that from her Family Group members when she becomes a leader.
“What about the second girl?” I ask, knowing that she has a serious problem staying on task.
The teacher tells me that one day she assigned a project for the class and the students asked if they could sit together. She responded with, “You can sit any place that will help you focus and be successful.”
The students were getting settled and the teacher had begun her own work when the second girl plunked down right next to her.
Surprised, the teacher asked the girl, “Is this a place where you can focus and be successful?”
With a weary sigh, the girl replied, “I hope so.”
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Foresight and Foundations
Tom describes himself as a “low-life foreman” on the foundation work at the new school site. Tanned, lanky, and leather-skinned he told me we were really lucky that we had chosen to go ahead on “shelling in” the cafeteria. In moving ahead with it, they had discovered that the load of the additional roofing was greater than one of the planned footings in the commons would have been able to support. The change in design has been made and it is all okay now, but wouldn’t have been if we had decided to add the kitchen later.
Tom also told me that there was a lot of “overkill” on this project. I asked him why all the forms were being built under the shower rooms. He grinned and said, “See, that’s exactly what I’m talking about. Normally, you’d just pour thicker slab under each stall, but your architect is putting in a footing and foundation under every single stall. I’m not saying that’s bad: ‘When in doubt, build it stout. Don’t cheapen it out.’”
Tom thinks our design shows the cautious planning of a woman. He's wrong, but I'm glad he noticed the care in our plan. (PS, if you want to see photos of the building project, click the link in the sidebar.)
Tom also told me that there was a lot of “overkill” on this project. I asked him why all the forms were being built under the shower rooms. He grinned and said, “See, that’s exactly what I’m talking about. Normally, you’d just pour thicker slab under each stall, but your architect is putting in a footing and foundation under every single stall. I’m not saying that’s bad: ‘When in doubt, build it stout. Don’t cheapen it out.’”
Tom thinks our design shows the cautious planning of a woman. He's wrong, but I'm glad he noticed the care in our plan. (PS, if you want to see photos of the building project, click the link in the sidebar.)
Wednesday, January 09, 2002
Pills For Your Paynes
Today, fifth- and sixth-grade teacher Mrs. Payne reports that at recess, a second-grader ran up to her on the playground and said, “I’m a pill! You’re a Payne. Pills get rid of pains!” Hmm... was he being a pill or a pain?
Thursday, September 13, 2001
Ethan and the Scary Railing
Ethan loves movement. He's in first grade and can hardly sit still. After school he used to slide down a railing on the school's front steps. For safety reasons I've asked him many times not to. Now he's taken to looking wistfully at the railing as children stream by headed for their rides.
Ethan's a good guard. If another child dares to slide down the railing, Ethan makes sure I hear about it. I restore justice and Ethan is glumly content.
Two days ago, terrorists flew jets into the World Trade Center. Now the school sports yellow ribbons tied on everything: bushes, door handles, backpacks... even Ethan's railing has several.
Ethan notices them for the first time and asks, "Why are there yellow ribbons on the railing?"
"Well, Ethan, the ribbons are for those people who died last Tuesday," I answer.
Ethan’s eyes grow wide and a wrinkle creases his brow. "They died sliding down the railing?!"
Ethan's a good guard. If another child dares to slide down the railing, Ethan makes sure I hear about it. I restore justice and Ethan is glumly content.
Two days ago, terrorists flew jets into the World Trade Center. Now the school sports yellow ribbons tied on everything: bushes, door handles, backpacks... even Ethan's railing has several.
Ethan notices them for the first time and asks, "Why are there yellow ribbons on the railing?"
"Well, Ethan, the ribbons are for those people who died last Tuesday," I answer.
Ethan’s eyes grow wide and a wrinkle creases his brow. "They died sliding down the railing?!"
Wednesday, August 30, 2000
What's With These Kids?
It’s my third day as principal at Rogers. I am amazed by the courtesy the students show in the hallways and at doorways. I'm used to urban kids. I’m also surprised at the size of many students’ vocabularies.
I play music in the halls as students enter the school each morning. Today I’m playing some peppy music and I stop a third grader to ask, “What does this music make you think of?”
She thinks briefly and offers, “Gershwin?”
Later in the day, I drop in on our librarian’s first meeting with one of the first-and second-grade classrooms. They’re all huddled around Mrs. Bailey who sits in a rocking chair showing them an atlas.
“Then I traveled over here to Colorado,” she says tracing the route on the atlas. Just weeks ago, Mrs. Bailey and I and all the other teachers attended a huge teachers convention in Dallas. Being new at the school, I’m still newsworthy, so she continues, “Then I traveled all the way down to Texas, and who do you think I saw?” She glances up and smiles at me over the sea of raised hands.
She calls on a second-grade boy who blurts out, “An illustrator?”
I play music in the halls as students enter the school each morning. Today I’m playing some peppy music and I stop a third grader to ask, “What does this music make you think of?”
She thinks briefly and offers, “Gershwin?”
Later in the day, I drop in on our librarian’s first meeting with one of the first-and second-grade classrooms. They’re all huddled around Mrs. Bailey who sits in a rocking chair showing them an atlas.
“Then I traveled over here to Colorado,” she says tracing the route on the atlas. Just weeks ago, Mrs. Bailey and I and all the other teachers attended a huge teachers convention in Dallas. Being new at the school, I’m still newsworthy, so she continues, “Then I traveled all the way down to Texas, and who do you think I saw?” She glances up and smiles at me over the sea of raised hands.
She calls on a second-grade boy who blurts out, “An illustrator?”
Monday, August 28, 2000
The Very First Day
Kids are great. Little kids on their first day of school can be hilarious!
I’m listening to the happy hubbub of incoming parents and out-flowing kids as they mingle after the very first day of the brand new school year. This is also my very first day as principal at Clara E. Rogers Elementary School.
One mom asks, “Did you like kindergarten today?”
“Oh yes! Can we come back here sometime?”
“Honey, you’re in school now. You’ll be coming here everyday.”
“NO WAY!!” he happily screams.
Another mom sees a friend's child leaving the school. She can’t believe he is now old enough to be a school kid. “Hey!” she exclaims, “You’re going to school now?!”
“Nope,” he responds matter-of-factly, “Been there. Going home now.”
I’m listening to the happy hubbub of incoming parents and out-flowing kids as they mingle after the very first day of the brand new school year. This is also my very first day as principal at Clara E. Rogers Elementary School.
One mom asks, “Did you like kindergarten today?”
“Oh yes! Can we come back here sometime?”
“Honey, you’re in school now. You’ll be coming here everyday.”
“NO WAY!!” he happily screams.
Another mom sees a friend's child leaving the school. She can’t believe he is now old enough to be a school kid. “Hey!” she exclaims, “You’re going to school now?!”
“Nope,” he responds matter-of-factly, “Been there. Going home now.”
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