Sixth Grade Lunch on a Rainy Day

We have continued to maintain outside lunch for students, and about half of our sixth graders typically eat outside.  As I marched down the stairs to the cafeteria and then on the Plaza, ready to supervise lunch, I noticed large groups of students bringing their lunch back inside.  "It's freezing, today," they shared with me, "and starting to rain."  When I got out to the Plaza (our "backyard" space with tables for students) it had begun to sprinkle in earnest and even more students were migrating towards shelter.  

Once the movement had settled I glanced around and one lone gray umbrella, with two sixth grade girls perched side by side beneath it, remained sitting out in the rain.  Both girls had their knees pulled up and braced against the table, and they were happily digging around in their lunchboxes.  As I walked over, they both looked up and grinned at me. "Ms. E. Smith, we are fine...we aren't getting wet - honestly.  Can we stay here?"  

I couldn't resist the joy in their faces. I let them sit there, in the rain, eating their lunches, perfectly gleeful that they were in the rain and adamant that they were not getting wet.  

Sixth graders have so much joy!

An Unexpected Stressor

Leaving the classroom to become an administrator was a difficult decision - and if I'm honest, I didn't realize some of the stress that I would face.  One unexpected stressor has been the emotional drain of being THE person with whom every staff member shares their personal challenges, especially when it impacts work.  A sick parent, a death in the family, a cancer diagnosis, a crazy debilitating accident... the cumulative toll of listening, acknowledging, supporting, and worrying is an un-discussed stressor in the world of working with, managing, and leading people.   

And yet - these are opportunities to listen, to connect, to acknowledge colleagues' fear, pain, sorrow, and grief, and provide the supports that we can.  The worry - and the feeling of being powerless to help - our colleagues don't have to know about...but they are real, and they weigh heavily.  

Traveling through Spain with My Daughter: Tapas...

Tapas...

I really wasn't sure what to expect of the food in Spain.  However, my daughter has spent the last nine months raving about her new favorite dinner: a glass of house red with a tapa side.  Her favorite tapa has become the croquetas de jamon - and her description of the crispy, deep-fried deliciousness with a melt in your mouth filling has left me drooling. 

On our first night in Malaga,  Rebecca walked us up and down narrow streets to examine the menus outside of (what felt like) hundreds of Tapas bars.  Finally, choosing one with lovely outdoor seating facing a stunningly lit cathedral, we relaxed into our chairs and let her place the order.  Glasses of red wine were followed by multiple small plates of delicious treats like: ensaladilla rusa -  chopped potatoes, eggs, and tuna, drizzled with creamy mayonnaise, garnished with fresh olives; a unique flat croquetas with a salty jamon (ham) flavor; and finally crunchy thin crackers with an Iberian cheese.  What a lovely celebration of our arrival.  

Every night in Spain we sought a different tapas bar, whether in Malaga, Ronda, or Granada.  And, each night we tried something a little different.  One of my favorites was eggplant  fries with honey - I am not an eggplant fan, but these were delicious.  And of course, we loved the traditional croquetas de jamon with the light and tantalizing aioli sauce.  In reflection, there are so many tapas that we didn't get to try - 

I'm going to have to go back.  :)

Good Dissonance

Visiting my daughter in Spain a couple of weeks ago was an absolute treat.  It's been so long since I have ventured out of the town I live in, let alone travelled to another country.  Being masked in multiple airports and planes was not fun, but getting off the plane and experiencing that feeling of dissonance - new language, different signage, vistas that look so different from the suburban world that I live in... that was exhilarating.    

Then, SHE ran through the doors, arms spread wide, angled straight towards her dad and I.  Confident and poised, she directed the taxi driver to our hotel, checked us in, and took us out for our first cafe con leche in Malaga.  She looked just the same as always, and yet, she was at home in this culture; we were on her territory. We were here just a week, and Rebecca was in charge!  Whoo hoo!    

Two Years, Really?

 I've gathered my gumption to sit down and write for The Slice of Life Challenge.  It's taken me some time to get here - as the last couple of years have been pretty challenging.  

On Friday, March 13, 2020 the announcement came during eighth-grade lunch to students' IPads - the school system would be shutting down due to a CoronaVirus. The crowded and noisy lunchroom, a microcosm of the world, erupted with excitement and tension.  We all had a general sense that this CoronaVirus thing was going to be a big deal - but the students' response, not suprisingly, was as if they had heard a sudden prediction of Snowmaggedon.  

They lost their minds...and then I did too.  Locked in our homes, attempting to engage students through a screen - the days passed slow - but in retrospect...

Two years later, it's challenging to look back, honestly, and reflect on that first year of our school's existance - and the year of virtual teaching and learning that followed.  It's been a pleasure to have students back in the building this year, and now we are removing masks and moving forward as if things were normal...

But they are not.  There is a new CV outbreak in China - and war has broken out between Ukraine and Russia.  Will things ever be normal again?