To Be or Not to Be, Cool - That is the Question

Slowly the schools in our district are being air conditioned.  It takes money to get it all done and there have been bonds that we voted on to get it done, but it has been a long road as all buildings cool off. 

It seems we start school earlier and earlier every year.  This year the first day with students was August 16th.  Temperatures have been in the upper 90's to low 100's  (35 - 39 C ) during this time. 

Any new buildings are built with central air.  Many of the older buildings have been fitted large, noisy window air conditioners.  This requires that classrooms keep their doors shut to keep the cool in and the hallways are still very hot and humid.  The superintendent stated on the news last week the plan would be to eventually phase these window boxes out and upgrade to central air for all.  More money, do doubt. 

But as of this school year,  two thirds of our junior high buildings remain unairconditioned.   Now think about this.  These kids have had airconditioning all through their elementary and middle school years.  Most have air conditioning at home.  Now they are being asked to go spend 8-10 hours of their in hot, humid conditions and to focus on learning. 

The public's reaction is interesting.  Through comments in the newspaper and call-in radio shows many people chide students & teachers today for needing to have air-condition.  Back in the day, they didn't have air and so why do kids today need air? 

I wonder how many of these people are working in unairconditioned environments?    

 It reminds me of  when my mother used to say she walked 2 miles to school every day -- in all weather -- up hill both ways and barefoot.  

I don't think we can compare our experiences from yesteryear to today's experiences.  Even school today is much different than school back in the day.  Perhaps the people who are grumbling about kids having it too easy should spend a few days or a couple weeks at school and see what is going on.  Let them experience the hot weather in an old building while having to learn.  Let them see what kids are even learning today-- oftentimes much more is required now than what was required then. 

Do you think it is necessary to have air-conditioned schools today?

Teachers Make a Difference

Spring Break!

I'm looking forward to this week off for sprng break!   Although I will be going in at least one or two days to work.   Sleeping in, catching up on errands, lazy mornings......   ahhhhh 

Losing my Kids

I have had 5 Korean children in my class this year.  Two of them are recent arrivals -- what I fondly call "right off the boat."   All of their fathers are visiting scholars at the state university and they come in January/February to stay for 1 year. 

So I will be losing 3 of my kids by February 1 as they travel back to their home country.  As I have really only known these children well since late August, you would think that it would not be a difficult thing to have them move.  You would be wrong.  These kids have wriggled themselves deep into my heart and my heart breaks to see them leave knowing that I will most likely never see the again.

One of my students left at Christmas break.  It was difficult to say our goodbye's, but it was also a busy time of year and everyone, me included, were looking forward to a break. 

My 2nd student left last week.  This was my little girl with the pink glasses. She was torn about leaving.  She looked forward to going home to her grandparents, friends, and home.  And yet, she was sad to leave her friends here.   I became emotional as I thought about her leaving.  At home, I would think about it and tears would come.  She left last Friday and I after all the kids left I did cry.  She will be missed.

My 3rd student is leaving this week.  She is smart cookie and has been so much help with the two new girls who speak so little English.  I have known her family the entire year they have been in America and it pains me to see them go.  I know that I will shed more tears when she leaves us.

These kids are wonderful students.  I don't know if it is the Asian culture that makes them so wonderful as a student.  They value education.  They are extremely respectful and always do their work with great effort.  They are neat and organized in their work.  They are impecable.   One of the specials teacher who works with my class jokingly asked me why we couldnt send a couple of the other kids away and keep these ones.  I say jokingly, but it is a thought I have had as well.   Sometimes I wish that our American students showed similar diligence and effort int ehir schoolwork and attitudes.

This is the first year I have had ELL students who return home mid-year.  That could be why it is so tough on me.  I may get used to it.  But for now, my heart is heavy.