Polka Dot Clay Studio: Classroom Crunch

Why are there leftovers? The books mated during the summer...

Our school has a pretty wonderful work day, where parents volunteer and help to get the school ready for the start of the year. There were parents raking leaves, and pruning shrubs. I saw some parents also scrubbing the spider webs off of the fronts of the classrooms, and the eaves, using dry brooms. There was a painter doing touch up work on all of the classroom doors, inside and outside. The benches and picnic tables all got a lick of paint. Because several classrooms at our school luckily received new carpeting over the summer, we had to move all of our furniture and belongings out of storage. I moved most of the furniture and all of my belongings, with a great deal of help from our wonderful custodian. Today, parents helped me to put things away, and moved all of my student desks and chairs back into my room.

I think my favorite part about the work day, was that kids can come and help, too. They move things and unpack things, and paint. Watching all of this industry makes me understand why the regular school system is flopping. There is very little parent buy-in. Kids and families feel disconnected from their schools. Here, our school is a small community. Here's my favorite part. No one was crabbing or complaining. A man cheerily washed my filthy windows, and cleaned all of the spiders out of the window sills. Seriously, he was smiling.

I am still gobsmacked. As a hearty complainer, it just amazes me. In our family, we are stubborn and we insist on being self-sufficient. It is very difficult for me to ask for help. That's why this is so lovely. Parents kept coming in today, and asking ME if they could help. My burden was lightened, and I didn't even feel too guilty about not doing it all by myself. People felt useful, and I felt pretty good, too. Although a bit sore from moving a lot of boxes of books last week!