Bonus School

Well, here we are. 

Bonus school, extra innings, overtime. Call it what you will but now we pay the price for all those snow days. 

With no snow days, the last day of school would have been Tuesday the 12th. Of course, we missed nine days this year so our actual last day is June 26th. 

Ugh.

Back in January I blogged about the “Revenge of the Snow Day” and I wrote: 

“Think back to the last days of our last school year at the Bartlett Community Hotbox. Windows designed to keep kids from accidentally falling out but also accidentally keep fresh air from coming in. Fans just blowing stale, clammy air around. Classrooms so hot you feel like you’re actually melting. Sweating so bad you feel like you need a shower and it’s not even nine o’clock, yet.”

Monday, temperatures are forecast to be in the high 90’s and that means by the end of the day, inside the school, we may exceed 100 degrees. And, of course, the way the school is

built - that heat will stick around even after it cools down outside on Tuesday. It’s going to be so hot the school department is considering giving us another day off (Thankfully, we would not be asked to make this one up).

All-in-all, I’d rather be in school when it’s miserably cold outside, and be out of school when it’s miserable hot inside. 

But that’s just me. 

My Walk-a-thon Experience

It seems about ten percent of the the 7th and 8th grade opted to stay home rather than participate in our annual fundraising walk-a-thon, 

Really? 

What’s with that?

Anyway, I thought I would share my experience for those who missed out on the event. 

Friday was a perfect late spring day - clear skies, comfortable temperatures with very low humidity (7th grade - remember, that’s a vocabulary word). The route is from the end of the driveway, over a canal, into a park, through part of Umass-Lowell, then back across the athletic fields to the school. 

It’s a one mile walk - not exactly a grueling event. I mean, we’re not running a marathon, or scaling El Capitan here, right?

I was at the front of the 8th grade section. Here’s the transcript of what I said during the walk-a-thon:

“Please, go slower, do not run ahead.”

“Wait, you are going too fast.”

Please, slow down.”

“Wait.”

“Stop.”

“Please, stay on the walkway.”

“Please, put the stick down.”

“Put the stick DOWN!”

“DROP THAT STICK, RIGHT THIS SECOND!”

“Please stay on the sidewalk.”

“Please stay on the path.”

“STAY OUT OF THE STREET!”

“Please do not touch the garbage cans.”

“Please do not touch other people's property.”

“Please, do not run ahead.”

“Please, wait for the group to catch up.”

“Wait for the group to catch up.”

“STOP! Wait for the group to catch up.”

“Please do not throw rocks.”

“I’m sorry, we’re out of ice pops.”

<sigh>

Spirit Week ‘18

In case you were not aware, this coming week is Spirit Week and extra-special good news - it’s going to be cool this week so no hot-house classes to drip through.

Here’s the rundown on the week’s fabulous activities:

Monday - Rainbow Day

Dress as colorfully as possible. No blacks, whites or khaki. We want color! The school should look like a whirlpool of wild and vibrant colors.

Tuesday - Sports Team Day

Wear your Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, Celtics, UMass Lowell, or other sports team gear. I believe you can wear sports team hats for at least part of the day.  Of course it has to be school appropriate - no camouflage, and, most important of all - NO YANKEE GEAR. Okay, that’s just my own guideline. But, seriously, don’t wear Yankee gear in my classroom or be prepared to face the consequences.  

Wednesday - Meme / Superhero Day

Hump day is the day to let your personality shine. Dress up like your favorite meme, make yourself a meme for the day or, dress like your favorite superhero. One caveat - No wearing your undies on the outside of your tights. I know Superman does it, but hey, he’s

Superman.

Thursday - Dress Up Day

Put on your finest outfit and be ready for the sly, admiring glances from all your super-impressed friends. Just don’t be that guy who wears the t-shirt printed up like a tuxedo.  

Friday -  Dragon Day

Wear your Bartlett gear! This school should be flooded in Bartlett Blue!!!