Rescue Ranger

After a six weeks of spending a great deal of time focusing on safety in the home and safety in the lab, I was excited to hear that something I taught actually sunk in to the brain. During the weekend some of my students were playing ball and it rolled into the street. Barney ran to go get the ball. Felix said, "He looked both ways before he crossed the street, but you know, there's no saying about 'look both ways on the way back across the street and that's what got him."

"Oh my goodness," I said, "what happened to Barney." Felix said, "He was fine on the way across the street, but he didn't look on the way back and a car hit him. I carried him to Frankie's house." Frankie interjected, "I thought they were playing, but that's when I saw his leg and said, 'whoa dude.' I asked, "What did you do?" Frankie and Felix started talking at the same time, but Frankie loudly said, "I knew to just pick up the phone and call 9-1-1." "Wait a minute," I said, "you dialed for help? What made you decide to do that?" Frankie said, "Because that's all I've heard you talk about since school started." I thought to myself, "Wow! He really was listening in between his weird remarks and sleeping in class." Most kids hear about calling 9-1-1, but many of them don't call for fear they shouldn't bother the emergency services. As an EMT, I've seen first hand where the call was delayed due to people being cautious about making the call. I have preached to my students, "give the guys something to do...they are bored and they just live for the sirens to go off." Of all the kids to call for help, I wouldn't have been betting on Frankie. "Did the accident happen right outside of your house," I asked. That was when Feliex couldn't hold it any longer, "No! I threw Barney over my shoulder and ran to Frankie's house." My mouth dropped open. "Why did you move him?" Felix said, "No one was around and the car had left, so I knew he needed help." He continued, "The cops came and so did the ambulance. The cops took me to go get Barney's parents and then the ambulance left for the hospital. He is messed up." I asked, "Is Barney okay?" Felix said, "Oh yes, but he's not coming to school for a couple of weeks because he's in a body cast. The cops kept saying I was a hero, but really I just did what he would do for me. The cops took me to my house and my mom thought I was in trouble, but then she was glad." I said, "I guess she was. You certainly did the right thing. You are a hero. You are both heroes for doing the right thing." I certainly am glad they were listening in science class to dial 9-1-1 and let the police or fire departments decide if it's serious or not.

I just love my "try-harders" class. They surprise me just about everyday!

Oozing Brains

After a long day of taking a standardized test, my class had brain matter oozing out everywhere. I noticed an excessive amount of snot and a fascination with tissues to kill time in between tests. The pencil sharpener took a hit with every yellow #2 pencil having been sharpened into toothpicks. I knew better than to try to teach a new concept...my kids were not in the mood for learning. Unfortunately, we still had time left in our day.

Thank goodness for the Fire Prevention Posters. Each year students make a poster about Fire Safety and the halls are adorned with the artwork in October during National Fire Safety Week. One little girl turned to me and said, "I can't draw. Do I have to be in the contest?"

It reminded me of the time when my parents were having friends over for dinner. Dinner was taking a little longer than normal and my mom needed a distraction to stall for dinner. "Young lady," she said, "Go play our guests something on the piano." I argued, "Aw, Mom. Do I hafta?" I started drawing imaginary circles with my foot tracing lines on the floor and twisting side to side. I remember being in a dress with my saddle oxfords on and my hair in ponytails which were undoubtedly falling down by then. Even still, my mom insisted. I protested one last time, "But Mom, I can't play the piano!" She stretched out her arm and pointed toward the piano, "Then you march right in there and SHOW them you can't play!"

I certainly understood this little girl's feelings. I had had many art lessons in my younger day, and excelled only at stick figure drawings after years of lessons. However, every child was expected to display a poster. I whispered in her ear, "Then think outside the box and write a message, but have the letters blazing on fire with smoke." After a hug of encouragement, she was off to give it a try.

Sometimes it just takes someone insisting you give it a try to reveal your true talent.