And, as you have probably guessed by now, many of the kids were not properly dressed most of the time. But that didn't deter them one bit.
On one particularly windy day, a group of first graders made a fort with umbrellas (see pic). Several others joined them, so there were about a dozen kids taking shelter from the wind and rain. Pretty smart, if you ask me.
One day, rain was lightly falling, as was the temperature. I had a light coat on at first, then by the time the last group of students came out for recess, snow started falling. Yet the kids kept themselves warm by running around, playing basketball, football, etc. One group of sixth graders used a unique method to keep warm. They proceeded to twirl around in a frenzy and make themselves dizzy. Then, naturally, when they stopped, they walked around in a stupor and/or fell down while laughing with delight. They kept doing this for at least ten minutes. The dizzier they got, the colder the weather got. You could see their breath, but when I asked if they were cold (none of them wore coats), they enthusiastically answered no. At least they kept me entertained.
When the wind is really ripping through the air, I receive another entertaining phenomena. Watching the wind blow the students' balls all over the playground. They casually kick the ball to another student as a gust of wind picks it up and blows it farther and faster than any of the children can retrieve it. However, this is not always entertaining, because it is often my duty to retrieve the balls when they've rolled into the parking lot.
Then there are three fourth grade girls that have taken over the task previously executed by the sixth grade "Tweedle" boys. But these girls have raised the bar in annoying me to another level. Fourth grade girls are much louder than sixth grade boys. The other day they kept yelling, "the werewolf is coming" and running around me like lunatics. When I asked them to bug the other duty, they said I'm the only one who is nice enough to not get mad. Really??!! What do you call raising my voice and telling you to go away or I'll call the Principal?!! I just tell myself that we only have a few more weeks until school is over.
As I've said before, Westland kids are tough and hearty. But, that being said, we've had our share of sick kids (and teachers). One day we had over a dozen or so kids go home due to one ailment or another. And we had quite a few substitute teachers in the classes this winter. All normal, right? Well, not for our main office secretary, Mrs. Digger! She just had several small strokes. Yet, she was still at school working until someone told her to go home and rest (a word not in her vocabulary!). Luckily, she got the medical attention she needed. She was told to take several weeks off from work. So, what was she doing, several days later, coming in to the office to check on things??? She did this twice! Our school is SO awesome, she just couldn't stay away. (Sorry, not worth another stroke.)
The crazy weather is making everybody crazy!
