In 1994, we moved into this house, and our oldest daughter,
April, started attending the neighborhood school, Rachel Carson Elementary. At
the time, there were roughly 600+ students going there - (Today, there are about 400 students!) - so if you're really
curious about why there were so many, Google that Shit: "SJUSD" and
"court ordered bussing" It's an interesting story, but for another time...
 |
| Every year, the kids endured a First Day of School picture on our porch. This one was from Katherine's first day of kindergarten since Sara isn't in uniform yet. |
The students wore/wear uniforms, so it looked like a sea of
green and blue when I went to pick her
up in the afternoon with my three littler ones. As we walked by the front of
the school on our way home, the principal said, "How was your first day,
April?"
I remember thinking at that time what a special thing it was
- to remember a child's name - (one child in 600!) - on the first day. How meaningful that was to her -
and me! But that's the kind of school Rachel Carson is - a real FAMILY of staff
and parents and children. I have been there ever since: all four of my children
attended Carson, and I began working there - first as a parent volunteer, then
a part-time computer lab instructor, and eventually as a full-time
teacher. And it's been a privilege.
I have never felt more honored to be a part of the Carson
School Community than I felt last Friday night, February 13th, when they came
together for a Valentine's Day Dance -
that benefited me and my family! It was a lovely event, and I was honored and
overwhelmed. There was dancing, and a photo station, food and raffles baskets.
And the kids were so pumped to have an opportunity to get "spiffied
up". They were adorable!
Thank you to all the parents, teachers, staff, and students
who made this so special!
I'm not going to lie - I was anxious about this event
because it was a mixture of present day students (read: young) and "old" students
(now in high school). I thought a lot about what I was going to wear because I
didn't want to freak out the little ones. "Who is that sick, bald lady,
and where is Mrs. Mirassou?"
I wanted them to feel comfortable coming up to me and
walking way with a happy picture in their minds of Mrs. Mirassou. After some
consultation and shopping with my daughter, I ended up with my purple wig with
a white flower clipped to the side, a bright pink sweater and black & white
scarf with hearts all over it in honor of the holiday. I know it sounds pretty
"clown-like", but I'd rather the little ones view me as approachable
and funny looking than sickly and scary. I guess it's the elementary school
teacher in me.
As far as I know there are no pictures of this - I didn't
take any. Kiddies, I've realized that when you've been the "unofficial
photographer" for a really long time, no one steps up unless you
specifically ask them! DOH!
The older/high school students were well-aware of the
"real deal". In fact, I'd already received a precious gift that one
of my former students (Thank you, Emily Cole! <3) had coordinated: a
notebook that she'd passed around the high school a couple months before filled
with messages of hope and love and gratitude.
These heart-felt messages in this notebook really made my
heart smile as I read through them.
But helpful tip: all children will
tell you that you were "their favorite teacher"- So sweet! (Sorry to
ruin it for you new teachers out there! haha!)
One of my favorite things about teaching is having the
opportunity to have siblings come up in the grades so I have multiple children
from the same family. As a mom of four, I know how different they can be and
yet how there are shared experiences that leave an indelible mark
on them - like having the same fifth grade teacher!
 |
| Look past the spelling/grammar...this is an example of the pure light and innocence of a child, straight from the heart. |
So, Friday night, I got to visit with students - young &
old, parents and staff members and watch the magic that is Carson School. I
wish I could have stayed the whole night long, bopping on the dance floor until
lights out, and greeting every single person who attended.
Unfortunately, that was the end of my first new cycle of
chemotherapy with the higher dosage, and I was/am still trying to work it out.
(It's almost a week later, and I will don't feel 100% yet....)
Please know that in my HEART, I was there the whole time,
....and I am so, so grateful for everything you did!
____________________________________________________________
I learned so much in her classroom - not just about the ins-and-outs of "teaching"
- but about creating an environment in
where children feel important and loved. That extended outside the classroom
into every area of Jeanne's life. You will be missed, my friend.
