As I sit stranded in my classroom with a dozen students who are not mine my back hurts from trying to sleep on a cold floor. My eyes burn from no sleep. I am tired and cranky. My patience is lacking and I want to just go home. So does everyone else here; students, teachers, staff and administrators! Welcome to Snowpocalypse 2014.
As the snow snuck up on Central Alabama thousands of people are stranded either at work, school or along the highways. I have heard of many acts of kindness by strangers for strangers. Disaster often brings out the best in us. That is evident all across this city and state. It also can show some people's true colors.
Those of us stranded at HHS have not really suffered; we have only been inconvenienced. We have been very well fed; hot meals morning, noon and night. We have been sheltered and safe. Homemade cookies were delivered room to room. We have had power, Internet and contact with the outside world. It has not been perfect but it has been...shall I say..."pleasant"? That might be too flowery a word but it sure could have been worse. It was most enjoyable seeing my friends and colleagues at breakfast this morning with big sleepy smiles on their faces. We survived the night! We did it together!
As I said, no one wants to be here. Some have been able to leave while others wait for buses to run or parents to come rescue them. But many members of the faculty and staff are here despite the fact they could leave. They are here because they take what we do seriously. There is no one patting themselves on the back. There are no hereos here. At least not in their minds. It is what we do!
The lunchroom workers, the front desk, the SROs, et. al. were awesome! The faculties and staffs, not just at Hoover City Schools, but around this state are providing supervision and comfort to many stranded students. High school students don't want such supervision and some think they don't need it. Regardless, parents can be assured that their child is being well cared for. What a relief for a parent to know that the hands they trust to care for their child during the day is just as trustworthy overnight.
I have heard stories of a slumber party type atmospheres and bonding. Lets get this straight. This was not summer camp! It didn't quite get that warm and fuzzy for me. It was twelve very loud, often obnoxious teenage boys having to be held in check. It was the equivalent of trying to eat jello with your fingerss. My motives and my thoughts were far from heroic.
While it was not something I would look forward to again, it is something of which I am glad I was a part. It didn't start out that way though. I tried to leave but had to turn around and come back. Unlike many teachers and staff who had to get their own kids from other schools, I really had no one needing me. I would have felt guilty sitting at home knowing that my colleagues were shouldering such an undertaking.
(updated)
I have made it home. I am still tired and sore. When I left, many of the students were still waiting for a bus or a ride home. 20 selfless individuals volunteered to stay until the last child had gone. Two of those staying are women I consider sisters in Christ.. Their attitudes make me proud. . I am humbled by their grace and giving hearts. It is an example of doing the right thing for the right reason. They do not consider themselves heroes because they are too humble and caring for that. But as I stood their watching them giving graciously and unselfishly I have to admit they looked like heroes to me!
FINAL THOUGHT
While we are at it, lets lay off the TV weathermen. They don't cause the weather...hey predict it. It is not prophesy. Arguably, the call to dismiss work and schools could have come earlier but this was a total surprise to everyone. One of my former students summed it up best when she tweeted last night to remind others how many lives have been saved in recent years due to the information provide to warn of weather events. I get it. They missed it. But, the weatherman is no more responsible for the weather than the groundhog is responsible for 6 more weeks of winter.
Stay warm. Stay safe. As always, thanks for reading!
Jeff
No comments:
Post a Comment