Grandparent's Day
Today, The Moderately
Active Ohioan had the pleasure of going to grandparent’s day at the new Gorsuch
West Elementary School. It was a lovely
day of rain so a hundred kids and their grandparents were inside. No recess for me. I was hoping to get a look at the new
playground equipment. It will have to wait for the next visit.
The new Gorsuch West
is a beautiful building. Gone are the
utilitarian buildings of old. It has air
conditioning, a large computer resource center, a music room, and security.
Visually, it is stunning. In comparison to the old buildings it is a great
improvement. A modern building that is ready to take our grandchildren into the
decades ahead.
There is more
security at the school than I ever remember seeing at any time when I was in
school. We did have the lady at the
crosswalk. If memory serves, she could
be quite intimidating but that was about it. Higher security is a sign of the
times as much as the need for computers. I don’t think it is going away.
The rooms did not
seem as large. This may be my faulty
memory. Perhaps this is because I am no longer a child and don’t see everything
as being giant. I do not know the class size, but I estimate around twenty to
twenty-five kids per class. Every space was being utilized. It is a 360 degree
educational environment.
The air conditioning
was nice. It is one thing I wish I had when I was in school. I can remember
sitting in class and being so hot I couldn’t think. It has to make the learning environment
better.
The computer resource
room had dozens of computers. It was connected to the library. That is
convenient. The library seemed a bit small and didn’t have as many books as I
remember. My memory of the school library was wall to wall, floor to ceiling
books. Perhaps this is another sign of the times. Books are going digital. I did see racks of
books in the classroom I visited. Perhaps, the books have been distributed
throughout the school.
The music room is
part of the stage. It is partitioned off with a folding wall that can be opened
up during assemblies. The stage is part
of the cafeteria and gymnasium and walls can be opened up to make the area
larger for school or public use.
I spent time with the
little best buddy in his classroom. It was clean and orderly. He showed me all
of his things and where he puts his coat. We talked about all the important
things that second graders talk about. I don’t think I am biased when I say
that he is the best little second grader in the school.
In no time at all it
was time for lunch. He took my hand and we got in line. Line placement is very
important. He said it was okay that we were last because he was with me. I didn’t
care because I was with him.
The lunch with the
best buddy was nice. It is much
different than when we were younger. I had a fresh garden salad with cubed ham,
strawberries, a banana, a bagel, string cheese, and chocolate milk. All was
served in or on disposable containers. The utensils were also disposable. There
must not be much to wash. That seems like a waste, but it must make things
easier. I miss the Bunker Hill Rolls.
We talked about lunch
and friends and anything else that popped into his mind. He likes green peppers
and he ate them first. We talked about his garden and how much he loves it. We
talked about how he likes his new school and his friends. He informed me that
he is a very good boy. I believe him.
The day ended with
all the second graders singing songs for the grandparent. A mass of little kids
moved toward the stage. All of the little ones were jostling for the best
position to see their grandparents. The best buddy was all smiles. Songs were
sung. You can always tell the parts they like the best. They sing louder and
faster and movement becomes more animated. It was adorable.
It was soon time to
leave. Hugs and kisses all around. I walked back with him to get my special
picture he drew for me. A few tears and I left.
The Moderately Active
Ohioan is a big soft marshmallow. If you are a grandparent, don’t miss these
special moments. They end too quickly.
Looking back in time,
I cannot remember who my second grade teacher was. I don’t remember too many things specifically
about anything in elementary school. What I do remember is having a love of
reading and having that nurtured in a wonderful library. I remember creative time as much as learning
math. I remember thinking and writing, singing and laughing. I remember friends
and happiness.
Gorsuch West is a
wonderful new building. It has been filled with grandma’s hope and inspiration.
I hope the best buddy finds his elementary experience to be fulfilling. I hope
he finds happiness in education. I hope his world expands enough to fill the
wonderful space he is in and beyond. I hope the teachers are ready to meet the
hopes and expectations that we have for all our best little buddies.
Good luck Buddy.