The middle schoolers completely and totally crack me up. They are quick-witted and determined to find their place in the world, even though they are afraid to stand out while doing so. I am working so hard on building relationships with them. One girl was in my office the other day and closed the door behind her. I then was privileged to find out the name of her crush. :) I was sworn to secrecy.
I got this valentine on Thursday, with a tootsie-roll pop and starburst attached:
In other news... sad news.
A former elementary student, now 20 years old, was arrested and charged with some pretty terrifying charges last weekend. He and a cousin drove around for a couple of weeks, firing a shotgun at occupied homes (miraculously not injuring anyone). It was just last Saturday that I saw the breaking news of his arrest, and I gasped and immediately felt my heart sink.
After leaving elementary school, this young man came back for several years and helped with my summer library program. He built things for me and taught me how to weld. I was just heartbroken about the news and still am. He is in jail without bond until his preliminary hearing in mid-April. I wrote to his mom through FB last weekend, and she responded that she, too, is heartbroken and in shock. She recalled those summers that he helped me and said, "happier times." Indeed. If you've bee following this blog, then you might remember this sign. He made it in sixth grade for me, and I still have it:
