The effect of winter on an elementary school

Yesterday was insane. Every aspect of yesterday was insanity personified, and judging by my facebook feed, it wasn't just in my world. By yesterday afternoon I was exhausted, mentally, and physically exhausted from the 4 day migraine I had conquered in the morning (using the word "conquered" makes me feel I had some control over it, when in fact, I did not). The mental exhaustion, which I think is the worst kind, came from a day of only two staff members to supervise over 100 students on a day that was fraught with cabin fever. Winter arrived yesterday, and when it is blustery and snowy and miserable outside, we take the students to the gym for recess. Recess at my school totals about 2 hours a day.

Just picture that for a second.

A little longer.




K-8 students in a gym full of basketballs and volleyballs.
And hula hoops.
And frisbees.
Where the heck did THOSE things come from??

30 minutes at a time.

Are you crying yet?

Oh wait, that might just be the kids crying that I hear. A Kindergarten student was so overwhelmed with the noise and intensity that he just started crying. Another handful of students got hit in the face (unintentionally) with basketballs. A 7th grader broke her arm.

I totally get it, from the kids' point of view. It's cold, snowy, windy, and rainy outside, and there is this giant empty space that is just waiting to be filled with noise and fun. But in reality, it's more like a big blank canvas of crazy, waiting to be painted with screams and tears.

I wonder if that's how all artists view their blank canvases? If you find out, please let me know.