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September 27, 2005
First Day of School
Today was my first day of elementary school, or volunteering at the elementary school anyway. I had been looking for a library to volunteer in for a while now and just a week or so ago finally heard back from the school librarian at TT Minor, the grade school a couple blocks from my apartment.
I was so nervous as I walked into the office. I don't know what it is about school that is so intimidating. I mean really, I spent over two years working with high-risk teenagers that were straight out of Juvi'. How could I possibly be nervous about a few 5-year-old kids?
Things went marvelously though. The school serves mostly underprivileged children - 85% of the kids are enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program. Of the 40 children I met today, there was one little blond, white girl, 90% African-American, and the rest of the kids came from many different backgrounds (American-Indian, Indian, Asian, Mexican...).
So, today, I got the pleasure of meeting some adorable little kids. I held hands with little girls, I practiced my stop, drop, & roll, just in case I ever catch on fire, and I talked a little boy that swore he "just could not move," into joining the rest of his class.
I'm going back for more on Thursday, so yes, more stories to come.
Posted by meloknee at September 27, 2005 03:43 PM
Comments
http://www.unshelved.com/
Librarian comic strip.
Posted by: Andrew Davis at September 28, 2005 11:14 AM
i can imagine that the kids will looooove you. you are so kind and good with little bear.lucky kids!
Posted by: Bugg at September 28, 2005 11:39 AM
This is my third year of volunteering at the kids' elementary school, in the library, and I LOVE it! Seriously, if I could do my career over again, I'd be a librarian. 'Course the librarian, a very sweet lady, told me that she makes just a little over minimum wage, but how could you NOT love being around books all day? Good luck this year! (BTW, the kids just got Mo Willems' new book, "Nuffle Bunny" today, and it's precious...check it out!)
Posted by: Mona Buonanotte at September 29, 2005 07:36 PM