Celebrate, Celebrate, Dance to the Music

Saturday was Celebration, the huge showcase of student work that we've been planning for at least 10 days. There are two parts: the performance and the academic expo. You've heard about the expo - that is what my poster board was for. Every class had a visual presentation of student work to demonstrate all the learning. After parents perused the expo, we corralled them into the auditorium -- this school's theater easily seats 1000 people, and with all the kids (180), Teachers (60), parents and families, we had at least 700 people in attendance. It lasted about 2.5 hours, and included poetry reading, dancing, skits from each department, and a cool set of "hosts".


































































After all that -- we had a parent-provided feast. Of course, all the families ate first, so by the time teachers got food, much was gone. But it was a nice gesture. And we did not expect to feed 700 people...!

I treasured the chance to meet kids' families. I hugged students, shook hands with many parents and grandparents, posed for photos with families. It was heartwarming to see the kids in the hybrid of "school" and "home". It was an ironic role reversal of all those award ceremony nights at CA when my teachers met my parents. I was teacher though. Many parents had beautifully kind things to say to me. One of my favorite students showed up sans family -- he took a city bus across town by himself to attend this 8th grade Celebration, but could not bring family with him. He'll go far in life.

We worked 15 hour days last week. We were snappy to each other. We were glitter-covered. We were sick of Breakthrough. And we were stressed.















The Celebration -- expo, performances, and meeting families -- made it more than worthwhile. With all my criticisms of the program and the people here, I found this one moment, a caccoon of pride, love, respect and confidence nearly enough to decide, on the spot, so return next summer. Yah, it was that intense.

Of course, now as I write this, the euphoria and joy are wearing off now, replaced by melancholy and angst that accompany evaluations, editing, cleaning, and close-out activities.