Today was the last day with students, and holy hell was it hot. It got up to 94, but with the air quality and humidity it was a heat index of 101. Then take into account our 1960s brick school buildings that soak up the heat and do not release it, and it was a very sweaty day.
This time is always bittersweet, because we are saying goodbye to students, but we are also ushering in summer... next week. The kids were a mix of energy, both positive and angry/sad coming out sideways. And hot. Everyone was hot. (And sweaty. And stinky.)
Elementary students are still in school this week, so because the heat is just supposed to continue through at least Thursday (and those brick oven buildings will hold the heat longer), they moved to a half day schedule. I was in the hall with another teacher and said, "I'm so glad they are doing this for the littles," and she replied, "yeah, well, it's a childcare nightmare."
Oh... hadn't thought about that. Totally off my radar.
I have been acutely aware of the wonders of my childless status as it's been hot or stressful or very busy, and I can go home and just...sploot on the couch. Or floor. I can take a shower and then a nap. I can say I need decompression time and go puzzle for an hour without anyone talking to me. If I had kids, I would not be able to do any of those things. (But then again, if I had kids, we'd be having Father's Day barbecue for Bryce this past weekend, and enjoying all the joys of children, too, so I take that with a grain of salt.) My colleagues who have kids (some 2 or 3) have that second shift.
I do love being able to leave school and come home to quiet and the possibility of taking care of myself. I would have loved having children, but that didn't work out so I embrace the benefits I do have.
Tomorrow, no students, just work time but some air conditioned spaces where we can go to get work done. I will NOT be cleaning up my room in this heat! It's supposed to be cooler next week, and we have Monday and Tuesday, so I think room things will be fine waiting until then. Then the rah rah end of the year celebration, wrapping up, and...another school year, DONE.
This is one thing I love about teaching -- I live with my students (at school, and in my headspace) all year, and then we have to say goodbye... but then the cycle starts again in September. It's always turning over. And today I saw a student who is a cousin to one of my current students... who graduated 2 years ago and still came to visit! Sometimes they come back. Saturday I'm attending another student's graduation party, from the year everything shut down. So it's not necessarily always goodbye goodbye. I love those reminders.
I hope wherever you are it's not too hot (the rest of the week is supposed to be heat index of 107, ew). Only a handful of days until the sweet freedom of summer!
I'm glad you survived the hot day with the kids. And yay to air-conditioning for the rest of the week. You reminded me of my year in Bangkok at school. Regularly 33-34C (around 93F), humid as hell. But with open classrooms/windows etc. Kids can definitely handle heat and humidity better than I can now!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet catching up with past students must be! Or saying good-bye to the ones who exhausted you, knowing there will be a new crowd, with new delights and frustrations, in a few months.
Heh heh. It is not too hot today. I've been out in my new coat and merino jersey (not new) and thermal top and jeans and woollen socks, and it was cold! (9C = 48F)
Lastly, I do find it frustrating that we all feel we have to apologise, or clarify ourselves, whenever we talk about the benefits of not having children. Although on second thought, maybe it's not that different from parents who want/need to complain about their kids/parenting, but feel they have to first say, "I love them, but ..." I wish we could all just talk about our realities and have that accepted. Glad you could embrace the after-school freedom and fewer hassles of not being a parent!
PS. Thanks for the new word - "sploot." I love it!
ReplyDelete