December 11, 2015 - It really is a small world after all, and there are times we learn just how much small humans are capable of doing. The classes of my teammate and I have been keeping a huge secret since September, and they were finally able to let it out.
In September, we started collecting money to buy a present for Mrs. Alvarez who is the paraprofessional in Mrs. Goodwin's class. The children brought in pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and sometimes dollars. They worked really hard to collect money and to keep it a secret from everyone! You should have seen the smiles that reached all the way to their eyes as our little collection grew.
Last week, we decided it was time to buy a gift and plan a baby shower. On Friday, each class was able to look at possible baby gifts. Each student wrote up to three items on a piece of paper, and circled the present they most wanted our class to give. Mrs. Goodwin's math class counted the money, and we were astonished to discover that we had collected about $85.
On Wednesday morning, the children arrived excited because they knew it was party day, yet somehow they remained very calm. Some arrived with presents hidden behind backpacks or under jackets. Mrs. Alvarez was sent on a short errand long enough for everyone to put their parcels in Mrs. Midkiff's room, and everyone went about their regular morning work until about 9:15. We managed to have groups come from Mrs. Goodwiin's class to sign a baby memory book, and preparations for the party were completed.
We discovered later that we had indeed managed to keep the baby shower a secret from Mrs. Alvarez. The students raised enough to get a car seat, a bottle warmer, several outfits with socks, bibs, and other presents that were bought with money given out of love for their teacher. We didn't expect quite such an enormous amount. It is at times like these that we see how what a difference little ones can make in this world and in the lives of others. It was a blessing to witness it and to play a small part in this story.
