Treasure from the Junk Drawer: No Child Left Inside

Treasure from the Junk Drawer?

Sara Shull was standing, literally, at a fork in the road, looking at the black, bony trees of winter against the background of white world and white sky when a poem of hope formed in her mind. Which was odd, because she had never written poetry. That very day in 2010 she started a blog as a place to collect her writings. Now, she pursues writing primarily as an overflow of worship from the thoughts that come together when reading the Word of God, daily serving her family, observing so much in nature and life that points her to God, and waiting to see how God turns all of that into an inner dialogue of Joy. Prose, poetry, and humor from daily life… it’s all Treasure from the Junk Drawer of her mind. Sara has written the occasional article for The Old Schoolhouse magazine, but spends most of her time at the end of a sunny dirt road, homeschooling and living life with her eleven children (now in various stages of grown, growing, and adding significant others to the mix) and laughing with her husband about their crazy life.

O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!

~Psalm 34:3

Thursday, October 13, 2011

No Child Left Inside

We had a bit of fun yesterday on Facebook, of all places. For those of you who missed it, and for the sake of posterity and remembrance, I'm going to share it here. ~Sara~

ps. a big thank you to more than a dozen friends who chimed in on the original conversation, adding much delight to my afternoon.

Status Post:

Younger kids aged 8,6,5,3 and 2 outside enthusiastically and cheerfully building a village with outlined foundations of leaves, artifacts gathered from here and there, and much imagination. In light of the six months of winter just ahead and the coffee on the table in my peaceful dining room... having trouble mustering up the will power to call them inside to "do school."

Comments:

Ms. Shull,

I see that your students are not in their classroom today.

Could you please explain... ;-)

Sincerely,

Mr. Shull

Principal Shull,

You'll please notice that I have followed the guidelines set forth by your own policy established in 1998, entiltled "No Child Left Inside" - item 503.1 (Not Squandering Autumn in Minnesota). :)

Sincerely,

Ms. Shull

Ms. Shull,

I am well aware of item 503.1 and grateful for your close adherence to this most important value in our schooling system. My significant concern was that you had failed to follow through with subpoint 503.1.34 ensuring that, and I quote, "students will be appropriately dressed in pajamas and barefoot during outdoor activities when said activities occur before the school day has commenced." Can you please explain?

Sincerely,

Mr. Shull

Oh, dear. Mr. Shull,

I do see that I failed in that respect. I had insisted on outdoor clothing prior to letting them go outdoors - thus the confusion regarding whether I was in fact complying with and appealing to 503.1 or intending to "do school". The majority however, were indeed barefoot, and a good time was had by all which I believe was the original spirit, if not the letter, of the law. I promise to review all the subpoints of 503.1 so as to ensure that all the children have the most benefit of the No Child Left Inside policy as established in 1998.

Sincerely,

Ms. Shull.

Ms. Shull,

It was a relief to hear your response and to know that you are indeed complying with, as you say, the spirit of our "No Child Left Inside" initiative. Thank you for kindly seeing to full compliance in the future. And what pleases me perhaps most in this matter is to know that you will still be eligible to be nominated by your students for the Teacher of the Year award.

Sincerely,

Principal Shull

Welcome!