It was quite
dark yesterday morning even between 7:00 and 7:30. I was able to drive myself to work yesterday
as my shift didn’t start until 8:30 and the elements had lightened by
then. I thought that Roland might have
to drive me today as my shift started an hour earlier, and probably would have
had him take me in if I hadn’t gone with him at 6:00 this morning when he dropped
Jenna off at the church. The darkest
part of the commute was getting out of my neighborhood onto the main drag.
I had given myself 20 minutes for a
6 minute drive and so I had plenty of time.
Yesterday I was in the detention room (or in-school-suspension as it is
called at that particular school) but today I had crosswalk duty which I have
only done at that school one time before.
Crossing guard duty does not seem
that big of a deal as those who use the road are familiar with the crossing and
will slow down or stop four lengths back even if I am just standing on the
sidelines.
I remember one time Vanna White had
been given the opportunity to ask questions about others’ research about her
job. One of the questions she asked was “How
Many Miles Do I walk in a given week” or something like that. The panel did not have an answer for that
one. But I did think about her position
of turning letters (back when she turned the letter and not just touch it to
reveal the letter). I don’t know how
long the walk is from the first letter to the last as opposed to the
crosswalk.
There seemed to be more traffic the
first time I subbed for this particular shift than there was today. Today had almost a ghost town feel to it – and
unlike last time when the air became warmer throughout the day, today seemed to
get colder.
I cross the students three times
during the day. First thing in the
morning when they walk up from the cafeteria (or bus stop) up to the
school. Second: during lunch to the
cafeteria and back Third: after school
lets out and students are walking home or to the bus stop. Students are allotted so many minutes before
the bell rings or before the bus leaves.
It’s important to keep them crossing.
The busiest part of my day is
walking students back and forth during lunch.
The first time I subbed, the gym was closed and all of the students
remained on the playground. Today the
gym was opened and there were more that crossed than remained on the playground. I learned some students crossed who weren’t
supposed to. Somehow there had been some
who had sneaked into the main building.
I did not get in trouble, though.
The staff is always so happy to see me.
I am pleased with the amount of students
who take the time to say “Thank you” as I walk them across. How great those two little words can
sound. I’m grateful for their
kindness.
Other than doing crosswalk duty, I
haven’t felt very useful. One instructor
is showing a video. The other has chrome
books which are basically small laptops.
I am a foreigner to having students sign on anything electronic. I feel as useful as a tampon dispenser in a
men’s restroom.
I will be at the school next Friday
but not in the room where they are trying to sign in. I will be back in detention or ISS. It hasn’t been a very tough job thus
far. The first time I did it, the most “problematic”
student was really quite helpful in guiding me through what was unfamiliar
territory.
I enjoy the variety I’ve been able
to experience through subbing.
