Gloria, we missed you! You made a friend from England? Yes, and her name is Katy. She brought you into the classroom. The children were thrilled. She wore an English hat, a boa, and long white gloves.
Katy is famous here in Groton and at Groton Community School. She is from Sheffield, England. She wanted to bring Gloria back to school. Gloria was so excited, and we were, too.
First, everyone welcomed Gloria with a gazillion hugs. You can imagine how priceless this was for children.
Then, Katy read a book to the children, London Bus. It showed all the places Gloria had visited! She loved the Union Jack hanging in the classroom.
Katy planned a British ‘High Tea’ for the children. We asked children if they wanted to wear white gloves, like Katy. You bet they did! She poured the tea (apple juice) and served proper English biscuits.
It was a wonderful British welcome home to Gloria. Children wondered if Katy and Willow were friends. That was nice. Willow was certainly there in spirit.
Of course we wrote Katy a gigantic thank you note. It took two days because so many children wanted to draw so many pictures for Katy.
And the best part was Gloria being back home, with the children.
She was off this past weekend with an Aqua Roomer, and she’s off again this coming weekend. That’s what happens when you’re loved. That’s what happens when you listen to children without question. That’s what happens when you are a true friend to everyone. Gloria, the world could learn quite a lot from you.
Jennie
We walked to the post office.
I hope that makes Gloria an ‘Honorary Brit’.
A Teacher's Reflections 
Talking With Owen, the High School Student
I can’t get the conversation out of my mind.
Owen was one of the high school students who interviewed our kindergarteners and wrote their stories, turning them into a book.
Today I got a lovely card signed by the students.
Owen’s comment was strong, in a good way. “Thank you for helping us and bringing passion to our Winterim.”
That’s Owen. There’s more.
This isn’t about that time I spent with the students at all. I had a conversation with Owen; this conversation is one I just can’t let go.
It happened like this…
Owen: “You have an accent. Not a big one, but I hear one. Where are you from?
Jennie: “I’m from West Virginia, the south.”
Owen: “I’m from Alabama.”
As we talked about the south, we both agreed it is very different. We talked about accents, family, the heat… and then the conversation became deeper – about people.
Owen: “People don’t mix. They stay with their own group. Everybody mixes up here, but not back home.”
Jennie: “That’s true!”
WOW! I’m talking to a 17-year-old who sees the difference. Nobody else in his world ‘up here’, outside of Alabama, sees or understands. Clearly he wanted to connect with someone else who sees it, too. Me! It bothers him, and it bothers me, too.
I talked with his advisor, telling her of this conversation, but that was a grain of sand on the beach. I knew I had to reach out and do more, so I wrote a letter to Owen.
I hope it helps. I hope Owen sees I was in the same situation. I hope Owen feels like he can do something.
Jennie