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
A Teacher's Reflections 
this is the perfect welcome home for gloria and i love, love the tea party as you could guess!
I knew you would love this, Beth. It’s your cup of tea (pun intended.) 😀
What a wonderful way to welcome Gloria back to the classroom.
Thanks, Dan. It was so much fun!
What a fun tie-in to Gloria’s return. I never had that much energy as a teacher, even when much younger!
It was so much fun! Thank you, Jacqui. My energy is gone by 9:00 PM!
This is a wonderful post. There is nothing nicer than English high tea.
Thanks, Robbie. The children loved the ambiance and festivities, even if the tea was apple juice. 🙂
I’m sure they did. 🫖☕️
😀
This whole post made me smile. I live not far from Sheffield – they’re a friendly lot from there! And I can certainly recommend an English high tea. It looks like everyone had a great time.
I’m so glad, Esther! I love Katy’s accent, and she has great stories about Sheffield. The high tea was so much fun!
Jennie this really made me cry. How wonderful to see Gloria home safe in the Aquaroom with all her friends who have missed her so much. It truly filled my heart to see everyone so very happy!
Jennie you are so correct the whole world could learn so much from Gloria, you and the Aquaroomers! I hope the Aquaroomers past present and future all carry Gloria’s values with them . Perhaps in some small way they will be able to help the world.
Well Aquaroomers I do not know Katy ( Sheffield is a long way from Berkshire ) but she looks like a lovely lady and I can say emphatically that any friend of Gloria’s is a friend of mine.
Its wonderful to see so many happy faces in the photos, it’s obvious how much Gloria is loved. The fact that she is already off on her weekend jaunts with the Aquaroomers is testament to how much she was missed.
Well you may be wondering why there is a photo of Olivia at top of this reply? Well she is coming to visit this weekend! She will be sending a report to you all next week.
love for now willow 💜💜💜💜
This was so wonderful, Willow. Thank you!!! I feel exactly the same way. I think Gloria makes a difference, and if children carry Gloria in their heart, they can make a difference in this world. Isn’t that wonderful? And powerful?
Katy is lovely, and our High Tea was a perfect British welcome home. I know Sheffield is far away.
Thanks for the photo of Olivia. We love her, and look forward to a report on her visit. 😀
I spotted the MacVities chocolate digestive biscuits …by far the best ever biscuit?!
Well done Jennie you are teaching the children well! 😁💜💜
Beetley Pete asked if the biscuits were MacVities. I’ve asked Katy.
How nice of Katy to introduce the children to Chocolate Digestive biscuits. They are a favourite here, and I hope they were McVities! And the big London Bus book looks great too. Sheffield is 130 miles north-west of Beetley, and it’s an industrial Steel Town in Yorkshire, famous for making sharp steel implements like cutlery, also swords and daggers.
Best wishes, Pete.
Oh, you knew the biscuits! Well, of course you did. I will have to ask her if they were McVities. The London Book book focused on all the famous places, which Gloria had visited, so it was a perfect read. Based on what Katy has told me about Sheffield, you are spot on. I always laugh when Katy calls her mother, ‘me mum.’
Yes, Katy said they were MacVities!
They make the best digestives, with or without chocolate on them. https://mcvities.com/en-gb/original ☺️
Thanks, Pete!
A lovely welcome back to Gloria. Always a smile maker. Thanks, Jennie
Thank you, John. She always makes me smile, too.
Awesome! Love the kiddies in white gloves 😍
Thanks, FR. My fellow teachers didn’t think the children would want to wear white gloves, but I knew they would. And it made the ‘high tea’ all the better.
Welcome back, Gloria!
Thank you, Cathy!
A delightful British guest who shared tea and stories. I think she’ll be invited back! And thank goodness Gloria has returned. Yes, we all need a Gloria in every household and every town and city of this nation. ❤
It was delightful, and I’m sure she’ll be invited back. Pam, your last sentence is so profound, and true. Thank you!
❤
Oh my goodness how fun!
Yes, indeed!
I’ll be the kids were fascinated by Katy’s accent. “Tea” was the perfect beverage for her to serve.
Oh, they were! And also her gloves and boa, ready for a ‘high tea’. My fellow teachers didn’t think the children would want to wear white gloves, but I knew they would. It was perfect. Apple juice was the best tea. 🙂
Now, THAT’s what I call a welcome home party! Thank you for sharing the big day with us.
YES! It was a great welcome home party! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Liz.
I’m so glad Gloria came back safely. What a happy day for the kids!
It was a very happy day! It’s wonderful to have Gloria back home.
such a heart warming post and the tea being poured was my favorite shot… ahhhhhh “That’s what happens when you are a true friend to everyone.” cheers to Gloria
Thank you, Yvette. That tea pouring pic is my favorite, too. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, and especially the last sentence. Yes, cheers to Gloria.
❤️
Aww, this is so sweet! Lovely Gloria… she’s just here, and then all those great pictures and stuff – what fun. It’s a tea party with chocolate biscuits – hooray!!
It was great fun. Thank you, Chris!
FROM: Murphy’s Law
Gloria stole all our hearts! She is quite the ambassador. We all have Gloria as a new friend and she has a passel of new friends. Hosting high tea for the kids was genius! Loved seeing them sporting the white gloves. Too cute. Gloria and her adventures will live in the hearts of these kids forever. Priceless!
ginger🦋
I’m so glad! She really is an ambassador. The high tea was the best! And all the children wanted to wear white gloves. Thank you for your lovely comment. I think Gloria will stick in children’s hearts. Forever. 💕
What a welcome home party!! Gloria–you are amazing!! Katy & Ms. Jennie–thank you for taking amazing care of Gloria. To those kiddos–the white gloves look smashingly adorable as you!! Oh, Jennie–this all warms my heart!! PRICELESS! 🩷❣️🥰
It was wonderful! Yes, Gloria is amazing. And those white gloves were the best! Many thanks, Karla! 😍
I don’t think I could be smiling any bigger. Thank you — Katy and Gloria and Jennie! xoxoxo! 😊❤️😊
Aww…that’s just wonderful, Vicki. Thank you! 🥰
Wonderful and a great way to welcome Gloria. What fun. Thanks Jennie.
It really was wonderful. Gloria was welcomed in the best of British ways, and the children were thrilled. Thank you, Kamal!
Thank you, Jennie for all these smiles. It was delightful to meet Katy, and the children wearing the white gloves — purely adorable. Big hugs.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Teagan. I think the children wearing white gloves was the best! Hugs! 💕
So glad that Gloria and the kids enjoyed. You are always welcome Jennie ❤️💗💗
They really did! Thank you, Kamal!
What a great welcome back for Gloria. I love that Katy brought her back to school and high tea is always so much fun. Welcome home, Gloria. I know you were missed.
Katy delivering Gloria was perfect! The white gloves made the high tea very special. She was missed and welcomed back!
Always welcome dear Jennie ❤️🙏❤️
Thank you, Kamal!
Welcome Jennie ❤️
Thank you, Kamal!
❤️❤️❤️❤️