The Last Day of School

We have a tradition at the school I teach. On the last day of school all 6th and 7th graders are dismissed first and then all of the teachers line-up outside of one door and wait for the 8th graders to come out. As they come out, many of the young ladies and some of the young men cry, as the teachers all clap and many of us give them hugs of admiration and good-bye. Watching the emotional throngs of students really gets to you sometimes.

It starts the last week of school as many of our students whom will go to at least 3 different public high schools and who knows how many private schools, begin to realize that many of their classmates that they've spent the past 3-9 years with, are going to different places. I think deep inside they also realize they're about to go into a new dimension (high school) of life and that there innocent days of life are beginning to end.

This year it started with the 8th grade dance and graduation. As the time neared for it to end, the tears started flowing. This was 3 full days before school ended. Next, all through the awards day, yearbook signing, and the last day of the school you could see the biggest kids in the school crying in the hallway and lunchroom!

Why do some kids cry and others don't! I don't know for sure, but assume it's just the emotional links inside. The difference this year for me, was on the last day of school as we are clapping and hugging the kids good-bye, we couldn't get rid of the kids! They didn't want to leave! Several teachers had to herd them onto their buses and to their cars and send them off. We want the elementary kids to get home too late. They are ready to cheer and step up into the wonderful world of being a 6th grader at our wonderful school.

What most of the kids don't know is after all of the buses and waves are completed, the teachers all cheer, slap high fives, and are thankful for a much needed summer break. We finish cleaning our rooms, check out, break bread together, and leave to our workshops, rest, or summer jobs! Whatever the case, the 2-month time is needed for a refreshing of the mind to get ready for the next school year. Now how would we do this with year-round schooling?

A smile and hug can do wonders!

Many of you reading this know I love softball! I play it, coach it, and watch it all spring and summer. Last Saturday I pitched the worst game of my life (seriously). I couldn't throw a strike much of the day and I walked about 13 or so batters. We had another pitcher so I thought the coach would replace me several times as our big lead started to disappear but he didn't. He stuck with me (much longer then I would have). Why I was having problems throwing strikes, I have no idea? Usually as a pitcher, you make adjustments when you're struggling, and presto! You're pitching better. None of my adjustments were working.

Eventually, after a miracle escaping of the 8th inning still tied, I came back out in the 9th inning to try one more time unsuccessfully. Thankfully we scored a host of runs in the top of the 9th to take a 10-run lead or so! After starting the bottom of the inning with a couple more walks, I was gracefully taken out for the other pitcher. He came in and presto! Got us out of the inning and did a great job in the 2nd game, shutting the team out altogether. Something you rarely see in slow pitch softball- a shut-out!

Well as any good competitor knows, I wasn't feeling good about my performance, even though the team and I got the win. Everyone on both teams tried to cheer me up and say nice things but I just couldn't understand what was happening. Some things aren't meant to be known! Well all I could do was say to myself it was the Lord's will and I hope I do a lot better in tomorrow's game because there's no 2nd pitcher on that team!

Well later on that evening when I went out for dinner, who should run up to me and say "Hey Mr. J! What're you doing here? I miss you so much!"? One of my former students and her sister. Both of these young ladies have down syndrome and if that is not enough, have had to deal with lots of tragedy in their personal life. To see their bright and beautiful smiles and their happiness despite their tough life, just made me feel really good and helped me to forget my game for awhile!

Of course it rained the next day and now I have to wait for this weekend to get back out on the field, but when all things are put in perspective. What is a bad game of softball?

What would you do with $2.5 million?- pt. 2

Well after telling you what I might do with the money if I had it, I must tell you if I received a check for that amount of money and knew it was for some other organization, I would have to give it back. There are many rules and laws in reference to this kind of activity and though like the teacher involved and many other people I would want to keep and think I should be able to keep the money, it ultimately comes down the fact that it's not my money! Once I find out it's not my money, I'd have to let it go. Many state laws state that it's your civic duty to return the money. If you get lucky someone might give you a reward. Even though the money is quite attractive, the spirit end me would be bugging me until I did the right thing! The teacher involved, as of 5/30/07, was still in jail on a $200,000 bond. She has been charged with criminal misconduct and spending money that is not hers. All of her assets have been frozen. No mention of the money sent to the ex-boyfriend? If he's spent the money, I can't see how he would be penalized. The current boyfriend? Well he's on the run (as of 5/31), a former rapper, he could be anywhere from Minnesota to LA to NY.

Strange twist in this story? As I was reading this news story on msn.com something in my head started saying there's something familiar in this story! When I started reading about the occupation of the lady, her current job, the location and looked back at the name- I almost had a cow! I realized there was a strong possibility I know this lady! Before anyone asks, NO! I wasn't the one that received the $100,000 check! To my disappointment! or my benefit? After doing further research I found some pictures and video that supported this theory more! I met this young lady about a 1.5 years ago while at an educational conference. She was very nice and the actions mentioned above seem far from possible. I keep hoping I will find out that her lawyer is right! The extra information that will come out at her trial will some kind of way exonerate her.

In the event, it doesn't, I want to leave her a message: The only perfect man died on the cross. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Get on your knees and ask the Lord for forgiveness! After this, truly ask the businesses affected for forgiveness and pay back the money you owe! The hardest thing will be explaining your actions to your students. Ask the Lord for guidance and don't waver! Again, this info. is only recommended if you're found guilty. Many times in the country, people forget that we are considered innocent until proven guilty! Let's see what happens!

One last question to ask? Why did the police see fit to place a gun to her heard when they arrested her? Especially after she and the boyfriend appear to have no prior record?

What would you do with $2.5 million?- pt. 1

Last night when signing off of checking my email, a quick blurb on the msn page mentioned that a teacher had accidentally received a check for more then $2.5 and decided to cash it and buy some things with it. According to the article she bought 4 cars, set up her live-in boyfriend and herself with $500,000 cd's (smart thinking), retirement funds, bought jewelry, and even gave a check to another guy- most likely an ex-boyfriend for $100,000. She even decided to call the agency that gave her the money and tell them about the mistake and then told them she wasn't going to give it back.

This article started making me think of several things. Why would someone do this? What would I do in this situation? What would I do with 2.5 million dollars? How much trouble is she going to get in? and a few other questions.

This will be a 2 or 3 parter. I'll start with the question about what I would do with the money if I had it. Well I would tithe a certain percentage of it. I would probably buy housing in at least 2 cities and yes I would buy a new car and get some retirement plans for my future. I would also find some needy organizations to give some money too. I would also make sure that my sons have a good college future and that my parents have no more mortgage to take care of for the remaining years of their life. What about you? What would you do?
Tomorrow I will talk about and try to answer some of the other questions above? There are some interesting twists to the story of the teacher. Some you will find hard to believe. Pt. 2 is coming!