Community Leaders in the Classroom: Sherwood Elementary School

I graciously accepted the opportunity to once again come out to Sherwood Elementary School to read to students during their "Community Leaders in the Classroom" day today.  I was joined by City Councilman Casey Jones, Police Chief Eric Randle, and Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves.  It was a really great morning. 

Now, I have been to Sherwood numerous times before as a school board member and even before that when I was a student at Sherwood in 1977 as a 5th grader in Mrs. McDonald's class.

Last year I was able to come out and read---- and again this year I was invited to do so.

Mrs. Peters' first grade class was excited to have a visitor in the class, and they apparently REALLY liked the book I chose to read to them "How to Catch a Mermaid"--a very cute story about making friends and how friends can be at your side when you need them the most.

(And NO--this little book is not one of the controversial ones slated for removal--I checked with the librarian after I chose it, LOL).

Once I sat down to tell the story and read the book--the students were transfixed; these students were EXCEPTIONALLY well behaved and listened intently to the story.  As I typically try to do--I improvised, embellished, exaggerated, and added some stuff to the story to make it fun.

"Could a mermaid outrun a submarine?"

"Will the mermaid defeat the sharks?"

"Will these children succeed in their plan to "catch" the mermaid?"

The answers were classic--and made my morning!

Once I finished the story, I thanked the children for their politeness and attentiveness, and I implored them to be good classmates and listen to and follow Mrs. Peters' rules.  Then I asked one final question:

"Are mermaids real?"  (about 80% raised their hands yes, with 20% raising hands no).  

I told them all they'd have to wait until 2nd grade, next year, to get the answer.  😉

As most of the children got up to go back to their stations, one young man came right up to me and unexpectedly gave me a big Bear Hug as I sat in the chair.  It was really special and I thanked him for being a great listener.

What a day, an hour to forget all the other horrible stuff going on the world, and to once again, through the eyes of first graders--see the world how they see it!  

Priceless!