Using the song We Can by Jesse Ruben, we introduced students to the power of setting goals and believing in one's ability to reach those goals. Jesse speaks about wanting to run a marathon and being told he couldn't, but believing that he could. His lyrics talk about how there are things going on right now that we can fix. Our plan was to use We Can as the springboard for some community service projects in addition to personal goal setting. We are still doing this. However, an event on Wednesday, February 13 added a new, intense perspective to our theme.
FIRE! Our elementary school had a fire. A real actual fire, with flames and smoke in a classroom!
First things first. Everyone is okay! It truly is all that matters. Every child got out of the building safely. There were no injuries to students, staff, or the myriad selfless first responders. What an amazing blessing to be sure! And do you know what? The drills work! Our students were calm and unafraid. They evacuated the building quickly and followed directions without hesitation.
With human nature being what it is; we often focus first and most strongly on the negative. In this situation that is relatively impossible. Our community has shown such a tremendous outpouring of love and support.
On that cold and snowy day our neighbor church opened their doors to over 600 cold, frightened, and hungry children and adults. They could not have been more welcoming! Msgr. Gentilli and his staff did everything they could to help. Never once did they bat an eye at the hundreds of children eating lunch and drinking chocolate milk in the pews. I think we could have asked for the moon and the stars and they would have tried to get them! Thank you to Our Lady of Guadalupe!
Our parents. Wow! The hugs, the tears, oh the tears. The offers of books, tissues, whatever we need. The countless times we heard, "Thank you for keeping my child safe." Thank you for trusting us with your babies. They mean the world to us as well.
Our school district. Central Bucks. Leading the way. I have always been CB Proud, but they have outdone even themselves. From the superintendents, to the facilities department, to all the teachers and staff, and all the students. Countless hours of people making a difference. A difference to us and in the lives of our children. We have received emergency supplies, a delicious breakfast, endless words of support, and even replacement Valentines. 💗Thank you to all my wonderful colleagues and the amazing students of Central Bucks! #ForeverCBProud
The temporary classrooms have been arranged. The teachers and staff have many long hours to get ready for our kids. Tomorrow we will be ready to welcome our students back to their Cold Spring home.
