Dad on Duty #95

Today’s main event is a “fun run” that is a fund raiser.  Kids get folks to pledge a couple bucks per lap, and then run as many as they can.

To generate even more hype, the Boss has herself taped to the wall inside the front display case.

It’s pretty impressive.

The kids are amazed.  They can’t believe it’s real.  Several kids ask “are you OK?”  “can you breathe?”

She assures them she’s fine.

But I’m kinda with the kids…that doesn’t seem like a good idea.  Especially when you go to take that tape off.

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Kids react to Bobby in a variety of ways, but you can pretty much put them in five categories:

4. so over

But today I noticed a subgroup, that I really enjoy.  Big kids (5th graders), especially boys, that want hugs.  I love that.  These boys eschew coolness, and are not worried about how it will be perceived, they want…..or maybe need…..a hug.

And Bobby is here to give just that.

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The Fun Run has started.

It is craziness.  But very well run by the professional group that operates it.  The event coordinators are college-age kids (or recent graduates), but exceptionally well prepared to deal with elementary kids, and operationally competent and capable.

The kids really do love the fun run.

They are really proud of their accomplishments, showing off to any and all of the adults the lap count that is recorded by hash marks on their T shirts.  It takes grit and determination, and you can see it in their faces as they run their laps.  Some kids are laughing and smiling, or chatting with their friends, but many…..many…..are steely-faced and totally focused, looking as if they are running for Olympic Gold.

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I walk back into the building from the Fun Run and as I pass the stairs, I hear thunderous footsteps and yelling immediately above me.

I spin around and start bolting up the stairs, suspecting that we are probably chasing a kid that might come down the stairs.  I head up to cut off that option.

As I reach mid-way on the stairs, it sounds like staff may have caught up to the kid.  I hear them barking orders. I stop on the stairs and hold position.

I tell them “I’m here on the stairs”.  Ok, thanks, they reply.  I hear them talking to the kid, and it sounds like all is under control.  “You got it?  All clear?”.  Yes, all clear, thanks, they tell me.  One of the male aids, Raol, has also responded and is standing just behind me, ready to assist.  Silently, he just gives me a thumbs-up and heads back to his primary classroom.

Teamwork, situational awareness and calm professionalism.  It’s good to see and to be a part of.  Like my old job.

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The weather has changed.  The temp is dropping pretty significantly and it’s starting to mist. The big kids are running the course now, and they are starting to look a little frigid.  Worse, the little kids are next, and we’re pretty sure the weather will be tougher on them.

Deb checks the radar and calls us on the radio; “there’s more coming.   Not good”.

I go ask the Boss; is there a Plan B?  She doesn’t know, let’s go ask the Fun Run guys.

Of course there is.  Without even blinking, they tell us that we can be setup inside the gym in about 15 minutes once we make the decision.  Not the first time this has happened.  (Duh, I think to myself).

At this point, we notice a different looking precipitation starting to appear.  On his way back to class following his run, a 5th grader points up and asks “is that SNOW?”.  Yeah, I think it is…..

For about 2 minutes, we get “wintery mix”.  Crazy.

I announce this new finding on the radio, and ask if we want to take this party inside.  The Boss says:  “do it”.  So between runs, we start moving the stuff needed to complete the rest of the event inside the gym.  The “kids” running the event are flawless; they know exactly what is needed and what is not, and how to que the participants so that nobody stacks up.

It’s impressive.

And sure enough, within about 12 minutes total time, the kinders are lapping the course inside, nice and warm and dry.

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The fun run is now occupying the gym, it’s more or less sleeting outside and the cafeteria has been reconfigured back to full occupancy mode.

So there is now nowhere to put 2nd grade, who would normally be going to PE at this time.  Ruth volunteers her room, and starts rearranging her stuff

I am skeptical to say the least, watching with one eyebrow cocked.

“You gonna get 120 kids in that room?” I ask, snarkily certain of the answer.  “Yep.  Watch” she replies.

Sure as &^%$, every 2nd grader is in there, watching a movie.  And they look perfectly comfy.

Huh.

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At the very end of the day, we are loading up some 4th and 5th graders for a big UIL contest at the high school.

As the kids are moving down the hall and lining up, one boy turns to me, obviously very worried.  “I don’t think my grandma knows that we’re going to the high school.  I really want her there.  Can you make sure she knows?”  I think grandma is not only important to this kid, but also his primary caretaker (and ride home).

He’s visibly shaken.  I promise him, we’ll get the message to her.  Just get on the bus, buddy, we’ll take care of it.

Turns out, it’s harder than it sounds.  Myself and Vicki start looking up names and numbers for the boy, and are striking out.  We can’t get ahold of anyone.

Now I’m starting to freak out.  We cannot fail this mission.  It is not an option.

Dig deeper, keep calling, ask the teacher if she has any other ideas….

Finally, Vicki breaks through.  I stick my head back in the office from another task, and she tells me, beaming, “got her!  Grandma is on her way!  And he was right….she was going to the wrong school.”

Literally, the single most important thing we did the whole day.