Longhouse School

Written by Heidi on Reddit. This is a simplified version of a post that I put up last week.

From Heidi

The highlight of my day yesterday was talking to Lolita about her teaching, the kids, and Longhouse Elem. Earlier in the morning she sent me WhatsApp videos showing 24 1st and 2nd graders, yes, the entire school, running around the just-completed track at 5:45am and then swimming. “Did you notice this? Did you see that?”

Then, on the crosstown bus a few minutes ago, on my way to school, she texted me that Longhouse is going to build an enclosure around pool so they can swim throughout the winter.

She did some of her patented imitations of the school meeting when the kids debated whether they want the contractor to go ahead and start construction even though it means they will miss a few weeks of swimming before the weather gets too cold to swim.

The kids were like courtroom lawyers. They went back and forth. Eventually, they asked all the teachers to leave “their Lodge” so they could discuss and take a vote. Another half an hour and they came out from their deliberations and reported a unanimous vote to go ahead with the construction. And: “Could YOU guys,” meaning the teachers, “please give us a day tomorrow with no distractions and meetings? We want to study!”

Oh well!