Today four of my most challenging second-graders were not in class. The group was so chill, and they were doing really well on a melodic Boomwhacker play-along, so I took my flute out of its case and started to play along with them. Just recording the moment here for posterity. ❤️

1st grader: "Did you know blonde is the rarest kind of hair?"
Me: "Actually, I think it's red hair."
Different 1st Grader: "No, it's definitely blue hair."

Today, while her class was lining up, a 3rd grader was crawling on the floor, meowing and pretending to be a cat. One of her classmates got out of line and petted her. She screamed, swatted at her classmate, and ran over to tattle to me.

March is hard, y'all...

If the Department of Ed is gutted, kids may lose:

Speech & occupational therapy
Individualized support for disabilities
Special education aides/resources
Pell Grants/student loan assistance
Career & technical training
After-school & early childhood programs
School nutrition
Mental health services