First and second graders discussing last week’s evacuation drill:
- Why do we have to leave?
- Are we in trouble?
- Why do I have to leave my backpack?
- Does somebody have a gun?
- Is it because there’s a skunk in the school?
- How will my mom find me?
- Don’t worry about your backpack. You are the most important thing that needs to get on the bus.
- What about my toy? It’s in my backpack.
- Somebody in Florida had a gun at a school.
- But we don’t live in Florida.
- Your mom will follow the green cloud from the skunk. That’s how she’ll find the bus.
Writing and Laughing 
The skunk! Thank goodness for the comic relief of kiddos. Hopefully the skunk distracted some of the more scared ones as well as me. Love the effectiveness of a list for sending your message here… I think I might have to try that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The skunk worked! The fear level was pretty tame after that reason was offered. Have fun with your lists – they really make me happy! ✨
LikeLike
So sad and sweet in the same moment…our kids are growing up in such a different world than we did. I like how you captured their words–powerful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They certainly are. Thank you. Their voices are so important.
LikeLike
The green cloud, huh? Haha, Sounds like a cup half full kind of guy/gal! Love it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, totally! This little guy had also just read “Night Animals”, which features some nice green skunk clouds as inspiration. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We live in a world of skunks, backpacks, and guns at school. Mentioned in the same breath. This post makes me smile and tear up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such mixed emotions over here, too.
LikeLike
Whichever little friend said, “Your mom will follow the green cloud from the skunk. That’s how she’ll find the bus,” is going to be fine in life. That is a seriously practical outlook given the available information…though perhaps 2nd grade will work on evaluating the credibility of sources.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Yes, he totally will. Our previous drills (lockout, lockdown) were introduced by the possibilities of bears being in/around the school, so I can see how these guys made the leap to a skunk causing an all-school evacuation. Wild living up here on the mesa!
LikeLike
So true and so sad that we have young ones needing to have such drills.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely. These drills are relatively new to our school, and we are all trying to adjust with grace and compassion. Ugh.
LikeLike