Teaching Elementary, My Dear Watson

15 - Football Finals

15

Football Finals

Monday, October 31

Kevin woke up feeling depressed. The drab apartment looked gloomier than ever. Maybe I should call her now? No, I'm too upset, and it's Halloween. Got to rally for the kids.

So he did what he needed and headed out the door. The weather was balmy and relatively clear, but it didn't help his mood. While riding his motorcycle, he got irritated by other drivers, which was unusual for him. Arriving at work alone, he felt lousy but willed himself to finish organizing until he was ready. Then, as a few people began to walk around outside, Kevin opened the door and joined them. He smiled, then began to laugh. Excited kids in costumes covered the grounds.

Star Wars, the film that had premiered that year, dominated the outfits: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, R2-D2, C-3PO, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and of course, Yoda. Kevin had read that those costumes had sold out! No one had expected this much interest in the film. He also saw many other outfits, like Stallone's lead character and Apollo Creed from Rocky, hippie flower children, starlet Farah Fawcett, Elvis (who had just died), Pele (the soccer star who'd just retired), and musicians from Fleetwood Mac. Kevin smiled, a little partial to the attractive ladies in that band, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie. Unlucky for them that I'm married.

There were a couple of Presidents: Nixon looking evil (good riddance), and Jimmy Carter grinning (hope). He couldn't help himself. The kids' enthusiasm was infectious. He forgot his troubles; his spirits lifted.

The bell rang. School started. His class was disappointed. "You didn't dress up." It was an accusation.

"Oh," said Kevin. "I'm sorry, I just forgot." Several began to groan. They thought their teacher was cool, yet here he was, quickly losing popularity. But for once, Kevin was not absent-minded. He had some items hidden in the pack he'd brought to school. He gradually put on a tie-dyed headband, huge glitter-laden eyeglasses, beads, and a bright multi-colored vest. Instant rock star. Kids squealed, clapped their hands, and a few said how awesome he looked. They loved the surprise. He sang part of "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart."

"You're Elton John!" The hit with Kiki Dee had been number 2 on the charts the year before. Kevin grinned, pleased with both their reaction and his return to a high position in his students' esteem.

After the announcements, the parade started. All classes were part of four buildings built in a square, arranged around a courtyard. The outside classes held grades 6, 5, 4, and 3. The courtyard rooms housed kids in grades 2, 1, and Kindergarten, plus the administrative office complex. The procession began like a snake. The sixth graders led off, walking along the outside past the older kids, then wound their way into and around the courtyard, eventually returning to their rooms. Every other class was at first a part of the audience until the procession reached its end, then that class joined the tail of the line, and so on. Thus, each class walked by every room, with all of the kids seeing everyone else. There was laughter, finger-pointing, and delight when an unusual costume had an unexpected twin. Halloween was easily the highlight of the year so far.

Kevin and his students returned to class. Not much real teaching was expected. Today was a celebration, and tomorrow they would deal with the post-trick-or-treating sugar high. At lunchtime, Angela's students performed. They sang some cute songs and displayed several dances. Several witches pirouetted with flowing black capes. Another group did the "mashed potato" dance steps from the prior decade's hit, Monster Mash, with individuals dressed up like characters from the song: Dracula, Wolfman, ghouls, vampires, and goblins.