A Snowy Community…
With the winter weather this past week, many people’s lives hit pause. School’s were called off and businesses called for remote work. One great advantage of having community based education, is that the weather was not as big of a hindrance and if anything, only helped in bringing the community together more.
A Student having fun making a snow angel
Last Sunday when the first big wave of snow came in, we went ahead and called school off for Monday. With the forecast and the freezing conditions, we already suspected that most schools would be out for the entire week. But coming off of a two week holiday break, the last thing we wanted was for our students to lose momentum with another week off. There was work to be done. Neighbors and students picked up our shovels and began moving snow and throwing salt. With a little help from a skid steer we were able to get the entire parking lot and all of our walkways cleared off and salted. After speaking with our educators to see who would be able to make it in, we went ahead and called school open for the next day. With all of our students being within such a close radius, we were easily able to arrange to give rides to anyone whose cars were snowed in.
Being a community school that enrolls only students within our community, there was no reason for us to be out, and the extra effort that went into making sure it happened and went smoothly was well worth the extra classroom days that our students were able to gain. Despite a couple of middle schoolers being disappointed at not having another week of sleeping in, a majority of the students were thrilled to be back and even relished the occasional time to play in the snow and their new indoor recess area.
Some of our High School Boys helping dig out Merriment
We also got to see students continue to help us keep the school clear as the other waves of snow and winter weather came. They also helped us clear off Merriment’s walkways and helped us clear Porkland’s parking lot to be open for today. As neighbors we helped dig out one another’s cars and walkways, making sure that some of our older neighbors weren’t at risk of falling as they walked in their yards for some fresh air. Neighbors being Neighbors.
These are the things that become possible when our schools and businesses become community based. It is understandable that a school system with so many kids, from so many parts of the city, who need to get to the other side of the city for their schooling, can not logistically get all of their students and educators there. But when education returns to being community based, where neighbors can help one another, and rides can be offered, and student’s can walk, and educator’s can carpool, and people can work together to prioritize education in their community, then great things can happen. Then you can start to instill in students the value of education by showing them that we believe it is something worth coming together to make a possibility for them. Something that is worth making sure they get to do whether there is snow on the ground or not.
Ethan
School Snack List!!!
If you are looking for a way to support Mighty Oak Academy and our mission of quality community based education, please consider helping us provide our students with nutritious snacks from our Amazon Wish List, you can order here.
Merriment New Hours!!!
With more time than ever of our doors being open, we hope to see you stop by Merriment. Now open Tuesday through Friday from 11-6 and Saturday 11-4!!!
Fish Fry Open!!!
The Fish Fry is back open!! Come get your fix of fish or churched up tots. Look forward to seeing you for the first time this New Year!!!
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.