New Racers…
Throughout the school year we have many fun programs, Christmas skits, wax museums, spring performances. These tend to be a hit with our younger students, but we do not usually get a lot of buy-in from our middle schoolers. In a beautiful, unexpected moment, we got to see a break from the norm this week.
As a middle schooler, your confidence is not always very high. You have feelings of insecurity and uncertainty. They are feelings that make getting on a stage and doing a skit or dance seem like insanity or even impossible. One of the last times our middle schoolers did one of these events they got on stage, all froze, and only a couple of them danced. We decided we wouldn’t force them to do these types of events if they did not want to. So every time one of these programs comes around, we offer them the ability to participate, but if they all do not want to commit, then we just ask that they support the younger grades.
This week, we had our Mighty Oak Derby races. This is where all the kids make horses out of pool noodles, and then gallop around a racetrack in the gym. It is always a fun time for the kids before Derby Break begins. This year when I was in the gym, the 8th graders asked why they were not racing. I told them the truth, that normally they act like they are too cool for that type of stuff and we did not want to force them to be in an uncomfortable situation like that. They insisted that they wanted to do it and that it looked fun.
Our Kindergarteners lined up ready to start their race.
After we had run all of the races and given out prizes we still had a few minutes to burn before dismissal. I hopped up from the bleachers and told the 8th graders their wishes had come true, they could get to race. They froze. They just looked at each other stunned. I am not sure what they thought would happen when they said they wanted to race but it was clear this was not the expected outcome. “You all said you wanted to do this, now you get to do it, let’s go”, I encouraged. One by one they got up, switched their Crocs into “Sports Mode '', and went to the starting line.
Some of our 8th Graders at the starting line.
In the previous two years, this would never have happened with this group of students. We would not have been able to get them up there for anything. This week was special in that we got to see them not just go up there, but we got to see them have fun with it. They began to get into the festivities, younger students were shouting and waving trying to get them to pick their horse for the races. After the first race they started to challenge younger students to races. It was a beautiful moment where they were both being kids and having fun, and they were showing their maturity in their ability to enjoy the moment and set the fun tone for the event. It was an amazing moment to see and one we hope continues to be fostered among them.
Ethan
Open Enrollment!!!
Mighty Oak has opened our enrollment for the year. If you or someone you know has a student in grades K-9 you can apply from now until May 10th. Remember, applicants must live in the West End. All grade levels of students will be evaluated but there will not be space for every student that applies. APPLY NOW!!!
Fish Fry Closed Today
The Fish Fry will be closed today for Derby.
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.