Fire!!

Once again, I am reflecting on the things that I have to be thankful for that I haven't done in awhile.

School fire drills.

It took me some time to distinguish between the fire drill buzz and the earthquake drill buzz. And then it took me some time to remember to bring out my class list to the playground so I could actually take attendance to make sure no one was left behind terribly injured or burning.

We would know ahead of time if we were going to have a fire drill because it was one of the things we went over in staff meetings. And the kids would know ahead of time because we would tell them. Because we foolishly thought telling them meant they wouldn't scream. And we thought asking them not to scream would mean they wouldn't scream.

6th graders are the worst screamers at fire drills.

"Okay, class, today we are going to have a fire drill."

"Really?" "When?" "A fire drill?" "But we just had one." "Can we stay out on the playground when it's over?"

"Yes. Later. Yes. I know. No....And let me remind you there is NO TALKING during a fire drill. NO TALKING while we line up. NO TALKING walking to the playground. NO TALKING when I take attendance. NO TALKING while we wait to go back to class. That also means NO SCREAMING when the bell goes off. Savvy?"

"Yes, Mrs. (whatever my name was at the time)."

And the day would move on at as normal a pace as you can get for 6th graders who know at any minute there could be a fire drill.

At some point during the day I would say, "Would you people just calm down?"

They liked it when I called them "you people". It was a step up from what I normally called them.

BUZZZZZZZ!!!


"AAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

"NO SCREAMING!! Just go line up!!"

I'm thankful I haven't done a fire drill in awhile.