Surprise! Surprise!

This week I conspired with the kids in school. What is a teacher doing conspiring with kids?  Well it goes a little like this.  A very sweet Grade 6 student knocked politely on my door one day and asked if we could have French class in her home-room this Friday instead of in my regular classroom.  Curious, I had to ask why.  “Well, she said, “it’s Miss’ birthday and the class is planning a surprise party for her.  And you know, we wondered if we could have five minutes of your class just to decorate and set up the food and the cake.”  I readily agreed. “Oh, and could you ask Miss if you can use our classroom.  That way, she won’t suspect that we have a surprise planned.”

Well, we made up an excuse and got the room.  Those kids were so organized… They had all their supplies hidden in another teacher’s class – stashed on a trolley for quick transport and the whole works of them blew up balloons, re-arranged furniture and posted Happy Birthday banners in record time.  They selected the most rocking birthday song for the smartboard and were well concealed when their teacher arrived!  “Surprise!”  Yes Miss was certainly surprised and so was I.  What a wonderful way to express how much they cared about their teacher. What a beautiful, simple gesture… made even more so since it was initiated by the children, planned by the children and very much appreciated by their teachers.  We should never forget to take time out to celebrate how much we care for one another.