April 24

Just to put everyone's mind at ease, I did Vim the sinks yesterday and I have been cleaning the lint trap in the drier. 

Principal’s Message

In one of last year’s newsletters, I alluded to my first teaching position in a small town near the U.S. border – population 67.  The school division provided a teacherage for me at a cost of $45.00/month, an amount that included water and sewer. I was told the house would be at my disposal by the middle of August; therefore, I loaded all my earthly possessions into a borrowed half ton driven by my mother and a family friend.  We completed our exodus from my hometown on a hot summer afternoon and arrived at my new home mid afternoon.

               Just as the three bears discovered there was someone sleeping, eating, and living in their home, I discovered there were two lifeguards from the regional park still living in my teacherage. I unloaded my possessions and stowed them away in the back porch, then my mother, her friend, and I set out to find a bite to eat at the Trails End Hotel.  We walked into the restaurant and sat down at one of the three tables.  No waitress arrived.  In fact, there was no one in the restaurant at all.  I peaked into the adjoining beverage room – same result. 

               My mother said, “Well, we have a five hour drive ahead of us so we better get going.”

               I gave my farewells to my mother and her friend and set off looking for any life form I could find.  There was no one in the town.  It was empty so I drove southward to the regional park to see the two Goldilocks who inhabited my house.  As it turned out, most of the people from my new community were gathered around the swimming pool to cool off on the hot day just as water buffalo congregate around the nearest watering hole.

               You are probably wondering about the two Goldilocks.  They were both blond and gorgeous.  They didn’t move out for over a long time so the school board put me up in the Trail’s End Hotel and covered the $5.00/night rate for my 8’ x 10’ luxury suite.

               My mother commented later when I phoned her how she had turned to her friend as they left the small town and declared, “I just dropped my son off in a town where there are no people.”

               As you know, I usually tell a story to make a point or to offer an illustration so what is the point, you say.  Well, I just wanted to tell you a story.  Every one of us has a story in us – a story to share.  Our hope at Prairie View School is that you will have the opportunity to come and hear our stories and our poems.  Furthermore, we hope that you will encourage your children to keep on writing and showing them there is a community here full of people willing to listen.