Celebrations: the one where I reflect on having a long break

We returned to school on Thursday, January 2nd after our twelve day December break.  I stress the number of days because this was a "long break" and those of us working in schools spoke of this often, knowing that the "short break" years of six days will be coming back around soon enough.

I was happy to return to school after this long break.  I was happy, although not necessarily ready.  I missed my colleagues and I missed my students, but I could not wrap myself around being a teacher (meaning managing a learning environment).  I always have this brief anxiety before going back to school in the autumn or after a long break like this one that I will have forgotten how to be a teacher.  

I was very much enjoying this long break year - each day unscheduled but involving: waking up, chatting with family, cooking, eating, reading, playing games, and spending a significant amount of time outdoors playing in the snow.  So, I was happy to return to school after this long break, but also a little anxious. Good news, Thursday went well. The students were experiencing the same thing: excitement to be back at school and seeing friends, but not quite ready to be back learning in school and living within a school day routine. I was tired by noon and so were they.  It takes a lot of energy to be in school, mental and physical energy.  My body wanted to lounge on a chair and play games or read.  Playing in the snow is so much less tiring.

Wait. Did I mention it was snowing? Well, it was and it was only the beginning of a fairly big storm.  Talk of a snow day swirled throughout the school like the billowing snow outside. By early afternoon, the Superintendent had canceled school for Friday. Young bodies danced the celebratory dance of a snow day and talk of sledding and play dates ensued.  

How could just five hours into the start of school after a long break cause such jubilation? Because, like me, the students were happy to be here in school but not quite ready. I am sure that Monday will be a better day to really begin learning during this next part of our school year because we will all be both happy and ready to return to school.  

I am enjoying this surprise three-day weekend, after a long break, after one day of school and excited to return to learning with my students on Monday, which is why it is my Saturday Celebration (a meme started by Ruth Ayres, over at Ruth Ayres Writes.)