Bodwell High School is a place I really love. It’s also a place that makes me ponder. Here are some of my thoughts about students, staff, and my life at Bodwell. I’m in Room 239. 2 + 3 + 9 = 14. I’ve decided that I’m going to share 14 thoughts.
1] I’ve only been at this school for about 13 months. But during that term-and-a-half, there were students that I knew and taught from the very beginning. This was Ha Yoon Kim. This was Hoseong Chang. This was Alisina Madhavi. This was Ray. As I enter term number four, fewer and fewer of my originals remain. But with my new batch of classes, and the brilliant kids I get to work with, I am equally excited. A new set of originals is being formed.
2] I was thinking about this the other day. This school basically pays the bills for the bubble tea shop across the street. And every day, I see piles and piles of empty plastic cups with gross leftover tapioca balls sitting in garbage cans throughout the school. They should give a 15% discount for kids who bring in their own reusable containers for the bubble tea. Business-wise, they would be fine.
3] Also on the topic. Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates and Patisserie shows up on Google Maps. It has a 4.5/5 rating. The bubble tea shop doesn’t even show up. I guess they don’t bother with advertising when Bodwell High School is across the street.
4] I was waiting in line for cafeteria food, and I was looking at pictures of Mr. MacIntosh on the 30th anniversary of Bodwell board. He simply doesn’t seem to age. It must be biking and swimming before school.
5] Friday afternoon is an interesting time. It is the time when an assistant principal, Mr. Chaffey, a Grade 12 English teacher, Mr. McMurray, and a Humanities teacher, Mr. Prazak, see their students in a totally different environment. Genesis Gym. I’m starting to learn the routines. Daniel pumps the arm. Kassymkhan works the thighs. Luciana and Debora have a circuit. And Wallace, a truly supportive friend, spots Allen during the bench presses. And many students (and teachers alike), look at themselves in the mirror.
6] Have you heard of the theory of Pavlov’s dog. It’s basically training a response through repetition, stimuli, and incentive. When I arrive in the morning, and I hear those drumbeats, I automatically start to sing:
“This city never sleeps at night
It’s time to begin, isn’t it?
I get a little bit….”
7] I’m a big fan of tradition. Not because they are repetitive, but because you can rely on them. For example, if Kwadwo approaches you with a big smile on his face, you know he needs your help to find a teacher in the staff room. Or here’s another one. In my experience, if Marian sees you in the hallway, she will give you the friendliest wave you’ve had since the last time she waved at you.
8] I was thinking about the talent shows from the last few years, and knowing we would experience a few things with certainty. Gregory would sing. Sarina would sing. And Jinwoo Jang would kick through wooden boards. With those two graduated now, I think Jinwoo will have to step it up and kick through a tree that Mr. Goobie is balancing on his head. Make it happen folks.
9] When Gabriella told me she wanted to start a school newspaper, I wasn’t surprised at all. This is the same young woman who dazzled us with her energetic poetic performance, passionately spoke from the heart to her students when speaking in public and brought the World Scholars Cup to Bodwell High School. Funny enough, the first time we met, I called her into my classroom and congratulated her on doing something brave and fearless. She listened intently, nodded her head, despite having never met me. It took us about 30 minutes to introduce ourselves. But that’s how she is, she will speak to anyone, And that approach is what makes schools work.
10] I asked my students what room they were most familiar or comfortable with at Bodwell. A few of them mentioned the bathroom, which has some truth to it. The average person uses the bathroom 3-5 times a day, As a challenge, I asked them what brand of toilets and urinals the school has in our bathrooms. Only one student, Ricardo, had the correct answer.
11] Thursday is the best day of school. There is no question about it, and you will never convince me otherwise.
12] As British Columbia schools begin to phase out cell phones and personal devices from schools province wide, I cannot help but see it as a victory. It’s a constant battle I have, and I want my daughter to grow up in a world where they speak directly to their friends. I understand the importance of staying in touch with family and friends back home, but you are also sitting right across the table from someone in the same situation. It makes me really happy seeing Sophie, Ivan, Seera, and Nayeli, foregoing the phone use, and being present and interactive with their friends in the moment they are sharing. The more normal that gets in our school, the better.
13] I find it funny that students were discouraged that the rain kept falling and the winter darkness made the days so short. Now, the same students are dismayed that the spring sun is shining, the snow on the mountains is melting, and the light’s reflection is making their computer screens hard to see.
14] This is my first time writing down thoughts about the school. They are all based on moments I’ve had and interactions I’ve shared with staff and students. In that way, you are all the storytellers. I’m simply a fan.