The Last Student In

“Let’s wait a few minutes, the last student in probably needs us more than we know.”

Two years ago when I arrived at ERMS, I was introduced to some changes that were different than SRMS, my previous middle school. Part of these changes also came with the move from being a teacher, to administration.

One of the significant changes was bus/outside duty. At my previous school, we didn’t have an outdoor obligation, let alone crosswalk or morning duty.

The principal sat me down and explained to me the process of morning duty, and how to manage the crosswalk and unloading zones.

Really?  I thought to myself. He loves doing the morning crosswalk and jokes about being the highest paid crossing guard in the district. Joking aside, it is part of our culture and climate that no job or task is below the leader of the school.

As I started to fill in when the principal was gone to meetings or had other responsibilities, I began to appreciate the role of the crossing guard and the opportunity it gives me to connect with kids. I get to see parents that I know and have made connections with as well as see students first thing in the morning. At times, I also see students who look like they need a pick me up. I started to recognize carpools and groups of friends that I didn’t see throughout the school day.

Typically, we have students or families that run late to school. With 1200+ students, there are a few families that are going through the struggle every day. Not always the same families or students, but without fail a few kids show up late each day.

I don’t remember the specific day or even the particular student, but I do remember the exact conversation.

(Sidenote) Our principal carries his stop sign like Excalibur and rarely lets anyone else take it or even touch it. I had to find another one to use when I filled in for him.

I was escorting kids and parents across the four lanes of the dropoff zone, and the traffic began slowing down. I decided to head back inside to get an early start on some paperwork or something that I needed to finish. I was talking with the principal as we walked inside and he slowed down and the main door, and he said, “Let’s wait a few minutes, the last student in probably needs us more than we know.”

We stood by the main doors and waited for three or four minutes and welcomed a handful of students to the school that day. He explained to me, that the students or the families that are running late probably need a smile, and cheerful welcome more than anyone. Cleary, for whatever reason, their morning isn’t going as planned. Let’s stay here to greet them and see if we can turn their day around.

This is something that has stuck with me for the past two years. I since have passed this advice on to the new assistant principal.

So, on some mornings as you drive by ERMS, or pass through the main office, you may see three administrators standing at the main entrance holding the door for what appears to be no one.

There is someone. They aren’t quite at the school yet; We are just waiting a few more minutes to welcome the last student in, that student probably needs us more than we know.”