Hello Partnership Educators,
It was a late afternoon when the young couple walked into the Bonny View office. The light conversation between them was playful but respectful to the office environment. They waited patiently while the staff helped others with their needs. The light caress of their hand holding felt a bit like newly weds.
The principal, Mrs. Mosier, approaches the youthful pair and asks, "Can I help with something?"
Slowly and ever so tenderly the young girl starts to explain why they are there. "This is my fiancee and we are from Missouri. I went to Bonny View some time ago and I wonder if I could take him around and show him where I went to school?"
Mrs. Mosier is a bit perplexed but agrees to take them around and show them the school. As they walk the halls the young girl is reminiscing with her partner about details of her childhood while at the school.
"I was in this room for Kindergarten. You go out to the playground here. Mrs. Lord was wonderful as a teacher." A picture of her in the classroom. "Wall Ball was the best. We used to play that game all the time." Picture of them near the wall ball court.
As they walked the halls, Mrs. Mosier watched and listen to the interactions of this cute young couple as she shared her life with her loved one. She could tell by the explicit details of her memories that there must be more to this story.
As the tour continued the young girl starts to ask if any of her teachers were still here. Mr. Moser was my fifth-grade teacher. No, he is at Sequoia now, the principal there. Mrs. Benoit was my second-grade teacher she says as she produces a picture of Mrs. Benoit, the girl's mother and the girl as a second grader at Bonny View School.
Mrs. Mosier slowly grins as she tells her that Mrs. Benoit is still here and then suggests they go visit her classroom.
As the three adults walk into the 2nd-grade classroom, Mrs. Benoit and her current students great them with a pleasant hello. Mrs. Mosier explains that this is a former student and Mrs. Benoit perks up and asks, "Oh, what is your name?"
Mrs Mosier watches as the veteran teacher makes her way to this young adult girl and gives her a huge hug upon hearing the name that was uttered. The long embrace sealed the fact for Mrs. Mosier that this was a special story. A story that wasn't just about growing up in Redding and going to Bonny View. No, this was a story about what makes us who we are. Actually, who are the people in our lives that help to make us who we are.
After the tours were over and the goodbyes had been said, the girl explains why she wanted to bring her beau to this spot. When she was in 4th grade her mom became very ill and died of cancer. Then in fifth grade, her father died as well and she had to move back to Missouri to live with other relatives. She explains that when she thinks of her family, of her childhood, or her life before St. Louis, all of those memories are mixed up with the blue and gold school called Bonny View.
Thanks to all the employees in our partnership for being family every day for the kids we serve. Thanks for taking the time to know our kids and listening for how to make their lives a bit better by learning about them and helping them to overcome and persevere.
Have a great weekend,
Rob
Superintendent
Redding Elementary School District
New Millennium Partnership
5885 East Bonnyview Rd.
Redding, Ca 96001