Smelly Stamps

When a kid does something really good, I give them a stamp on their hand. Sometimes I use the ink pad that had the good smelling ink, like bubble gum or cotton candy. Whenever I start giving out the stamps, some kid will usually ask, "Are these the smelly stamps?" If they aren't the ones that have the cool flavors, I will reply, "Yes! These smell like ink!" or "Yes! These smell like your hand!"

Well, today as I was giving out the stamps, Ivan (4th grade) asked very slowly and inquisitively, "These stamps have some kind of stench on them?" I told him how funny he was and he replied, "I usually don't think before I speak. That's why I'm so funny."

I told Coach Reid about his question and how funny it was and he said that everything Ivan says to him is like something an old Englishman would say. I agree. I have known this kid since kindergarten and he has always had a very dry sense of humor.

Not That There's Anything Wrong With That

MARY: Mr. Bowers, Kayla said I was gay!
MR. BOWERS: Kayla, why did you say that?
KAYLA: Because she had her arm around Melissa.
MR. BOWERS: Well, were you trying to give her a compliment like, "Hey, you're gay! I'm gay too, let's be friends!" Or were you being mean to her and teasing her and trying to hurt her feelings?
KAYLA: I was being mean.
MR. BOWERS: Then that is bullying, and that is unacceptable. So what needs to happen now?
KAYLA: I'm sorry, Mary.
MR. BOWERS: You know Kayla, I have a whole bunch of friends who are gay and it would really hurt their feelings to hear that you were being mean like that. I hope you don't do that anymore. Now you two kiss and make up.

(I really told them to shake hands--but the kiss and make up part really makes the story funnier!)

Bananas

Bananas have opened a new door at my school. A new door for jokes! They have been serving bananas in the cafeteria like they are going out of style. So many of the kids don't even eat them! I don't understand. Bananas are great. I got on the microphone in the cafeteria and made this announcement, "For a bunch of kids that act like monkeys, you guys are throwing away too many bananas! EAT YOUR BANANAS!"

Sometimes I will pick up a kid's banana and answer it like a phone, then I will change my voice to try to immitate the kid who has the banana, "Yes, this is Brian...hello mom...yes I am eating my lunch...what? my banana? Yes, I am planning to eat it...ok, mom, I love you too, bye." Then I'll tell the kid that their mom wants them to eat their banana.

First Day Back After Easter

breakfast in the cafeteria

MR. BOWERS: Everybody QUIET!!! Did anyone see a chicken running around here in the cafeteria?" (everyone is silent) "Because there are some eggs here on the floor, so, either there is a chicken in the cafeteria--or a pig! Now, whoever left these messy eggs on the floor needs to come clean them up."
ISAAC: Maybe it was the easter bunny!

All Sports

Got a new kid today and he told me that he was from Houston. I asked him who his favorite football team was. He said, "The Texans". "Good answer!" I said, and gave him a football card of one of the Texans' players. After receiving the card he looked up at me and said, "I also like the Astros and the Rockets."

You Tell Me What This Means

Nicole (1st grade) said, "Mr. Bowers, my mom said that I can't be by no boys or she gonna have to take me to the doctor and get surgery on my belly."

I don't even wanna know.

Special Powers

Jenni (1st grade) came up to the Music Teacher yesterday and told her that she prayed to Baby Jesus and asked him to grant her special powers for her birthday tomorrow. She wanted the power to turn into any animal--including a dinosaur, a lizzard and even a unicorn. Unfortunatly today is her birthday and she was not granted those powers. She did, however, have a quarter behind her ear!

All Growns Up

When I started teaching, this kid was in 2nd grade. I taught him Drama in 3rd and 4th grade. I got a letter from him today.


Hi everybody! This is Kevin and I was your student in either my 3rd or 4th grade year which was 8 or 9 years ago before the turn of the century. Gee, has it been that long? I just wanted to let you all know what was going on and what happened to me after I left Askew.

After a rocky middle school section of my life where I went to Shadowbriar, Paul Revere and then I escaped to WestBriar Middle School, my older brother Brian passed away in July of 2002. My family and I miss him dearly and are glad that the enzyme that he was missing is finally undergoing clinical trials this spring.

In high school, I participated avidly in music, being on Westside's drumline for 2 years and in the Jazz Band up to this my senior year. I have also been an actor in Westside's Varsity Theatre Company for my Jr. and Sr. year.

So, this year I was applying to colleges and I was trying to figure that out. And I sent out all these applications and I got in to a bunch of places and I'm really excited because I found out where I am going to school next year.

About a week and a half ago, I got into my first choice school, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AKA MIT. I'm really psyched and I plan on studying Bioengineering and maybe even joining the ski team or the crew (rowing) team.

I actually had my app. deferred from applying early and after sending them a lot of info about this project that my friends and I finished in late January, and several love letters, I got in.

I just wanted to let you guys know how I was doing and to thank you for all the support that you gave me at an early and critical age. Without the solid foundation that I got at Askew, I would definitely not be the same person that I am today. The encouragement, academic and otherwise that I received in addition to the remarkable instruction from you, my elementary school teachers is a testament to the hard work that you put into your profession. Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you.

Early on, you all taught me to challenge myself and think outside of the box for a solution. You pushed me to discover creative solutions to what otherwise may have been standard problems. I remember wondering where I would be in 8 years at my 4th grade graduation. Well, now I sit here on another milestone, 11th in my class of 556, having gotten into the school that I feel is the best fit, and I wonder what's next.

As to that, I will let you know. But until next time - I hope to visit before I leave - I would like to genuinely express my thanks and appreciation for the time and effort that each of you put into educating the 9 or 10-year-old version of me. The 18-year-old that speaks to you now is truly grateful.