I was looking through some files from my teaching years and stubbled across a couple yellowed sheets of paper. Looking more closely, I recognized it was part of our opening day of school at Wheaton High School many years ago.
The faculty tried to make the first day of school fun, entertaining and educational all at the same time. We wanted to start the year out on a positive note for the students.
That usually included a guest speaker, small group activities inside the building as well as outside the building. A special lunch added to the fun.
A special memory I have is helping students gravel the Wildlife Acres walking paths. Wildlife Acres is an outdoor learning center that I and earth science teacher, Mr. Kuss developed over the years.
Little seventh graders worked up quite a sweat as they threw shovels of gravel on plastic sheets covering the walking paths.
I’m sure many parents wouldn’t believe how hard their students worked, especially when at home they would groan when asked to carry out the garbage. 🙂
I volunteered to introduce the teachers to the returning students and decided it would be in the form of a rap.
Now I had never rapped before and I have never rapped since. But in between the lines that introduced a teacher I would make sounds into the microphone that I thought were good rapping sounds.
The students responded with laughter, and I was never sure if they were laughing with me or at me?
So, settle back and relax as I reveal my one and only rap from one of those glorious opening days of school.
The Faculty Rap
The school is the place where you gotta be,
If you wanna get prepared for the future, you see!
Two things are needed for a school to survive,
Positive students and teachers who jive!
We have positive students in this room today,
So those ‘jiving’ teachers can’t be far away!
Let’s take a minute to see if we can find,
Something about the people that are gonna shape your mind.
If you wanna learn English so in the world you’ll maker,
You gotta have classes from Betty Alsaker!
Or if learning is something you wanna get down real fine,
Connie Benson will help give your learning a shine!
If physical fitness is a goal for your life,
Kevin Grohs can help you, unless you prefer his wife! 🙂
So your rhythm and your music causes instant shock,
That means you need help from Mr. Mark Kuklock!
Shapes and designs are all a part of art,
Debra Sweezy will teach it to you straight from her heart!
“Old social teachers never die,” they say,
When asked, George Sawyer replied, “It only feels that way!”
You can learn about childcare, family life and cookin,
And Melanie Peterson shows there’s more to school than just bookin,
Books, newspapers and magazines in the rack,
Is Cheryl Nelson’s way of putting your learning on track!
If things don’t add up as they should be,
You need a math class from Mr. Jim Milne!
You can learn about life from doctors, philosophers and even a parson,
But in Wheaton High School you’ll learn about life from Mr. Mike Larson!
Physics and chemistry students filled the room,
When the teacher walked in, they said, “Ann Livingston I presume?”
One time a student said, “History has no future”,
Harvey Peterson got as mad as an old banty rooster!
Drafting, metals and motors are fun,
Especially when they’re taught by Mr. Marv Erlandson!
Quality research papers and learning parts of speech,
Are goals that Nancy Itzen wants all of you to reach!
“Sprechen Sie Deutsch?” is what you’ll say, when you learn German the Marian Zimmerman way!
If you seek test scores, future plans, or just plain talk,
Then you gotta take the Dorthy Barber walk!
Stomachs, bladders, pig lungs and a heart,
In health class Lynette Johnson makes you super smart!
Pigskins and History are his cup of tea,
And if you ask Neil Johnson, I’m sure he would agree!
When you learn of volcanoes, or soil so loose,
You must be taking a class from Mr. Frank Kuss!
If you have a question of the X or Y axis,
Sharon Johnson has the answer, and she doesn’t charge taxes!
If Ag. is your bag from Monday to Friday,
You need a class from Mr. Paul Kirkiede!
So you have an interest in English and shootin the hoops,
See John Tauber and he’ll give you the scoop!
Office machines, bookkeeping and the law,
Derry Peterson’s teaching will leave you in awe!
And the guy who’ll guide us as we develop our brain,
Is the principal of schools, Mr. Allen Crane!
A board of Education member needs to be on hand,
And Solveig Naatz fills the bill in a style so grand!
Now sit back and relax as we share with you,
How District #803 carries out the first day of school! 🙂
LEARNING IS FUN TOGETHER 🙂
