Last year I volunteered one day a week at the local elementary school. (I spent 30 minutes reading and doing math 1-on-1 with kids who were struggling to keep up; I then shifted gears and spent the next 45-60 minutes doing an enrichment/challenge activity for the entire class.) I had a lot of fun with the kids and their teacher, and felt really good being able to provide the kids curriculum and learning opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
We all had the past few months off; but already the summer is drawing to a close – and school starts up again in our community next Tuesday. Last year’s teacher asked me if I could/would return to her class this year, so this afternoon she and I met to discuss logistics for the coming year, do some cursory planning, and just catch up on each other’s summer.
The school is literally one mile from our home; in the past, I’ve walked there and back. [No need to drive the car for a single mile, unless 1) it’s raining very heavily; 2) I have too many materials for the lesson that I can’t reasonably carry them all; 3) it’s wicked cold outside.] But, it does take some time to make the walk (30-40 minutes round-trip, depending on how excited or tired I am), so it can be a slight hassle. However, this year I have a bike (!); so today I rode my two wheels to the school – and in just 5 short minutes, I had arrived.
On the road that leads to the school, an electronic speed monitoring device is posted – letting drivers know exactly how many miles-per-hour they are over the stated limit [and thereby warning them to slow it down – or else].
This driver is within the speed limit - but just barely. On the left you can see hints of the elementary school.
As I approached the big sign on my little bike, I wondered if it would register my speed. When I got within about fifteen feet of the device, two huge numbers appeared on the screen: 08.
The situation was pretty darn amusing to me; I actually did laugh out loud. I was also happy to learn that I’m not in any jeopardy of receiving a ticket. 😉
Stef
Smile, kiddo. 
We need that electronic monitor by our school as people speed by like they are going to a fire.
8 mph sounds fun and relaxing. Tomorrow marks two weeks with the students, three weeks for me. Enjoy your time at the school cause I know the teacher is grateful you are coming back!
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It really is unsettling how fast some people drive – even when they see kids present! I’ve been known to be on the ‘quick’ side when I’m behind the wheel, but I do slow down in school zones and construction zones. I certainly don’t want anyone to get hurt because I felt I ‘had to’ get somewhere a few seconds faster…
Congrats on completing your second week with the kids! Have you all found your groove?
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Gave ME a smile, picturing you sailing past the measuring device at your sedate 8 miles an hour! Neat.
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Yes, I’ll pretend like I was just intentionally strolling by (instead of admitting that I’m not in shape for bicycling at all…). 🙂
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That must have been funny seeing your speed on the monitor – I would have laughed out loud too! Cycling is so relaxing, I love my bike and go for a ride almost every single day along the esplanade near home.
Glad you are enjoying helping out the kids at school – I’m sure you are very much appreciated by both teachers and students. It’s certainly a worth-while thing to do, and you must find it very rewarding, knowing you are making a difference to those children.
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Cycling isn’t relaxing for me yet (see above comment about my body being quite out of shape for the activity), but it IS fun. Yes, the teacher I support is very appreciative of what I do; and I feel rewarded by the work, too. 🙂
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you may have to worry about getting a ‘driving too slow’ ticket. heh heh. 8 mph on bike is awesome. good for you. Admire your volunteer work.
walk in beauty.
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Ah, good point; I’ll have to stay on the sidewalk versus the road then, eh? 😉
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I wonder if it would catch a speed walker. Lol.
How wonderful that you give your time to help out students. 🙂
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I have walked past the sign/monitoring device before, and I didn’t even register a blip. 😉
Helping out in the classroom really is a delight (most days). Generally speaking, the kids are just so curious, and amazed by the world – it’s a lovely way to live.
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I know that the kids and the teacher are going to enjoy having you with them this year, Stef! 🙂
Funny, this post takes me back to a memory of playing with one of these in NJ near my mom’s house. My husband, mom and I were all on a walk together one evening in her quiet neighborhood, and there was one of these types of signs at a slightly more high-traffic road. But that night there was no one around. We were able to run toward the sign and get it to give us a reading – so then the fun came to see who could run fastest to get the highest number! We were all laughing and running and having way too much fun with it! Thanks for reminding me of this happy memory!
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That’s a GREAT memory! So I have to ask: What was the highest speed you all clocked? (Did you put my bike riding skills to shame?) 😉
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Burn baby burn! 😉
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And ooh lordy, it really does burn some days! (Though various external measures may not show it…) 😉
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