“Good morning…know what day it is?”
Now, this was not a trick question. Rather, it was a ‘PSA”, Public Service Announcement, for the kids I cross as a school crossing guard. I thought that I was just reminding them of the date.
“Yes, it’s Pi Day!”
“Pie Day? No, it’s March 14th!”
“That’s right, ‘Pi Day’, 3.14…..”
They had me. They were teaching me, turning the tables from our usual morning exercise. And, it was fun, lots of laughs.
These kids are sharp!
The mathematical ‘Pi’, of course, is the ‘ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter’. No, I didn’t know that. At one time, maybe, but years ago. One of the kids, a high school student, told me. I had more questions, but we were across and my ‘source’ was heading for her building, probably to a quantum physics class.
These kids are sharp!
Nearly every morning, for fun and mental stimulation, I’ll throw out a fact, a riddle, a question, word of the day, and the young people receive it well. My reward is their feedback. And they’re not shy about offering it, participating in the ‘give & take’.
Since it was Michelangelo’s birthday last week, it seemed appropriate to remind them about the artist and one of his claims to fame, the ceiling painting of the Sistine Chapel.
I was quickly informed that he painted it at the behest, maybe order, of Pope Julius II and it took several years to complete. Should I have known that? A student did. (As a sculptor, painting was not his forte, but we can agree the ceiling is a remarkable piece of art).
It is not unusual for these young students to amaze me with their knowledge, level of instruction, and ambitions. They want to be engineers, physicists, sports marketers, mechanics And they’re a happy group of young folks, as well, with keen senses of humor, especially the older ones who are tuned in to subtleties.
I hope these kids are learning something from me. My challenges are often turned into a learning lesson for me. It makes a school crossing job a pleasure.
As for ‘Pi Day’, one student wore a shirt with the message, ‘Come to The Math Side, We Have Pi’.
These kids are sharp!
‘Pie Face’ Game
Steve (March 2019)
Steve,
The young people keep you young!! Keep them on their toes in the Morning!!
Michael
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This was great Steve, I’m sure your good influence extends farther than you know. And keeping them safe from idiot drivers is much to your credit too. Jim Murdock
Grandpa/Dad/Jim
>
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Just a few ‘idiots’, Jim, but they’re scary… Thank for your comment.
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I’m sure you have a mutually beneficial relationship
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That’s for sure, Derrick. Have a great day!
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Those kids are smarter than me, for sure.
Have an excellent weekend.
Neil Scheinin
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Neil, they would tell you, ‘than I’…😂. Thanks for commenting.
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👍👍
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Those kids are amazing and so are you!!
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Thank your, Darlene, the kids really are. They make the job fun and pleasurable, like the boy on the unicycle, this morning.
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I think the kids are learning something from you. . .in more ways than one! your fan, Michele
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Very nice of you to write that. Thank you!
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Clever!
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Thanks, Al. I really didn’t know about it being ‘Pi Day’. These kids are the clever ones. 🤓
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Pi, now that is a concept I have forgotten, Steve. Your job sounds lots of fun.
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Thank you, Robbie. You hit the nail on the head, it is fun. The kids are truly wonderful and they make it fun because they communicate well. They’re at the age, especially the high schoolers, 14-18 yrs, who pick up subtleties and respond well to my talking. Now, if I can keep avoiding the cars, then I’ll have it made…😂
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Love you Pi rate…
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Yes, we should talk. I’ll get back to you. Having major phone problems now. Have a great week n
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Learn something new everyday is good for us older folks as well as the kids. Pi day has been around for a bit. Restaurants want to get you in the door so some offer free pie with your meal that day. My daughter and I had ours in a local chain restaurant. I’ve seen those t-shirts. So much fun. Even for someone very bad at math.
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See, this is why you and I do what we do. There is nothing more fulling than a teacher and student learning from each other. Wonderful, Steve!
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Thank you, Jennie. And, it happens often, even when there’s no ‘Pi’…😉
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I know! 🙂
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Reblogged this on A Teacher's Reflections and commented:
Steve the Crossing Guard, dubbed “The School of Street” by fellow blogger The Hook, once again has a ‘classroom’ on his corner.
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Jennie, thank you for all the support/encouragement that you give me and other bloggers, as we continue learning from each other. Greatly appreciated. My ‘classroom’ is getting a fresh ‘look’ this morning (yes, another brief snow squall). Maybe we’ll talk about the weather … 🤓
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My pleasure, Steve. We really do keep learning from each other. Weather… there would be much to talk about!
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We talked Hawaii. It’s the 60th anniversary of statehood today. I was in 7th gr. Never been there. But English explorer, Cpt James Cook was and he was killed by the natives as he was wading in the surf, trying to make it back to his ship (1779). Have a great day!
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Poor James. History can be unkind. Great to discuss Hawaii, Steve.
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He would have appreciated your sentiments. Apparently, he was a little too arrogant for the locals. It happens…🤓
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😀
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I love this post!
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Thank you. I hope it made you smile. Have a great day!
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You too.
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We never stop learning. That makes us all sharp! These kids are lucky. 🙂
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And so am I to have nice kids who are willing to listen and participate. Thanks for commenting.
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I so want a shirt like that!
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I asked the kid for it but no dice…I didn’t let him cross😂
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hahahahaha
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