Snow started falling around 11 on Tuesday. Students were so excited! Around 1:30, we were told that we should dismiss as soon as buses arrived. We moved bus riders to the cafeteria and waited for the buses to arrive. They didn't come. We started showing a movie. Still they didn't come.
We split the group, by buses, into the classrooms to wait. I was with Stephanie McCullough in her classroom. We live in the same area and we were not hearing good things about the roads in East Cobb. Meanwhile, at school, snacks were delivered. We watched another movie. Parents began slowly arriving to pick up students.
We had a large group and they were getting restless. So we went to the media center and let the students use the computers. Our older students were amazing. They helped the younger ones without being asked. I was so proud of them.
Around 6, chicken nuggets, bananas, and juice were served starting with the youngest. My 2 pre-k students were picked up as they ate. I was very happy to see their parents. The little ones were starting to get anxious. Based on the traffic horror stories we were hearing, we knew we were in for a long evening.
Around 7, we regrouped by grade level. First grade stayed in the media center. A child threw up - it's just not a sleepover until someone throws up! A few buses started arriving by 8. All parents were called to see if we should put the child on the bus or have them wait at school.
At 9, we had about a dozen first graders. Donna Mann read a bedtime story and the students lay down to sleep/rest.
I work with amazing people. Staff members that lived close by began offering their homes to us. I had worn loafers to school so I declined knowing that I would not be able to navigate icy conditions in that footwear. However, Samantha (Sam) our fabulous PE teacher, had extra gear in her car. She passed out coats and shoes to those in need.
Around 10, I knew that all of our first grade students had parents on the way. Several first grade teachers and other staff members were staying with them so I joined a walking convoy to Lea Artzi's home. Eight of us - Maggie, Caitlin, Sam, Adrienne, Jamie, Amanda, Lea, and myself - left the building at 10:30 PM.
We walked faster than the cars and school buses on the roads. Driving conditions were horrible. We passed a neighborhood providing beverages, snacks, and shelter to those in need. We also met an ATV delivering beer, gas, and transportation as needed. There are a lot of good folks in the world!
We walked 1.2 miles to Lea's house. We were so exhausted, but adrenaline had kicked in. We ate a pasta dinner and talked/vented until 1AM. Lea gave everyone sleep wear of pajama pants and t-shirts. After I finally fell asleep, I dreamed the students also came to Lea's house for breakfast and they stopped up the toilet to overflowing. It was just a nightmare. I think we all had a restless night.
Lea's hospitality included breakfast. After our Wednesday morning meal, we walked back to school where one student remained with our administrators. Some of our group chose to walk home in the light of day, some chose to try driving home, and some chose to return to Lea's house. I was in the latter group. I did not want to add "wreck" to the joys of the past 24 hours!
Jamie, Amanda, and I - all Cobb County residents - walked back to Lea's. We lunched, showered, washed clothes, and relaxed - just waiting for roads to thaw. Lea made yummy hot chocolate! It had a little something extra in it that I don't usually partake of, but it was delicious! Lea and Jamie worked on Bat Mitzvah snack bags. The bags were adorable. We followed a lot of Facebook comments. Rich, Lea's husband, made it to Publix just before they closed for the day and got supplies for a fajita dinner. Overall, it was a good day. We were warm and safe and felt welcome in the Artzi home. A huge thank you goes to Lea, her husband Rich, daughter Mia - who gave me socks, and son Nate. They were simply fabulous!
On Thursday, Jamie and I were up first. Bailey, their cute doggy, wanted out of her crate and out for a potty break. Because we are helpful houseguests, we decide to let Bailey out. Right before Jamie turned the knob, she said " I wonder if they have an alarm." Yep. They do!
Around noon, we walked back to the school on icy sidewalks. Jamie picked up Buster the bunny from her classroom. Then Jamie and Amanda carefully began their journey home. Alan and Austin came and picked me up - my heroes! My journey was almost over. The roads were not bad except in shaded areas. Abandoned and wrecked cars still lined the roads in some areas. We stopped for lunch and then went home. Our driveway is a snow/ice field, but I'm home. HOOOOMMMMEEEE! It's all good.
