Three February’s ago, Dawn and I asked the question, “What happens when we invite our school community to write with us during the month of March?” We quickly found out what happens…magic. You can read more about that here.
Last year, during our second March, Kelly one of our school secretaries, snuck a special announcement into her post…baby news! This year, when our assistant principal told a small group of us that his wife was expecting her first baby, we joked that he should make the announcement on our school blog. Sure enough, he sent me a post he wrote in the doctor’s office during one of his wife’s appointments. Many of the comments other staff members left included things like, “who will announce a baby next year?” Wouldn’t that be fun if that turned into an annual event?
Earlier this week, my friend Jess texted me and Dawn. “Carolyn asked me to switch slicing days with her.” I didn’t think anything of it until I walked past our giant March calendar where staff members signed up for a day of writing. Carolyn’s day was after Jess’. Why would she want to publish earlier? Less than a week in and we’ve had to do a bit of manipulating to make sure we had a post each day. No one had ever asked to move their writing day up…
Later, as I kneeled by the easel in our school entryway, writing the schoolwide morning message, I saw Carolyn as she walked by. “Hey!” I called out. “Why did you switch days with Jess?” Carolyn just shrugged and continued walking down the hallway. That’s when Dawn appeared.
“She’s cooking something up,” Dawn chimed in.
That’s when realization hit and I knew what was going on. My eyes immediately filled with tears.
“Carolyn!” I called down the hall, but she just shrugged again and kept walking towards her classroom.
“If it’s what I think it is,” I called back to her, “I won’t publish it!”
Yesterday, we published Carolyn’s post in which she wrote about her twin daughters’ graduating from college and how when one door closes, another one opens. She ended by sharing that she had made the decision to retire at the end of the school year. She is ready to close the door on this chapter and see what doors open for her next.
Our school blog has become a vehicle for announcements. It’s exciting that people feel comfortable sharing their news, their stories in this special place we’ve created. Hopefully, there will be more babies…maybe no more retirements this year.
Where There Is Joy 
Jessica,
I remember past posts about your s hook blog and am glad it’s still going strong. I know how hard it is to see a colleague retire. I can tell you the retiree has bittersweet feelings, too.
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You captured it beautifully. The slice announcements are so much more thoughtful and personal than an email…it really is magic!
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You sure have created magic. What a special forum for your school community. Yay to babies and retirees though!
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Aww, this is so sweet. You obviously have a caring and trusting community, where people feel safe to share and express.
“Carolyn!” I called down the hall, but she just shrugged again and kept walking towards her classroom.
“If it’s what I think it is,” I called back to her, “I won’t publish it!”
This captures your sense of urgency, right in the moment.
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You are continuing to build a beautiful community through writing. Congrats to all who are announcing new journeys!
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This slice gave me lots of feelings. I want to read J’s slice though. I’ll have to bug him for it!
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I am so impressed with and jealous of your school blog. It’s amazing to imagine your community writing together in this way – and sharing so much news! In February, I asked my principal if we could do this but he declined. He’s new & worried that he would have to read every post… Some day I’ll convince him, and I may use your posts to do it. What a wonderful gift you have in your community.
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I can’t believe he said no! Reading everyone’s stories might have helped him know his people! Keep trying. You’ll get him!
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It has become quite the sensation. I have no announcements to make, but now I’m thinking this was a genius move on your part to encourage news flashes. People are reading the SES blog to make sure they don’t miss out on the news. I saw Carolyn talking in the hall with Karen and I had a puzzled look on my face. Carolyn just said, “Read my post.”
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That’s one way to get our stats up!
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