5 Pennies - Day 231 Recovered

1. Wrote 'Thank You' cards to the school's custodians

              We have had a recent change in custodial staff lately, but I must say that everything seems to be settling down. The one noticed that my trash was not collected last night so she came in early today to check my office and other classrooms within the music department. She also spent time this past weekend cleaning and polishing the floors so that everything looked great for Monday morning. The other custodian is fairly, but he works so hard and takes a lot of pride in his work. I rarely see him without a mop or fixing something constantly around the school. This morning he laid out the new rugs that the front door entrance. He then vacuumed and daily spot checks them - just to make sure that everything looks great - and it does. Needless to say that they deserved a thank you card of appreciation.

2. Bought more school supplies

                  I have decided to use my offering money throughout the lent season to purchase various items that are needed for the church project. Today it was scissors - tomorrow?

3. Bought cookies for Arts Festival

                 Tonight we have the Fine Arts festival at my school. Its a great event because it showcases the various items from the art department and music, as well as, other contents that use either art or music within their curriculum. The organizer - one of the school's art teachers - has been working really hard in putting everything together. I over heard her fretting yesterday that she didn't have enough of cookies for the event. This was a simple fix to do for her.

4. Wrote a 'Great Job' note to the Art Teacher

                I really must say that everything turned out brilliantly tonight! Everyone's hard work really paid off because the event was just so nice. I had to write the art teacher a note expressing my appreciation and that she did a great job. I also included some of her favorite chocolate candy.

5. Bought performing band students some extra treats

               So many of my band students performed at this extra Arts Festival, as well as, prepared themselves for another festival that was held this weekend - 50 students to be exactly. I was so proud of everyone that participated because they put in a lot of extra time. I was very pleased in the fact that 10 students received high enough scores that qualified them to perform at the State Level Festival. The least that I could do was to buy each of them a special candy treat to show my appreciation of all of their hard work. 

5 Pennies - Day 230 Recovered

1. Wrote a 'Thank You' email to son's teacher
             I haven't really thought of the best in my son's elementary school. Maybe it was the fact that my son went to a fantastic preschool and his teacher constantly sent home good notes. Both my son and I really loved her. Maybe it was that this school always had something interesting and completely valued the support and active involvement of the family. I don't know, but I haven't 'clicked' with my son's new school yet. However, his teacher sent home a flyer that explained the different activities that the students will be doing this week to honor Dr. Seuss. This was the first time that my son happily explained his excitement for each event. I was so thrilled to see my son so happy about sharing his educational news and that he looked forward to each day - I just had to send a simple email to his teacher saying thank you for providing such a wonderful opportunity for my son and his classmates.

2. Wrote a 'Thinking of You' card to another student
            I've been meaning to write to this student for the past week, but wasn't for sure if it would be appropriate. I made time this evening for her. Unfortunately, she is going through the emotional and mental pain and it saddens my heart so much knowing that she is carrying this burden. Thankfully, she is getting the help that she needs to get her through this turmoil. I know that she is strong enough to come with resilience, but still wanted to express my daily thoughts and good wishes for her.

3. Thanked another parent for her son's music gesture
              In a previous penny, I explained that I recently went to a funeral service of one of my student's father that passed away. Tonight I had a meeting with several of my music parents in regards to my program and funding. I just had to speak to this parent directly prior to the start of the meeting and explained in how proud I was that her son played during this funeral service. She too said that she was really impressed by his maturity in handling this musical performance with dignity in regards to the circumstance.

4. Wrote a Good Luck card
               So at the music meeting tonight I over heard another parent saying that they are very concerned about music fees - especially next year because she will have two kids of her own involved. On top of that, both her and her husband have been plagued by unemployment during this disastrous economic time. Next year for the high school music students, they are planning a special week long field trip to Disney World in order to participate in special music festivals/competitions. Although I was seriously debating in considering offering to go as a chaperoned, I have realized tonight that my money would be better spent in funding for a student. In this family is a son that works for me Tuesday and Thursday morning, doing various small jobs that keeps me sane. The least that I could do is to offer the parents money for his assistance every so often - but that this would be kept in a separate account for him to use for this special high school field trip. Say hi to Goofy for me :-)

5. Wrote a 'Sympathy' card to another teacher
              Another music teacher that I know has recently lost a family member. The least that I could do was to extend my sympathy and let him know that I was thinking about him/his family. He really is a great music teacher and I have a lot of respect for him.

Day 230 Reflection

Grab your mirrors - reflection time!

So at the beginning of my 5 Pennies journey I thought that these acts of kindness had to be big and monumental. Life changing on the 'grande' scale. As much as I tried - I rarely felt that what I was doing really made any difference. A few pennies every so often seemed important, but most seemed of the 'fair' quality. I often scoffed at myself for writing simple notes to others; thank you, congrats, sympathy, etc. Like did these fragments of human appreciation and thoughtfulness really make any difference? I continued on with my 'love notes' because in a way it was just my way of sincerely recognizing someone else in gratefulness and gratitude.

Then I found this beautiful book-

365 Thank Yous: The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life

John Kralik

I'm half way through reading this book, but absolutely love it! I will not spoil the premise of the book, but just say that his outlook on writing notes have made me appreciate my pennies even more - especially the simple ones.

So, here are three very simple thank yous-

Danny - Thank you for inspiring me to take this journey each and every day. I will never forget this experience, what you have taught me, and what I have learned about myself. You are a wonderful educator.

John- Thank you for writing such a wonderful book. Thank you for sharing your personal story with others. Mostly, thank you for reminding me that simple acts of gratitude are very monumental.

My dearest & closest friend - Thank you for always listening...

5 Pennies - Day 229 Recovered

1. Gave another child money for offering
            So my son and I were in church the other day preparing to give money to the offering plate. In my pocket I pulled out $3; kept one for myself for offering and gave one to my son. Therefore, I had $1 left over. I noticed that the friend that my son was sitting with didn't have anything to offer so I simply gave it to him. You should have seen the toothy grin this kid had when he looked at the usher while putting the money in the plate!

2. Wrote a sympathy card to the church secretary
              A few months back she lost her father to a prolonged illness and then a few days ago she lost her mother. She is a really nice lady that does so much for the church in keeping the daily business side running, while making sure that all of the bulletins and such are ready for all of the various weekly services. The least that I could do was to express my sympathy and let her know that I was thinking about her/family during this time.

3. Wrote a congrats note to another teacher
               Sent an email and a personal note to a math teacher who has been working with a group of students after school. The 'math-letes' recently placed first at a county level competition. Knowing how much time and effort an afterschool group takes to practice, I was so happy that he was able to provide this for the students and beyond pleased that they scored so high. The least that I could do was to express my appreciation and congratulate him for all of his efforts.

4. Wrote a Welcome note to a substituting teacher
               In previous pennies I have explained that a current recently had a serious operation and will be recovering for the remainder of the school year. Well, we have recently welcomed a long term substitute to fill in for the year. She is relatively new from college and is taking this opportunity to fully learn how to be a great teacher. The students are really adapting to her and she has quickly learned how to be both tough and compassionate at the same time. More impressively, she likes to work out- which has been a welcome addition to the morning routines :-)

5. Wrote a congrats note to a staff member
             There is a cafeteria worker that has recently made some fantastic academic achievements. Although I do not know much about this staff worker or her accomplishments, I am still very much happy that she is still pursuing higher education. What an inspiration towards our students and the her own kids!

5 Pennies - Day 228 Recovered

1. Gave cookies to friends
           So one of my band students was selling various Girl Scout cookies for their annual spring fundraiser. I'm a sucker and just wanted to help this particular student, she's such a sweet kid. Anyway, my favorite type of cookie is the thin mint - you know, the all chocolate type with the hint of mint inside. So I ordered 2 boxes because my mother loves these too. Little did I know that my mother did the same thing with one of her students. So between us we had 4 boxes of these types of cookies. Honestly, bot of us rarely eat any cookies so imagine the humor that we found. Instantly I knew of two staff members/friends at school that would enjoy these more than I. It was easy to give & the plus thing is that it is less crunches that I have to make up for :-)

2. Held the door for another staff member
           Recently there has been a staff member that has been having some health issues with her legs. Towards the end of a meeting, I noticed that she was getting up and going towards her classroom. I am very proud of her because she was using her walker to try to get around and exerting a lot of good energy. Knowing that her steps are slow and concrete, I instantly went to hold the door for her - it was the least that I could do to show my respect.

3. Went to a student's family member funeral
            This penny hurt my heart some. I know, I'm too sensitive and I get way too attached to many of my students. But I have known this family for 6 years and have grown to really respect them all. Anyway, about a year ago one of the family members was diagnosed with cancer. As much as this news rocked them, they continued on and supported each other. Recently the afflicted family member passed on. It was the least that I could do to attend the funeral and show my sympathy to this wonderful family.

4. Made dessert for Church Fellowship meal
                Yes, it was my Cherry Cheese cake tarts that offered to the meal as a dessert. Enjoyed by all!

5. Bought school supplies for Lenten project
          How can you measure the worth of education for impoverished kids? By 30 centimeter rulers, blue and black ink pens, and blunt scissors. A little each week helps :-)

5 Pennies - Day 227 Recovered

1. Wrote a Welcome Back Card
              So there is another teacher at my school that just came back this week from maternity leave. I remember when I started back after having my son - it was a Tuesday and it was an excruciating painful of a  day. I was still on about 3 hours of sleep and the heart ache of not being near my baby, but instead to with many misbehaved teens. No words could comfort me - only that I needed to work to ensure that if I I had money for him for college and that things will get better. 6 years later, I'm happy that I made that decision. Anyway, this teacher is feeling the same pains - so to ease this, I wrote a card welcoming her back to work and that everything will get better.

2. Wrote a Thinking of You Card
               So there is another teacher in my building that has been going through some massive heath issues. This week she has a major surgery that will take her out of the school atmosphere for the next several months. I pray for her constantly at church and know that the surgery is needed to make her healthier, but still feel compassion for what she has to go through. The least that I could do is to write her a Thinking of You card, include a pack of special pink pencils, and a gift card to a local sub shop for  her husband. The very least I could do.

3. Brought in a special treat for others
           Happy Fausnaught Day - or as the normal would say 'Fat Tuesday'! This has always been a tradition in my family to eat a Fausnaught to wish us well for the Lenten Season. They are not donuts - they are made from a different recipe, cooked a different, and most importantly symbolize preparing the 40 day journey. I remember making them when I was younger before getting ready to go to school. I was happy to share many containers of them, but what surprised me is how many people in my school didn't know what they were or the tradition.



4. Gave student some lunch
             Why do teenage students come to school and decide not to eat lunch? It isn't the question of do they have money for lunch, but more of the question of why they choose not to? Grant it, I was one of these teens. Now looking back at it, it was an unhealthy decision. Anyway, I noticed that one of my students wasn't eating. When I asked her she just shrugged her shoulders. I insisted that she ate something from my snack box that I keep in my office before she went to class. I keep extra snacks in case my sugar gets low, but happily share with my students when they need it.

5. Gave cold medicine to another teacher
               He has commented the past couple of days that he hasn't been feeling that great and feels like he is fighting a could. I keep extra cold medicine in my book bag, just in case. I believe I was a boy scout in a former life - always prepared. It was easy to share with him :-)

5 Pennies - Day 226 Recovered

1. Helped an elderly lady park her car

            She must have been visiting someone in the neighborhood because she wasn't for sure where to park on my street. Bless her heart she was about 50 yards away from a sign that said "Do not park from here to the corner." She was fretting over if she was too close to the sign. Then when I reassured her that she was ok, she started to worry if she was to close or to far away from the curb. She was a cute and very nice elderly lady - just needed some reassurance :-)

2. Donated money to Animal Shelter

             So I went and got my dog a hair cut this weekend. He looks a lot better and need to do this more often - my & my son's allergies have also subsided. Anyway, while paying for the grooming, the store had a charity event that sponsored the local Animal Shelter. How could I deny donated any money to this? If everyone just shared a little, then there would be a little more to share with everyone.

3. Sanitize shopping carts

             Ok as of now I know of 5 people who have a cold or just getting over one. The crazy weather is not helping things knowing that one day it is warm while then next is back to freezing temperatures. So I figured that after sanitizing my cart, it's just as easy to sanitize 10 more for future customers. OCD :-)

4. Bought items for Lenten Project

              So this Wednesday starts the season of Lent. One of the more interesting church seasons because it carries so many emotions with it. Sorrow knowing the Jesus will end on the cross. Joy because he is taking our sins. Wonderment in how he traveled for 40 days and nights. The world itself seems to react to this season with the changes in light (which Lent actual derives from darkness to light), buds sprouting on trees, and temperature instantly changes, and more. There is so much in way of change that goes on during this time. Anyway, this year's project focuses on collecting school supplies for different tribes in Africa - I'm a teacher and how could I resist in this project. So after service this past Sunday I went to the local office supply store. I rarely go there for these types of materials, but something told me that there was the place that I needed to go. Happily I found out that I could buy 2 for 1 spirals - the kind that was on my list for this project :-) There was a limit of buying 10 spirals, but I text other people from church about the deal.

5. Baked Banana Walnut Bread for my Mother

               She has had a rough week and instead of taking off on Presidents Day, she had a Professional Development day for her teachers. She bought them breakfast, lunch, and an ice cream dessert. She scheduled various workshop speakers so that her teachers could earn training credits and get paid while doing so. All of this and rarely a Thank You was said. So when she came home from work and saw that there was a special treat waiting for her, she felt loved - of course :-)