Ontario's Feel Good Town!

Dear Friends,

I sincerely believe that one of the most sacred human relationships is the bond between a teacher and his or her students. Perhaps it’s because I deem connecting with the child to be more important than imparting knowledge. When my students found out that I was retiring, they wanted to know where I was going, why, and what I was going to do.

Instead of telling them about my wish to live by the lake, being the master of connecting anything and everything to the Ontario Curriculum (I make up in creativity what I lack in knowledge), I planned a field-trip to Cobourg, to prove to them that, indeed, dreams do come true!

As excitement took over our classroom for the following few weeks, first, we researched, read and wrote about Cobourg. Then, we displayed our knowledge, and paintings of the lake and the lighthouse, on the board outside our classroom, for everyone to see and envy!

Although I knew I had nine parent-volunteers and a lifeguard accompanying us, the night before our journey to Cobourg, I had to take valerian. The park, the beach, the drive on the highway, what was I thinking!

The bus trip was long, but lively. Since I had forbidden electronic games and iPods, students were engaged in making accessories with designer Duck Tapes and playing with Top Trumps (both of which I hear are the hottest items on the non-electronic market). Sketching pads and reading materials occupied third and fourth places. From Port Hope to Cobourg children’s patience runneth over. Singing led to wanting to get up and moving around the bus. 

It was impossible to start our tour of Cobourg, without first visiting the washrooms and the playground.
We strolled on the boardwalk, looking at the boats. I could hear everyone's delight at the vastness of  the nature that surrounded us. Pictures were taken, memories were being made. Everyone was excited for me, promising to knock on my door, one day.
Finally, we made our way to Art Gallery of Northumberland in Victoria Hall, where Irene, our tour guide was waiting for us. Students were absolutely taken by Pat Stanley's new work, Reality Check. It was so lucky that she herself was present, and could talk to a few students and parents about her artistic vision. I was so proud of my students for asking and answering questions, showing their appreciation for art. We also got to visit the courtroom and, what we liked to call, the ballroom.
As we made our way back to Victoria Park, where we had our picnic, I showed everyone my favourite spots on King Street, including the Oasis. And then, Mother Nature decided to be mean to us! We didn’t get to have ice cream, or dip our toes in the water, although most of us did play barefoot on the cold, damp sand. 

The ride back home seemed even longer. Fresh air, exercise and post thundershower trauma, had worn down everyone, including the adults. The rain-kissed faces looked tired. A few had their eyes closed, heads resting on each other’s shoulders. Scattered towels, flip-flops, socks, t-shirts and snacks peeking through the open bags, made the bus look like the tail end of a very successful slumber party.  

Now, Cobourg has 20 little fans who will never forget their first trip to Ontario’s Feel Good Town!

But, what matters to me most, is that 20 children will grow up knowing that they mattered so much to their grade three teacher, that she just had to share her dream with them.