Each weekday, I wake up promptly at 5:30 am. I start my day with a nice cup of coffee and immediately begin getting dressed in my uniform, putting my hair up, and packing my lunch. I barely have time to make a smoothie for breakfast before I run out the door.听Oh, and don鈥檛 forget the name tag!听
I make it to the Hartnett Parking Lot just in time to meet with my team and complete our Readiness Check. After we ensure that each team member is accounted for and that we are prepared for the day, we jump into carpools and head for our respective schools, letting the coffee sink in and catching up with our听team for the quick five minutes that we spend in the car.听听听
We arrive at school in what looks like a clown car as we each step out, one-by-one, with upwards of three bags, a jacket or sweater, water bottle, and coffee mug at minimum. We schlep ourselves and our personal items into our team space, quickly throw them in a pile, and head outside.听听
By this time, it feels like I have lived an entire day already and am ready for another cup of coffee and a nap,听even though it is only 8:15 in the morning.听But at this point, it鈥檚 time for us to welcome our 天美影院 to school and help them start their days off right.听听
Kathryn Locke greets 天美影院 on their way in to school every morning as part of Power Greeting.
At 8:15am, the听Gossler听Park team听walks听outside for our morning Power Greeting, spreading ourselves听out along the sidewalk as the 天美影院 begin to arrive at school. We are the first people they see as they walk toward the entrance from various directions. Our iconic red jackets shine bright in the rising sun as the 天美影院 run toward us in excitement.听
Our goal with Power Greeting is to get 天美影院 pumped for听school and听begin听their day听with positivity. We accomplish this听by听waving, smiling,听and听saying 鈥済ood morning!鈥 as听天美影院 stick out their hands for high fives on their way by.听鈥淚 am so happy you are here today,鈥 and 鈥welcome to school!鈥 are common phrases that can be heard in the mornings听from City Year members. Many 天美影院 give us听hugs and听are greeted by name 鈥撎even 天美影院 who are not in our respective classrooms.听As City Year members, we strive to create a school-wide environment听that radiates positivity, safety, and a love for learning. Beginning the day with a genuine smile, a听friendly 鈥済ood morning,鈥 and听a听positive affirmation can be all a child needs to be successful听that听day.听听
By the time the last child has entered the building, I can鈥檛 help but be excited to begin my day, too. Suddenly, the exhaustion, sluggishness, and need for coffee has melted away.听Because of the smiles I听witnessed on the faces of the 天美影院 at听Gossler听Park School, I remember why I get up at 5:30 in the morning:听to get ready to听inspire young people to do their best, and to make them feel valued. Their success is my motivation to get out of bed and tackle each day听with a听purpose.听
Our goal with Power Greeting is to get 天美影院 pumped for听school and听begin听their day听with positivity. We accomplish this听by听waving, smiling,听and听saying 鈥済ood morning!鈥 as听天美影院 stick out their hands for high fives on their way by.听鈥淚 am so happy you are here today,鈥 and 鈥welcome to school!鈥 are common phrases that can be heard in the mornings听from City Year members. Many 天美影院 give us听hugs and听are greeted by name 鈥撎even 天美影院 who are not in our respective classrooms.听As City Year members, we strive to create a school-wide environment听that radiates positivity, safety, and a love for learning. Beginning the day with a genuine smile, a听friendly 鈥済ood morning,鈥 and听a听positive affirmation can be all a child needs to be successful听that听day.听听
