Providence Hall Junior High
12/5-12/9
Costco For The Sort Of Free Sunday Entertainment Win
Can you believe we are only a couple of weeks away from Winter Break and the always exciting 44th annual birthday celebration of Mrs. Summers? I have never understood people who hate getting older. I am totally stoked for each and every day I get to be with y'all. So for me, each birthday is a huge party. To be clear, when I say huge party, I mean like four or five people, a homemade cake, copious amounts of ice cream, and most importantly, ending promptly at 7:00 pm so I can be in bed by 8:00. Birthdays in your 40s are GLORIOUS if you are an old soul like myself.
Today, like nearly every Sunday since I was about 12 years old, I made my weekly trek to Costco in search of items that are far too large but somehow persuade me into believing that my life will not be complete if I don't come home with a bag of 342 rolls, an entire case of navel oranges, and a box of 32 razors in a home with a husband that has been growing his beard for the last ten years.
While I will be the first to admit that I am easily swayed by the Costco buying coma, I have to say one of my favorite parts of shopping each week is getting a front-row seat to all of the hilarious interactions that people have with each other, while also trying to navigate the impossible tasks of getting out of Costco under the $100 dollar mark.
This week a few of my favorites included...
A younger couple headed to check out after leaving the produce section. The woman asks the man, "What is your beef with apples? Cooked apples, fresh apples, apple cider, you hate it all! What did apples ever do to you?"
A mom talking to her son (who I would guesstimate at about five to six years old). The boy has two Sqishmallows, one in each arm, clearly trying to convince mom of all of the reasons these Squishmallows need to make their way into the shopping cart. Mom, clearly done with this conversation, says, "Look me in the eyes. Those 'Mallows are not coming home with us!" One minute and two sneaky Quishmallows stowed away in the cart later, I gave the kid a thumbs up and walked the other way in an effort to keep his covert mission under wraps until revealed at check out.
What could be described as a "vintage-aged" couple in the very overcrowded Christmas decoration aisle debating decorations. The husband nods at his wife as she complains that "the only ribbon left has PEACOCK feathers on it. Who had the bright idea to have Peacock feathers on Christmas ribbon?" I watch the husband work his way to one of the display couches, keenly aware that this isn't going to be a quick stroll through the decoration aisle, so he might as well settle in and get comfortable.
Watching and listening to all of these interactions reminded me of one of my favorite parts of working in a Junior High. There is no other job in the world where you can hear more hilarious, and often unbelievable, conversations that go on nonstop within the halls of PHJH every single day.
Just a couple of gems...
A student was sent to my office for some guidance on how and when we should and should not be talking during class. After a classic lecture on classroom behavioral expectations, the student answers with, "Summers, I don't know what you people expect from me... I am a social person, and social people have to talk. It is who we are!" (How am I supposed to answer that?!)
Or there is the joy of watching the kids go bananas when it snows and having a student ask me why I am not stopping the kids from rolling down the hill and getting covered in snow. To which I answered, "Why would I stop them when the snow will take care of that for me? When it melts they will be left sitting in wet clothes for the rest of the day." To which the student replies, "Ooo, that is good, Summers. Stone cold, but good."
The trip into the Costco chaos was a beautiful reminder that I am one of the luckiest humans in the world to get to work in a place that, even on its worst days, is filled with unending twinkle lights of joy.
Thank you so very much for giving all of us at PHJH the honor of getting to work in the magical place known as Providence Hall Junior High.
See you in the morning!
As always, Patriots...
Remember, you are LOVED!!! ❤️
Mrs. Summers
Mrs. Turley
Mr. Joyce
The Giving Tree Project Is Underway
Thank you so much to everyone that has taken ornaments to help our fellow Patriots during this season of giving.
We have a couple more weeks to clear the tree, so please come and help out if you are willing and able.
How To Donate To Help With Christmas For PHJH Families Through The Giving Tree
Upcoming Performing Arts Events
Lunches This Week
Math Counts Competition
We have a parent that is offering to sponsor 12 students to take part in the Math Counts completion. If you are interested, please email asummers@providencehall.com. This is first come, first serve.
2022-23 Registration is Open!
$35 per competitor for schools (registration ends December 15)!
- Every registered school receives the School Competition Kit to run its program for the year.
- As many students as are interested can participate in practices and the School Competition. Registration fees are based on the number of competitors representing the school at the Chapter Competition.
New And Improved Providence Hall App
PHJH LIbrary Happenings
Beat The Teach Library Contest Reminders
A few of the students are confused about how to sign up for BEAT THE TEACH, so here is a recap in case you get questions.
The students can only sign up for one teacher to read against. They do not come to the library to sign up, they sign up on the poster that is on your door.
They will get a reading log every week, and they do get that at the library. The contest starts the day we get back from Thanksgiving break.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Lori