Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 9, 1993 TAG: 9301110223
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOE KENNEDY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
READING, WRITING AND ROUTINE
THINGS were mighty quiet in the classrooms of Andrew Lewis Middle School on Monday."I was tired this morning because I've been sleeping late over Christmas break," said student Melissa Thompson during the sixth-grade lunch period.
"I feel like I want to go down and watch TV or something," said her classmate, Kristin Sessions.
"It don't feel that good, because I don't like school," said Tom Tran, a seventh-grader. "I want to go to bed to sleep."
"It feels like having summer vacation and coming back again," said Joshua Clark, 11. "I was very tired this morning."
Even Allison Minucie, a science enthusiast who was reading her health book at lunch, admitted that returning after the holidays was a drag.
"I was not looking forward to it at all," she said. "I'd like to stay on vacation."
The dozen days off had taken everyone out of their daily routines; people went to bed later, slept later and played more than they do when school is in.
For Kristin, that meant rising at 7 a.m. instead of sleeping until 11. For Brandon Reddick, an eighth-grader, it meant getting up at 6:30 rather than noon.
What they and their friends didn't know was that some of their teachers were feeling the same way. Garry Secor, who teaches civics and world geography to eighth-graders, called it "one of the tougher days of the year. . . . It's tough to get going again.
The principal, Jerry Campbell, said he, too, had trouble getting up that morning. And Eva O'Hare, a physical-science teacher, found it difficult to leave her 2-year-old child that first day back.
Some teachers expected low-energy audiences and prepared for it. Secor filled his blackboard with an extensive classwork assignment, giving the returnees "kind of a quiet day."
"They're usually pretty subdued," he said, "and not overjoyed to be here."
When Suzanne Holdridge, in her first year of teaching, saw how passive her students were, "I made 'em do jumping jacks so they would get their blood flowing."
That wasn't necessary in the days leading up to the break. Then, noise, motion and excitement filled the rooms and hallways as kids geared up for the biggest - and longest - holiday of the school year.
On Monday, the one bright spot was the chance to talk about - and show off - their presents.
"Over the next few days most will wear something from Christmas," said Sandy Hill, a physical education teacher.
Jessup R'Obert, a seventh-grader, came to school in his new, $119 Chicago Bulls jacket from Starter. He tried to wear it to the cafeteria at lunch, but was briskly commanded to take it off and put it on a table.
Kristin Sessions wore new jeans and a new Ducks Unlimited T-shirt. Brandon Reddick wore a new outfit from Used.
Jason Setchel showed an African influence in his multicolored shirt from Paco, and John Hancock all but shone in a bright blue, red, green and black nylon athletic suit with white Air Jordans on his feet.
They and their schoolmates talked freely about the stereo CD boom boxes, videotapes, computer games and other prizes they'd received.
Some teachers talked about presents, too.
"I saw a lot of new clothes and complimented them," said Eva O'Hare, the physical-science teacher. "They like to hear that."
Sandy Hill used the topic to initiate conversations with kids who aren't very athletic and don't have much to say in gym.
Students asked Holdridge, 22, what she got from her boyfriend and whether her parents still give her presents. (They do).
By lunchtime, the kids were perking up, though the din in the cafeteria was still below the pre-holiday level. In some classes, the atmosphere was as lively, or livelier, than ever.
O'Hare's first-period group was "real chatty," she said. "Usually, they're sedated."
Many had missed the last two days prior to the break because they were giving musical programs in elementary schools with the Lewis band. They were eager to see their classmates again.
Hill's morning basketball sessions went well, mainly because the instructional unit is over and the kids are playing games.
When a class of seventh-grade boys and girls met in the gym for dancing lessons, things were almost normal again. Ryan Walker, the mother of a student, demonstrated the box step. Physical education teachers matched the boys and girls and told them to clasp hands and get ready to dance to Michael Bolton's version of "Dock of the Bay."
Many giggled and turned away. But a few tried it and others gradually joined in until most were moving around the gym floor - including several couples who had pulled their shirtsleeves over their hands so they could dance without really touching.
Typical middle school. It was a scream.