Marnie and I are spending our break between AmeriCorps teams visiting every school. Making lists of what has been done, what can be done, what needs to be done, checking on the state of KaBoom! playgrounds and researching for Restoring Glory (the Cox / RSD American Flag project you will be hearing of in the near future… stay tuned).
When we visited George Washington Carver Elementary School we were amazed by the environment they have created with simple decorative details. Banners welcoming you into President Obama’s Library, an invitation to relax in the Maya Angelou Gazebo and College Pennants are monuments to the administration and teacher’s dedication to the students. Students are made welcome in the school. Futures plans and goals are laid out before them.
Truly Amazing.
Oh… and windsocks. GWC Elementary is a modular site. Trailers on the site of the demolished Carver site. Right across the street from where the Florida and Desire Projects used to be. Right down the road from the new housing communities. Beautiful Brownstone style structures (see…I have been working with Oriole and Nationals fans). Windsocks. Splashes of color rippling in the breeze and for the first time at a modular site, I forgot I was at a modular site. And now… ladies and gentlemen… Marnie… What did you think of our adventure today?
Well, Troy. Seeing those bursts of color and those connections with school and sky put a smile on my face this April morning. And guess what happens next month, on May 5th? Countries around the world will be celebrating Children’s Day, or Tango-no-Sekku. On this day, with its origins stretching back to 8th century China, families fly one koinobori “windsock” for each child of the household in order to celebrate the happiness, health, and strength of all children.
If they do it, why shouldn’t we?
Putting up something as simple as a windsock can make a child’s day…I know it made mine. The Chinese fly carp-shaped windsocks because according to legend, a carp that swims upstream becomes a dragon. Against adverse condition and with great determination, they persevere. And isn’t that what our children are doing everyday at school?
So let’s put ‘em up in ALL our modular sites. Whether it’s carp-themed, hummingbird-themed, Saints-themed or crab-themed…it’s important. We are sending out letters to all the kite/windsock/wind art companies that we can find. As usual we are open to suggestions, ideas and donations to further this windsock dream.
Contact troy.peloquin@rsdla.net or send donations directly to
Troy Peloquin
RSD
1641 Poland Ave
New Orleans, LA 70117
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