Black History Luncheon

Today at school we had our Black History Program. The students do recitations, dance (Michael Jackson this year), and sing. I heard it was the best in school history. I didn't get to go. I was busy (madly working) getting ready for our Luncheon. The "lunchroom ladies" prepared a DELICIOUS feast of Turkey, Dressing, Sweet Potatoes, Turnip Greens, (fabulous) Rolls, and of course Gravy. Since that wasn't enough (ha ha) teachers added their homemade goodness to the bounty. Here's a list of everything else:

Pinto Beans

Black-eyed Peas

Butterbeans with sliced sausage

Rice

(more) Turnip Greens

2 Pans of Cornbread

Potato Salad

Slaw

English Peas

Macaroni and Cheese

Creamed Corn

Platter of Sliced Tomatoes/Onion

PIG'S FEET AND PIG'S EARS!!!!

Chicken Necks

Chocolate Cake

Lemon Cake

3 Sweet Potato Pies

Blueberry Trifle

Macaroons

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

3 bakery cakes

Are you ready to hear what is shocking about this bounty? There are thirty four (yes that's right, 34) people on staff. Do you need to reread the list of food? And the dishes they brought weren't just little wimpy one quart casseroles. No mam. They were the turkey roasting sized aluminum pans of goodness. I might weigh 467 pounds by tomorrow. I'm afraid, I'm very afraid.

THE Most Important Class in School

For anyone who doesn't know me well, I'm a teacher. Not only am I a teacher, but I teach THE most important subject in school. I teach Family and Consumer Science (previously known to the uninitiated as Home Economics.)

I teach kids how to sew and they actually love it. They have to make an "A" on the parts of a sewing machine before they are allowed to sew. They have to thread the machine and put the bobbin in, ready to sew in one minute. The timed test always stresses them out, but they all can eventually do it! Would you believe my boy students are consistently better at sewing ? I teach them to iron a men's dress shirt. They have to bring one from home and iron it at school for a test grade. I don't mention the fact that I send Bill's shirts to the laundry ;-)

They learn basic cooking skills. You can imagine how much they look forward to cooking and EATING. Tomorrow is our first foods lab and we are starting out easy. We'll be making banana/blueberry smoothies. How well do you know how to set a table for any occasion? They know how to do it-properly.

They learn how to write a check and reconcile the bank statement.

They are fascinated with prenatal development. They can all draw and label the five parts of the woman's reproductive system and can tell you how it all works. After that hurdle, we discuss child development and disciple of children (called "guidance " in the text).

Students are able to recognize the color wheel and all the different color schemes.

They can drive through a neighborhood and identify housing styles as well as roof styles, pilasters, gingerbread trim, etc. They make a portfolio of furniture styles. (I had perfectly delightful students tell me "Mrs. Stegall, you've turned me into a housing nerd! I went to a party Saturday night at this guy's house. He soon came looking for me and my friend from class. "What are you doing", he asked? "Oh, I didn't realize that you had Chippendale chairs and a double pedestal table! Look your sideboard looks great with those sconces above it!" He just stared at us and said, "Y'all are weird!" and walked off.