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Tuesday, February 26, 2019

The February Doldrums

It happens every year, the February doldrums.  They sneak in on silent snow shoes, through some miracle, not making a squeak on this linoleum floor.  It must be like the "fog" the night janitors keep using in the building on the weekends, the only evidence being the plastic coverings left behind.  The doldrums leave a stench of grouch and mark of grimace.

I think the 5th graders get hit first because they are the biggest and their extra large attitudes are extra sensitive to fluctuation in mood and temperature.  Even their hope and high spirits for the middle school and sixth grade can't keep 5th graders from suffering mightily under the doldrums.  Days upon days of inside recess and no sign of daylight to brighten up the feeling of February, leave our big kids moping and mewling about everything...EVERY. THING.

Usually, it's the teachers who are next to feel February.  Even after all these years, I'm still not sure if the teachers are brought down by the big kids or if these February doldrums hit with no discrimination, equally pummeling all audiences.  One might think that adults would notice this pattern of behavior, this obvious cloud of Eeyore-like mindset, but without a President's Day break, teachers are no longer immune to the depression.  Snow days have bogged them down and even the brightest of them is dimmed by the doldrums.

The younger the student, the more fortified he (or she) seems to be.  The innocence of youth must shield them against the elements of the weathering doldrums.  These kids continue to skip down the hall for most of February, long lasting until the uncertainty and inconsistency of snow days breaks through their resistance and slows their enthusiasm.

It's the February doldrums.  Tones are sharper and words are clipped.  Please don't be offended...because it's February.  (AND it's almost over!)





7 comments:

  1. I think that this February has been particularly bad, especially this year - teachers and students alike! Yes, tones are definitely sharper! I am yearning for spring!

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    1. If we aren't all on the "Come on, Spring!" bandwagon, then we should point and jeer and anyone standing in the way!! It has been especially bad. I'm a nice person who would never point and jeer!! Now, I'm trying to get innocent commentators to join me in a terrible quest. Thanks for stopping in and commenting, as you may avoid me now! Ha!

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  2. Your phrase "teetering on miserable" drew me in, and I like how you personified the doldrums. On another note, I can't imagine not having a February break. We were all so ready to be off for a week, children and adults alike. Are you saying you didn't even have a day off for President's Day? Yikes!
    We also rarely have inside recess, though today with wind chills of 3˚ F we did stay in. If it's in the teens, we typically go for it!
    March starts Friday and the days are getting longer :) Soon it might even warm up!

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    1. Our only day off was a snow/ice event day, and we got out early a couple of days to avoid another ice-pocalypse. President's Day is used most years as our first make-up day. It's not a big deal usually, but this year seems tougher than average. I mean every February is tough, with adults and kids all feeling a bit cabin feverish (or whatever the excuse is).

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    2. And thanks for taking time to read and comment!

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  3. F.E.B.R.U.A.R.Y. EVERY YEAR.
    Love your strong word choice.

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    1. Yes!! You get me!
      And thanks for stopping in to read and comment. Also, I appreciate the compliment.

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Please leave a comment to let me know your thoughts.