And she turned to continue click-clicking past the field and toward the gate, but I still hadn’t told her what I wanted to say. So I ran after her, letting my words just spew out. “Ms. Graham’s a good teacher—she taught us to think for ourselves, and just because some of us made a mistake doesn’t mean she was wrong to teach us that way. What’s worse—teaching us to think and helping us learn from our mistakes, or not teaching us to think?”
Ms. Mervin didn’t nod or smile or slow down her clickety-clicking footsteps, but I kept chattering all the way to the parking lot gate.
SHARON
Our Something from Nothing Soup
Is bubbling over,
Making a mess.
Kids are panicking
That they somehow
Screwed up
When the investigator
Questioned them.
Aviva’s stressed—
Wondering if she said too much…
Or too little.
Me, I’m trying to stay calm
Walking home after school,
Stopping to skip rocks at the lake.
Watching the ripples,
The way the water curls away
With each plop or plunk,
Disturbing the calm surface,
And rippling as far
As the eye can see.
How much are these ripples like life?
None of us thought about
How our choices
Could impact Ms. Graham’s job
Or Cecilia’s life.
And now our Plan—
To save our teacher,
Reconnect with our friend,
And collect warm socks,
These are ripples too.
I’ve learned something:
Once our rocks are thrown, pebbles or not,
We cannot stop the ripples.
They have a life of their own.
BLAKE
HENRY
SCENE: Seven students hold hands, facing a row of adults behind a circular desk. The students pass a microphone around. Outside there are tons of students and other supporters holding up “Because Everyone Deserves a Voice” signs for people to see as they walk in. There’s a local news crew in the back of the room, filming everything. The room has gotten so crowded that people are standing along the back wall, and the room is starting to smell like B.O.
KAYLEY: If the purpose of a school board is to make decisions that support students in schools, then you need to know what students want.
SHARON: There are five members on your school board. If you added one student, there’s no way the student could outvote you. What’s the harm in having a student voice?
STERN LADY: We have an odd number of school board members so that we don’t get stuck in stalemates.
HENRY: (smiles, holds back a joke—the word “stalemate” sounds funny)
KAI: You could have two students on the school board. Then there would be seven members and you’d still have an odd number.
EMILY: Adults don’t give kids enough credit. We can make responsible decisions. And we deserve to have a voice, especially when decisions are being made about our education or our TEACHERS.
HENRY: (hopes no one is thinking about the decision Emily’s team made that was NOT responsible)
STERN LADY: Your input will be taken into consideration. When you’re done presenting your case, we’ll take a vote in a closed session.
SKINNY MAN WITH TIE: (leans into microphone) Please know that we’ve seen your petition and we are aware that the community supports you.
AUDIENCE: (Claps quietly at first, then a bunch of kids stand up and cheer. Blake’s smiling so wide that his face might crack.)
SKINNY MAN: I haven’t seen the boardroom this full in…well, ever.
AUDIENCE: (Chuckles and cheers. Emily hugs Aviva.)
SKINNY MAN: So, regardless of our decision here, please know we are impressed with your commitment and courage.
HENRY: (thinks this is not a good sign)
STERN LADY: Thank you for your time.
STUDENTS: (file out slowly into the waiting room)
KAYLEY: Wow. Henry, you were serious that whole meeting.
HENRY: Can I breathe now? That was hard.
KAYLEY: Seriously, Henry. You did great.
HENRY: I swallowed seven different burps, and I counted at least three different flavors.
KAYLEY: (grins) Was one of them shrimp-flavored?
HENRY: Yes! One was most definitely shrimp-flavored.
KAI: Wait. Is that Cecilia over there? In the back?
SHARON: I invited her. I told you to trust me, didn’t I?
BUNCH OF KIDS: Cecilia!!!!! (run up and hug her)
KAI
Hey, Frog!
Cecilia came tonight!!!!! And she hugged me.
And told me she missed me. That she got my letter, and she’d love to go to the library sometime. She wrote her address on my hand. I don’t have words to explain how I am feeling. All I can say is my chest wants to float up to the ceiling like a helium balloon.
EMILY
Status:
Dear Hope,
Today was the BEST DAY!
KCAL 7 filmed segments from the school board meeting. I wonder if they caught any of us kids on camera?
Cecilia showed up at the school board meeting and I’ve never seen everyone so excited. I’m SO glad she’s okay. Afterward, Mom took a bunch of us out for ice cream (Cecilia too). While we were licking our cones, Mom got a text from Mrs. Barrette. The school board approved two student seats!!!!!! We all did the happy dance in circles around the ice cream shop. Henry even stood on his chair to boogie, which made us laugh.
They’ll hold elections in three weeks, so that the student members can attend the next meeting. Which HAPPENS to be when they plan to vote on Ms. Graham. We might actually be able to pull this off!
When I got home tonight, Dad and I Skyped. I told him all about the school board, and he said nice things about my KidChat blog post (which he read). Then he took a deep breath and said he got my letter (I almost forgot about it!). He thanked me for being so honest. He said he’d make it a point to take more local assignments. And he wants to spend more time with me on school holidays and summers. Wow. This speaking up for myself actually works. I’m TOTALLY gonna run for school board.
Love and luck,
Emily
SHARON
We did this.
WE did.
Plus, not that it matters—
Okay, it TOTALLY does,
But this week I found four
Letters in my mailbox.
* * *
—
Dear Sharon,
Are you free on Saturday? Mom says I can invite friends to the movies. I’d like to invite you, Aviva, and Cecilia.
From Emily
* * *
—
Dear Sharon,
We haven’t hung out too much, but I wanted to tell you that I’ve always admired that you can say what you think. Thank you for helping my team.
From Aviva
* * *
—
Dear Aviva,
Thank you for your letter. You know what’s funny? I’ve always admired you too, but for the opposite reason. I feel like you always pick your words so carefully, and wait for the right time to say them. You also know when to let things go.
Looks like maybe we’ll be going to the movies together soon. Yay!
From Sharon
BLAKE
KAYLEY
Dear Ms. Graham,
You’re going to think I’m losing it, but I’m not going to run for the school board electio
ns. It doesn’t feel fair to take a spot if I’m changing schools next year anyway. I know there are no students on the school board at La Ventana, but (not trying to sound conceited) I’ll just propose it. I DO know how to get things done. I’m a Barrette, after all.
I talked to my parents last night. I told them I don’t like when they step into my life and make huge Tornados! Did they stop for one second and think how I’d feel if they got my teacher placed on Leave? They totally looked surprised, but they listened.
I’ve never done that before, not with them. It felt good.
Also, Saturday late afternoon, Emily called my house. She said they were all going to the movies and I could join them if I wanted. At first, I got all paranoid, because it’s not like Emily and I are friends anymore. But then I decided if I didn’t go, the three of them would probably spend the whole time gossiping about me. And guess what? I had Fun.
AVIVA
Date: February 10 (23 days until March 5 school board meeting)
Emily, Sharon, Cecilia, Kayley, and I went to see a movie. Emily sat next to me, and we both totally cracked up at all the funny parts (and even only medium-funny parts), and then couldn’t stop laughing until our stomachs hurt. It’s so great to be silly with Emily again. I thought it’d be weird, hanging out with Kayley and Emily. It was, at first. But after a while, it was fine again.
I just about fell out of my chair when Kayley told me she wasn’t running for the school board. Students from all over the district can run, but this first term I hope two kids from White Oak Elementary School get elected. It seems only fair, since we did all the work.
I’m bummed that Kayley and I are leaving the school district next year, but Kayley thinks we can get on the school board at La Ventana. Kayley thinks she can do anything. The strange thing is that she’s usually right.
I started thinking….Maybe I can do anything too. Kayley has guts—she goes for what she wants. Maybe that’s what I have to do too. So tonight, I worked up my nerve to sit Ima and Aba down for a talk. This is what I said—that sometimes I don’t think they really hear me. I know they want what’s best for me, but that my thoughts and feelings need to matter too. Please-please-please could I at least be part of the decision about middle school? In seven years I’ll be an adult. Maybe we could visit both La Ventana and Sequoia Middle School and then decide together.
Good news: They listened to me without interrupting.
Bad news: They said they needed to think about it (which usually means no).
SHARON
To be honest
I was a little miffed
That Emily invited Kayley
To the movies.
But surprisingly, it turned out okay.
Emily sat right smack in between
Aviva and me.
She shared her red licorice,
I shared my popcorn,
And I decided that maybe
This IS a friendship that can stretch
To three. Or even four.
Emily, Aviva, Cecilia and me…that works!
The jury’s out on Kayley, though.
Only time will tell.
BLAKE
CECILIA
Hola Abuelita,
Kai brought a stack of valentines to my apartment. I guess he collected them from my classroom mailbox. I was totally surprised, and I don’t know why, but it made me want to cry a little, even though I didn’t feel sad.
WORDS TO PRACTICE
valentines = las tarjetas del día de San Valentín
These are cards that celebrate el día de amor y amistad.
Besos y abrazos,
Cecilia
SHARON
So there are RULES
About Valentine’s Day.
Bring. A. Card. For. Everyone.
Don’t. Leave. Anyone. Out.
And for years,
I’ve gotten cheapo
Mass-produced
Folded pieces of cartooned paper
With scribbled signatures.
But this year,
I found five REAL valentines
With REAL messages.
I think this is the first year
That people actually
Know me
Well enough to write
Something meaningful.
I’ll take it.
EMILY
Status:
Dear Hope,
OMG! OMG! OMG!
You won’t believe it!
Two amazing things happened. Not only was I elected to the school board, but we might be on TELEVISION tonight! Yippee!
After school, KCAL 7 (yes, for real!) interviewed Sharon and me about our KidChat blog post for a local-interest story, following up on the news clip from the last school board meeting. They needed our parents’ permission (of course they said yes!) and asked us to stay after school for an interview.
OMG—there was an actual microphone and a real live camera operator (eek!). The reporter asked a few questions about the blog post, but then Sharon…she’s so BRAVE…she leaned right into the camera and said, “We’re working on another blog post right now. This one’s about our teacher, Ms. Graham. We’d like to raise awareness and get her job back!”
And then the reporter was all, “Tell us more about that.”
And Sharon jumped right in with all that happened, and how it’s not fair, and Ms. Graham being such a great teacher, and now that we’ve got students on the board, maybe we’ve got a chance at keeping one of the best teachers in the world. WOW.
I know the news doesn’t run every part of what’s filmed, but I bet there’s a good chance they’ll show at least a part of the interview. Can’t wait to tell Dad. Maybe Mom will let me stay up late to watch the eleven o’clock news.
Love and guts,
Emily
PS It might seem strange that I invited Kayley to the movies, after all she’s done to me. Here’s the thing—if I get to choose who I want to be, I just want to be the kind of person who never chooses to leave anyone out.
SHARON
Mom and I went for a walk before dinner.
She linked her arm in mine
And told me she was proud of me.
For not giving up on friendship,
For not giving up on what’s right,
For knowing what’s worth fighting for…
And what things to let go.
When I asked her if I could invite
A few friends over for pizza
She said, “Sure thing, sweet thing!”
And hugged me.
I finally have some true friends.
People I TRUST.
I feel like I’ve been waiting to find them
Forever.
Who knew they were right under my nose the whole time?
KAI
Hey, Frog!
Guess what? I found out that Cecilia’s new place is two miles from my house. I can walk it in twenty-seven minutes. I can run it in fifteen. I can skateboard it in twelve. Yesterday I half-ran and half-walked, so it took me twenty-two.
Next Wednesday, Cecilia and I are meeting at the library to do homework and read. She mostly likes realistic fiction, but I bet even the first chapter of Harry Potter will get her hooked on fantasy. She said she’ll read one of my favorites, and I promised to read one of hers.
As for Ms. Graham, it’s coming down to the wire, because the school board meeting is in three days. But after all the excitement recently, the world seems strangely quiet.
This makes me nervous.
BLAKE
HENRY
SCENE: School board meeting. Blake and Aviva’s image with Malala’s quote is everyw
here. It’s on hundreds of flyers that were placed on every seat in the boardroom. It’s been emailed and posted on social media, and hand-delivered to a certain news station, which has apparently come to cover this event. KCAL 7 reporting crew is stationed throughout the room. Ms. Graham is sitting in the front row, wearing a stiff suit and looking serious.
Agenda Topic: Administrative Leave Presentation/Decision (B. Graham)
INVESTIGATOR: In review, I conducted meticulous interviews with students, teachers, parents, and staff. After careful analysis of data, one clear theme rose to the surface. Clearly, Ms. Graham’s teaching methods are “outside the box.”
HENRY: But interesting…right? Sure to grab kids’ attention? Maybe inspiring?
STERN LADY: Ahem. I’ll remind our newest board members that our policy is to listen to the report in full before any comments and before a vote.
HENRY: Got it. (sits on hands)
INVESTIGATOR: Back to my findings. The clear theme that arose is that Ms. Graham has been teaching these children to think…and speak…for themselves. (pauses and looks at Aviva, who looks like she’s about to burst) To be active learners rather than passive recipients. With this method, there have been complications, for sure, ones that a more seasoned teacher might have avoided.
EMILY: (grabs Henry’s hand under the table)
INVESTIGATOR: In my interview of Ms. Graham, she provided me with extensive documentation, research articles, and her own personal notes from class. While there were some passionate voices in support of Ms. Graham, the most convincing rationale was her own. It is clear her methods were well thought out and research based. For this reason, my recommendation to the school board is to provide master teacher mentoring for a full year—
HENRY: (squeezes Emily’s hand; Ms. Graham still has a serious face)
INVESTIGATOR: …And for Ms. Graham to resume her teaching position as soon as possible.
HENRY: YES!!! (cheers!—stops; looks around) Oops! Sorry.
EMILY: (stands up and starts clapping)
KIDS FROM B-5: (jumping up and down in the audience, whooping, and some kids happy-crying, the kind that surprises you while you’re smiling)
Operation Frog Effect Page 14