I've been having a water leak problem under the sink in my classroom so today the county maintenance men came out to fix it. They had told me they'd be pulling the cabinets off the wall and replacing all of the old pipes that were causing the leak so I planned for my students to spend the day in another classroom in the building. It was also Fun Day so we'd be outside most of the day anyways. Well, I had to run back to my classroom to grab the Fun Day schedule before the day got started and there it was... water. I don't mean a little puddle. I'm talking about some serious water. ALL. OVER. MY. CLASSROOM. Flowing water. Are you picturing this in your mind? My shelves and carpet were already soaked, storage drawers sitting in water, and it was creeping across my floor just inches away from reading books and library books. I walked in just in time to start saving my stuff and thank goodness for two of my amazing teamies being nearby and rushing to my rescue. Now, everything in my room is up on tables. It's quite a sight. The whole situation was just too much for me to handle so then I added to the flood with my tears! I'm sure those maintenance men thought I was crazy-- I was just standing in water and crying. I'm sure you can all understand these emotions since we all put so much time, money, and energy into making a classrooms what they are-- a home away from home. Oh, and did I mention that it went through the wall into my neighbor's classroom. Yup, it sure did. Soaked her carpet and some books. Poor thing. She didn't even see it coming!
I think today might top the charts as one of my worst days of school ever. Now, I'm looking forward to a new week and being able to use the sink in my classroom without a leak.... or flood. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Have you ever had something like this happen in your classroom?
--Mrs. Pollard
One year, during the summer the roofs were being redone. They put the wrong kind of sealant on the roof and then it poured (as it often does here in Portland). The water leaked all the way through and FILLED. Normally all my stuff would have been packed, but I had decided to start early because I had moved rooms....bad idea. The water filled 10 book tubs, and most of the non-fiction section of books. Thankfully I was teaching summer school, in another part of building, and came back to get my stuff, otherwise there would have been a lot more books damaged.
ReplyDeleteLaurie
Chickadee Jubilee
That's horrible! I can't imagine if you weren't teaching summer school so you could save your stuff!
DeleteGlad you could save most of your stuff...it was meant to be that you to had to head back to your classroom at just the right time!
ReplyDeleteAnita
I still keep thinking, "What if I didn't go back in there when I did?" It'd all be ruined!
DeleteSending good thoughts! What a fiasco!!! I can't even imagine?!?!?! Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteSheila
Sprinkle Teaching Magic
Thanks for your good thoughts. My husband and I went out to the school yesterday to clean and 're'set-up my room. We were there for 2 hours and it's still not ready for kids! I'll be displaced in another classroom for at least 1-2 more days until they finish their job. Ugh!
DeleteThere was a fire my first year two doors down. My room was covered in smoke damage- even my poor Leo DiCaprio mousepad. It was solid black, but when I lifted the mouse, Leo smiled at me. It was a truly miserable experience, and I am so sorry about what happened to you. (SN: did the maintenance men not even notice the flood? Or were they waiting for an ark loaded with animals?)
ReplyDeleteSmoke damage is horrible! That's just awful!
DeleteWhen I walked into my water-logged classroom the maintenance man was sweeping the water out my back door.... SWEEPING with a broom! Not the most efficient strategy I've seen for water removal, but I guess he was trying. Thank goodness our custodian showed up with his jumbo floor cleaner sucky-up machine thing. He saved the day!
Oh MAN. How terrible! I am so glad you were there to salvage as much as you did. I can't imagine a sudden flood like that! We are supposed to have a bunch of construction this summer, too, but hopefully it will go smoothly. I hope it all is fixed and DONE soon for you!
ReplyDeleteJenny
Luckeyfrog's Lilypad
I also hope it's done soon. It's hard keeping 26 7-year-olds focused on learning when we're displaced in a different classroom.
DeleteI hope your summer construction goes well with no surprises!
No water problems but being told I had 3 hours to move out of my class because of a lead abatement issue and plan on being displaced for a month, was probably the worst day I've ever had. My thoughts are with you!
ReplyDeleteThat is horrible! Can we find any positives? new fresh carpets, maybe?
ReplyDeleteHope everything is back to normal soon!
:) Tamera
http://myheartbelongsinfirst.blogspot.com
Oh, wow! I hope your classroom is back in order:) I am your newest follower! Stop by and visit me...
ReplyDeletelearnplayandhavefun.blogspot.com
OOooooO OooOOOoo I was one of the amazing teamies! :) Glad we saved everything from the flood!!
ReplyDeleteWell, my friend, who is a teacher, almost experienced that last year when a water pipe suddenly broke in her classroom. Some of her teaching materials were soaked, and she needed to walk in the water to get them. It was a big hassle for her, but at least the school gave her a cabinet where she can place materials in case of flooding.
ReplyDeletePhoebe Clarke
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