It’s very rare when you find people you connect with and when that person(s) are teachers in your children’s school says so much about the school they attend. When your children start a new school it’s always scary but when it’s time for the parent to research and get them there, that’s another story. It always seems so overwhelming in the beginning but it doesn’t end there. Each new year is another set of worry. Worrying about their new teachers, classmates and overall structure of the classroom. As a parent, the worrying never ends. With the help of teachers and staff the weight lessons. Beautiful bonds are formed and the reassurance that your children are safe helps get you through another school day.

It’s very rare when a true bond of friendship forms with a teacher. You think that when the year ends you move on and a new teacher comes in. Knowing no matter where your children go. No matter how old your children are or what class they are in a friend you made along the way continues and your children never forget them either.
Your heart smiles when you see your child still run up to their past teachers. You know at that moment they touched their lives in a way they hold dear, and for that I am grateful.

I got to enjoy the company of a few of those teachers and that made me smile. Thank you for the laughs.

I just witnessed hard work, dedication, kindness, support and excitement. That is what happens when students, teachers and staff come together and work on a common goal. Today was our schools First Grade Content Share. The event was broken down into four businesses. Each business created an experience you would take with you.

It all started with the Subway. Wonderful things happened once you entered this subway station. Students were selling Limited Edition Subway Cards that they created for purchase. The cost was a whopping $0.25 and it was all worth it to get the wonderful experience. To enter the train and all other businesses you needed a subway card that would be punched by each conductor at the classroom door. The creativity was overflowing throughout the floor. The students were excited and so happy to serve and show you all that they created.

The grocery store boasted with many items for purchase as well as warm out of the oven goodies you could buy. Students assisted with the purchases and had a cash register to take your money and give you change if needed. The learning that was going on in this room was wonderful. The smiles were contagious and the pleasant thank you and laughter stayed with me on my next adventure. Off to the mailroom where I could create letters that would be mailed and delivered to students later on in the day. The Post Office was a pleasant experience with helpers willing to assist and direct you to where you needed to be. Finally it was the restaurant and my face lit up when I saw the conductor of this business punching away at subway cards that were presented to him before entry. This young man was taking his job very seriously but with a smile. He made sure that each person entering the room had a subway card and if they didn’t he to directed them to the subway so they could be sure to get one. The restaurant was getting quite busy, as you needed to patiently wait for a server to take your order. They had pancakes, bacon, eggs, etc… You could be seated and enjoy your selection with a kind server bringing you food. You also had the options of smoothies, coffee and other amazing treats. The restaurant was reaching capacity so the conductor up front made sure to hold the customers at the door until people came out and then he would allow others to go in.

I was so happy to be able to witness such a wonderful event at my kid’s school. The dedication and hard work to make this happen was glowing through all that was done today. Parents didn’t want to leave because the experience was truly amazing.

I know that there are always complaints from any school you are in. Teachers that you are not fond of or experiences you have that pull you from your comfort zone at your children’s school but no matter what is said and done, today was one of a kind. Today PS32 shines brightly because of the amazing dedication the first grade students, teachers and staff showed.

I was happy to witness and experience it all. I am one very proud mom.

Hip, hip hooray to the first grade!!!

This is a bit different for me but thought it was time to show my thankfulness to someone who truly deserves it. As women (and I’m sure a few men out there) the search for a salon that makes them feel comfortable and makes it easy for them to walk in and know they will be treated kindly, takes a lot of energy and effort. Salons these days are a bit too up tight for my taste and crazy pricy. In my search for salons I read reviews, a ton of them. Did the walk by test and tried everything to find the one that will work best for me. After reading amazing reviews you schedule an appointment. You walk in and meet the amazingly skilled person that’s worked with actors and actresses to find they are really not as great as everyone said. The service is average but the actual product not so good. You convince yourself it’s the stylist first time and she might not know your hair so you give her another try. The second time turns out even worse. Not only does she mess up your hair she gives you a million of non-related excuses. I know I don’t have a stylist license but I’ve been doing my hair forever and it is my hair so it’s been with me all my life. It’s funny how they try to give you excuses and think you will believe them.

Then you have the salons where just walking by them on the street makes you want to walk faster without looking in or the salons that are bothered by your questions. See they are all here to provide a service but it’s up to you to trust your hair, although not the most important thing in your life or world, but it’s yours.

This brings me to a new salon with an old school feel. It’s a mobile salon to be exact. That’s right, you read that correctly. It is a salon on wheels. I see people pass by it when I’m in the area. They stare and talk amongst themselves trying to understand what it is. Then I see those that pop in and ask questions with excitement. This is when Caroline, the owner of Studio in Motion just answers any and every question in a way that makes you feel comfortable. She’s not stuffy or snooty. She doesn’t give you attitude no matter how busy she is at that very moment. She answers all your questions. It’s amazing how friendly she is.

I walked in there one time a few years ago to get a blowout and she immediately identified all the unhappiness in my hair that I was trying to cover. She gave me a solution and actually corrected it. She told me everything that I knew was wrong with my hair. At that point, I had just given up on it because I was so tired of dealing with it. She made me feel comfortable instantly and I’ve been going to her ever since. Her prices are fair and she will pack that mobile bus to make sure she gets everyone in the time she promised. No matter how jammed she gets she makes everyone feel comfortable. Keeps them smiling and gets them in and out in the most pleasant way.

Her clientele is diverse. There is no type or style, everyone is welcomed and everyone leaves smiling. While I’m on her bus I see the oldest old school neighborhood clients to the youngest of clients popping in. She does them all and she’s fair. To find a salon that brings back the genuine neighborhood feel mixed with the new feel keeps you smiling.

Caroline really makes you feel like you are a part of her family during that time you are in her chair until the time you walk out. When I walk in the neighborhood and see her parked in her spot at the corner of Court Street and 1^st Place in Brooklyn, I smile knowing she is there. Sometimes I just pop in to say hi because I can.

Today begins a new chapter in the lives of many but for one most important person it begins with a heavy heart. Today is the last time my mom will walk through the doors of Bishop Ford. A school that began her new journey back home and started with new adventures filled with new friends, love and heart. She started with one job in that school and ended with three. She dedicated her mornings, afternoons, evenings and sometimes weekends to a school she loved. The sadness that comes with a school unexpectedly closing its doors brings forced closure to many lives. Not only the lives of workers, teachers, staff but to current students and past graduates.

This day proves once again that my mom is the toughest woman I know. Her strength shines in all she does. It’s not always up front but it’s hidden in the many ways she handles every day situations. You can truly learn a lot just by observing a person and I’m thankful to learn the most important tips of life from her.

Although I know this day is heavy in her heart and at any moment tears will rapidly flow, she will do her best to show others she is ready for this change. This is another example of her amazing strength. I only hope she is aware of how amazing she is and how very proud we all are of her. Her accomplishments from the day she came to America from Italy on a ship back in 69 to the present day.

She is a true definition of a mother. Her unselfishness and constant care and love convinced me that love does conquer all. Sometimes I rub on her just to see if that beautiful feeling of motherhood transports into my body so I can be more like her.

For me, I see this as a blessing in disguise for my mother. It’s God’s beautiful way of saying, it’s your turn to relax and take all that you accomplished in and breathe. You worked so hard and although scary and forced, what feels like to soon, is something that was needed for you and your body. She may not see it yet but this will be a beautiful beginning of her.

This post is dedicated not only to my mother, my best friend, my angel of guidance on earth but to the hard working staff and students at Bishop Ford that will be forcefully moving on to a new adventure. May today bring beautiful beginnings of new doors opening for all of you.