It's been awhile! Derek and I have been under the weather for the last 4 weeks:( but we have funny stories built up that we want to share and lots of pictures too!
Gambell School hosted an open house for students and their families to come in and meet the teachers and see the classrooms.
Here in Gambell, there are no secrets, everyone is family, literally. I had three students in my classroom, a girl and two boys. The boys have told me before that they are brothers, and the girl was acting as if one of the boys was her brother...
So I ask her, "Are these boys your brothers?"
She replies, "Just him," as she points to one of the boys.
I say, "But they are brothers..."
She says, "Nah-uh!"
Other boy (her "not brother") says in a very polite, matter of fact tone, "Uh-huh, my mother had him."
So people are very close here, so much so, that they sometimes don't even realize it if they are related.
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| At open house, Derek provided the entertainment...always |
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| students join us by singing along and playing their best air guitar! |
We have been getting lots of packages in the mail! Thank you so much to both of our parents Suzanne and John Gries and Bob and Lu ! Derek's sister Laura, my sister and boyfriend Jena and Chris, Kirk's sister Kristine and the Paulsen parents, Chris Gillaspie, and Shayna and Adam for Derek's birthday card:) !!!!! It feels like Christmas every time we get a box in the mail!
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| look at me! carharts, a turtle neck, no make-up - I'm a bush-Alaskan now! |
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| A box of chocolate! heck yeah!!!! |
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| A box from mom and dad! |
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| A box from my parents! |
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| We love the GARLIC!!! |
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| PERFECT BOOTS!!!! Thanks Dad! |
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| We're working on sending thank you cards!! |
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| turns out it's just a man with a big leg:) |
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| Derek walked in his room and found a questionable first grade drawing.... |
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| My classroom. There is a giant tree in the corner that the aide made, it's gorgeous! However we often have to explain to students AND parents what it is...there are no trees around here, mmm-hmm. |
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| Gambell store |
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| the barge bringing in fuel |
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| Nice day in Gambell |
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| Derek on the Honda in front of our housing, Steven (HS SPED) on left |
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| Sunny day in Gambell, view from our front step |
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| Derek pulling up on the Honda |
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| Let's do a dump run! |
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| On the way to the dump... |
video of us going to the dump! I love driving the Honda!
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| All the trash gets burned...or is supposed to |
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| This book is about a teacher that came up to Gambell in the 80's to teach with his wife. He had an amazing experience! The student referenced throughout this book is now our custodian, Merle:) |
We received a very fun, goody filled package from our good friend Kirk's family! Filled with lots of gag gifts and great treats, here are some of them...
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| Mr. Happy sticker |
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| "Yes" and "No" gloves to teach the kids with:) |
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| Finger puppets! |
Here are some other goodies we got from the parent packages! and my sister Jena! Thanks again!!!!
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| Summer sausage, almonds and cheese! We do love it! |
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| lots of trail mixes, beef jerky, fruit snacks, granola bars...can't get enough of this stuff |
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| From the Gries family: head bands, kindle cover, and glow sticks! |
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| My mom sent me a knitting book, yarn and sticks! I'm knitting!!! |
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video of us opening packages the packages from our parents and sister Jena!
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| The Paulsens gave us "Derek and Lacy" finger puppets! so funny! |
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| From the Bucks: lots of cd's, fun stamps and stickers! |
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| Opening our package from the Paulsens! |
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| At the beach on a nice day in Gambell. Russia is in the background |
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| Jellyfish on the beach |
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| Lacy and Donna |
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| Checking out the waves |
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| Rocks from the Bering Sea |
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| Derek and Tyler |
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| There is Russia |
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| Derek starts to taunt the waves |
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| He get's pretty close |
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| Tyler and Donna |
The water was freezing, but the boys had a good time; walking home soaking wet:)
Just when we were thinking we were getting over our colds, ear infection, and possible strep throats, we seem to be getting sick again:( Good thing a package of medicine came yesterday! Thanks Mom!!!!
Derek and I went to the clinic to get a prescription for my ear infection. When you enter the clinic the little room where you talk to the health aide (usually the doctor) is right in front of the entrance. So we go into the little room and the health aide checks me out and concurs that I have ear infection. She leaves to go get me ear drops and props the door open as she leaves. School just got out, and students begin to walk through the door. "Oh hi Ms. Buck! Hi Teacher Derek." they all say as they walk into the little room with Derek and me. One student sits on the examining table, the other at the desk where the health aid was sitting and begins to flip through my paper work, mimicking a doctor; and the last child stands at the door. The students ask us, "What's wrong? Why are you here?" I say, "My ear hurts, why are you here?" as Derek and I laugh to each other at this very funny, ridiculous situation. The students respond to my questions as if they have nothing else to do, why not come to the clinic? When the health aide returns, she too talks to the students, then they leave, and she gives me instructions for the ear drops. Gambell is such an open community and we are quickly becoming a part of it:)
Thanks again for all the packages! And for reading our blog! We miss everyone and cannot wait to see you all at Christmas! We just purchased our round-trip tickets! Most expensive Christmas ever!!!
