2-8-10 Saints Super Bowl Champion Spirit in the Teacher's Lounge!

Friends:

Today was the 8th day of my Story Fest residency at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana, located in the Metro New Orleans area. On Sunday, the day before, the New Orleans Saints won a historic Super Bowl XLIV championship. As a result, half of the students and many of the teachers were absent from school. Eliana, my 9 year old daughter, didn’t have school so she accompanied me and was my little assistant all day long. It was wonderful to have her help!

2-8-10 Eliana poses with Saints Quarterback and Super Bowl XLIV MVP, Drew Brees

Our first class was Ms. Walker’s 5th grade class. It was definitely a skeleton crew but we rehearsed their story, “Paul Bunyan and the Great Popcorn Blizzard,” with Eliana filling in for missing storytellers. The 5th graders perform on stage on Wednesday. This has been a big week so I hope they are ready!

Then it was on to Ms. Guidry’s third grade class. They were model students today! I love the way their story, “The Turtle Who Could Not Stop Talking,” turned out. They added a lot of flair to the story, and I can’t wait to see their performance!

I had my first visit with Ms. Dorsey’s second grade class. They were so excited to see me! Ms. Dorsey told them that I was her favorite author and storyteller. Awwww! I shared the story of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach and then we explored world music with movement and scarves. What a fun time!

2-8-10 Ms. Dorsey's second grade class explore world music with scarves

I had a great time in Ms. Champagne’s PK special ed classroom. I told the story of “Rockin Three Billy Goats” and then we danced to jazz music.

2-8-10 Dianne dancing with Ms. Champagne's PK special ed

Then we rocked the room with the Saints’ Super Bowl song, “Party in the MIA.” Eliana danced up a storm with the students too!

Eliana had to leave her mark…

2-8-10 Eliana makes her mark - WHO DAT! Saints are the Super Bowl XLIV Champs!

During lunch, I caught one of the teachers dressed in a tutu… Oh, Ms. Vega, you must have been the Saints’ fairy godmother! LOL

2-8-10 4th grade teacher, Ms. Vega, is a Saints fairy godmother!

Then it was on to Ms. Avist’s first grade class. They were so excited to see me that they all ran to me for hugs. It was my second and final visit to their class. I told them the story of “Sody Sallyraytus” and they had a wonderful time!

2-8-10 Ms. Avist's first graders enjoy the story of Sody Sallyraytus

Ms. Glass’ third grade class was my last class of the day. For the third and final time, we rehearsed their story, “Turtle and Beaver’s Race.” They did a really great job and I love the way they have shaped their story. It’s going to be a great performance.

2-8-10 Ms. Glass' third grade story chorus rehearses Turtle and Beaver's Race

I have two half days left at Strehle. I see three more classes tomorrow and then on Wednesday, my upper grades (third, fourth and fifth) perform. I am excited to see the final product of their hard work.

Until next time… WHO DAT!

Warmly, Dianne

2-7-10 Saints Super Bowl sign by Soleil

Friends:

It is a historic day for the people of New Orleans and Louisiana. The New Orleans Saints won their first Super Bowl. They played the Indianapolis Colts and won the Super Bowl in a 31-17 upset. The Saints are the world champions! Who Dat!

My mom had a big Super Bowl party and the house was LOUD. Watching the game was a nail biter. The Saints began the game with a 10 point deficit. My husband, Antonio, partied in Miami without me. He was in the the stadium for this historic game, and took this picture.

2-7-10 Inside the Miami Sun Life Stadium during the game - taken on Antonio's Blackberry

During the last half, the Saints rallied, making two touchdowns, one of them an interception and 74 yard touchdown by cornerback Tracy Porter. That sealed the Colts’ fate. They were unable to put any more points on the scoreboard, leaving the Saints with a first-time NFL championship. 44 seconds left on the clock and the city began celebrating.

2-7-10 Drew Brees, Saints Quarterback , holds the Vince Lombardi trophy

Outside, people in the neighborhood were dancing in the streets, honking their car horns, and yelling “Who Dat!” to each other. You could hear music and even bands playing!! Neighbors hugged each other with tears streaming. It was certainly a joyous, momentous occasion, one we will never forget. This is truly a “REBIRTH” for New Orleans!

2-7-10 Drew Brees, Saints Quarterback and Super Bowl XLIV MVP

It’s a joyous time for The Who Dat Nation!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

2-5-10 Ms. Glass third grade storytellers rehearse Turtle & Beaver's Race

Friends:

Friday was my 7th day at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana doing my Story Fest story theater residency. It was the Friday before the BIG GAME. The New Orleans Saints were playing in the Super Bowl and the whole school had team spirit!

2-5-10 It's Who Dat spirit at Strehle!

My day started in Ms. Giroir’s PK classroom. It was my second visit in the class and I told the story of “Sody Sallyraytus.” Then we explored creative movement with scarves to jazz music. Fun!

2-5-10 Dianne tells Sody Sallyraytus to Ms. Giroir's PK students

Then it was on to Ms. Robinson’s PK class, right next door. They were seated and waiting quietly for me. Boy, did we have a blast! It was my second visit there too and they loved the story of “Sody Sallyraytus.” Not only did we dance with scarves, but we also second-lined around the room!

2-5-10 Ms. Robinson's PK students enjoy storytelling!

Next, it was on to Ms. Clausing’s kindergarten class. The students had fun with the story and again, loved dancing with the scarves.

2-5-10 Ms. Clausing's Kindergarteners dance with scarves

My next class was Ms. Williams’ 5th grade homeroom but I followed the room number on my schedule and oops, I ended up in the wrong class. Fortunately, Ms. Williams’ students and I had time to rehearse their story, “The Lion and the Mouse.” It’s so cute. I can’t wait to see them perform it!

2-5-10 Ms. Williams' 5th grade storytellers all have Saints spirit!

After lunch, I had an unexpected break so I signed books for the teachers who placed an order. Then it was on to Ms. Landry’s class. Unfortunately, Ms. Landry had to attend a meeting and the class was uncharacteristically rambunctious. I had to admonish the class several times and try to maintain order. For the first time ever, I actually sent students to detention! It broke my heart but it had to be done. I was finally able to settle them down enough to go through one rehearsal of their story. I hope they are ready on performance day.

2-5-10 Ms. Landry's 4th grade story chorus

My last class was Ms. Glass’ third grade class. They did such a wonderful job with their story, “Turtle and Beaver’s Race.” It was a pleasure to work with them. I love what they did with their story chorus.

2-5-10 Ms. Glass third grade story chorus does a great job

At the end of the day, announcements came on. Over the speaker the office said, “We have only one announcement…” Then they played “Get Crunk,” the Saints’ touchdown song! Ms. Glass and her students began dancing. Then we all chanted, “Who Dat!” It was so much fun and a great way to end the day!!”

2-5-10 Strehle students stand up and Get Crunk! at the end of the day during afternoon announcements

I am nearing the end of my residency. One more full day to go and then two half days. My third, fourth and fifth graders perform on Tuesday and Wednesday for each other in grade level performances and for the lower grades. Fourth grade will perform for first grade. Fifth grade will perform for second grade. Third grade will perform for PK and kindergarten. I look forward to it.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne