Raintree Elementary School

Like much of January, the temperature in Baldwin is well into the 70s today. Because the sky is a deep gray and rain has been pelting my apartment windows in Peck Hall, it is also plenty humid, even indoors. Residents say January felt more like March this year, and they're concerned about the heat come summertime.

This morning, before the rain, I jumped rope on one end of the basketball court while boys shot hoops on the other end. Then I walked past La Jolie Dame and the convenience store/gas station where the Middle Eastern cashier named (I think) Dahmir calls me Kah-reenie when I come in for two cans of Coke for a dollar. I was on my way to mail postcards at the little Baldwin post office, just a couple doors down from old Baldwin Elementary School, which is deserted, even though the sign on the school fence still clearly states: Be Drug Free.

Baldwin and five other elementary schools closed about four years ago when the local Chitimacha Tribe of Native Americans donated a large parcel of land, purchased with profits from their casino, for a new elementary school. Raintree Elementary sits on open land, at least a half-mile away from any other structures. It is simply, but beautifully designed, and as it's taken in the students from six schools, it's big, with wide halls and bright, functional, updated classrooms. The class size runs 20-25 students and there are at least five classes of each grade, K-6. There are aides and curriculum facilitators and even physical education coaches. The office is run by Pam, administrative assistant, and Penny, competent, compassionate and, I'm sure, underpaid secretary and it functions with amazing precision. When UMCOR Sager Brown volunteers arrive Thursday morning, they are placed in classrooms where they were chosen at Wednesday afternoon's staff meeting. Usually, volunteers tutor students one-on-one in reading and math, but last week one volunteer was in the computer lab with kindergartners and one was leading a small first grade group discussing the word 'argue.'. What happened to playing house?!

At the other end of the economic spectrum is the Mickey Mouse Head Start Program, whose shabby, white, clapboard building was supposed to give way to a new facility several years ago, but that switch never materialized. Last week's volunteers worked inside the building on Tuesday morning, then came back with a work party Thursday afternoon and cleaned 27 bags of leaves and debris from the roof and play yard, along with several health hazards. It is good to work with wonderful people and to all be busy in Baldwin.