By Lacey Landt
I have been in Mini-School four years and this is the first year it’s been downstairs. There’s no Mini-School stairs to sit on or our own bathrooms across the hall. We do however have the cafeteria right next to us. Our home is in what used to be called freshmen hall, where the work study classes were. There is a lot more space for the trip room and the big room is twice the size of our old one so we don’t have to suffer the funky smell from the guys after they get done playing basketball in rec. I have asked some of the students and the staff what they thought.
Is it home yet? That’s a good question. The same things are going on–Doug is barking at everyone to sell calendars, Boller is wandering around looking dopey, Aaron Hoerst is as big a pest as ever, Mini has classrooms, an office, a trip room. There are trip pictures on the walls, Joanne has her gallery of pictures behind her desk, Doug has his thermos, Ramona has her calculators, Randy has his worksheets, Pauline her plate tectonics. Yet….does it feel like Mini? This is what some Mini people said…..
Does it feel like home yet?
Doug Berg- Yes, but you could put Mini-School in a dumpster and it would be ok, it’s the kids and staff that make it home.
Pauline Engelby- Yes, more so in the office.
Joanne Johnston- Now that my pictures of alumni are up in my office yes it does.
Randy Nelson- Yes, the location couldn’t be better. We have the gym on one side and the cafeteria on the other.
Laura Huberty- No, it feels like a hospital.
Audrey Lopez- Yes.
Kortnie Hanson- No, it’s too plain and weird.
Trish Laumann- Yeah, I guess so.
Leah Shoberg- Not yet, it’s starting to. But it still lacks memories.
Derek Knowles- Yes! E216 is just a distant, foggy memory.
Charlie Urbia- Not until we establish ownership of this hallway.
Goeff Boller- Yes, it’s the people who make it home.
Jamie O’Day- Not until we get somewhere to hack.
Is there anything that would make it better?
Doug Berg- Windows.
Pauline Engelby- Students drawings on the walls, windows- just to get it more personal.
Joanne Johnston- Windows.
Randy Nelson- Windows, sky lights.
Laura Huberty- Windows.
Audrey Lopez- Windows and more pictures.
Kortnie Hanson- Windows and pictures.
Trish Laumann- Windows.
Leah Shoberg- Windows-fresh air, I don’t know how much longer I can stand all the B.O. of all the Mini-kids.
Well, there you have it. I think it is unanimous that we would really like some windows. I think once we get some artwork up it will be a lot better. For the most part people seem to feel at home. We do have a new addition to Mini-School, a pool table that used to be in the weight room. So that’s always a nice bonus.