Earlier this week, I introduced our new Bright Spot Team Coco and Michelle. Remember, Michelle is a middle school principal in Northborough and Coco reports to work on Fridays as the school’s official Therapy Dog? I mentioned that Michelle sends me a weekly email telling me all the wonderful things Coco has done during her work day helping students and staff at the school. I find her reports so amazing, so inspiring, that I asked Michelle’s permission to continue sharing Coco’s good work with my readers on Say Hello Spot. So, watch for Coco’s Report on Fridays.
Michelle had this to report about Coco’s work day this Friday: I am amazed at how happy the kids are to spend time with Coco – some of them read to her, some of them need TLC, others just need a break from their academics. One of the boys reads Calvin and Hobbs or Garfield to Coco every Friday. This Friday, Coco’s schedule was so full (it always is, but today was even more full). There were the constants (ELL students reading to her, 2 small-group studies, 2 classrooms with students with disabilities, some very severe) and the times that I schedule 1:1 with Coco – I called even more students down to see her today. Each week I add to her “caseload” and teachers bring students down to just visit with her. She greeted some students as they got off the buses and met some of the bus drivers – they were impressed with her and appreciated the opportunity to visit with her.
It’s not surprising to hear that Coco is exhausted at the end of her full day. So am I, writes Michelle, but it is so worth it, as it always is. It is all about the kids, but selfishly, I feel rejuvenated and excited about my work knowing that she is making so many people happy.
Stay tuned in to Say Hello Spot for more on Coco next Friday as she brings comfort and caring to the children and adults at the Robert E. Melican Middle School.