KOOL-AID THE HARD WAY

















I can't even glance at a packet of Kool-aid without remembering Jonestown and the teacher who had a classroom next to mine.

You may remember or have recently read that having just murdered all of the children in the group the end for the Jonestown adults came via cyanide laced punch. It was drink up or be shot.

I remember hearing the news and being so very shocked and so very sad for the children.

Back then I was a teacher in a set of classrooms that opened to one another. I could see and hear what was being taught next door as the two classrooms were only separated by the desks of the teachers.

I remember that the day after Jonestown was some special thing in our school. The usual was not being taught and the day was mostly for fun and games.

I peered over my desk to see what the teacher next door was doing. I happened to notice that the teacher was ladling a cup of liquid to each student from a large pot.

I thought to myself, "Holy macaroni and cheese! What are they doing over there, a Jonestown re-enactment?"

Me: That's not what I think it is, is it?

Teacher: It's Kool-aid.

Me: You've got to be kidding. You're dishing out Kool-aid to your kids after what happened yesterday. What are you, nuts?

Teacher: What happened yesterday?

Me: What happened yesterday? You're kidding. Didn't you hear about Jonestown and the cyanide laced Kool-aid? What you're doing looks exactly like what happened in Jonestown.

Teacher: OMG! It never dawned on me that this activity was somewhat mirroring that when I planned on serving Kool-aid to the kids today. I think we'll change up here.

Me: Be ready for phone calls from parents.