They’re Building a School on Our Playground
Hi. Ember here.
Reporting live from Room 12, with some pretty big news—and a weird feeling I can’t quite shake.
This week at Thurston Elementary, we found out they’re planning to build a brand-new school.
Right on top of our playground.
And right next to the Nature Center.
I wish I were joking.
The Announcement
It happened during Monday morning meeting. Mr. D walked in with his principal smile—the one that usually means “Popsicle Day” or “Surprise Assembly.” But this time he said something different:
“You’re all going to love this—Thurston is getting a brand-new building!”
Everyone clapped. Some kids cheered.
I didn’t.
I asked where they were putting it. He said:
“Right here, on our playground.”
I asked:
“What about the frog pond? The wetlands? The milkweed garden?”
He just laughed a little and said:
“Don’t worry. The contractors are being very environmentally thoughtful.”
But I do worry. And I don’t think “thoughtful” means what he thinks it means.
What We’re Afraid to Lose
At lunch, I sat with Eva and Sami. We made a list—on the back of my math worksheet—of everything we love about the part of school they want to tear up:
- The Monarch garden, where we saw caterpillars last fall
- The willow tree that hums when it rains
- The chicken-leg climbing tree
- The wild path through the reeds where I found a deer skull once (yes, really)
I know some people think it’s just a field. But it’s not.
It’s part of how we learn. How we breathe.
And honestly? The building we have is old, but it still works. The rooms are small, the windows are old—but its our school, it’s part of our story.
Something Else Is Off
I’ve also been noticing strange things around school. Maybe it’s nothing. Or maybe it’s… something.
- Mrs. Halvorsen’s paintbrushes were all found glued together—in the shape of a bird. No one confessed.
- A fire alarm went off in the library for exactly five seconds. No pull. No drill. Just a burst of noise (have i mentioned that I don’t like loud noises) and then silence.
- Yesterday, I passed the old stage by the music room. The hallway light flickered three times. That’s how it blinked in my dream last week.
It could be a wiring issue. It could be a prank.
But the air feels different lately—like the school itself is holding its breath.
What’s Next
There’s more to this than anyone’s saying. About the new building. About the land. Maybe even about the past.
Next week, I’m going to talk to Ms. Alvarez, our librarian. She’s been at Thurston longer than anyone, and I think she knows more than she lets on.
Thanks for reading.
Stay curious.
And if the lights flicker where you are—take note.
✌️ Ember