St. Paul Mayor Cooks for Kids!

Tuesday, July 9^th was an extra special night in the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Gillette Specialty Healthcare. The St. Paul Mayor, Chris Coleman, and Councilmember, Chris Tolbert, served a Cooks for Kids Meal in partnership with McDonalds. We had a great turnout by families – it's not every day the Mayor serves you dinner! Both the Mayor and the Councilmember were excited to meet with the families and learn about their experiences. Overall, the night was fun for all involved and we would love to see both the Mayor and Councilmember back to serve another Cooks for Kids Meal in the future!


St. Paul Mayor, Chris Coleman and Councilmember, Chris Tolbert, visited with families after dinner.

If you're intersted in supporting families through our Cooks for Kids program, click here! 

Our Marvelous Teachers

Can you believe it? This is the 15th blog post celebrating all 15 marvelous years of our school – right here inside the Ronald McDonald House. We have loved sharing about our awesome students, the wonderful volunteers and all of the aspects of this special family service. Today, we celebrate the teachers who make this program happen! We are so fortunate to have Cindy Britain as our Teacher and Libby Hoops as our Assistant Teacher. Their styles blend and complement each other in amazing ways and to see them in action is truly remarkable.

In 2006, Mrs. Hoops joined our team. Every day, she brings her calm, soft-spoken nature to the classroom. As she works, Mrs. Hoops uniquely  observes exactly what each student needs. It may be a compliment, guiding him or her to an alternative method, or just the support to master an unfamiliar or challenging task. Mrs. Hoops also brings her insight to staff as we work to determine the most effective way to continue to provide support and guidance to students. Her perspective is so valuable! She has the unique gift of seeing challenges as opportunities. You are a gift to us, Mrs. Hoops! Thank you for your dedication to our mission.



Mrs. Hoops (left) and Mrs. Britain (right) work together to support and nurture RMH students. They are a dream team! :)

Back in 1998, Mrs. Britain joined the RMH team as the first (and only) teacher at our newly opened school. What an awesome day that was! Mrs. Britain has nurtured, cared for and encouraged growth in the program – in the same way as she nurtures, cares for and encourages growth in her students. The enthusiasm Mrs. Britain has for teaching is visible in the faces of each student. They are inspired to learn! Mrs. Britain loves to continually update and build out curriculum for each student. This is no small task, considering new students enroll throughout the year.

Wrapped up in her enthusiasm for teaching and inspiring students to develop a fundamental love of learning, is her love and dedication to each of "her kids." Mrs. B is tuned in to the whole child and works to strike a balance between the emotional and academic health of each student. The circumstances that bring families to stay at the Ronald McDonald House are complex. Students here are experiencing unthinkably difficult realities. Each day, it is Mrs. B's mission for each child to feel loved, supported and successful. This method includes setting high (but attainable!) academic expectations. And...you know what? In the midst of the challenges students face, with the love and support they feel in our classroom, they meet and often surpass these expectations! How amazing is that?!

Thank you, Mrs. Britain! The Ronald McDonald House thanks you and each of the 500+ students whose lives you have touched and changed throughout the past 15 years thanks you! You and Mrs. Hoops are our mission in action.  

Mrs. Britain (above) has been the RMH teacher for the past 15 years – since the school opened!



 

Race for Grace!

Thanks to community support in Baxter, Minnesota last Memorial Day weekend, the Ronald McDonald House – Oak Street "Help Yourself" pantry was fully stocked through the first annual Race for Grace! Parents, Jake and Alyssa stayed with us after Grace was born in May 2011. They organized the annual Race for Grace Memorial 5K walk/run to remember Grace and continue serving others in her honor.

This year, the funds raised will support our friends at Faith’s Lodge. Faith's Lodge does such amazing work for families. Their mission is to provide a place where parents and families facing the serious illness or death of a child can retreat to reflect on the past, renew strength for the present, and build hope for the future.

We support the wonderful Lee family and invite others to join them on Sunday, May 26 for the second annual Race For Grace. For more information, find "Race for Grace" on Facebook or learn more on the race website.

Kids like Emmie (above) are so thankful to have convenient snacks available in the "Help Yourself" pantry.

"How could we ensure Maya received all of the support and love she deserved and needed? The RMH filled in the gaps."

Kindergarten is a big year. When folks say “Oh, they just play in kindergarten!" We know it's so much more than that. Kindergarten is the foundation and the beginning of a lifetime of learning. When students begin kindergarten at our school, our teachers pay close attention to this critical transition in the child’s life as it coincides with all the other stress, transitions and loss they may be experiencing. Former student, Maya, made the transition to kindergarten at the same time she made many other difficult moves in her young life. Maya and her family were living and working in Senegal, West Africa when one of her brothers was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. Her brother’s treatment brought them to Minnesota...and brought Maya to our school to begin kindergarten.



Maya joined our school from Senegal, West Africa for her brother's 16-month medical treatment.

Tina, (Maya’s mom) shares...

"When I see the photos of the staff and students at the RMH School, I can’t help but smile from ear to ear. They. Are. Amazing. Our eldest daughter, Maya, started kindergarten at the RMH in September 2011. Just a year and a half prior, she had gracefully grown through a dramatic life change, when she became the big sister to triplets in January 2010. Yet, she was faced with even more transitions to come. In April 2011, one of her brothers, Khalil, was diagnosed with high-risk stage IV Neuroblastoma and within days, Maya had to say goodbye to all of her friends and loved ones and we packed up the only home she’d ever known and moved from Senegal, West Africa to Minnesota so her brother could begin a 16-month intensive treatment to combat cancer."

"It was a difficult time, a tough diagnosis, a logistically complicated move, and just plain challenging with one-year-old triplets.  How could we ensure Maya received all of the support and love she deserved and needed? The RMH filled in the gaps."

"The truth is, looking back, if I had to choose a school for our kids to attend, medical crisis or not, it would be the RMH school. Why? The RMH school sees and connects with the whole child. Each child is nurtured, inspired, given challenges, opportunities and support to thrive regardless of his or her circumstance. Academically and socially Maya blossomed. The staff worked tirelessly to create a family within the classroom and the empathy and compassion each child learned in that setting was matched by the empathy and compassion shown by the staff."

"Maya regularly says how much she misses the RMH school and how she wishes every school could be just like it. When I ask her why and what she liked about it, she always says first, “The people."  Then she says, “My friends, the castle, and the food." She was surrounded by love and inspired to learn there. Her strongest memories of the year and a half her younger brother battled cancer in Minnesota were not of fear or loneliness or sadness, but of being surrounded by love, friendship, warmth and safety. I know the staff and volunteers of the school have made a huge difference not just in who Maya is today, but who she will be in the future, and for that we are FOREVER GRATEFUL."

Maya shares her memories...

Maya even learned to ride a bike without training wheels while at the RMH!

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Maya! You are an amazing, resilient young lady and we're honored to know and love you and your family.








"We heard they had a school there, but little did we know the lasting impact it would have on our lives!"

Wes and his family are part of our RMH family!

Wes and his family first came to stay at the House soon after his sister, Ireland, was born. Ireland has several serious conditions that require ongoing medical care. During long stretches in the hospital, Wes and his family stay at the RMH to be near her.

Wes and his family have been spending time at the RMH since Wes was a toddler. In fact, he attended our RMH school for most of his Kindergarten year into first grade. During that time, Wes made many friends. As his mom, Shanna, points out, he learned to say good-bye to many friends too; as they headed home while Wes and his family stayed on for Ireland's continued care. Wes learned so much about medical conditions while he was here at the House. We were all touched when he announced his plan to grow his beautiful, red hair to donate to Locks of Love®, supporting kids going through chemo. Wes is wonderfully compassionate and loves to help others.  

 

Inspired by his sister and the other kids he came to know at the RMH, Wes grew his hair to donate to Locks of Love.

 

We love to see kids make a difference!

After Wes left the RMH, we experienced a first for the school; a chance to visit a student's  hometown school. Our teacher, Mrs. B, and Persis (Director of Family Services) helped students learn about Ireland's conditions, what children experience at the Ronald McDonald House, and how we help families stay together. It was a wonderful visit and something we wish we could to for every student.  

 

Shanna (Wes' mom) shares her memories….

"We had our first stay at the Ronald McDonald House in 2008, just a few months after Ireland was born. Wes was 2½ years old. We heard they had a school there, but little did we know the lasting impact it would have on our lives! When I asked Wes what his favorite part of going to school at the RMH was, his reply was, "We'll that's easy. The teacher!" Wes has such great memories of that time. He frequently looks through his RMH scrapbook and Ireland loves looking at it, too! Wes formed friendships that will last a lifetime! The kids there form such special bonds and help each other through tough times. The hardest part of leaving the Ronald McDonald House for Wes was leaving behind his friends and of course his teachers. The RMH staff does such a wonderful job helping kids as well as parents through these difficult transitions. Having a sick child is stressful enough. It was so reassuring not to have to worry about Wes academically on top of everything else."

Sibling love at the RMH! Devin, Ireland and Wes. 
- Photo by Jim Bovin

 

"Wes turned 8 years old yesterday. His time at the Ronald McDonald House has definitely helped shape him into the wonderful little boy he is today.  Thank you, Ronald McDonald House and staff!"

 

Happy Birthday, Wes! We're so glad to have you as part of our RMH family.

"What I remember the most from my children’s time at the RMH school is that imprint of education with CARE!"

Happy Marvelous Monday! Today, we're writing about a mom of two former RMH students. Our school serves both patients and their siblings. It's an amazing education model providing lots of emotional support, flexibility and compassion for students. Our school provides a sense of normalcy that's so important for children in crisis. In the 15 years our school has been serving families, there have been many times when patients and their sibling/s attend together. Students come to us with varying needs, but above all is their need to be with family.

Tesa, writes….

"My son, Dawson, attended school at the RMH during one of the toughest times of his life. Dawson has been treated for cancer and has endured two kidney transplants. He attended school at the RMH while going through dialysis – waiting for his "perfect kidney.” The wait started in July of 2005 and that amazing day came April 10, 2006. During the months of waiting, there were days when he was unable to even lift his head or he would just simply fall asleep right on his desk. However, Mrs. Britain just kept going with him…at his pace. It was difficult to know at times if Dawson had a learning disability or was just sick. Mrs. Britain was positive in her assessment that Dawson was learning what he needed to learn at that time. One of my favorite memories of Dawson’s time at school was during music class. Dawson loved music and one day, the students did a music parade through the Ronald McDonald House, stopping to serenade the staff and families. The music class was on his day off of dialysis which meant he was full of waste and wasn't feeling well. However, when it was music time, he was at the front of the line, pounding on those drums like it was his very own band. He was elated for those 15 minutes. Parents stood and cheered and I got to watch him just be a little boy. The school provided us an opportunity for Dawson to be that normal kid – even when he wasn't feeling his best. We can't thank you enough for that. School was hard, but you made it easy…you made it real."

"My daughter, Dana, also attended the RMH school. Dana's needs were different from my son’s needs. She was a freshman in high school during Dawson's treatment. As a parent, to hear the word "cancer" changes your life in an instant and your normal life seems very distant. As much as you want to make things better, you can't. Dana was having a tough time coming and going from our home to our home-away-from-home at the RMH. Being away from Dawson was difficult and then of course, being powerless to what her brother was going through. We saw things changing for her that January and knew the best place for her was with us at the RMH. Mrs. Britain helped us make it happen. Dana was able to follow her curriculum from home which is just amazing. My favorite memories of Dana in school were seeing her work with other siblings of patients. She instantly became an honorary older sister to her classmates. She would complete her work and was able to focus. The school staff knew when Dana needed to be with us at the hospital and were so flexible in making that time happen. Dana grew up a lot that year and Mrs. Britain and others from the school were there to help her grow and cope with all that was happening in our family. Dana is now in college and I think she remembers her life at RMH as the most positive experience in her life. God brings people and places into our lives and they leave the largest imprints on our hearts."

"What I remember most from my children’s time at the RMH school is that imprint of education with CARE! I experienced having a child who was ill attending school as well as his sibling. If asked if the school is the biggest asset of the house? Of course I'd say YES! What it provided for my family and our life during that difficult time was wonderful, but perhaps more importantly, it provided us a lifetime of memories and gratitude."

Dawson and his big sister, Dana, were able to attend school together at the RMH.



 

"If it wasn’t for the time I spent with the kids of the RMH, I’m not sure I would have known what it meant to be brave. I think that makes me one of the lucky ones."

This week’s Marvelous Monday post features another exceptional volunteer, Jeff.  A common role for volunteers is “House warming.” House warmers help out in various ways, including preparing and serving lunch for students in our school, followed by then supervising during lunch and recess. Jeff began volunteering as a House warmer, helped with many special events and even became an ambassador in the community to tell others about our mission. Jeff was willing to help wherever and however he could. However, the job he enjoyed most was being with the kids at lunch and recess. After Jeff graduated from the University of Minnesota, he moved to New York City. As it turns out, we were never far from his thoughts.

Jeff writes:
"My Strange and Fortunate Life as the Jellyman...

2002; my first year as a student [living in Frontier Hall at the University of Minnesota] was an exciting time. Like most freshman, I was exploring a life far from home, meeting new friends and figuring out what I wanted to study. While this felt like the beginning of something great, I couldn’t help but be humbled each day as I walked the sidewalks around my dormitory and encountered the brave and adorable RMH children – many bald and most wearing medical masks on their way to and from the hospital. I soon learned these kids were living with their families at the Ronald McDonald House and undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses such as leukemia. Many were far from home and in the Twin Cities for a life-saving transplant or other complicated medical procedure. It was admittedly a dose of reality to see them on a routine walk to class.

Spring semester came and I decided to get involved. I couldn’t just walk past every day without feeling as if there was more to life than pursuing self-focused goals. It struck me how lucky I was that I was healthy and had enjoyed a full and happy childhood. It could easily have been me or someone I loved in their shoes. So, I started volunteering at the RMH between classes. Twice a week, I would do whatever I could to help out the staff: stocking food pantries, cleaning rooms or planning activities. It was rewarding, but I wondered what it would be like to work with the children. Then, I got my chance when I was asked if I would like to help with the school lunch hour.

I couldn’t have predicted how amazing it would be to interact with the siblings and often the patients themselves. Their energy, their optimism and their passion for life was inspiring. I would enter each volunteer shift worried about an exam or my ambiguous future and exit completely appreciative of the simplest things. One could say the perspective I gained working at the RMH truly set the foundation for me to be a better man…or at least a guy the kids would come to call “Jellyman.”

The story goes, one routine day, the students learned an important lesson from their talented teacher [Mrs. Britain] on alliteration – which is the literary term for repeating consonant sounds. Rowan – a young Egyptian girl was pointing at her classmates and providing them nicknames by applying the lesson. When she came to me, she declared proudly, “JELLY JEFF! JELLY JEFF!” Of course, there was a chorus of laughter among the group (which only finally faded when I brought out their lunch).

Shortly after, as I worked on cleaning the dishes, I heard a high-pitched endearing request echo toward me:

“Hey, Jellyman! Can you help me open my milk?” The boy responsible, seven-year-old Elijah, didn’t flinch in calling me Jellyman. In fact, he actually thought that was my name. And it stuck. From that day forward I was the Jellyman. (The moniker became such folklore that many RMH staff members to this day only know me by it). Years would pass and I would graduate and move to New York City to begin a new chapter…sadly parting ways with the RMH, but taking the Jellyman name with me.

Fast forward a few years into my life in Manhattan when I found myself confronting one strange symptom after another, which led me to the emergency room. Having experienced 27 years of a healthy life, I never could have predicted what would come of that trip to the hospital. To this day, the doctor’s words seem surreal. “Jeff, you have leukemia.”

I bet you didn’t see that coming. I know I didn’t. Life is rarely predictable and disease knows no bounds.

On my first day of radiation, I was parked in a wheelchair waiting for my turn in the treatment chamber. As I nervously anticipated being microwaved, a young boy (age 9) was parked next to me with his father. He had several days under his belt and was on-deck for another round. Yet somehow, he was still smiling ear to ear. His toothy grin immediately took me back to the kids of the RMH in Minneapolis. My mind drifted to the four years I spent volunteering. I realized in that moment, I had a built-in source of motivation for survival to tap into. I looked at the young boy and smiled back as they wheeled me in for my turn.

When I came out, despite feeling sick and struggling physically, I worked up a big smile for when he saw me. As he went passed I gave him a high five and declared, “You’re up buddy- you’ll do great." As I said the words, I knew I didn’t have to tell him. He was the tough one…just like each of the kids I had encountered at the RMH. Elijah, Rowan and so many others who had shown me what it meant to be brave. If they and their siblings could endure it, so could I.

In November, 2011 I underwent a successful stem cell transplant with my own hero. My older brother, Matt, was my donor. Today, at 29, I am proud to say I am a cancer survivor. If it wasn’t for the time I spent with the kids of the RMH, I’m not sure I would have known what it meant to be brave. I think that makes me one of the lucky ones." 



Volunteers are truly the heart of the House.



I remember thinking during my first day, “Wow, this is what school should be!”

This week’s Marvelous Monday features another one of our AMAZING volunteers. (April is volunteer appreciation month!) We are fortunate in that some of our volunteers are retired teachers. Their teaching expertise adds so much to the classroom. Ann taught kindergarten for many years and upon her retirement, offered to help us out during a particularly busy time in the classroom...seven years ago! 



Ann starts each week in the RMH school. 

Ann writes…….

 

     As a newly retired teacher, a classroom was the last place I expected to be spending my free time. I was invited to help out for a “short time” while the classroom was at capacity in the fall of 2005. Well, here I am 7 ½ years later. It’s been a pleasure to start my week each Monday with the Ronald McDonald House students, listening to their “Positrations” and being part of a warm, supportive community.

      I remember thinking during my first day, “Wow, this is what school should be!” This is the classroom model that professors promoted when I was in grad school: small student numbers, 1 to 1 support, each student learning at his or her own pace with time and opportunity to explore individual interests. It’s all there in the Ronald McDonald House School. I love watching the students of different ages and cultures interacting as they learn. Not only do these students (who have been yanked from home and school) keep up with their studies, they blossom and move ahead or conquer a skill that has challenged or frustrated them.

     All the Marvelous Monday posts highlight the classroom’s positive and supportive climate. Mrs. Britain and Mrs. Hoops set that tone at the beginning of each day with “Positrations." It helps us all – adults and children, look for and appreciate bright spots in our days. Mrs. Britain and Mrs. Hoops also use “Positrations” to help the students cope with incredibly difficult circumstances. For example, a student might share that a sibling had trouble breathing overnight and is back in the hospital. You can see the teachers process the information and then say something like: “Can I write down “The doctors are helping Sam breathe?" The student will nod and you can see his or her entire body relax.

     Volunteering in the classroom is fun! I was an elementary school teacher so interacting with teenagers has been a blast. They continue to educate me in academics and pop culture. Meeting children from all over the country and the world, I’ve learned about Argentina, Peru, Ireland, Senegal, India, Hawaii, ranching, surfing, hockey, hunting . . . And I love watching newbies experience Minnesota winters. Winter becomes a lot more tolerable when you get to watch kids play in their first snow.

     I’ve volunteered in many organizations and had a variety of experiences. I’d like to thank the staff of the Ronald McDonald House School and the entire organization for making my time in the classroom and around the House such a positive experience. I’ve felt welcomed, respected and appreciated.

Thank you, Ann. We are so grateful for your dedication to our RMH students and teachers. What an incredible impact you've had on our community. You know the saying" Teachers don't ever retire?" We're honored that in your case, it was true.

 

Classroom volunteers give our students the one-on-one attention necessary to help them thrive through a difficult time.

"For me, the school was more than a classroom. It was a life-changing experience."

This week’s Marvelous Monday post recognizes a former student, Mimi. In 2005, Mimi and her family came to Minnesota from Amman, Jordan for treatment for Mimi’s youngest brother, Ahmad. Ahmad battled an aggressive form of leukemia. Mimi participated in the summer activities program with her family, and then in September, she enrolled in school as an 11^th grader.

Mimi came to the RMH in 2005 for her brother's medical care. 

Mimi reflects on her time at RMH…

 

“The minute we entered the RMH we found the support, help, and love that we wouldn't have had anywhere else. When we discovered there was a school at the House, we were really surprised. For me, the school was more than a classroom. It was a life-changing experience. Since I come from the Middle East, my education was mainly in Arabic except for English language classes."

“At the RMH school, I was off to a good start on language skills, and in no time I was able to handle the normal curriculum for students my age. Without the hard work and dedication of Mrs. Cindy and the volunteers, it would not have been possible. The classroom environment helped me cope and kept my mind off what my family was going through. Even just a short break every day made a difference."

 “For a couple of hours each day, I was able to talk with people, learn new things and enjoy my time like other girls my age. At that time I was 16 years old. In the classroom, I found support on hard days. On good days, I found people to share my happiness and reason to celebrate. Mrs. Cindy always started our day on a positive note – sometimes asking a question, which helped me see the good things going on in my life. I would intentionally do things or go somewhere to have something good to say the following day in the classroom when Mrs. Cindy asked her question of the day. I had such a unique experience at the RMH school."

 “I’ll forever treasure the memories of the special people I met, the education and the memories. I recollect all and whenever the occasion rises, I tell people here in Jordan how kind, supportive and generous you were to us and everyone who entered the House. Despite the gravity of the situation, you made it so much easier for the families. The school was right down the stairs! You guys are amazing! I always think of volunteering and being able to give back part of the care, love and affection that you guys have given me and my family.”

Mimi has remained in contact, as many students do, with Mrs. Britain. After returning home to Jordan, Mimi completed secondary school and has now graduated from college and is working as an architect. Sadly, Mimi’s bother lost his battle with leukemia and while we mourn Ahmad’s passing, we celebrate her accomplishments and are so grateful that she and her family are forever part of our RMHC family.



Ahmad may have lost his battle, but he remains forever in our hearts.

Celebrating a Marvelous Monday recognizing Breanna's Gift

Six years ago, we partnered with Breanna's Gift – a fellow non-profit organization whose mission it is to bring smiles to the faces of children with cancer and other serious illnesses through the magic of the arts. The organization is named after Breanna – a little girl who loved to dance. In her honor, Breanna’s Gift brings the healing power of art to children battling critical illnesses. On Friday afternoons, teachers from this wonderful organization come to the House to offer dance and art classes. They provide the materials for the classes as well as tap shoes for each child to keep. The classes are open to all the children at the House – including patients and their siblings. At dance class, the students learn tap steps, practice movement exercises, and even learn exciting styles like Flamenco dancing. It’s something to see! The kids learn the steps as well as how to put it all together to create dance. After several weeks, the families and staff are treated to a dance recital.. It’s a boost for siblings to shine and recognized, and for patients to regain strength and feel the success of normal activities…the work of childhood. All of this is gained from the gift of a dance class.


Breanna's Gift brings dance and art to the House! 

Onto the art. Breanna’s Gift provides projects that vary from learning to create animals in pastel crayons, saori weaving, origami rockets and animals, or creating mini-books. Like dance, art classes are a special time for students to feel success, the delight of one-on-one attention, the pride of learning a new skill, and the joy of creating. In addition to the weekly classes, Breanna's Gift provides workshops, which are 3-5 days long, both during the school year and over the summer months. The workshops provide a unique opportunity for kids. It’s an intensive time to create and work together.

 

Founder and Executive Director, Masha Ovitz, shares her thoughts about all the gifts this program brings to the students – particularly the workshops. “Since 2007, we have been privileged to bring our dance, art classes and workshops to the Ronald McDonald House kids and their families. From the beginning, each opportunity to work with kids has been special. Some of our most memorable projects have been when everyone has come together for our special workshops. The first of these Breanna's Gift projects was a mosaic workshop led by artist, Lori Greene. The children and their families worked to create a Tree of Life piece in honor of the Ronald McDonald House's 30th anniversary in the Twin Cities community. Because it is on permanent display, everyone can stop, look, enjoy and remember. Drama camps with our guest artist, Annie McNaughton, have the children making their own costumes and scenery and performing portions of plays such as The Sound of Music and Annie. We tried getting Jerry to join us, but he was not interested in the applause or the encores! Margo McCreary's annual puppet workshops where the puppets are created and come to life in their own puppet theater are so much fun. The story lines the children develop are always a surprise. No one knows where they will take us, but it's about the journey, right? Thank you, Ronald McDonald House! The energy, the joy and the smiles are the gifts that we take with us. It's such an honor to work with the children, their families and the staff.”

How amazing is that?! Dance and art offer so much to RMH kids. Thank you for your partnership, Breanna's gift! Thank you for this priceless gift. To learn more about Breanna's Gift, visit www.breannasgift.org. 

The Whole Year!

In today’s Marvelous Monday post celebrating our school, we’re excited to feature another student! A handful of times over the past 15 years, students have been enrolled with us for the entire school year. Although it is uncommon, it is not unexpected due to the extreme medical conditions that bring families to stay with us. At the Ronald McDonald House on Oak Street, the average length of stay is longer than any other Ronald McDonald House in the world!

Alyssa’s family lived at the RMH for 219 nights. Alyssa’s younger sister, Gracie, was born with Down Syndrome and the first years of her life were occupied by many medical complications. During Alyssa’s time with us, she was involved in many House activities. Every Monday night was Nintendo Wii time. Alyssa and her RMH friend, Ky,  loved to dance! They would boogie the night away competing with other kids and our staff. Katy could keep up...Persis not so much! During the winter, school recess is either in the gym or the game room. There is a fabulous Dance Dance Revolution game in the game room which Alyssa mastered. Her feet never missed a step! Alyssa also participated in one of our Sibling Camps at Faith’s Lodge. This is a 3-day trip specifically for the siblings of patients. Time is spent having fun, feeling special, having adventures and celebrating the wonderful job siblings do. 

Alyssa (currently back home in North Dakota and in the 4th grade) shares:

Alyssa and her family lived at the RMH for over 200 nights. 

I have so many memories of going to school at the Ronald McDonald House! I spent my entire first grade year at the Ronald McDonald House School! I loved that I was able to go to school and still be close to my family. Our classroom was set up just like any other classroom; the only difference was there were all different aged kids. It was a one-room school house just like on “Little House on the Prairie!”  I loved Mrs. Britain! She always made me feel special and gives great hugs! Mrs. Hoops always had a warm smile on her face and that really encouraged me. It was so nice to be able to go to school with other kids who had sick brothers and sisters, or were patients themselves. We all understood how hard it was. I loved Persis [Director of Family Services] because she gave me Beads of Courage and always took the time to see if I was alright and to check on Gracie. We got to do some super neat activities in school. I especially liked Wordily Wise, Positrations, Jerry coming to school, and our many field trips. I learned so much! I loved lunch too. We had great food and the volunteers were so nice to us. Our classroom was like a big family. Together we celebrated the happy times, the scary times and the sad times. Towards the end of the year, I was the only student left. Mrs. Britain, Mrs. Hoops and Persis made me feel extra special and always gave me the hope that one day I would be able to return home."

Alyssa (4^th grade | Age 10)

North Dakota

What an incredible perspective! Thank you, Alyssa, for sharing with us! Thank you for being a great kid, a great student, a great dancer and a great big sister! And guess what? Alyssa is a big sister again! In December, her family welcomed another baby girl!

Reading is FUNdamental

We love every subject covered in our school! However, reading and language concepts are a primary focus. Our teacher, Mrs. Britain, hopes every student develops a love of reading. Mrs. B knows a love of reading is attributed to a solid foundation in a student’s educational foundation! In addition, Mrs. B understands the benefit of reading and being swept away by imagination. For many RMH students facing stressful daily realities, being transported to another place for a little while is a tremendous gift. Reading also introduces our students to role models who encounter challenges and difficult circumstances and find ways to endure, thrive and grow through trials.

Volunteers from Capella University help us celebrate 15 years of serving students at the RMH!

In our classroom, reading happens all day! There is time when volunteers read aloud to students and there is time when students read aloud to one another, or to teachers or volunteers. Students also select their own books for quiet-time reading. To see our classroom full of kids cuddled up with their books makes us truly happy.

Each month, the classroom breaks for “Reading Club.” This time is designed as a special out-of -classroom, partner reading time for each student with an adult volunteer. The purpose is for students to share time with an adult, which will encourage the student both as a reader and as a special child who is cared for and valued. Volunteer groups sign up to come to the House, read with the students for 30 minutes and then have lunch and recess with us. Volunteers provide the books as well as lunch. It’s a unique and special volunteer opportunity that has a lasting impact. Book Club days are special for so many reasons. Thank you to our wonderful volunteer groups for giving the gift of reading to our students. To learn more about this awesome opportunity, email Carynn Roehrick | carynn@rmhc-um.org.

 

Marvelous Monday, Featuring Julie & Hope

Today's Marvelous Monday post celebrates two amazing volunteers. Oftentimes, we share stories about the friendships children and families find at the Ronald McDonald House. Today, we're sharing and celebrating the friendship two volunteers found.


Julie and Hope have volunteered in our school for six years.

Six years ago, Julie and Hope met as "Thursday morning" volunteers in our school. Because each of our students has an individual curriculum, most of the teaching is done on a one-to-one basis. Our teacher, Mrs. Britain, plans the curriculum and teaches the concepts,  then students are paired with volunteers to complete their work. As you can imagine, we need a lot of help! Most mornings and afternoons, we have at least 2 volunteers in the classroom. Julie and Hope have been devoted volunteers. They've added shifts when there are higher numbers of students in  school and are flexible with taking on other tasks when the numbers in the classroom go down. They have supervised recess, added and multiplied, spelled and read (and read and read). Through their volunteer experience, they have become lifelong friends.  

(Julie and Hope write)
For six years, the two of us have met every Thursday in the Ronald McDonald House classroom. We have been blessed to meet children from all over the country and all over the world. With ages ranging from 5-15, we have experienced life in the classroom from the eyes of all grade levels. The common thread, however, is the intense need for love and community. It has been an honor for us to meet in a place where the values are so real and important. The kids are amazing, and though their lives are difficult and their days unpredictable, they learn to cope and rise to the occasion of what is expected of them at school. We have learned more from these students than anything we could have taught them. It is a true pleasure to volunteer in the school.

Thank you, Julie and Hope, for your heartfelt service to children in need. You are truly marvelous!

Marvelous Monday: POSITRATIONS

Positrations are a special, daily tradition at the RMH school.

Past Monday posts have mentioned positrations… so today we'll explain what this positrations thing is and why students love it so much! Each morning, after the students arrive at school, there is a morning meeting. It's a time to review the date, weather and plan for the day. At our school, we also “do positrations” at this meeting. A positration is a time for concentration on something positive: positration. Students at our school are under a great deal of stress. They each have a sibling who is critically ill, or they are critically ill. They’re away from home; leaving familiar surroundings, school, friends and pets. Our goal is to provide not only an education for students at our school, but an entire network of support during a medical crisis. There is so much love and support for our students in the classroom. The lessons move at a different pace, leaving time for conversations about change, fears and life being different. One major way students are supported is through positrations. At positration time, each student is encouraged to share something positive from the past day. This isn’t always easy for students, but each day, with the help of their teachers, the kids find something. Sometimes it's a special event at the RMH, or the prize they won at BINGO. Sometimes it's an important milestone in their sibling's (or their own) treatment. There is always time for conversation about each positration, including time to explain medical procedures. While we know focusing on the positive is not the only way to cope in such challenging circumstances, positration time allows for positive thinking, and most importantly, wonderful sharing and a warm cushion of support from peers and teachers. It's a safe time for students to share and be heard. And, there is an added bonus! Each positration is written on a poster board. When the board is full, there is a special positration lunch or event! The students always encourage writing with BIG letters! :)

Here are a few examples of recent positrations. (First initials used for anonymity.)

©       B is breathing on his own

©       Book club is today

©       C (a patient) is back at school

©       L is excited to go home next week

©       L’s mom got to hold her baby sister

©       A’s brother got a new heart!

©       L has been off her vent (the breathing machine) for 4 days

©       D is very excited for BINGO!

©       R lost her tooth last night

©       K had his big surgery

©       L’s mom went to trach (tracheostomy) class

©       R went to the Mall of America. The turtle ride was scary and fun.

©       A played the drum set with Melody at music

©       Today is field trip day

©       D is so glad to be in school

©       B went to the Twin’s game

©       Today is bouncy house day

©       B’s sister is coming in 2 days

©       A and M went to Kevin Love’s baseball camp

©       J had his 100 day biopsy

©       L is getting help at the hospital

©       A’s hickman (permanent IV line) comes out today

©       A likes the author Gary Paulson

©       B hurried to school this morning

©       L got to hold his brother for the first time

©       M solved the geography riddle

©       The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is coming to the House!

©       R won a tie-dye kit at BINGO and made her dad socks