Small Shoes, Great Strides

Small Shoes, Great Strides — page 1

Small Shoes, Great Strides — page 2 — COVERED WINDOWS It was just the three of them and Miss Florence Meyers Most times only rich kids have a teacher all to themselves Leona Tate Tessie Prevost and Gail Etienne were not rich Yet here they were A teacher all to themselves A classroom all to themselves A school all to themselves Teachers in every classroom but no students Just Leona Tessie and Gail in Miss Meyers's first grade class Some people were angry about it They surrounded the school every day carrying signs shouting and spitting But Leona Tessie and Gail didn't hear or see much of the commotion outside Their classroom windows were covered with brown paper and recess was held inside Water fountains were turned off for fear of poisoning Strange but this all felt normal now Months before six year olds Leona Tessie and Gail couldn't have known what lay ahead when they got ready for their first day at McDonogh No. 19 Public School

Small Shoes, Great Strides — page 3 — The FIRST DAY Leona Tate's heart felt light as Mama helped her put on a sweater Leona was glad to be leaving her crowded old school Her dress was starched and pressed her hair ribbon tied just right The house was noisy with talk and filled with the delicious smells of sausage and eggs grits and biscuits When a black sedan pulled up out front the house got quiet Two men wearing suits and yellow arm bands stepped out One knocked on the front door The other waited by the car his Deputy United States Marshal badge glinting in the sun Leona had always walked to school with Mama Today she was getting a ride Glory When you get in the car sit back in the seat Leona's mother said Do not put your face to the window Mama took her hand and they followed the marshal to the car 19

Small Shoes, Great Strides — page 4 — Not far from Leona in the Ninth Ward a U.S. Marshal knocked on Tessie Prevost's front door Marshals would drive Tessie to school today too Mrs. Prevost told one of the lawmen I'm giving you my baby This is my baby This is my job he replied and I'm going to take care of this baby You don't have to worry Her mother was afraid but Tessie wasn't The man with the badge was there and even better her daddy was there Her daddy could beat Goliath and King Kong with one hand tied behind his back

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