Posted by Ensign Oliver Loughty (Science Officer Botany & Ecology) in Nursery and Lower Elementary Classroom

Posted by Civilian Runa Siff Edman (Education Specialist) in Nursery and Lower Elementary Classroom

(snip)

Runa blushed slightly, “Well I’ll take all the time you give me.” Runa liked Oliver’s easy manor, and wanted him to know it. She made sure the plants that Oliver had brought were up high out of the way of the children until they could be planted. “I’m not really sure, something that can withstand a lot of touching. I remember when I was young we had something called ‘Lambs Ear.” It was really soft and put up with a lot of pulling by the children.”
Runa Edman, Teacher

“Stachys byzantina” he said with a knowing smile and nodded, “Hells yeah but we don’t have any growing at the moment however I’m sure we’ll have some stored as seeds in the science department, we can go look now if you want?” It was clear Oliver was enjoying himself, talking about plants with someone who equally was as engaged as him, it got his blood pumping, Most men liked sports or shooting but for Olly he just liked a good Latin named flower, not that he didn’t mind sports either.

• Olly Loughty

“Do you think we could put some here as well. I think children understand more if they can be hands on, so I’d love to have as many plants that they can touch as well as ones they should be delicate with. It teaches them degrees of control.” Runa smiled at his enthusiasm. “Lead the way. I’ll follow you. I have no idea where anything is on board. Except for the bar, my quarters, and the school.” She laughed a little following Oliver into the corridor.
Runa Edman, Teacher

“If I was only to know three locations on the ship they’re the only Trio I would like to know,” He said before catching himself glowing a light red, “I mean my quarters not yours, not that I mean I wouldn’t or would but… Ill stop talking now follow me” Olly pulled at his collar as he led her to the arboretum stores to pick up some more plants, pots and anything else they would need.

• Olly Loughty
  Runa blushed, but that didn’t seem to bother her. “How about we make it a quadruple and I’ll tell you where mine are and you can tell me yours?” She winked and followed him down the corridor. Oliver was unique, he was thoughtful, fun, and easy to be around. And he had interesting things to say rather than boring her with pick up lines. And he liked the children, or at least seemed to like the idea of helping them. And that was a big deal for Runa. “You don’t need to stop talking, Oliver, I like to hear what you have to say.” She helped load the gardening supplies onto a cart.
  Runa Edman

Ashlynn walked into the classroom with Ali trailing behind. Ashlynn was clearly frustrated with her daughter and the one place she knew that she could take her that she would be safe. She needed to talk with Ryley about Ali. It was so difficult and she didn’t really understand exactly what Ali was going through nor did she really know who she could turn to…and that thought turned to Riley.

CMO

Runa turned as the door opened. “Oh Hello Dr. Summers. I’m Ms. Runa Edman, the new school teacher. How are you today?” Runa squated down to get on eye level with Ali, “And what’s your name? I”m Ms. Runa.”

Ashlynn put on a smile “I’m doing well.” She said as Ali came to a stop next to her, looking like a cloud of thunder was hanging over her. Ashlynn nudged Ali to respond to the question “I’m Alexxandra Waters.” She said extending her hand to Ms. Runa with a slight smile on her face.

Runa smiled, “It’s very nice to meet you Alexxandra Waters. Some of the other children are already here. Would you like to go play?”

Runa stands back up. “How is everything today? Anything you want me to know about your daughter?”
Runa Edman, Teacher

Ashlynn watched as Ali headed off to play with her friends before classes started “She is extremely smart for her age. She is also empathic, she is part Betazoid and she is coming into her powers so we are struggling with that. Just be aware that she might try to use that to her advantage.” Ash said “If you have any questions or concerns, just give me a call.” She said “Ali is very much a social butterfly, so you will probably spend most of your day redirecting her to stay on task.” Ashlynn laughed “It’s difficult some days.”

CMO

(OOC since this is a preschool to 3rd grade room I’m assuming she’s no older 8? If older we can say it’s early for school to start and she’s hanging out till everyone gets there. And if so just ignore this next part.)

Runa had worked with Betazoid children before on other star bases and ships, but she wasn’t as informed as she should be, probably, on Betazoid physicology. She’d make a point to refresh her memory later. “Her empathy is turning on already? Is she young for that? I thought it turned on at adolescence.” Runa asked, wanting to make sure she understood the challenges Alexxandra was facing at the moment. “I’ll make sure she gets some down time throughout the day. Small children’s emotions can be so turbulant as they first experience them. I’ll make sure Alexxandra gets plenty of breaks so the children don’t over whelm her. Is there any particular activity or amount of distance that can help?” Runa was used to children manipulating the adults around them, she would just have to be extra vigilant with Alexxandra until she got to know her better. “Well I will make sure she has plenty of activities to do to keep her busy. Give it a few days though as we figure each other out.” Another small child ran up to her tugging on her dress. She picked him up as he whispered in her ear. She set him back down, walked over to a table and opened a can of playdough for him. Then she returned to doctor.

Runa Edman, Teacher

OOC: Ali is 7.

IC: Ashlynn watched as the teacher opened the playdough. When Runa returned, Ashlynn answered her questions “She loves to read and do math. I can’t keep books in our quarters and her math skills have advanced beyond my own.” She said with a slight laugh “I spent years in school to become a doctor and my own daughter has stumped me with the math questions that she does.” Ash watched as Ali went and played with some of her friends “I can tell you that she prefers to go by Ali, Alexxandra or Alexxander is her namesake.” Ash smiled “I’ll leave you to it, if something comes up, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

CMO

Runa nodded, “Ali it is. We have quite the library and many I can get electronically for her. We’ll find a way to keep her supplied with books. We’ll be planting and beginning our own miniature arboretum in the classroom in a few days. That should provide her with plenty of opportunity to work with chemistry and genetics studies and the math that goes with it.” Runa watched Ali with her friends. “Thank you doctor. Have a pleasant day.”
Runa Edman, Teacher

Oliver had kept himself preoccupied whilst the two women talked, he had been thinking about what plants would be best and ones that would simply just look nice if they were out the reach of the children. He had considered what plant would best suit Runa but couldn’t think of any right now, though Olly knew the right plant wouldn’t; escape him for long.

• Olly Loughty

Runa walked back over to Oliver. She was happy to see he had waited. Before Oliver had arrived she’d just gotten done fixing the room. The children coming in now were staing for their afternoon classes, and the preschool was done for the day. The other teachers would be coming in to get their fill of all the new equipment before tomorrow. “I was done for the day. Ms. Jones will take any of the students staying for the afternoon. I need to stay until she gets here though.” She was standing beside Oliver so that she could watch the children as the moved about the room. “I’m down the corridor, 150416. And now you know four places, Mike’s bar, the school, your quarters, and now mine.” Though she knew Oliver knew a lot more places than that, but she was teasing him just slightly about their earlier conversation. She had no idea when he was off duty and whether or not he would want to continue their conversation.

He was about to reply but the young girl interrupted, apparently schools weren’t the best place to go for a conversation, he watched the girl who seemed to be causing quite the stir and behind her a seemingly wake fo destruction if she wasn’t so adorable it would put someone of children for a very long time.

Little Ally caught her attention, “Oh no, deary not today,” she whispered under her breath as she headed towards the children, “it is too late in the day for temper tantrums.” She scooped up the little girl without stopping and twirled her around. Ally had a habit of taking everyone’s toys simply because they had them. She missed her father and was lashing out, Runa knew that and wasn’t mad at the little girl, but she couldn’t act like that. Ally couldn’t have been any older than 3 and Runa swung her around until the little girl giggled. Then she put her down and found her favorite puzzle for her to play with. She stayed with her until she knew that Ally was totally engrossed in the puzzle and the she stepped away.

Runa Edman, Teacher

“You know you’re really good with children, I myself not to sure” He then thought back to Sharah, ok so maybe he was good with children but Sharah was different she was misunderstood. “I will see you later, room 614015” He said teasingly saying her quarters number back to front in a show of just how well he did remember things, he hadn’t earned his degree for his good looks, despite all his humor and down to earth attitude Olly was quite intelligent.

• Olly Loughty, Science JO

Runa smiled, “Children are just misunderstood. They have all these big adult sized emotions but don’t know what to do with them.” She nodded, catching the backwards order of her room number and smiled. “That’s right.” Another little boy came running over, tugging on her hand. She gave Oliver an appologetic look, “Until later, Oliver.” She was then dragged off by the little boy.

Runa Edman, Teacher