A Day at Mrs. Rayfield's Saturday School

By Cornelia Seigneur


It is Saturday morning, a day off for teachers. But not for Claudine, a.k.a. Mrs. Rayfield.

By 9 AM this Saturday morning, she has already picked up the children from various Canby apartments for Saturday School.

When Claudine arrives at Angel's apartment, she helps find clothes for him to wear. Angel–eight years old. One hundred percent sweet, innocent, bright.

He savors an extra day to learn.

"It's cool. We get to do work we haven't done, so when we get to school we get more ahead. . . and, I like it because we get pizza."; Pizza - ;the reward for working hard.

On this day, the students are also offered breakfast: rolls, granola bars, strawberries, chocolate milk. Angel arrives hungry. He likes the rolls best.

Claudine has offered free Saturday School for eight years, to help kids pass the State tests.

It is often the only break some of the single moms she helps have on weekends. For some children, it's a place to find company.

"Jonathon's mom works on Saturdays so he just sits home all day alone, if there's no Saturday School,"; Claudine shares.

Claudine has put rolls of quarters in shoes to help families with laundry. She has washed the laundry. She has brought Angel to church. He says, "Hallelujah.";
She invited our High School senior girls Bible Study to join her. Marilyn tutored Carolina, age nine. "Mrs. Rayfield is nice. She's fun,"; says Carolina.

Rachel, Crystal and Wesley assist Jonathon and Angel.

Claudine's cell phone rings. Four large pizzas arrive. "The extra goes to the families,"; she explains. "Students who've been doing Saturday School, their scores have gone up to pass. We've been praying for them.";

When Claudine took a break during early spring, kids asked, "When are we going to have Saturday school again?";

"These are my kids,"; Claudine smiles.

Some children say to her, "This is the best day of my life."; And, "Mrs. Rayfield rocks.";

When we drop off Angel at the apartment, a girl on a bike says, "Hi Mrs. Rayfield.";

"How do you know her?"; I ask.

"I'm here all the time."; I believe her.

You do rock, Mrs. Rayfield.