Even with the brief reprieve of a day or two under 100 degrees, there is no getting around it: it is really, REALLY hot. Overwhelmingly hot. Disrespectfully hot. The kind of hot that makes you flat out angry.
That certainly was not the sentiment found at Connally Primary School today, where hundreds of first, second, and third graders buzzed about the building with huge smiles framed with slightly stained lips. If you asked any of them, things were quite chill.
Students were given a brief break from the heat thanks to a visit from the Kona Ice truck from 11:30 to 1:00. The company, which brags that it is “more than just your average, run of the mill, ice cream truck”, was on campus to help celebrate the start of the school year.
“We work with Kona Ice to give our students an opportunity to have a nice treat almost every month,” assistant principal Kaylyn Waters said. “It’s a great fundraising opportunity for the campus, but it also is a nice treat for our students. The first one is always fun because it’s a nice way to celebrate the beginning of school going so smoothly.”
The cold treat serves as a nice reward for the students to celebrate their success in acclimating to the expectations of the school year.
“Our students come to school for eight hours a day and they work so hard,” Waters said. “A quick little break at the Kona Ice truck is a great way to let our kids just be kids for a bit.”
Students and teachers alike welcomed a break from the heat. Classes took turns heading out to the truck, where they were met with huge grins from employees as they waited for their turn in line.
“I love that this gives our kids a nice, sweet treat while helping out our school,” first grade teacher Hollie Gober said. “I personally am not a snow cone fan, so I like to donate my cup to a kiddo who needs it.”
After making a trip through the line to get their cup of shaved ice (along with whatever flavors they wanted), the students made their way back to class to finish up the school day - albeit with a little more energy than usual.
“I really like getting the Kona Ice because it’s tasty,” third grader Cerenity Fluker said. “They have so many flavors that you can mix. I got tiger's blood, blue raspberry, berry blue, and cake pop flavors today. It was really good!”