Giggle Juice, Tech Gurus, and Pawsitive Words

Rusty Ruff

Ruff, ruff, ruff! Let’s get these tails waggin’! Okay, Mrs. Ruff, ready for my legendary knock-knock joke? Knock, knock!

Mrs. Ruff

Oh, I’m ready. Who’s there?

Rusty Ruff

Interrupting puppy.

Mrs. Ruff

Interruptin’ pup—

Rusty Ruff

RUFF RUFF RUFF RUFF!—Gah, I still crack myself up every time! Sorry, one of these days I’ll make it through a knock-knock without jumping the line. But probably not.

Mrs. Ruff

Well, you definitely brought the giggles, Rusty! Which is perfect, because this week had so many highlight moments. We’ve got to shine a spotlight on Drew—our Top Dog of the Week! Drew’s been absolutely “pawesome” helping classmates with tech. If someone can’t log in or finds themselves lost in an app—poof!—Drew’s there, calm as can be, showing them how it’s done. I keep saying, Drew could run a help desk if he wanted to. The best part? He’s always doing it with a smile and so much patience. It really shows what a big helpful heart he has.

Rusty Ruff

That’s tech wizardry and kindness in one fluffy package. This week’s also got us a paw-sitive shout-out—Henry wants to thank our superstar lunch ladies for that banana bread at breakfast. He actually said, “It was amazing and I hope we have it again.” I gotta say, banana bread gets this pup’s vote every time.

Mrs. Ruff

You know I’m with you, Rusty—I have a feeling banana bread day could basically become a holiday around here!

Rusty Ruff

Let’s talk about some classic classroom moments. Hayley brought up something that’s pretty legendary in Room 210— it seems to happen after lunch. It’s like flipping a switch. Suddenly, everyone’s got extra zoomies. Hayley says it’s a total phenomenon—if you’re in our class after lunch, prepare for a giggle stampede.

Mrs. Ruff

Oh my gosh, yes. On Wednesday, I honestly couldn’t help myself—I turned to the class and blurted out, ‘What are they feeding you in the lunch room? Are they giving you giggle juice?’ I mean, I was half-joking, but after that? Boom. Everyone’s laughing, I’m laughing, and when Ms. Sweeny came in and I explained that it seems like the students all turned into gremlins after lunch? Forget it. That sent the laughter off the charts—even I had to sit down to catch my breath!

Rusty Ruff

Good thing laughter’s contagious but harmless, huh? Then we had Lincoln’s epic story—so apparently, he comes back in the room after recess and kinda trips on air, bam! There he is, superhero landing on the floor, and oh—his leg launches Rowen’s water bottle like it’s a rocket. Sophia, Hanna, Jada and Trinity saw the whole thing. Now, did anyone check if Lincoln was okay? Nope—because, and I quote, everyone was too busy laughing—But Lincoln says the laughter makes it all worth it.

Mrs. Ruff

Those are some of my favorite moments. Honestly, sometimes when everything erupts in giggles, it just pulls us closer together. And, Rusty, you always talk about how you used to get nervous on the big stage. How did you handle all that buzzy energy?

Rusty Ruff

Oh, for sure! Back in my mascot days, I’d get the shakes so bad my tail would knock over chairs! But you know, I learned to turn nerves into rocket boosters for fun. Laughter—especially with good people—makes everything easier. I guess, like our Ruff Pups, I found my pack gave me courage. And sometimes, a goofy moment is all you need to let the whole class know it’s okay to be real.

Mrs. Ruff

Speaking of being real, let’s give a round of a-paws for our learning this week. We wrapped up the Native American Regions unit—whew, can I just say how impressed I was with those Google Slides presentations? Seriously, you’d think we were hosting a TED Talk, not just a class project. Everyone brought in new info about the resources, tools, clothing, food, homes, and cultures of different Native groups—and the creative touches? Chef’s kiss! The best part—watching you all build those slides together, sharing ideas and taking turns. It was as fun as it was informative.

Rusty Ruff

And then—math. So, Mrs. Ruff, I always hear adults say, “Ugh, new math!” But you have a way to explain that, right?

Mrs. Ruff

Oh, you know it. I asked the class, “How many of your parents say they don’t like the ‘new math’?” Believe me, it was a symphony of groans and wide eyes. But really, there’s no “new math" Math doesn't really change it’s just that now we teach more than one way to solve a problem. I think of it as now we teach the kids all the ways we naturally solve math problems, in our heads and they end up with a really deep understanding of numbers. It allows you to be flexible in you problem solving. So if you like adding decimals by decomposing the numbers, thinking about the place value or the traditional algorithm you can use whatever works best for you or the problem you are working on. Awesome! The strategy doesn’t matter as long as you get there. And, parents, if you want to help at home, the best thing you can do is keep those basic math facts sharp. Multiplying, dividing, adding, subtracting—just practice those little pieces, and the big stuff will make more sense.

Rusty Ruff

Okay, can I share the new challenge? Drumroll... Next week we’re launching the Pawsitive Words Challenge! One day this week, Ruff Pups, try to focus on using kind, encouraging words. Say stuff like, “Thank you,” “I appreciate you,” or, my favorite, “You make my fur sparkle!” Okay, maybe not that last one. But you get the idea! Track how people react and notice how it makes you feel.

Rusty Ruff

And don’t forget, one of you will get to share your pawsitive words story on the next podcast! I can’t wait to hear what happens when you sprinkle those kind words like confetti. I’ll probably end up with it in my fur, but hey, all for a good cause!

Mrs. Ruff

Alright, before we wrap up, let’s hit those Ruff Reminders for the week. Monday is library day, remember those books. Wednesday wear your best fit and a smile big, picture day is here! Thursday is PE, so grab those tennis shoes. And Friday? PTA is hosting Foam-a-Polooza on the playground from six to eight p.m. This is a brand new event for Pleasant Ridge and promises, to be even more fun than it sounds. If that’s possible!

Rusty Ruff

Foam-a-Polooza! Just saying it makes my tail spin. Also, parents, thanks for keeping up with our wild schedule—I know it’s a lot of fetchin’ and running around.

Rusty Ruff

Let’s finish, like we always do, with our Bark it Believe it affirmation. Ready? Repeat after me—“My voice matters, and I use it kindly and clearly.”

Rusty Ruff

My voice matters, and I use it kindly and clearly!

Mrs. Ruff

Beautiful, Rusty. Ruff Pups, take that with you this weekend and next week. Your words are powerful—so use them to lift each other up. And remember, don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to someone else.

Rusty Ruff

Thanks for tuning in, friends. I’m wagging my tail already for next week’s episode. Mrs. Ruff, I’ll see you in the classroom—and folks, keep those tails waggin’ and pawsitive vibes going!

Mrs. Ruff

You got it, Rusty. Bye, everyone! Keep being your wonderful, giggly, thoughtful selves. See you next time on the Ruff Pups Pawcast!