As the last children were being picked up on Thursday, May 2nd, from the School’s Out program at Indian Mills Elementary, a hummingbird flew into the cafeteria. He was flying back and forth high up in the ceiling grid. With no outside doors, there was no way for him to find his way out. The custodians did not know how to get him out. One suggested sucking him into the vacuum. Ann and I left feeling worried about his fate.
When I arrived Friday morning, the hummingbird was still flying around the cafeteria ceiling. When Meredith, one of our School’s Out campers, arrived the bird immediately landed on her bright pink backpack. April (School’s Out staff member) suggested a box trap. We used the Frito Lay box from our snacks and a piece of cardboard. We got flowers from outside to attract him. We also used some of our famous School’s Out tissue paper flowers for extra color.
The hummingbird found the flowers right away. He was very hungry. After severed missed attempt, he landed on the flower, began feeding and April pushed the box over him. We all carried the box and cover outside to let him go. After several seconds of hesitation, he took off!
You just never know what kind of cool things might happen in School’s Out. We thank our helpers, Meredith, Alex, Trent and Nicholas!
Ruth Boice
School’s Out Site Supervisor