Soup

My brain feels like some mushy soup tonight. It was a busy week. I had the meeting, and the meeting, and the school board meeting. It was a long day. It was interesting...and painfully boring. That's the way it is. I can't imagine ever volunteering to be on the school board. What a time consuming job on top of a job.The first meeting gave me a painful taste of how local meetings go. They all had the same comments and requests. They just all needed the opportunity to voice them at least twice. The school board meeting was loooonnng. I wish I could remember something memorable about it. We did our presentation. We lived through it.

 Anyhow, one of my student's parents brought in a flyer about an Education Day at our state baseball team headquarters. I checked it out and thought hey why not?? Learn about some math through baseball! SURE!!! So in one day I planned a field trip, contacted the right people, sent flyers home, found out if other classes wanted to attend, and taught school. Brain hurting sure! Yep! ya! You Betcha! Planning a field trip is a little different for us because: 1. Nothing is nearby, 2. Parents have a long way to drive their kids to school, 3. They need a lot of snacks, supplies, and materials, 4. You have to include bathroom stops, and dinner stops. 5. The students have to pack a bag for a field trip, 6. The students need guidelines for what they can bring, ... I am sure there is more but I can't think of it right now. Oh yes... The teacher has to pack a cooler, a first aide kit, trash bags, baby wipes, snacks for all, a change of clothes ( yep I learned my lesson), lunch, and more.

Mosquito season has come. I haven't noticed them too much but my students have been discovered by them! I am the anti-itch dispenser. I think my secretary thinks they should tough it out. The problem with that is they can't focus because all they are doing is scratching. A few of my students are very allergic to mosquito bites so they swell up like tomatoes. Tomorrow I am heading to see old "Sourdough Slim". I also had an invite to drive 3 1/2 hours for a movie. I am debating doing it just because it might be a nice change of scenery with some fun, positive, people! We'll see... the only reasons I'm thinking no is because of the drive, and I'm tired. A good night of sleep may change my opinion!

Meetings

One never knows what a week or day will bring, but meetings are pretty much a guarantee. I started making "Special K" bars for our school board meeting tomorrow evening. I can hardly make them without shedding a tear or two. They make me think of that amazing lady who taught me how to make them and many other delicious recipes. The only thing I never learned to get right was her fried chicken. Not sure how she did it but it was awesome. Anyhow, the super asked me to attend the Maintenance/Finance Meeting before the school board meeting. So I will go to that and I am hopeful we will get some much needed maintenance issues resolved. Following that we will have the School Board meeting.

 We met as a staff and discussed what we wanted to present. Luckily our English teacher volunteered to be our speech delivery person. He uses some lovely big words in the right context and makes everything sound sparkly, glittery, and brand new! :) Thank goodness he is talking. I can talk in front of my students all day long but I still get nervous in front of adults. Our local school board member asked me if I could possibly attend a morning meeting put on by our Regional Library Board regarding funding a preschool. There is a HUGE need for a preschool here. If they came in with some letter and number awareness it would be very beneficial. Most of the local parents do not work with their students. So, that will be an interesting experience. I have no idea what to expect. Not knowing what to expect is the norm.

On Monday a choir from about 2 1/2 hours away came and performed for our school. It was a lot of fun. They sang a medley of 50's hits, a medley of popular country tunes, and other songs. I knew most of them very well. One of the girls in the choir pulled one of my students "the class ham" out and sang to him. My whole class found this hysterically funny and they were laughing so hard they were crying. Their reaction was sooo much funnier than his reaction. That was a treat for our student body. When on break I bought my students a couple of Cd's to play in the classroom. These have become HITS! I am going to share soon with some of my little cousins. They will love it their parents will probably donate my class a drum set. :) HEE HEE! I told my teacher aide some of my musical plans for next year. I let her know she would be hearing songs so often she will want to use the cd as target practice. I also told her sleep would be interrupted by the music playing through her head. It is something to look forward to!

 Back to the "Special K" Bars... I started thinking...what school board arrives to homemade rolls, pulled roast beef, salad, lemonade, coffee, and a homemade desert medley. Seriously it almost makes it worthwhile to attend a school board meeting...Right?? They are making a drive for it. My principal will not be attending as she has a training elsewhere. I will get to see another friend from the district that I do not get to see very often. So even though it involves a boring meeting at least I get to see a friend.

Jealous of Sourdough!

I am trying to remember everything that happened this week. I can't. I feel like my head is still spinning. I was pretty ticked off at seeing something this week that just should not happen. I let everybody know I wasn't happy about it. I just want people to do their jobs!!!!! GRRRR. Anyhow we also had testing this week so this makes for some tired kids by the end of the week. Of course that never goes as smoothly as planned because the tests for Kindergarten weren't on the server, new students hadn't been added, and other delights. I have to take care of those types of things because they loaded the test administrator application on my computer. They did that because in the fall I was the only one who stayed at school to resolve some issues with testing then. So we got many of those kinks worked out.

 On Monday we had a famous former NASCAR Driver, a NFL Hall-of-famer, and a Host of American Top Gear drive through town. My students didn't know who they were or why it was exciting but it was! They got autographs, the NFL player gave them all hats, there was a pace car, a coca-cola motorcycle, and about 70 motorcycles in all. Pretty exciting.

I don't know how long it will take my students scores to get uploaded...but not too long. They must have decided to immediately get on board with some much needed maintenance on our school starting with the parking lot. They came and killed the weeds and swept and blew off the whole lot. Tonight we are having a wind storm so that may not help. Tomorrow they are supposed to tar the cracks and seal the lot. I don't know if this means a fresh layer of pavement but I am hoping.

 I did some much needed purging at the school today. I sought permission from the boss first. Then I went to town. The stuff they saved, is ridiculous. It was a great day to do it because my secretary the hoarder was chaperoning another class on a field trip. We got rid of about 4 large bags of trash. WHOOO HOOO. Now hopefully our trash guy doesn't break or pull anything on trash day. What was really scary after purging all of that is....the room didn't look like we'd thrown out anything at all. Really and Truly! You know there is a LOT of stuff when it doesn't look like anything was removed. My students were pretty tired today after a busy week of testing etc.

We had a session of P.E. up on our grassy field. We finished this afternoon quietly with a movie about the journey a sea turtle takes. They loved it! I called my Father this evening to share the wonderful news that next weekend I would be going to see Sourdough Slim. I knew nothing about him other than he wore a tall hat and played an accordion. Well Father immediately looked him up on the internet and played a couple of clips over the phone. I could tell my Father's envy was barely contained. I don't know what you'll be doing next Friday but I doubt it will involve an accordion, a banjo, and yodeling. It's okay I know you're envious... try to contain it.

Spaghetti Night

I love Spaghetti... not sure why I don't make it more often. It is even better in the next couple of days. Yummy. In our monthly lunch menu it drives me batty that Spaghetti is misspelled every time. Speghetti. Yep Speghetti. If my students remember it is Spaghetti day at school they try not to miss it. Then we have to practice saying Spaghetti, because you get the "basghetti, Pasghetti, skagetti, and other variations.

 I managed to get a lot accomplished this weekend which was a good feeling. I worked on some of the areas in my classroom I didn't get to before school started. Three more garbage bags out the door. Woot Woot. I kind of skimmed the surface because some things I wasn't sure about. So maybe when I have a better grasp of what I need/don't need more will go out the door. Some of it is soooo dated but until I have something of quality to replace it I will keep it. I also got a few of those time-consuming tasks done. Those tasks that require a quiet room and a little time to finish them. I also did some more laundry and cleaned house.

 In about 9 days I have the school board presentation. I am NOT looking forward to this. When that is done I will feel sooooo much better. Before that meeting we are having a maintenance meeting to look at some of those things that need to be worked on. They are probably going to repave our entire parking lot. It needs it pretty badly. Part of this is where the kids play on the playground. It would be fun to see their sidewalk chalk art on new black top. If they do that I will paint hopscotch courts for them. Another thing they are talking about doing is replacing all the carpeted classrooms with vinyl flooring. I would LOVE to say goodbye to my stinky, ripped, taped, smelling, stained, messy, putrid, old, carpet. What I am NOT excited about is emptying my whole classroom so they can accomplish this. This will definitely inspire me getting rid of more old stuff from my classroom. I would love to go through the whole school and get rid of the textbooks from 1975. I am so not kidding about that date. I think my school secretary is a hoarder. I have a tendency to save to much but I eventually hit my wall and get rid of a lot. Hopefully when we have to clear out rooms to replace them w/ flooring it will inspire getting rid of stuff! UGGH I have to ignore it most of the time even though it drives me crazy! Well... I'd better get myself to sleep

Visitors

Well... when you hop in the shower and turn the fan on you never know who will come knocking! And the worse part is you won't even hear them knocking! I was sooo bummed out. I missed seeing some friends from home! I thought they were joking when they told me they stopped by. Today was another crazy busy day. The superintendent stopped by and we discussed some of the needs/issues at our school. He has been down to visit our school many times and since he is new to the area I think he is getting more and more aware of what the whole district is dealing with. He's very personable to talk with so that is nice! The more I learn about certain things the more frustrated I get. People are not doing things in the correct way or the honest way. I think because we are isolated there is sometimes a lack of oversight. Which is a blessing and a curse. I just have to keep my focus on doing right and help others who are also trying to do the same. It sounds like I may be losing my carpeted classroom and be switching to vinyl floors! That would be WONDERFUL!! The carpet is so old, torn, taped, and stinky. When my class has been closed for the weekend I walk in and it smells like used kitty litter. Nice eh? Some positive change I am seeing is that more people from the community are willing to get involved with different activities. I am glad to see this because it takes a lot of pressure off of me. I feel like I've been the instigator most of the time on getting things going. Having the community get things going is much much better! We have a school board presentation coming up with all teachers doing about a 2 minute talk. UGGH.. the Principal keeps saying talk about this or that... and so far I'm like hmmmm not impressed w/ you suggestions. Anyhow, there is a solar eclipse occurring on May 20th, 2012. Our area of the state is in the right alignment to have a great view of this. A local person asked me to help host an eclipse viewing event. So I am helping with that. To view it safely you need the protective glasses... so we are ordering them. We are also having the event on a nearby mountainside over looking a valley and facing west. Afterwards we are cooking up S'mores... so that on Monday I will have students crashing from sugar!! YAY!! ahem. I have forgotten to tell you about the Dangers of Tobacco. We had students from the larger town in our district come teach our students about the dangers of Tobacco use. One of my first graders became more and more upset by the presentation. She clinged to me more and more. I finally asked her if anyone she new smoked, or chewed. Nope she didn't but her soft little heart was sad for all the people who died from cancer etc. caused by tobacco use. They also had 2 pairs of pig lungs. One pair healthy and pink and breathing correctly (on a machine), another pair that was damaged to recreate the idea of what a smoker's lungs would look like. This was very very upsetting to her. I reminded her of "Little Britches" by Ralph Moody. I said what was the purpose of the life of a pig? "To be food for us", I said "well the rest of this pig was made into food for us" "but the lungs were saved to teach us about why not to use tobacco" "so these pigs purpose was to teach us, which is pretty neat if you think about it". She agreed that these pigs got to do a little more for us than feed us but she still thought it was scary and gross. Well there you go! Anyhow I talked with her parents later and they said she was very upset for the rest of the night. I don't think they have to worry about her smoking. Well in a previous blog I told you about teaching my students to "toot". Well this has become a really fun stretching activity. Thank you mom for bringing me that bottle of "Febreeze" we needed it. On spring break I bought a Cd for my students called "Horse Tunes For Kids"... they are loving it but I had one of the songs rolling through my brain as I was trying to fall asleep last night. I finally turned it off and the wind picked up and was gusting against the side of my apartment. It finally slowed down and I feel back asleep. Welll that's all for now

Pippi

I've been trying to play an audio book for my students but for some reason I can't get the audio settings correct. Now that we are running the Fan's and AC it is really hard for the students to hear. So I had to stop it for now. I had to go to the shelf and pick something quickly. Sometimes this works out better than when you have a lot of time to pick out a book. The first one I grabbed was Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. This was one of my favorite characters as a child. I even "helped" wash a kitchen floor a few times "Pippi" style. I started reading it and felt the same thrill as when I first read it. My students got into the story very quickly. It is really fun when you reel them in with a good story. We have a school board presentation on the 9th of next month. I am in charge of decorating the foyer and creating a 2-3 minute presentation for the board. I am a little stressed about what I have to accomplish in a short time. Anyhow, my students and I have finished our Important Book, inspired by a book called "The Important Book" by Margaret Wise Brown. I really want to have it done and together to share with the school board. I think they would enjoy it. My internet went from completely dead to barely functioning. We'll keep making phone calls until we get so annoying they want to come fix it. Of course people sent me some lovely videos and interesting texts that I can't open. I also got a card in the mail from an "old" friend today just to say hi. That was a nice finish to the day. I have been teasing a couple of my students all year long about being adopted by their family. Purely based on their homemade school lunches. Fresh homemade bread, spaghetti, brownies, and more. Today they came in and said "Miss C, Miss C, Mom said she'd adopt you!" It was so cute. So I am invited out to their place this weekend learn how to make bread. I have gotten a couple of recipes from their Mom she is an amazing cook. She even makes her kids homemade "fruit leather" from fresh fruit. Yummy! So I'm adopted... I'll let you know how that goes :)

Internet, Lightening, Visits, etc

Getting on the internet has become almost an unbreakable habit. For me it is a way to have a little social contact when I live so isolated. I reach for my computer and then realize for about the 15th time that I can get on the computer but not the internet. So of course I have to stop at the gas station to get the “local news.” The internet isn’t just down for me but most the town. Unless they have satellite internet, which costs way more money than I am willing to spend. It is also just as unreliable. I don’t know what will bring us into the modern age, but it doesn’t look like it is going to happen anytime soon. I had a somewhat productive weekend. I spent most of my Friday catching up on laundry. I didn’t completely conquer it but I was definitely winning the war. Saturday I got a series of texts inviting me out to the ranch of one of my students. I say a series of texts because well… when the internet is down…the cell phones are also unreliable. So we send, resend, get it a day later, or never get a text. Anyhow we are used to this situation, so I accepted the invite a few times then gave up and called. I ended up spending Saturday afternoon and evening out at this ranch. It is in a beautiful location surrounded by mountains . They were practicing their roping skills. They had a “playpen” for the little kids which was more like a small fenced corral. It definitely worked for keeping them safe from cows and horses. It did make me laugh though. They had the typical old rock buildings and many newer ones. They’d built a lot of fence and corral out of old pipes they had to remove and replace. On the way back home after dark… millions of jackrabbits played chicken with my car. Okay maybe not millions but so many you can’t believe it. It is like they see the headlights of the car and that is their cue to CROSS THE ROAD! I think I only took one out. Which is seriously amazing. Driving back over the summit lightening was striking way off in the distance. A flash of yellow briefly highlighting the clouds above at the peaks of the mountains. It seems tonight we are having more lightening. I’ve seen sprinkles off in the distance and once in a while a flash of light. It seems it is spring. There are finally daffodils blooming, buds on the trees, songbirds, butterflies, flies, moths, barflies, motorcycles, and an abundance of tourists. Yep spring has sprung.

Tootie Toot Toot

Today was Spring Picture Day and I will do what it takes to get my kids to smile. I have a couple who are determined not to smile. These are the boys of course...so we get to the first boy and I say... Oh NO " So & So TOOTED" of course laughter ensued! Boys and Tooting go hand in hand. The Tooting Discussion did not end there of course because well... as I mentioned Boys and Tooting go together, like peanut-butter and jelly. So we get back to the classroom and their Teacher teaches them a yoga move that will induce Tooting if you are desperate to TOOT. It can also help them to POO! Ahh mass hysteria. It took awhile to come back to Mathematics when Toots and Poo have been brought up. I am not sure if I will get any notes from home about Tooting on Monday. I may get some comments when they see me. :) I like yoga as a stretching exercise, not as a system of belief, and EVERYBODY needs to TOOT Sometimes! HA HA

Your best...

Sometimes your best doesn't look like much to anyone else. Sometimes your best at a particular moment on a particular day is pretty pathetic. We all have those times where we aren't our best. Those times when you think your are trying really hard, but someone outside might think you weren't trying at all. I realized that sometimes I need to take a step back. Maybe a person IS capable of more, but is having a bad day. I am grateful to the folks who can overlook those days and realize that it wasn't my best, but the best I could do at the time.

It has been great to be back with my students. They make me laugh every single day. I truly never know what they are going to say or do. It makes it really fun. It will be fun to see how much they grow and change over the summer. My aide and I were talking about how we/I could change around my classroom this summer. I need to move some things around but I am not sure how yet. I will have more time to wiggle things around to my satisfaction this summer. I have started to make a list of what I want to accomplish this summer. I'm afraid I will forget something I really wanted to change up for next year. I finally got an evaluation from my principal. It was very good. Her criticisms were ones that I expected, and am still frustrated by. They are related to curriculum and you know... If you can't give me the right resources... you can't really beat that horse. I am hoping the class I will take this summer and throughout next year will help me with that. I think it will be beneficial.

I got news on the grant I applied for. Didn't get it. UGGH. Their reasons made me want to beat my head against a wall...but there ya go. On the upside of things another grant I applied for went through. They are sending our school the money... so this makes me nervous. It seems like once it gets into the vacuum of our school...it takes a ridiculously long time. I am going to be speaking with the person who is giving us the money again.. they usually place orders themselves. I am hoping I can just have them do that. It would be less of a headache. We shall see. I heard more news about the computers we are supposed to be getting next year... I am wondering how it is all going to go. We've been told one thing, the tech people are saying another thing. I don't know but hopefully they get us closer to the modern age. I am going to have to look into more software based online. I have a feeling that a couple of things we use, we won't be able to. It seems like we do a lot of waiting to see what or how things really will be.

Okay well... I am going to read a dumb book and take a hot bath and reeeeeeeeelllllllaaaaxxxxxxxxxxxxx!

Doing Right..

Thank you to my Uncle M... for reminding me there are still people doing what is right. They just are quietly going about doing it. Without talking about it, without trumpets, and fanfare they quietly go about doing what is right. Sometimes I look around and wonder hmmmm is anyone attempting to hold onto values, it gets a bit discouraging.

It was good to come home for a short visit and mourn my friend Sylvia. She meant so much to me and it was good to be around people who knew her and loved her as well. She had a strong faith and belief in Christ. I don't think a day will pass that I will not think of her and what I learned from her. Thinking of her made me think of all the family and friends I have learned from. Remember when you are going through something tough others are taking note and remembering you made it. You might have had some bumps, scrapes, bruises, and pain, but we see that you made it. It helps us to know we can make it through the hard stuff too.

It has been a tough week, but a good remembrance. Sylvia was ready for the end of life. It is us left behind that were not ready. I head back south tomorrow, and will get to see some old friends on the way. It will be good to see my students again, and get back in the groove. Only 30 school days left this year. It has flown by.

It has begun to sink in...

I have had the distractions of travel and being with friends. It seemed appropriate that I would find out we lost her in Bryce Canyon. She often talked about the trip she made with family there and how beautiful it was. At almost every stop there was an "old" lady who didn't know a stranger talking to me and telling me about herself and asking me questions about me. That was Sylvia, she made a friend on every train ride, every trip to the grocery store, in every town, and every place. She never met a stranger. Tonight it really sunk in just how much I am going to miss her. I didn't send her a postcard from my trip, I won't hear her voice saying "come in, come in", on my next visit home. I think of the can of pineapple she always kept in the cupboard because during the Great Depression it was a very rare and precious treat to have pineapple. I think of all the recipes she shared and taught me how to make. I think of her always open door. Even when it was locked it was open to me. I couldn't figure out why she thought Rhett Butler was soooo handsome. We laughed over that one many times. We celebrated and enjoyed the generation gap between us. She taught me how to make a quilt and tie squares. She was at my graduations and celebrated my accomplishments. She was stubborn pure stubborn and not afraid to admit it. She refused to embrace the technological age but was quick to forget phone numbers when they were programmed into her phone. Fruit could cure every single ache, pain, and ailment. We watched many a storm, and night sky from her back yard. I feel like all of us who knew her were the luckiest people on the planet.

R.I.P.

One of my most favorite people on the planet passed away last night. I knew that whenever she went I would not be ready. She was my neighbor, my friend, my confidant, and a grandma figure. She was right next door, always ready with some fresh fruit and something baked. If she didn't have a chance to feed you she didn't feel she was doing her job. I am going to miss walking between the yards and straight in the back door, Hollering "knock knock" as I walk in the door. She had a strength of character and conviction that you do not find very often these days. She taught me so much I am sure the lessons will come back to me again and again. I don't remember who adopted who maybe we adopted each other but I am glad that she was such a huge part of my life. From child, to teenager, to adult, my friend next door was there for all my ups and downs. She could be brutally honest, kindly honest, but always honest. You could count on her for the truth. She introduced me to "musicals" whether I liked them or not. Shared some great authors, and stories I'd never read. I heard about what life was like for her as a child, where she grew up, and how she always wanted a pair of rubber boots. ( I got her a pair). I knew exactly what she didn't like from M & M's, to Frank Sinatra (She was not a fan), She didn't like Johnny Carson, or Cats. She really didn't like cats but didn't mind them catching mice in the fields behind us. She was always there... I don't know how I am going to go home and not make that walk next door...

Bureaucracy Logic

So if you read my last post you would've read about the budget and money you have to spend or lose. When you lose it I'm not sure where it goes. I think I asked that question before and the answer was so ridiculous that I did a brain dump. Anyhow, we came up with orders so we could purchase things we need. Guess what?! Much of it we couldn't get because we would be using it next year. We only can purchase things we are using this year for this years budget. Does this sound illogical? It is difficult to even explain. So what do you purchase? Copy paper... file folders... How do you prove or disprove you are not using it this year?? I don't know what they ended up ordering I was too irritated to ask more questions. Whatever they ordered...I am sure it is not really anything I need immediately. Nor will it be anything I'd like to study and start implementing in my classroom. So there ya go, this is how your government works. Makes you proud doesn't it? Instead of putting the money away for when you need it... you end up buying reams of construction paper you may or may not need....because you have to spend the money. Yep that is why your local schools "paper room" is full. When you have extra money at the end of the budget... you buy consumable items. Sigghhh

Tis TIME!

We are allllll ready for Spring Break. Brains have turned to mush, patience is thin, and spring fever has arrived. Out on recess with my students they spotted a butterfly. With little optimism I thought they were wrong and that they had only spotted a moth. However, it was a butterfly. A sign of spring. I think I saw a robin sitting on a electric wire the other day as well. Other than that there hasn't been a sign of spring. Not much is green, nothing is budding or blooming. So if you are enjoying some spring bulbs right now really appreciate them. Our other sign of spring is the tourists coming through by bicycle, by motor-home, and by motorcycle. Bicycle season is my least favorite. They really slow things down. Another more obvious sign of spring is my least favorite. The weather is nice for the "bar-stoolers" to drink their beers on the sidewalk and talk trash. Last night I could hear one talking to his girlfriend. If a man spoke to me that way his heiney would now be festering with lead shot.

Once in awhile a rumor turns out to be true. The technical support guys were rumored to be visiting our school this week. Five of them showed up today. It is funny to watch how socially challenged they are.. but that is another story. My students tolerate some very frustrating technology. I would love to round up many of these aging computers and place them on the shooting range. Apparently they will be recycled...which isn't as satisfying. Okay so the first computer guy comes in my room and my kids lay it on thick (I had them prepped and loaded). He a little nervously says to wait until the rest of them come. So I said save it for his boss. So the other four come in a little later and they pour it on with the appropriate amount of whine! IT was fantastic. Later one of them said tell your students we fixed it... your student's are a little scary :)! So I had my kids give them a cheer and an applause. I didn't test whether their "fixes" were "fixes". So hopefully their cheers weren't premature. The school district has said we are getting a new wireless server and all we will have are screens and keyboards. I shall believe it when I see it. The money is there...and apparently the order is going through... but these things seem to come to my town last of all. We spend the first few months of the school year at war with technology. Hmmm I don't even think that is accurate...we've been battling our ancient technology all year. One of the computer guys tried to convince me that they weren't that old. Over 10 years old in computer land puts it in the dark ages doesn't it? Not that old ...whatever.

School districts have this fascinating event every year...where budget money must be spent or you lose it. I don't understand this, I can't explain it, but I'm telling you it is everywhere. Well I had been creating a need list with all the appropriate websites etc. Luckily I was prepared because we had to have orders in by today. So I whipped them out and had them ready to go! Whew. This should get me some much needed materials. How long it will take to see the results of this...who knows...I will be thrilled to get them though! 2 more days till spring break! YEE HAW! I am so ready for my friends to come and visit, hang out, have some laughs, etc etc.

Today my boss told me she didn't want to lose me and strongly emphasized that she wanted me to stay. I appreciated it because there have been many times I've felt pretty beaten down lately. I hope this comment came from the realization that she can't allow some of the things going on to continue. During parent teacher conferences a parent (who I love and respect) asked me some pointed questions. I think she was very concerned that I would move on, and had seen not what was causing the stress, but that I was under stress. She comes in my class and volunteers quite often. I really appreciated her support. I learned sooooo much this year. I think next year I will be a significantly better teacher than I was this year. I am very, very, thankful I have had the opportunity to teach in this community.

PT conferences

So far so good. I don't know if anything was quite as scary as my first one P/T conference at the beginning of the year. Now I am much more relaxed. I think I feel more confident, but I also see the progress my students have made and it is fantastic. So that helps. Tomorrow they continue. I will be glad when it is done just so that I can get a little rest. I am still getting over my cold and my energy is still low. I just need enough time to really rest and get healthy.

Something AMAZING happened today. Seriously AMAZING. My cousin sent me a video to watch. AND I WATCHED IT!!!!! Yes my internet worked well enough to watch a short video! It didn't even stop to reload, or freeze and never recover. I was very excited! The video was pretty funny too! Amazing... when all those workers came in the middle of the snow storm with the snow-cat to reach the cell-tower...whatever they did... WORKED! YAY!

I have a lot of baking to do this weekend. Some friends are coming to see me over spring break and If I don't greet them with a truckload of Special K bars... they may lock those 4 boxes of books in their truck. Then I'd cry and it would just be a bad scene. So to save all of us from this traumatic event... I will bake. I bought extra baking materials this weekend. I did NOT want to run out!

We have been doing a "Countdown" of school days till spring break.. 4 MORE DAYS! Woot WOOT!

No News...

The grant is still being decided. My principal called and asked for more information. I provided it... and then I talked with one of the board members today. This board member was helping me with a different online program for our school. They had bought permanent access to this Spelling and Language program. It is better than our current spelling program so I am trying to figure it all out. It isn't perfect or complete but it is better than what we have right now. I think it is a useful tool. Anyhow he asked me more questions regarding our grant application. He wanted to talk to the seller himself. I have spoken to our representative sooooo many times I knew he'd have no problem. So I believe he will be talking with him in the next couple of days. The board member did say he thought it would be a really good thing for our school. Maybe this way they will feel they have a more complete picture. This board member is very methodical and precise. So if it all comes together and we do get it... you can be sure they have considered every aspect of this product. :) I guess I am learning some patience again or still.

Testing Monday....

I was a little irritated to leave my class to administer the state test. I didn't have a choice so I did it. While waiting patiently for students to do their test after reading the directions, I caught up on some things I had fallen behind on. It was quiet and gave me the opportunity to work on those things. So that helped me to get over the fact I wasn't in my classroom. I had a mini-meltdown this morning. I realized I am tired. Not just physically tired, but tired. It is that point of the school year where everyone is tired, the kids, myself, everyone. We all need spring break. The cranky quotient is high!

I had some not so great news last week about a class I signed up for. They had so many applicants they weren't sure how many applications they would accept. I really, really wanted to take it. For one thing the collaboration with other teachers is really good for me. So I was trying to remain hopeful. Today I got the e-mail that I was one of the applicants selected! WOOT WOOT! I am sooo glad. I think it is really going to help me build some skills. So I was thrilled to get the e-mail. I responded with my acceptance Immediately. I wanted them to know I am serious about it and am looking forward to it.

I hope you had a good Monday.

Away!

Away means a long drive. Away means I catch up with friends and family on the phone. Away means ooh civilization. Away means I'm off the Island for a bit. I feel like I live on a very small island sometimes. Where the neighbors are all related and ticked off at each other. Unless they are united against the evil outsiders bringing them into the current century. They have a love hate relationship with progress. It can be a good thing...but sometimes it defies logic.

I went to the little/big town and am staying at my favorite hotel! Yay! Today was a very productive day in the class I've been taking. It gave me a chance to work with people who are very experienced and have been living and breathing mathematics and the standard changes. They have the experience and the knowledge to offer quality help and resources. Because I feel like I am on an island all by myself sometimes, it is great to meet these people. I can e-mail them and pick their brains anytime! YAY!

To end this on an upper I did some assessments on my students to check for growth. Every single one of them have made significant progress. Most are way above grade level, and the rest are on grade level. It felt so good after feeling pretty beaten up a week ago. If I'm doing soo much sooo wrong why am I seeing these results with my students? I have to be doing something right! Right? I had a nice visit with a friend who has taught in multi-grade classrooms from Alaska to Nevada. She is a great resource because she really understands the challenges associated with it. She also gives me great ideas to implement. I'll say I got this broad suggestion/order but no real information on how to implement it. She immediately has several specific suggestions. I am glad she's around because I'd probably cry a lot more often without her. I think what frustrates me the most as a teacher is having a student that I feel like I am not helping. When I feel I should be doing more but I don't know what that is. Many times I feel like I am climbing a steep mountain all alone while people are throwing rocks at my head from the top preventing me from getting real help. I just keep asking and asking and asking and I will get one little strategy here or there which really helps! I asked for some help in a very specific area and I was told to go observe some teachers. This situation requires some very specific strategies. Am I supposed to go observe and pull a strategy out of a hat and hope there is one that works? I am sure I'd learn something that would benefit my class. When I ask a specific question and get a broad answer ...I think that suggests the knowledge of the person answering the question. If not their knowledge then their experience.

Anyhow, I am glad to be away this weekend. Even with my stack of papers to put in my gradebook, lesson plans to write, and shopping to do. I also get to see one of my cousins. So It is good to have a change of scenery! I can't hear anyone playing pool and talking trash in the room below me! Ahhhhhhh
G'nite

Head spinning

We had a successful fundraiser. Despite the snow coming down fast and furious, and despite the heater being turned off. It was successful. They didn't turn the power off and give me a heart attack.. it was close but didn't happen. I was fighting a cold that got perpetually worse throughout the weekend. I was sooo glad I had Carmen and the 'rents help. I scalded my hands but must've gotten them under cold water soon enough because by Sunday I'd forgotten I burnt them. We had a lot of students gone sick from the fundraiser and from school. Anyhow, I discovered exactly how crazy this town is over BINGO! WOW! I don't feel old enough to appreciate bingo... or maybe I need significantly more grey hair. Whatever it is...I am lacking something regarding appreciation for bingo. I do appreciate that others are willing to play and pay. So we raised quite a bit of money. I am trying to remember all the excitement. It was an impressive amount of snow coming down. It is hard to imagine today as that almost 2 feet of snow mostly melted away.

I started running a fever Sunday. I crawled into bed with flannel pj's, a hoodie, thick socks and my electric mattress pad turned up. Even with all that I had goosebumps. I stayed home Monday and my fever broke yesterday. I shared my germs with my guests so hopefully they stayed healthy. This weekend is a "coyote roundup" where they go and get as many coyotes as possible and the winner is king of the saloon. Well I don't really know what the winner gets but I do know that I am leaving town. The saloon is opening for the event which for me means smoke and lots of noise. I don't know what big/little town I am going to yet but I will be leaving. I have class on Friday up north so I will leave from there. The brain is mush so I shall sign off for now.

ACCKK!!!

Oh yes panic has set in. Thinking of everything I need to do before Saturday! I am cleaning house tonight so that nobody has to sleep on a pile of my clean clothes. Although that's better than sleeping on dirty clothes ha ha! My students and I have decorated the lobby. We've done some fabulous art projects. I am so scared about how many people will come. Cross your fingers for me. I am very nervous!

This has been a crazy busy week. Next week is state testing. Which I have 2 students testing for. I have another PLC tomorrow. Hopefully, it is good. I am riding up with the H.S. humanities teacher. So the school is paying for the gas, that's a bonus. Since it is $4.25 a gallon right now. There's more to say and not enough time...
G'nite

Not a PLC a PBC

Today was one of the worst days. Those days that make your heart hurt. Those days which you can't believe your eyes, or your ears. A day of disappointment. A day in which you lose confidence in others. Not just a little.... but a complete loss of confidence. Is this something I have to learn? I have had to use my tongue as a chew toy. I listen to the excuses, the lies, the craziness. I can't believe..just can't believe. I guess I will leave it at that. I am beyond frustration and am just feeling sad. I am going to find a way past this situation.

We had a professional learning community today. Really nice string of words which means a meeting. A meeting. It was more of a professional bragging community today. I don't know who was learning something. I have a co-worker whose favorite past time is to criticize everything I do. It really gets discouraging. If someone is telling you how perfect they are and how well they are doing on everything... Do you believe them as a boss? I heard "you should" so many times I checked out. It is difficult to listen to someone who insults you whenever possible.

Today I should've thrown the pillow over my head and stayed home. I know there are people in this community fighting as hard as I am for the right things. However, it seems like we are seriously out-numbered by crazy. Once and awhile I have to call someone I know is living in a rational world to make sure that I don't drown in the crazy. It is interesting how crazy protects crazy. Actually it is frustrating how crazy protects crazy! How many weeks till Easter break? Too many. Thank goodness I am having some visitors this weekend. I really feel fried today. I am bummed....

Rotten Teeth

What a auspicious beginning. Anyhow, our janitor has this issue. It is terrible because you walk into the building and can smell the trail of rotten teeth. I have never met anyone who needed dentures more. I have flossed with more consistency than ever. Yep, It has been inspiring. I love my can of Lysol that kills pretty much every odor that invades the classroom, while at the same time killing germs. If you haven't read this cute book "Rotten Teeth" it is a cute one.

The kids had a little bit of trouble waking up this morning. I don't think they were too excited by the time change either. I really wish they would just leave it the same year round. It really doesn't seem to make a huge difference in my day. I don't know how you feel about it. We drew leprechaun hats today, and some of the students finished their hot air balloon pictures for art today. After school my aide helped me make a giant rainbow, cloud, and pot of gold to go around our lunch counter. It came out pretty cute. I just have to paint the gold for the pot.

I can't believe how little time is left in the school year. It has been crazy! I am hoping some people move so I can move to a more permanent situation. The parents are coming this weekend sooo
Ketchup..... check
Extra Ketchup.....check
Butter............check
Jam...............check
something to put the jam on.....ummm yes yes check
Hot Dogs..............UH OH
shhhhh don't tell him.

The Weekend!

I had class yesterday. It wasn't very exciting to get up yesterday to drive 90 miles for class. I talked myself into and out of doing it many times. It was a sunny day and no snow. I got there and the doors were locked and no one was around but rolling cart of stuff, a purse, and a chart sitting in front of the door. So I assumed class was still on based on that information. So I waited awhile and the person with keys showed up. It was a good class. I had told myself if you feel like this is a waste of time don't worry about it you don't have to go to the next session. It was worth it though. I did learn a lot. Mostly because it was the first time I have done a training on this particular subject that I didn't leave feeling completely burdened and overwhelmed by a huge amount of material. The teacher really broke it down to a manageable level and we focused on one particular area. I think doing it in this way actually made the whole area more understandable. Because of my being a multi-grade teacher she had me stick with one grade level. I think by learning one grade level really well, it will make it much easier to analyze the other grade levels later. I really appreciated her organization. Sometimes we are told you need to do this. Then you're given a mountain to make something out of. You don't know where to start. Anyhow, I was pretty happy that I went.

I then drove 50 more miles to pick up a prize for our bingo game and while I was there a Wal-mart run. Wal-mart uggh. Wal-mart on Friday afternoon quadruple uggh uggh uggh uggh! You get the idea. When you are near a grocery store, you go to the grocery store. It isn't optional. I then drove the 140 miles back home. I was pretty pooped when I arrived home. The brain had gone to mush long before that. I was late enough or it was cold enough the jack-rabbits were not playing chicken in the road. I did see about 3 owls out hunting. I did get some eye shine in my headlights which I am guessing was a coyote. My pillow looked especially wonderful last night. Today I have been working around the house and thinking about what I need to do the next couple of weeks. The Week after this one... I have state testing for my third grade students. All two of them. So they are getting a sub for three days so I can administer the tests for two students. So my other twelve students are going to have a sub which may or may not provide quality instruction so that I can administer a test for two students. Does this sound crazy to anyone else?

Tuesday... just... Tuesday

It was chilly this morning and then the wind started blowing. I started singing "Let it Snow" to my students this morning. The snow always seems to blow sideways here. It never seems to be a gentle snowfall. Soooo indoor recess today. The kids don't realize they get cabin fever with indoor recess. They really think it is more fun. The snow stopped and started several times today. It was so dry that most of it was blown away.

Today was a little frustrating for me. I feel like I am spread a little to thin. I really depend on my aide to pick up the slack. She is having a tough time finding the balance between helping the student and doing it for them. It is tough because I don't want to discourage her... but I also want the students to think for themselves. I do so much a lot of correcting throughout the day as the students are working so they can have immediate feedback and so I can identify errors they may be making immediately. This way they don't continue to make the same errors again and again.
I realize that this is difficult for my aide to do. So I have her working with the kinder or 1st grade students a lot. I just don't think she enjoys that very much. I don't know what to do. It is a tough balance for me. My classroom is such a unique situation. There are a lot of needs to be met at the best of our abilities. She is not a natural teacher so I need to find ways to to help support her so she can do a better job and not discourage her. Today I was beginning to feel like Stretch Armstrong. I was frustrated and ready to cry. Then one of my parents walks in the door to volunteer. I gave her a huge hug the second I saw her. I think she immediately grasped that I was overwhelmed. She's raised a passel of kids and has great boundaries and is firm but kind. It was such a relief to see her. I decided to end the day with an art project. It is great because it was one we can do as we watch a video. It does require me to stop the video so the kids can catch up. This isn't great because it is art. It is great because it teaches the kids to follow step by step directions. I sent my aide to make copies during this time. What am I going to do?

I wish I could explain well how much teaching is interrupted by non-teaching stuff. For instance today I had to go fax testing and report card information to someone who is doing some screening on my students. I was interrupted to gather the information and it had to be sent right away. I am interrupted for meetings, I.E.P. meetings, screenings, and more. In some schools these would occur after school. Because people have to make a drive here to do those things they always schedule them during the school day. So my students learning is often interrupted by these things. I just have to hope that they get the instruction they need while I have to leave. I don't like it! Uggh.

I don't know if I've updated you on the latest book we are reading. We started reading "The Borrowers" by Mary Norton. I make a lot of grammar errors. I forgot though, till I started reading this book how terrible the grammar was of the characters. I find myself correcting the poor grammar of these little English characters living under the floorboards. After all I spend a lot of time asking my students not to say " I got me some" and things like that. It is a cute story. I am not sure what I will read when I finish this book. That is half of the fun.

After school today I was attempting to organize myself a little better. Sigh. Mission failure. I needed to change desks because mine was way to crowded with my ELMO, computer, hard drive, speakers, label maker, printer, etc. The only problem was once I got it all moved... my computer wasn't recognizing my screen or vice-versa. UGGH! I finally had to leave it till tomorrow. I couldn't figure out where it all went wrong. I finally left school at six tonight. I really hope my efforts were worth it. I was very encouraged that one of my students,who in my opinion has Dyslexia, reading level jumped. I think this was very encouraging to this student as well. It is a real struggle to read. It just bums me out because I get so much joy from reading. This student also does some interesting things with numbers. So word problems in math and looking at the numbers are also a struggle. Uggh. My first graders began basic multiplication this week. They had been watching the older kids doing it so they felt really, really, smart when they started it. It was pretty cute!

About a week and a half till I find out whether I got the grant or not. Also, a little more than that till our fundraiser. About one month exactly till spring break. Woot Woot. I try not to wish the days away, because then I look back and think... why didn't I stop to enjoy the moment. Which I need to remember when I am feeling frustrated by it all.

March Madness!

I am a nut! I signed up for a class that that will be on 2 Fridays of this month. I signed up in January when I was very optimistic about everything I could do in March :)! Then I have a meeting with the district on my other free Friday. Acck! It is very easy to get overwhelmed quickly. There is a lot going on this month. Spring break is coming... Spring Break is Coming.... I'll keep saying that to myself. I am still getting prepared for our St. Patrick's Day Fundraiser. Trying to make sure I have everything in place for everyone who comes to help. It is going to be a busy month.

Three of my students made significant jumps on their reading levels. I was excited and so were they. I think part of the reason they are doing so well is that they challenge themselves to read something that is a little bit hard. They have to work through the book and it takes a little longer but they are learning because of that. The students that aren't challenging themselves as much are making progress but it isn't as dramatic.

I did something smart this weekend. I pre-made some meals for the week. Yay!! I try to make stuff ahead and freeze some but I haven't done that in a long time so my reserves are low. I made a couple casseroles this weekend. It sure helps to get through the week when it is already done.

Happy Monday all!

Cranky Teacher

I am tired tonight. It was a busy day and it seemed like all the kids were pushing the limits. Well not all...but a few who know better. If you don't have boundaries at home, makes it hard for your kids teachers. I spent part of my lunch away from it all. I usually eat my lunch with the kids but I realized I needed a little break today. I hate micro-managing people. I just wish they could do their job. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case so I guess I will have to. Sigh.

I did get my paperwork done for the grant. My principal is going to the meeting when they review the grants. If they have any questions she will be available. She thanked me for taking the initiative to get it done. I did get some help from the English teacher on writing it.I was grateful. The principal thinks we have an excellent chance of getting it. I sure hope so! It would be a huge boost for the school. It is a great opportunity for all of us. I am thinking positive thoughts.

I am get a little frustrated with my principal sometimes. I realize more and more that she doesn't really understand primary grades. You can tell she hasn't spent much time in them, doesn't really understand how it is different than upper grades. She is really great with the upper grades but truly doesn't have a grasp on the curriculum etc needed by the primary grades. I feel like I am beating my head against the wall sometimes. I will have to figure out how to work with this. I had best get myself in my p.j.'s... goodnight

"It's not fair"

We had indoor recess today because the temperatures were borderline chilly. I say borderline because the temperature was somewhere between 28 and 42 depending on the website. I think I need a weather station at the school :)! Usually when we are outside the students are very active. I don't like indoor recess because they don't get sun and they are less active. Today I had them do a few races. They were really out of breath. We came into the classroom afterward to start our read aloud. One of the students told my aide "Miss C wore us out!" and then said "but its not fair because we don't get to wear her out." I thought oooh boy you are sooooo wrong buddy. Today went very smoothly. I had two students absent, perhaps that was why. I also had gotten a lot done this weekend so I think I was a bit more prepared for the week. I just have to fill in the Grant application tomorrow. I know what I'm writing I just have to enter it in. Wish me luck I soooo badly want this to happen! I am off to visit my P.J.'s Goodnight

"Squatchy"

Everybody needs a little amusing stress relief. There has been a show on Animal Planet called "Finding Bigfoot." It is hysterically funny to me. The so called "evidence" and "theories" are based on... I guess very active imaginations. I don't think it is a coincidence that the researchers come from Oregon, and Northern California. The marijuana bi-fecta. Ahem. Growing up with hunters I find their techniques quite entertaining. To find an elusive animal in the woods... you usually don't talk, walk, and squawk loudly. A scientist would probably have trouble finding this show amusing. However, I love going out in the woods and saying "shhh this looks like a really squatchy area." :)

I didn't go anywhere this weekend but I feel like I got a teensy bit ahead on the week. I have a lot to do outside of regular schoolwork this week. My aide got some medicine so hopefully she is more effective this week. I have to have my paperwork for our grant done this week. I asked for a little help on getting it together so hopefully this will happen. I want to have the best chance possible. Hopefully, this is a smoothly running week for all of us!

Option A or Option B.

I was getting some help from some older students on a project. One student belonged to church "A". This was mentioning that another student had went to church and tattled. Saying that this person didn't swear at church but did at school with his/her friends. He/She said that they didn't swear at church out of respect. The result was he/she has to give the whole church a speech on repentance. I hardly knew what to say. Then he/she said that they were discussing going to the ummm let's say the "mother church" :)! He/She was told he/she wasn't "Mother church" worthy so they couldn't go. Finally I asked him/her "Why do you belong to this church?" The very quick and laughable response was " Well I don't want to be a B". There seems to be only 2 options Church A or Church B. He/She said she liked the church but not really any of the people, and she didn't agree with everything they believed. I said "well eventually you will leave here and maybe you can find something." What do you say to that. It made me sad how love was lacking from the church experience for him/her. I was telling my Dad about it and he said why don't they just put him/her in "stocks" in the town center? Stocks are also known as a pillory. Used for public humiliation. It just made me realize that I need to be very careful what I say to the kids, but also how much love they need.

Lock In

This has been just the nuttiest week. It was a LONG, short week if you know what I mean. There were only 3 school days this week but I felt spread really thin. My aide stayed home sick one day. She came the next day but wasn't even a warm body, she barely functioned. Then she went home early today. I was relieved. I didn't want to tell her to go home, but she needed to. She wasn't checked in at all because she felt so sick. She needs the money and so she was forcing herself to stay. She is saving up for her wedding this summer. She wasn't really working or contributing in any helpful way. A lesson we have to learn is our own limitations. One day I had a high school student help me. She is really good because she sets healthy boundaries with the kids. She is also perceptive enough to see a need and jump right in. That makes it sooo nice when you feel like you do not have to micro-manage someone.

Then for half of one day I had a parent come in to help. This parent is also great at jumping into the routine in a calm and assertive manner. Today I didn't really have much help but I didn't have the Kinder's so it was manageable. After school a parent had planned a "lock in" at school. She had asked me to help so I said yes. I helped organize a few things. It was mostly controlled chaos. The kids were already tired and then they stayed after school for fun and games. There were some moments of to much relaxation in adult supervision. I think they are sometimes a little too trusting. It is the students that haven't had clear boundaries that test them, and test them. They act like they don't like it when you say no. It is interesting to see them so confused by the word no. NO. A short, simple, powerful word.

We finally got the testing issues taken care of. So that is some progress on the technology issue. They finally got filters installed on the computers. However, they got a little too ridiculous about it. I am amazed the things that are blocked for staff members. I think we are going to have to come together as a staff and say this is silly. I think there was some abuse of privileges by a staff member, so that is probably why they went so far with it. It is frustrating though because we are so isolated our home internet is completely unreliable. Speaking of home internet... mine has been down quite often. I will be posting when I can. Our school is provided internet by a T-1 line. It is the only reliable internet access we have available to us.

If I understand correctly our math teacher has resigned. It was time for him to move on. I am very concerned what/who we will end up with for the rest of the year. It could make things very interesting. I think they have found someone who can start next year. The rest of this year... I don't know. Our high school students really get the short end of the stick. It makes for very unmotivated students. We have had an opening for a Science Teacher for over a year. Those who have applied have not passed the background check. If you know someone in science who wants to make a HUGE difference tell them about this teeny little town in the middle of nowhere. It is worth it. I think of all the time and effort I put in. Sometimes I am sooo tired but I never feel like it wasn't worth it.

Along with our St. Patrick's Day fundraiser, I have been working on applying for a grant. I finally got to talk to the right people today. I even had a chance to talk with our principal about it. She said if we got the grant approved she would pay for half of this opportunity with our school budget. It is the Rosetta Stone Language Program. There are so many amazing and wonderful things about this for our school that I hardly know where to start. So I will give you my list. Every single student in our school can use it from K-12. In my class I will choose a language that we can do together, but we can choose any language they have available. High school students will be able to pick what they want to learn. Giving them a little power over choice in positive ways is a good thing. Also It would be internet based so we wouldn't have to rely on our "Tech" people to make sure the software was installed correctly. It also makes teachers the "administrators" so it can be used as a foreign language class in which grades can be attached to it. Then there is the best part the opportunity for our students is phenomenal in so many ways. The opportunity for me is amazing because I can do it right along with them. The bummer is we have to purchase a certain number of site licenses. However, I am hoping administration will let us "sell" some of those to local parents or community members. This would help cover some of the cost for us and give the community a really cool opportunity. I have a lot of work to get this done and not much time to do it in. Cross your fingers for me because I think this is something that our students really NEED!!

4 Day Weekend

Whew just in time! I came just in time. I needed to reboot, and refresh. I was fighting a cold all week and it was winning. My whole class was coughing and blowing their nose. So it was one of those weeks. Everybody fighting getting sick, and were a little cranky. Kleenex was plentiful at the beginning of the week and dwindling quickly by the end of the week. It is a little disgusting to walk around all those dripping noses and coughing mouths. I had been going to sleep by 7:30 every night. If you know me you know that is ridiculously early.

After all the snow we have a couple of spots on the ceiling were leaking in the school. But the roof is fine apparently there are “no” leaks in the roof. (AHEM) Another exciting roof issue has to do with sonic booms. Now our frequent booms make all kinds of things exciting. When your snow is melting and sliding off the roof and you get a sonic boom, snow comes crashing off the roof. Good stuff!! Makes testing very entertaining. If you have a student with Attention issues… well good luck bringing them back from a sonic boom with dramatic snow falls.

I have been sitting one of my students next to another one in hopes of teaching her a little patience. When we had our Christmas program and the song got to the point where “naughty and nice” were mentioned she would point to this boy on “naughty” and point back to herself on “nice”! This amused my principal a great deal. She finds him extremely annoying and doesn’t hesitate to show it. She moves her desk as far away as possible and even turns it in a different direction. She is always certain he is cheating off her work even though he is rarely on the same page as her and has usually finished whatever part she is working on. I moved her with the intention of teaching her patience… but that hasn’t worked out so well. I’ve left her there because they both have eyesight issues and need to be close to the front of the room. I think I am going to have to change it up though, because the only person learning patience appears to be their teacher.

One of the high school students drew a picture for our St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser and I made it into a flyer. I also finished a donation letter to ask for donations of items or goods for our bingo game. A parent was taking them into town this weekend. I also got a call from one parent who not only is making a large salad for the dinner but decided to contribute some of her baked goods for the bingo. Her children take her baking skills for granted. They come to school with fresh baked bread for their sandwiches and all sorts of delicious things. I asked them “how often does your mom bake bread?” They said “whenever we run out”. I suggested that she didn’t need to bake anything since she was already making a huge salad. She insisted, I may just have to play bingo for that one :)! I also called our local …. How do I refer to this person. I believe in a former post I referred to him as the “cartoon character of a politician”. Anyhow, I called him and asked him to emcee the bingo game. His wife will be baking something for it. He said he’d be “delighted” to help out.

In other fundraiser news… my former vice-principal who is now a principal at another school in this district, offered to help out. Not only did she offer to help out she offered to approach businesses for donations, get the district P.T.A involved, and do some games for the little kids. Here I am the elementary teacher and I totally forgot the little guys would need entertainment while the “older” people played bingo. She is bringing her teenage daughter and they will keep them entertained. It made me feel really good that she is being so supportive. She isn’t even my principal. She is just rooting for me to succeed. YAY!! Anyhow…. I am soooooo glad it is a four day weekend! I may just get caught up.

Happy Valentine’s Day

A day with an activity that involves candy, uggh! The excitement could barely be contained throughout the day. The students between yesterday and today made boxes to receive their valentines in. You could easily tell the gender by the box. The girls got more than a little out of control with their décor. The boys barely got paper on their box. Very funny. Then they passed out valentines to one another. They were so worried that someone would forget them they were very impatient in receiving them. Then the sugar HIGH….and the SUGAR crash! I told them they couldn’t have any more candy until they went home and I had a couple almost in tears. This of course convinced me no more sugar was the BEST idea!
I am full of sinus congestion. Yippee Skippee! I keep telling myself to make it to the weekend it is a four day weekend. I have a lot to do but it can be done quietly on my own schedule. Next week the kids are having a “Lock In” at school at the end of the week. The little guys will stay until 8 p.m. and the older ones will spend the night at school. I will come up w/ some crafts and activities for them to do. I was thinking about what they normally do not get to do at school. PAPER AIRPLANES! So they will make them and fly them. Then the following week I will have to remind them…. NO PAPER AIRPLANES.. ha ha!
I was talking with my cousin this weekend how I appreciated that this state really supports continuing education through affordable graduate level courses. It is amazing to me just how affordable they are. I was so excited today to learn of another opportunity. They were only accepting 30 teachers. We will meet once a month all through next year and connect through blogging. It is related to project based learning in Math and Science. I am very excited about this. I registered immediately because I did not want to miss out. This is a six credit graduate level course… for FREE! Unbelievable…! The teacher putting on the class I have taken other classes from and she is fantastic.
The continuing saga of testing issues… well, NO PROGRESS  They did what they could from a remote internet connection. There is something that needs tweaked…and I don’t think they know what it is! They need to get it together or at least come down and help! It is ridiculous!

February 13, 2012

Well today was a little nuts. I was online with tech support trying to get our testing fully functional. It is a complete pain in the patootie. Once one issue gets worked out another one pops up that prevents progress. Apparently this is an annual issue. Why they have trouble getting the kinks worked out I don’t know. Some of the tests I thought were gone forever when our server went down were uploaded. But all of the tests since then are not uploading. Where in serverland can they be?? It is so frustrating to have continuing technology issues. I wish we had a staff member that had some knowledge that could take care of some of this on our end without having to wait on tech support.
We got a significant amount of snow today. When I arrived at school we had about 6 inches. It was slow going this morning. The plow had not kept up with the snow and it was wet heavy snow. Usually the snowfall here is very dry and powdery. It was very wet and heavy this time. The snow was blowing sideways most of the day. Our busdriver was getting pretty nervous about making the climb over the summit. The where the school is, is about 6500 feet and the top of the summit is 7500ft. It is a steep, curvy, dangerous climb. The road department called the school and said the plow and sander would lead them up the summit. They ended up leaving school about an hour early. The students waiting on their rides and I made “valentine” boxes. There weren’t many students left. When I left for home I had to wipe about 7 new inches of snow off of my car. I drove up to town and discovered they’d plowed all the snow to the middle of the road. I had to drive to the top end of town to make it around this berm. I really did not want to high center my car. We shall see what tomorrow brings. We really, really, needed the snow so I was happy to see it.
My students dressed for the weather and wore their snowsuits to school. This makes for interesting recesses because 1/3 of it is spent changing into or out of snowsuits. They made HUGE snowballs on the playground and had a fabulous time! Tomorrow is Valentine's Day so we will have a little party at the end of the day.

February 12th

February 12th
I had to utilize my word processing program to do this blog post because my internet has been poor at best. After recovering from my bout of the flu I went back to work with a little gust, not quite gusto, but a little gust. It was a busy week and we had a awards assembly potluck style. We actually had a couple of green things at this potluck. One because I brought a salad and the secretary brought green beans, and another teacher brought a veggie tray. It cracked me up that it was us “school” folks that brought some green into the locals “potluck” diet. Anyhow, we talked fast and got through it in record time. We did forget drinks and scrounged around and found some “Lipton” tea mix. Well do you know any kids that like Iced Tea? It wasn’t a popular drink. It is a school though so the drinking fountains water worked fine. The day after this we went on a field trip to the big city. I had so many parent volunteers I didn’t know quite what to do with them, but it worked out. By the time we got to the big city I realized that I was getting a urinary tract infection. All the “horse” moms said if we’d known we’d have packed our “some anti-biotic for the horses”. I wasn’t sure to be grateful or not that they didn’t have any with them. It was great to have all the help because throughout the day it hurt more and more. Our first stop was a “science” exploration museum for kids. They had a class on “magnetism” before they got to explore. In the center of the museum there was a climbing tower and eat huge step to the next level was in a “cloud” shape. They were curvy… nothing was straight. All the sides were covered in netting. The kids went up and down this over and over again. It was great to burn off some of that energy from the long bus ride. A couple of the moms and our local deputy (my aides fiancé) decided to climb to the top of this tower. He said a couple of the corners were a little tight. He looked pretty funny climbing up this 2 story contraption. The kids had a fabulous time.

After exploring all the other areas we loaded up on the bus and went to the capitol city for a tour of our capitol building. I was a little nervous about how entertained our little people would be by this. We had a WONDERFUL tour guide. He found something interesting to show the kids that would have some meaning or interest to them along with history. I was very impressed that he kept all of our students engaged in learning about our capitol building. Being new to the state I learned a lot as well. After that we went to a nearby museum. It wasn’t geared for primary grades as much. The basement was designed to look like an underground mine which they thought was very scary so we had to walk through it a couple of times. They also found the Mammoth Skeleton quite exciting. Other than that they were pretty underwhelmed. I think it would’ve been better with a guide…or when they are a little older. Perhaps we’ll go again someday when the students are not completely pooped. We then went to McDonald’s for the promised “Happy Meals”. We had one instance of barfing with a carsick kid. He managed to not only do it outside the bus but in a trashcan, I was very thankful. Our bus driver drove like the old tortoise he is. It felt as though we’d never get home. I was so proud of how well behaved and respectful my students were on this trip. They were tough little troopers.
By the time I had finished taking care of getting the kids off and unloading the bus. It was about 10 p.m. I texted my aide, who would be traveling with me the next day, that we would be leaving earlier than scheduled. I knew I there was only so much I could do with nasty cranberry juice. So we left early and I dropped in on urgent care and got a prescription. We then headed back to the big city we had just visited the day before. We got checked into our hotel and relaxed for a bit before heading to our conference. I hadn’t been to this type of conference before so I didn’t really have expectations. I had been in the past to a nationwide conference in science. This one was a state conference so I didn’t really think it would be huge. It was also held at a local high school. The high school was “HUGE” I’ve never seen one quite like it and I am glad I didn’t go to one like it. I was so amazed by the fact that a state put on a conference where published authors were invited to share about their writing experiences, publishing experiences, and their writing process. I’ve never had the experience of being able to have access personally to authors of this caliber. It was very inspirational. At certain points we were all together to listen to these key note speakers then we would break off and go into smaller workshops. I didn’t really know what to choose but I did fairly well when registering. Now that I know what to expect I will do better next time. It was really amazing. It was an experience that I just would not get in my home state.
We decided to stay one more night because I was completely exhausted. That way we could sleep in a little before heading back. I hadn’t been grocery shopping since I went home for Christmas break so I had a fairly long list (that I lost). I remembered the important things from my list like milk and bread. I also got a big package of powdered lemonade mix so we can have something people will drink at our next assembly. My sinuses started acting up, either from the Hotel/Casino where we stayed or from the excess of product my aide wears. So I feel like my body should be out of options soon of things that it can try to trip me up with. The UTI had me drinking soooo much water that I had to use the facilities a little more often than seemed reasonable. My aide said it was like traveling with a pregnant woman and started laughing every bathroom visit. I had to drink a lot of water to make sure I could get over this thing quickly. There wasn’t a single bathroom along our route that escaped my visit. So tomorrow is back to school still feeling a little wiped out. Next weekend is a four day weekend so I can make it till then. I think ! I have much to do still for our St. Patrick’s Day Feed…
Oh I forgot to share, I got an unexpected note in the mail today. Those are the best kind aren’t they. From a family friend from back in my home state. She encouraged me to continue blogging and shared that she enjoyed reading my blog. It made me feel really good because sometimes I wonder…. Is anyone still reading this??

Feeling Better

I know I am feeling better because, 1. I am irritable, 2. The mere mention of food doesn't make me feel nauseated, 3. I managed to eat a bit of solid food, and 4. I managed to stay upright for more than an hour at a time, 5. I was able to sleep for several hours in a row without a bathroom visit.

So these are all good signs. What is a bit overwhelming is looking at the week ahead. It will start off slow. Then we have an Awards Assembly/Potluck, a Field trip to the big city, and the weekend finishes with a Reading Conference. Right now I can't see how I am going to do it. Thank goodness I got sick last week and not next week. I would have been seriously bummed out. I just hope I can get enough energy in the next couple of days to clean up from last week and get a jump on next week.

Sharing.... it ISN't Always GOOD to SHARE!

Direct exposure to the stomach virus my student shared in my lap on Monday, Led me to miss School on Tuesday. I started the "toilet choir" in the middle of the night and am still barely keeping water down. I am still running a fever so working tomorrow is doubtful as well. I knew early this morning it was not going to be a school day for me. So in between bathroom sessions I drove down to school. Dry heaving and typing sub lesson plans Do NOT go hand in hand. I got everything together in a hopefully rational manner. Started to leave the school, had to throw my car violently into park, while I decorated the sagebrush. I hate not being at school. I woke up about 3 people this a.m. and either let them know I wouldn't be there, or to please come help my aide. I felt bad calling early, but I had to grasp the bathroom free moment. Anyhow, since we brush our teeth at school every day I asked my aide to give the kids all new toothbrushes, dump out and wash all water bottles, and generously use anti-bacterial cleaning materials. Hopefully the virus will be through the school before our long field trip next Thursday. When you are gone from school it is just a bummer for many reasons. One of them being the Computer Guy actually arriving to hook up your ELMO and you can't think of where to tell him to put it. Hopefully wherever he put it makes sense. I just didn't really care when they texted me the question. I attempted a fever reducer.... If I can keep it down (knock on wood) I think I will finally get some rest.

Show your love for your teacher

Ah a field trip to our county seat for "Rachel's Challenge". Rachel was a victim of the Columbine H.S. Shooting and in her name an "anti-bullying" campaign was formed. We had a great assembly discussing kindness and compassion. My class got to sit in the very front row and they felt pretty special. They attended class with their grade level in classrooms and had lunch with those students. I had the privilege of going to observe some quality teachers and borrowing some of their great ideas. So we all learned today. I am also getting a little more peace about my co-worker situation. Her attitude was really bothering me and I felt attacked at times. I think I am finally getting to the place where I realize her attitude isn't a reflection of me, but a reflection of her. I know I have areas I need to work on and I will be the first to admit it. If she chooses to live in a place of perpetual criticism there isn't room for growth. I feel able to turn away from this and focus on my own areas that I need to work on. If I am worrying about what she is saying about me, I am not allowing for growth. Today I also got an ELMO an ELMO isn't just a character on Sesame Street. IT is a Document Projector that can be used in any corner of the classroom. Much nicer than the "old School" projector right in front of the screen. I am really excited about this. I also found out about a free website for S.M.A.R.T board materials. WHOOO HOO. Then....

we drove home. I always get a little bit car sick on bus rides. This time it was the same and a little of that is the anxiety. Our bus driver is in his 70's. One of my kids yells "ELK, LOOK, ELK, ELK, ELK, ELK" Our bus driver started turning the wheel in that direction... How we missed the reflector pole is still a mystery. The "Elk" by the way were a herd of Antelope. So how to show love for your teacher.. don't try this. On the way back I brought a student to the front of the bus who was not feeling very well. We were about 5 minutes from arriving back at school when she threw up all over me and herself. So I won't be eating oranges for awhile. I also will give a carsick kid their own seat and a bucket. I will also be taking a change of clothes and baby-wipes. Even for a short field trip. I got off the bus...walked penguin style to my car. Went home hopped in the shower, threw my clothes in the washer, and went back to school. Ya... so fun

Over-the-top

I think every small town, perhaps every town period, has that over-the-top politician. The are almost a cartoon character they fit the stereo-type so well. They can be the most annoying person you'll ever meet. Their lack of sincerity and their great confidence in their superiority makes them larger than life. It reminds me of the "Flinstones" cartoon and the character of the "Grand Poobah" of the "Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes". I was describing an interaction of this type to my Dad and he just started laughing. I was still irritated and couldn't see the humor. Then I took a couple steps back and thought how could I let someone so completely silly annoy me so much. I haven't visited a town/city yet where at some point I didn't interact with this type of person. I am usually sooo much better at dismissing the stupid stuff they say in ignorance. I realized what was difference this time. These type of people are sooo very certain that of their knowledge and power they can do a lot of damage very quickly. I learned from this experience. I have learned so much in January of 2012 that I can only wonder what the rest of the year is going to bring.

Not where he sat but who he sat with....

Mom reminded me today that Jesus sat with the publicans and the sinners. He didn't sit with the "righteous". He sat with the people who felt a need. If people are "self righteous" they are not feeling need and there isn't even room to feel need. They are full of their own importance. I have often thought that people spend so much time thinking about where Jesus was born, slept, ate, awoke, etc... that they forget that where it happened is less important, than the fact that it happened. Jesus came, died, and was resurrected. Anyhow, he sad with the publicans and the sinners.

January has been packed full of insanity. I have learned soooo much this month. Things I will never do again, things I will do again but do them better, things that I wish I never had to learn, and things that I will continue to learn from. I said to our Secretary that if I ever feel like I've learned everything there is to learn about my job.. I should quit. Learning never stops. I told her I'd like a little break from learning for a bit :). Almost everyday when I need to get my class quiet and focused I turn on Pandora to my station that plays piano music. You can almost hear the sigh.... of relaxation that flows through the kids. On kindergarten days it gets so very noisy and busy it is difficult for the older students. The music really brings it down to a manageable level. Today one of the kids asked me to turn it on. It blocks out the annoying little noises that the kids who can't sit still make and helps us all to relax and focus on work. I hope that February will be less eventful.

Wednesday not so Wacky

A sigh of relief. Sometimes you do everything you are supposed to and you hope the people above you carry through. Them carrying through is never guaranteed. I felt this afternoon like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders when something was taken care of. I fight hard for my students and it relieves me when someone else fights as hard as I do.

I did so much today I feel like it went by so fast. I can't imagine how fast the year will go by. There is so much going on in the next few weeks... but it is all good stuff. I may be getting a high school student for one part of the day as an aide. Yee haw.. she can do fun stuff like cut out the laminated letters, words etc. She can also put books back on the shelf, read with kids, and that kind of good stuff. I will find out for sure tomorrow if she wants to do it. Cross your fingers :)!

The little brother of one of my students is going through some medical issues right now. They have not found answers as to why his white blood cell count is off. This three year old boy sleeps 12 hours every night and takes a 3-4 hour afternoon nap everyday. He doesn't have the energy to run around taking on the world like most 3 year olds. So please keep him in your prayers.

Fanny dies... "Little Britches"...

A boy and his horse.... and the horse dies. WAAAAAAAHHHH! I got a little teary eyed :( SO sad. Then there was the funeral for the horse. Ahh you may be thinking I'm talking real life here but no it was Chapter 23 in "Little Britches". My kids draw pictures of what we read about, so "Fanny" the horse was honored in pictures today.

It was a bit of a rough day for me. There are those times when I just can't believe people. Some good advice was given to me today about finding balance. So I can let go and not let the STUPIDITY mess up my good attitude and spirit. Hey, I'm sure God is looking down all the time going "Seriously... you didn't see that one coming you dummy???" :) and he loves us anyway.... so tomorrow will be a better day.

p.s. the funny of the day... A girl I was hurrying along out to recess so that I had 5 minutes to regroup. She Pushed back from the computer desk soo quickly she almost rolled backward in the "roller chair". She said " WOW... THAT CHAIR ALMOST BUCKED ME OFF"! It was the laugh I needed. It of course was the chair bucking her off not the force she used to push the chair away from the desk :)

2 Kinds of Men

Another Lesson from "Little Britches"(by. Ralph Moody):

" Son, he said, I had hoped you wouldn't run into anything like this till you were older, but maybe it's just as well. There are only two kinds of men in this world: Honest men and dishonest men. There are black men and white me and yellow men and red men, but nothing counts except whether they're honest men or dishonest men."

"Some men work almost entirely with their brains; some almost entirely with their hands; thought most of us have to use both. But we all fall into one of the two classes-honest and dishonest."
"Any man who says the world owes him a living is dishonest. The same God that made you and me made this earth. And He planned it so that it would yield every single thing that the people on it need. But He was careful to plan it so that it would only yield up its wealth in exchange for the labor of man. Any man who tries to share in that wealth without contributing the work of his brain or his hands is dishonest."

This lesson really stuck with my students. We talked about it many times afterward. Hopefully with the values their parents teach them the lessons from "Little Britches" stick as well.

Busy weekend... busy week.

This weekend seems to have been longer than four days. I packed so much into those four days. Friday I had the h.s student help me on the backdrop. I also met with my new aide so she'd have a bit of an idea what we'd be doing. The backdrop came out quite nicely! The funeral was Saturday. I went in to school early to work on things and be there if they needed some help. It was an interesting funeral. The pastor did his best to create some hope for the future. The deceased was only 32 years old. There was a live band that (2 women singing and playing guitar, and 1 guy on piano). They played country and western style. They sang "On the wings of a dove", " go rest high on the mountain", and more songs of a similar style. It was very pretty.

After the service I met my friend and we headed into the big city for some R and R. We listened to some live music, chatted, relaxed, and had some laughs. Just what I needed. We moved at turtle speed the next day. We did some shopping, drove through a dust/wind storm.. then came home. Today I went down to school for a bit then went to a students birthday party. It was fun and nice to see most of my students and NOT BE IN CHARGE :)! I came back to school again to make sure I was somewhat ready for the week. Then remembered grades are due Thursday. Yippee Skippee. There are a lot of interesting events come up soon. Our co-ed Jr. High basketball team went and played a boys team at a bigger school and Won! They were pretty proud of themselves. The other team left their starters on the bench when they saw our little team. They put them back in after the 1st quarter. They had a whole bench of substitutes and our team only had one. Small but Mighty! This weekend was crazy, and busy but refreshing for my brain!

Another Lesson from "Little Britches"

Ralph the main character in this story walks into the barn and is startled by the sight of their three biggest pigs "hanging their dead". His father comes to him and says...
"There isn't a thing to be afraid of, or to feel bad about, Son. The only time to feel sorry for anything--or anybody-- that dies is when they haven't completed their misson here on earth. These pigs' mission was to get big and fat to make food for us. They have done a good job of it and their mission is completed"
He goes on to say that they weren't hurt and didn't suffer. As we grow closer to the hour of the funeral here I thought about this section of the story. The mission was incomplete. So think about your mission whatever it may be...because I don't want to be there feeling sorry and sad for you...that your mission was incomplete.

It is a tough and yet simple thing to think about. I think that our human nature makes it more complex than it needs to be. Think about your mission.

Showing up

I was just thinking this evening you can tell a lot about people by who shows up. When they show up and noone is around to see! They come they do what is needed quietly and efficiently. Without a need for acclaim. Those people are the ones I want to remember to show up for. Sometimes it really is as simple as showing up. Even if you don't really know what the need is.
That was on my mind tonight after observing all the people who came to help set up for the funeral tomorrow.

It will be interesting to go to the funeral tomorrow. I was listening to the "soundtrack" for the funeral. They are just playing music he liked. Such as "Godsmack" "Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band" " and many more from heavy metal, pop and country. Sooo... there ya go. Goodnight

WHEW... That's over.... I hope!

This has been quite a week. I want to be done. I want to be back to spending more time in my classroom. I want people to be NICE! Is that too much to ask? Just be nice, and not that fake nice that tell you when you turn your back will feel like a human dart board. JUST BE NICE!!!

I have not finished my painting for the funeral on Saturday. However, I did recruit a High school Student to help me out. So that will be good. I also decided that after the last two weeks feeling more like a month and a half... I need to get out of town. So I am connecting with a friend and we are going to the big city. YAY! In the big city we will be able to talk honestly about how nutty people are! Hurrah! Hopefully this will help me to come back feeling refreshed and ready to start w/ a new aide.

Yep we hired a new aide. A decision was made mostly by me. I expect their to be some fallout because of that decision. Yippee. I just hope it will be somewhat stress free.

Tomorrow is "Camo Day" at school. So that will end the week nicely.

Definition of "Normal"

In a small town, at a small school the definition of normal changes. For instance, if your 72 year old bus driver ends up being your substitute teacher you wince but don't flinch. Then you call in parent volunteers so that someone has some idea of what is going on! When you're asked to paint a backdrop for a funeral. You do it. You nervously do it but you do it. Normal is like the wind...ever changing. Don't embrace "normal" because tomorrow "normal" will look completely different.

Two people lately told me the first few years at a job are difficult because your colleagues test your boundaries. It is like little kids. Little kids accept your boundaries much, much, sooner than adults! So I have to make sure I continue to keep my boundaries in place and reinforce them with a little steel.

Pencils & Puke

"Miss C look I hurt my hand" student
"wow you sure did" me
"yea my brother stabbed me" student
"he did?" me
"yea he stabbed me with a pencil" student
"OUCH" me
"He stabbed me with a pencil in church" student
" did you yell?" me
"nope" student

I don't know how you get stabbed with a pencil in church and not holler.... but then this is the one who was branded earlier this year.... so maybe this didn't hurt as bad as that!

Another student was writhing on the floor complaining of a back ache. I called the parents. I was getting very concerned. After losing his lunch..... he felt lots better. Sigh! Luckily I didn't have to clean that one up. But... I won't be enjoying the teachers lounge any time soon. EWWWWWW ugggh Ewwww

They are so entertaining! This is a crazy week. I am going to try to leave town soon and meet up with a friend from my last town. I Think it would be good to have a change of scenery and get away from some of this...behavior going on around here. Friday my aide came in and helped me organize more in my room the stuff that I didn't have time to get to before school started. We did quite a bit of rearranging and it felt good to accomplish that. We are also continuing organization of our field trip and St. Paddy's fundraiser. None of the ranchers here know what "corned beef is" seriously... they look at me like I am speaking a foreign language. That was entertaining as well. Apparently we need a few more Irishmen and women around here!!

Plans... Change..... Etc

Well, It feels as thought I've already been back for a month. Things started off fresh, good, renewed, and ready to go. Unfortunatly all the pots being stirred were feeling frisky too. I have had a human "flak jacket" protecting my back, front and sides. I am losing that person... so I have been anxious about the situation. I have been thinking about how important it is to have good people around you. In your personal and professional life. In your professional life you don't always have a choice. When life gets you in trouble professionaly is when the professional becomes personal. In a small town that is inevitable. It is unavoidable... everything is personal. So, as we look to hire a new person I have been watching the manipulations occuring to put who whomever wants in the job. The job for the person I will be working with Most of the time.
So I have learned a lot in one week.

1. I have to speak up to administration before I get to the point of wanting to bawl.
2. I need to move out of town a bit and so I don't have people knocking at my door trying to influence the decision regarding who we hire.
3. I need to have some stress relief!

I love my job. It's the nut jobs making it stressful. I love my kids, I love the area. I feel like I am learning every single day.. and it doesn't get better than that. The rest of this is stealing my peace because I am allowing it too.

GOOD NEWS... (had to throw that in there or you'd all think I was at my wit's end :)!

Seriously though GOOD NEWS!!!!!!
A friend from Oregon ( I am counting on you C!) Is coming down to help with a "Corned Beef and Cabbage St. Patrick's Day Dinner" It will be a school fundraiser for Curriculum and Materials. Dad thinks the Cabbage is a terrrrrrriiiiibbbbbllllllleeeeeee idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( I can't exaggerate enough how terrible of an idea he thinks it is)! :) I am excited about this event. I think it will be a lot of fun. I also think it will be a great Community Event. I think we will get A LOT of community support from the feedback I am getting. I talked with some "key players" in the community and got their OKAY! With their okay comes extra support and help! YAY! That's the latest!