Hello people!
I spent one of my last 5 days of summer at school..... moving around junk! Things are soooooo far from being completed....I don't think that there is any 1 part of the school that isn't torn apart. In my room, there are four places where they are rewiring in my room. wires sticking out from 4 different places... ceiling panels propped up where ever THEY wanted them... pink insulation laying around looking as if a cotton candy machine had exploded. dusty film over everything..... boxes of my stuff everywhere (remember EVERY teacher in the building had to move rooms this summer)... Anyway...
I am VERY much in a panic....... School starts in 15 days.... and the place is a total wreck....

gotta run...the youngest has a huge splinter sticking out of his foot..... eeeewww!

take care,
meeee

Hello all. Yesterday I was in school all day trying to get paperwork around. As a sped teacher with 26 on my caseload, I have to get accommodation pages to each of the student's 7 teachers. This means I have to firsts enter all the schedules in the computer so I can sort by teacher. Then I have to photo copy all the accommodation pages and sort by teacher. It isn't hard but time consuming.

Robyn - Congrats on the 5.6 lb loss! Keep up the good work. I promise you if you can stick with the program you will continue to lose every week. Keep up the great work! Just think of the calories you are burning by moving all those boxes!

Pam - I need to go school shopping for myself today too. I don't think I will bother going to Sax Fifth Ave though! I think I would get kicked out for laughing! My birthday is tomorrow (Wednesday). I am hoping to golf during the day then I am splurging with corned beef and cabbage for supper. I love it but since I can eat a whole brisquet by myself, I don't buy them often. I did get out once with my new clubs and they were great. My old clubs are 20 years old, so the technology has really improved. I think eventually they will cut my score down but right now I have to figure them out as I keep over shooting the green because they hit farther! Fall is here in Michigan right now. It was only 68 yesterday and will only get to 72 day. It is supose to return to summer tomorrow though.

Kerry - I don't start school until September 6 with students coming on the 8th. It really feels like a bonus 2-3 weeks because before we added minutes to our day we were starting around August 18th. Maybe I'll actually plug away at a few more of the summer projects that I haven't started. I have about 6 packets of pictures that need to be placed into photo albums to begin with!

Mouse - So glad that you had fun at camp. I am thinking that your birth control was stollen because they saw your pre-natal vitamins and thought you were pregnant AND taking birth control! LOL So where are you going to work today? Did you ever hear from those other schools? I am still keeping my fingers crossed that something else comes up. If you already don't care for the principal, it can't be a good sign!

Sue

Evening, all.
I'm so confused. There are things I could really like about this district I'm in... like they have a group that ENCOURAGES teacher research in the classroom, and they help with making, and then coding the surveys and buy some minimal materials. That was a worry if I decided to do the dissertation, because I left my last school. They do research constantly, so it wouldn't have been hard to get approval. Public schools are different, and I know many times that the teachers probably can't get any kind of approval. The in-services have been pretty good (except for the special education ones, but that is only because I already know the material they are presenting and I resent being treated like a child---- how many times can I be told how to write a functional behavior plan or a behavior intervention plan? And the group I was with was just SLOW... the one lady couldn't even put her binder together!). The cafeteria food isn't totally rotten, even if it is very high carb (I haven't seen a green vegetable yet). I haven't been bringing my lunch because I'm in one school in the morning and one in the afternoon, so I don't have refrigeration or a place to actually EAT the food. I'm at my home school tomorrow morning, and the admin building tomorrow afternoon, so I'm not sure what I'll do then. Its times like this I wish I could eat bread, because I could eat a sandwich while I drive. I cannot eat tuna or salad or cottage cheese while I drive. And strawberries and cubed cheddar cheese isn't cutting it as the only food I eat all day. Also, most of the people are pretty nice...
But I still can't take classes. I have an appointment with my advisor tomorrow. If he can't do anything (and I can't imagine he'll be able to since graduate classes start next Thursday), I'm going to try and sign up for a sign language class locally even though I won't get any credits I can use. I think I can use it for recertification points: which I don't need, because I have all the graduate school credits.
I will also likely use some of the money I won't spend on classes to buy some new computer equipment. My printer is 5 years old, the scanner, CD burner, laptop and USB hub are 3 years old. The digital camera is 3 years old also, as is my PDA. I bought most of this stuff with a little extra I had when I sold my house. One of the things I do is try to have just a little "mad money" whenever I get a large amount. It makes it easier to pay the bills and other stuff knowing that I'll have a bit. I usually buy books or music with it, though.
I'm also not thrilled with the prospect of having several of my students in regular education classes, although the reading teacher (who seems to have her head screwed on straight) says that I have a few students who were probably mislabled as cognitive impaired and are either just borderline or maybe LD. The scheduling of IEP meetings worries me as well since I'll be responsible for all of that type of stuff.
At the moment you can color me confused. I didn't get any of the jobs I interviewed for, and although I asked all of them if they could tell me why, none of them have chosen to answer me. It is either my references (seems odd, since I had written letters from all of them), my former employer (again, odd because a friend of mine did a 'reference check' with them for me to see what they'd say. The hgh school referred her to the human resources department; that dept. only told them that I had worked there and the dates. Or it could be that they just didn't want to deal with the district I'm in now making a possible fuss over my leaving. I don't think it was the interview itself.
I haven't been to the gym since I moved. I miss swimming, and lifting, but I just can't bring myself to ask somebody to help me with the elevator. I had to do it this morning: my in-service was in the basement, and the elevator had a key lock. I had to ask the main office, they had to find an administrator. That administrator didn't have a key, so he called somebody else. Then I had to return the key. Logically, I shouldn't be embarassed... I did what I had to do. But I am embarassed because I *know* what people are thinking: the fat person can't do stairs. That's certainly what my school thinks when I asked about the elevator (and since I'm on the 2nd floor I have no idea what I'm going to do about fire drills!). I just cannot imagine having to ask for that kind of help on a daily basis.
At the moment, though, its not something I can deal with. There is too much other stuff going on that I'm having to handle.

It was gorgeous today, but I cannot figure out how to open the windows in my apartment, so I'm stuck with A/C still.

I'll be back later.

Robyn, you said that it was going to be quiet around here, but those of you who were around went nuts typing away!!!

I got my period a few days early in Maine, and all I had was one regular tampon. My friend had one pad to at least get me through the night. Thank God, DH can rise to the occasion, got up early and got me a large coffee extra light with splenda with a box of super tampons on the side. It is times like this that he starts to look pretty good to me...

Maine, Ogunquit and York Beach to be exact, is quite beautiful. The ocean is quite aggressive...nothing like I am used to. The waves were big enough for real long board surfing. I never expected to see that on the east coast. DD was pretty freaked out, so DH and I ended up using her boogie board. DH was pretty funny to watch. I'm sure they got a good laugh watching me "catch a wave!" The ocean was clean but not as cold as I expected. I actually enjoyed how refreshing it was. Maybe if I tried the water in June instead of August, it would have been harder for me to swim in. The Nubble Lighthouse was cool, and Brown's homemade ice cream was yummy. DD enjoyed the amusement park the best. If we are invited back, I think we will stay at a hotel on the beach that has a pool so that DD can swim. And, I think we will enjoy having some time to ourselves. Our friends' cottage is charming but tiny and needs a lot of work including a new shower to replace the rusted one. We made due in the hot, stuffy, room without A/C or even a fan and on the antiquated double bed mattress, but were ecstatic to sleep in our air conditioned bedroom on our temperpedic king size bed last night!!! Our friends' names should be changed to "The Bickerson's." Snow day girl and her little sister need to be disciplined. We like our friends, but we were really HAPPY to say, "Goodbye" yesterday morning and go outlet shopping all day long. Being cooped up in a tiny, run-down cottage with "The Bickerson's" was rough, but body surfing in the Atlantic Ocean and eating homemade fudge helped. So, when they invite us next summer, and I'm pretty sure they will, we will happily accept and make reservations at a lovely air conditioned hotel with a pool and hopefully a larger mattress!!! That way, we can see them when we want to and get a break from them when we need one!

My BIL fixed my computer. I had a virus which has been eradicated. It has been tough doing without, but I guess it was worth it.

I went to school today, and the first person I saw was Nimrod. The hallways were barely passable. I dragged DH and DD with me so DH could move my furniture. He did it in no time...YES!!! Then I got him to do some other stuff I used to ask my male college volunteer to do. It appears that my order arrived intact, but Nimrod lost the invoice so I'm not entirely sure. He has to assemble 4 items and is freaking out about it. He's got to do it before school starts because the kids won't be able to get in the closet otherwise. I miss my old custodians who took such good care of me. (Remember, if a school in Bridgeport, CT blows up, it most likely is mine...and Nimrod, the custodian did it. I want to make sure the right person is blamed.) I will be back at school every day this week to supervise Nimrod and finish organizing my room.

We have a new nurse who looks and acts normal. We'll see.

Anybody got any cute bulletin board ideas to welcome preschoolers to school? I was gonna use my beautiful ocean background from June to do a "Preschool Crew" one with sailor's hats, but Nimrod tore it down. So, since I have to start from scratch, I am no longer psyched to do a beachy theme. I just want to do something colorful and simple.

I will try to go back and read your postings and try to catch up with you all tomorrow.

Evening Ladies,
First things first, I gained a pound this week at TOPS. But that is okay because I had a stressful week last week getting ready for school. I will just try harder next week to lose some weight. I think once I get back into a set routine I will be fine.
I have 7 boys this year. They seem like a great bunch of kids. So I will see what happens. They are all taller than me and I am 5'4, so it feels weirder to have to look up to my 7th and 8th grade special needs students. LOL
Summer glad that you had a wonderful time on vacation. I know all about going on vacation with friends and needing space from them. I went to Colorado one summer with a friend and could have killed her because we had to do everything she wanted to do. I finally put my foot down and got some of my way the last two days of the trip.
Sue, Happy Birthday. Hope you have a wonderful birthday. I remember going to school after Labor Day when I was in school. But once I got out of school and started teaching I always start back to school in August. I guess I am getting use to it since I get out earlier now. So that is a plus!
Pam, when do you offically get your students? Sounds like you have a challenge ahead of you this year. But knowing you, you will do a great job.
Robyn, sounds like you got a lot of exercise in moving your boxes around. Do you feel like you are making any progress with your classroom? How is your week going with WW?
Ginny, started doing my walking videos again. So I have been thinking of you while I am sweating away. LOL I started doing one every morning before going to school this week. I just hope that I keep up the routine. since I fell off it over the summer. Have you gotten much walking in this week?
Mouse, sounds like you are up to your eyeballs in decisions to make. Here is some good vibes to make life easier for you. Hope your meeting goes well with your graduate advisor.
Well ladies I better go pick out an outfit for tomorrow and thing about packing a lunch. Than I think I might go veg out and watch a little bit of tv before going to bed. Talk to you all later. Have a great evening.
Kerry

hey ya'll!

just running in to say hey! spent yesterday at school moving stuff...and today in meetings moving numbers and test results... i'm now drain bamaged! heading to bed and it isn't EVEN 1 yet!!

hope all is well with everyone!
take care,
meeee

Aren't we all just so productive! It just amazes me how we can adjust from a life of leisure into that working mode and vise versa! I refuse to go into work today although I have already had to deal with three work related emails. I will be back tomorrow and Friday though. My hope is to have everything done so I can just be a veg next week. I got some school shopping done yesterday. I found some cute jackets on the sale racks that I am quite excited about.

Mouse - I am glad that you are liking the school more. Maybe things will work out for you after all. I would think they would have to get you a key to the elevator if you can't get out safely without on in case of a fire! I can't imagine that it would be a big deal. It isn't like you can abuse it in any way. So did you actually have someone who scheduled your IEPs for you before? I guess that is part of teaching at a small school. We get to do EVERYTHING.

Summer - Welcome back. I am glad you enjoyed your trip. I can completely understand your desire for your own bed and AC! Sometimes it is nice to be away for awhile so that you can appreciate what you have. How sweet of your DH to come to the rescue like that. My DH wouldn't be caught dead buying tampons! Did your BIL install some good virus protection after he "cured" your computer? We have a new head custodian this year. They just moved them all around for some reason. Our old one always did everything I asked right away. He even turned on a little heater in my office in the morning so it was all warm and toasty in there when I came in.

Kerry - You have such a great attitude about your gain. That is the way to stick to program. I need to get better about that. I have been skipping meetings when I know I have gained. It is time to get serious again. I teach high school so it is not uncommon for me to have students twice my size. I remember one time one of my students did something in the hall, so I yanked him into the closest empty classroom and lit into him. The teacher, whose room it was, was in there and later said I looked like a fly buzzing around a bear. He stayed thinking I was going to get whomped but the student ended up leaving with his tail between his legs! I guess it was probably a funny picture now that I think about it. So if you only have 8 boys, how many girls do you have? We usually have 3 boys to every girl it seems. I have 26 on my caseload.

Robyn - I hope you got your brain repaired. Isn't back to reality fun!!!!!

Sue

here is the recipe for the fish that I mentioned
earlier! I have yet to find the green peppercorns
around here...so I have just substituted crushed
black pepper for the sauce!
my family LOVES this! The tilapia is very UNfishy!
I have posted the recipe EXACTLY as it is posted
on the cooking light web site.
Try it!

Sautéed Tilapia with Lemon-Peppercorn Pan Sauce
From Cooking LIght

This piquant sauce is perfect over plain white fish. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest flavor. Serve with white rice.

3/4 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons drained brine-packed green peppercorns, lightly crushed
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 (6-ounce) tilapia or sole fillets
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons butter
Lemon wedges (optional)

Combine first 3 ingredients.
Melt 1 teaspoon of butter with oil in a large nonstick skillet over low heat.

While butter melts, sprinkle fish fillets with salt and black pepper. Place the flour in a shallow dish. Dredge fillets in flour; shake off excess flour.

Increase heat to medium-high; heat 2 minutes or until butter turns golden brown. Add fillets to pan; sauté 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Remove fillets from pan. Add broth mixture to pan, scraping to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil; cook until reduced to 1/2 cup (about 3 minutes). Remove from heat. Stir in two teaspoons of butter with a whisk. Serve sauce over fillets. Garnish with lemon wedges, if desired.

Yield: 2 servings (serving size: 1 fillet and 2 tablespoons sauce)

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 282(26% from fat); FAT 8.3g (sat 3.2g,mono 2g,poly 2.1g); PROTEIN 35g; CHOLESTEROL 92mg; CALCIUM 43mg; SODIUM 739mg; FIBER 0.8g; IRON 1.5mg; CARBOHYDRATE 15.3g

Pam Anderson
Cooking Light, MARCH 2004

Hi, all.
Okay. I have come to the conclusion that this is just going to be a rotten school year. That's sad, because the kids aren't even back yet. Let's just get it over with now, shall we? I HATE my administrators and I'm not overly fond of most of the other teachers at my building. All of them. Each and every single one of them. I leave the damn building everyday feeling like I'm going to burst into tears, but once I LEAVE... I'm fine. It is definitely the building and the people in it. It is NOT the district, or the other people I've met. Outside of the little world that is my high school, other staff are allowed to leave for lunch (not that I ever had time to do that when there are kids present!), and they are allowed to leave for graduate classes. It seems to be only my principal. Today, I learned that yes... my students are in regular education classes because of NCLB (which makes the t-shirt I received in the mail more appropriate---It says, 'Just Say No.... with NCLB in a big NO circle.). I tried to get the principal to understand that I might be highly qualified in English and History, but all he was concerned about was the possibility that I was talking to him about my own schedule. I don't give a rat's damn about my schedule... except for my graduate classes. I do, however, REALLY care about the students and the possibility that regular education classes probably isn't appropriate for all of them! And why the **** they are doing this NOW, instead of back in July I don't know. Its a scheduling nightmare... I thought maybe I could help. Instead, the principal completely and totally blew me off, and told me that he had to do all the schedules by hand because I'm not highly qualified! How is this my fault? The state released the highly qualified issues for special education the end of JULY!
I couldn't get highly qualified in MAryland because I was in a vocational department and didn't teach core classes, so the state didn't deal with me. I tried last fall to do the alternative route for HQT.
I am definitely not going to survive the school year if I have to stay at that school.... I'll probably wind up losing it and getting fired. I can't even muster any excitement about the fact that they have openings on the debate and forensics teams, and also Key Club... I could do any of those or start my own Red Cross club. I'm not interested.
I don't know what to do. I don't have anybody I can go to. I'm sorry for posting here, but like I just said... I don't know what I'm supposed to do.

Sue, HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLFRIEND!!!

Robyn, nice recipe. I love your birthday message to Sue. You are so full of glee!!!

Mouse, I'm sorry that you are so unhappy.

Well, I went to DD's school today to meet with her teacher who said that she would be at the school all day on Wednesday. I walked past the office, and waved at both principals hoping to avoid a confrontation with Mr. and Mrs. Condescending. I figured my wave was good enough...I mean, what is the point of signing in when the building is empty of students. Anyway, the secretary chased me down the hall yelling, "Mother with the pink bag!!!" She knows my name, but in case she forgot it, I am positive that the principals know my name since I student taught at that school, not to mention I have been an involved parent during DD's two years there. So, saying that I was insulted that she didn't refer to me by name is the least of it. I turned around and she said, "And where are YOU going?!" "To see my daughter's teacher." Duh...what I really wanted to say was that I was there to blow up the school, but I restrained myself. I arrived at 10am, which I certainly think gave the teacher plenty of time to be in the classroom, however she wasn't there. I left her a note, and she emailed me that she arrived at 1045am. She has meetings for the remainder of the week, and told me I should call first in the future. I guess when she told me on the phone that she would be in school all day Mon-Wed of this week, and I could drop by anytime, I was assuming too much. The tone in her email was as rude as the office staff. What a great way to start the year! My school is so different from DD's. Our attitude is very friendly toward the parents. We bend over backwards to accomodate them. At DD's school, they don't like parent involvement, and make parents feel very unwelcome. It disappoints me being an educator who encourages parent involvement. I will continue to be friendly and kind toward the administration and teachers no matter how rude they are to me. Heck, I'll kill them with kindness!!!

Evening Ladies,
Well I made it through day number two with my students. Had one minor incident with one of my students from last year and just looked at him,smiled and said " Just remember dear, you only have 178 more days with me and than you move on to the high school." That got a chuckle out of the two aides in my room. But I just didn't give into him and start aguring with him like he wanted me to. By the end of the day, I was very tired. I hope that I can get into a normal routine here shortly.
Sue sending birthday wishes and hugs your way! Hope that your family is treating you like a queen for the day.
Robyn loved your birthday message to Sue! Very cheerful and colorful.
Summer, sorry you are starting the school year at your DD's school on a bad note. I agree with you that they should have been a little nicer and shown you some respect since you did your student teaching there and your dd goes there to school. The teacher sounds rude. Hope you can sweet talk her in to being nice with your acts of kindness.
Mouse, sorry to hear that you are so unhappy. I will need to think about your situation a little bit more before giving you some advice. I am sending out special hugs and thoughts your way though.
Hi to Pam and Ginny. Hope your week is going great for you.
Well ladies I think I am going to go lay out my clothes for tomorrow and pack my lunch. Than I am going to either watch a little tv or read. Talk to you later. Have a wonderful evening.
Kerry

Robyn - Thank you so much for my birthday message. I LOVE it! Is there anyway for me to save it some how? It made me smile and I needed that tonight. You see it is my birthday and I will cry if I want to. Actually I think I have a major case of PMS isn't helping. You see my family is NOT treating me like the queen I should be today. In fact other than my DH giving me a card (remember I got my gift last Friday) and my DD making a card for me, my day has been like any other this summer. In fact I spent most of it cleaning and doing laundry! My DH of course had to work but it is also his golf league night. Then he goes over to his DS's house for pizza and male bonding. At first I told him it was okay but then I was feeling really neglected today and called to ask if he could at least skip the last thing and spend a few hours helping me to celebrate my birthday. He said no but he would try to just stay for an hour or so and head home. This puts him home at 11 p.m. - big thrill! My children have been playing nicely together in the play room all night so I am left to wallow in self pity by myself! I decided to get on with you all to brighten up my day. Your card did just that! Thanks for the recipe. I printed it off and will try it the next time my DH is gone.

Mouse - I am so sorry that the people at your school are such losers. That would make it very hard to go to work every day. I can't believe they are jerks already and they hardly know you. Usually people can pretend to be civil for at least a week or two! What makes your principal think he is HQ to do sped schedualling? Haven't they heard of LRE in that school?

Summer - Was there an incident in your DD's school or something? I can't imagine treating a parent rudely. In our school the parents are always right even when they are wrong. Hopefully they have a better attitude with the children.

Kerry - Congrats on surviving day two with children. I know all too well how draining those first few days (weeks?) are. My best friend just called today and she is having a retirement party for her BF on the Friday of my first week back. She said she knows I'll be tired (I had offered to help with food earlier before I knew the date) but that was the only time they could get the building. I am going to try to think of something I can make ahead and freeze. She wants dips to go with veggies, crackers or chips.

Since I wasn't doing anything special today......I did get all my pictures in albums. I use to be so anal about those things. I even have different albums for DS, DD, Grandchildren, and others. When I got all my packets out I realized I haven't put anything away for two years! Luckily I have also been terrible about taking pictures, so it was only about 8 packs but some were might thick!

Okay I think I may go get a Mikes out of the frige and have a birthday drink by myself. So now I am depressed and an alcoholic! Too bad I can't print Robyn's card in all its flashing splender to carry with me! I promise to be in a better mood tomorrow (or as soon as TOM starts and my hormones level out!).

Sue

Sue, you would think there was an incident, huh? But, nope. You see, in the school district where I teach, we are really nice to our parents because if we make them mad, we are afraid they might shoot us. (No joke, there was a triple murder around the block from my school today while I was working in my classroom as DD played.) In my sister's rich school district where she teaches, the teachers/administration are really nice to the parents because they are afraid if they make the parents mad, they might sue them. But in my boring middle class school district where DD attends school, the teachers/administration consider the parents to be too nosey, too involved, and too much potential for trouble. They aren't afraid we will shoot or sue them. They think themselves to be superior to the parents and treat us like children. We aren't allowed to walk our children to class in the morning. Parents are discouraged from observing in class. Parents are only allowed to volunteer on a very limited basis. Parents and the PTA are treated as the enemy. I honestly don't know if every school in my town is this way since I've only had personal experience at this one. But, I am really tired of their bad attitude. And, yes, I take it personally even though they treat my friends who are also parents in this school exactly the same. It sucks.

#$#@!@#$%$#
D' itttttt! I JUST pushed some button and lost a VERY LONGGGGG post .......
I do NOT have it in me to type it again....FREAKKKKKKKKKKK ........ I'm so angry...and I have no clue WHAT button caused the whole browser to close.... arghh....

So perhaps I will share my great words of wisdom with you tomorrow. Until then...
Ya'll hang in there.... Dammmn it was a good one too!

take care,
meeee