[Summerlover]

Robyn: Yeh, that did sound like a report card comment...caused me a bit of stress for a millisecond! Get off my back lady!!! Oops! Just kidding! Well, I checked my email, and I don't have your report cards yet...get on it then! I'm not all that unbusy since I have to get lesson plans, preparations for 100th day, and Valentines day done...this year I'm putting the parents to work for the 100th day! They will have to bring in stuff and do projects instead of me breaking my back, brain, and bank account to make it a special day for the kiddles. I've learned a lesson from DD's school...put it on the parents. I've been an *** working hard for my students and my daughter's school simultaneously. Now, my students/parents are gonna have to tow the line like I have to at DD's school! But, since this will be their first project, the least I could do is compile a list of ideas for them to copy or help spark a fresh idea or two. Heck, if they actually show up with a project at all I will be happily surprised! Anyway, that still leaves a dirty kitchen, bills to pay, clean laundry to put away, more dirty laundry...where does it all come from?! So, chickadee, I may not have a chance to do your report cards after all. By the way, after running out of ideas for comments, I found some online that were unique and pretty good. It helped with the kids who I can't find anything nice to say anything about. Sorry you don't get February off, but you must get April. Some school systems just do March. But, you must get out of school earlier or something...it all evens out. I'm waiting for a response on my PM's...

Pam, you MUST go to Disneyworld. There is stuff for every age group. But follow Robyn's advice and go to TourguideMike.com. He's the BEST!!!

Kerry, how's the weekend going?

Ginny, try to make sure you are meeting your needs while you handle your family's stress. Take care.

[susie_sunshine]

Thanks Robyn! Yes, my inches did change...it's what's keeping me going!

[Anonymouse]

Evening, all.

Robyn: I didn't know that Summer was coming to visit me. Oh, wait, you meant THE mouse, didn't you? My idol. My hero. My role-model! SQUEAK! I do share my birthday with a close friend of THE MOUSE, Donald. I'm serious. Donald and I have the same birthday. I find that utterly cool. I'd also like to point out that I have the coolest mother on the planet, because she pulled me out of Kindergarten one time (and this is the mother who never let me miss even the half-days of school before holidays!) so I could go to Mickey's 50th Birthday party at a mall in Maryland. She even remembered to bring a chunk of cheese for me to give him (because all 5 year olds think mice eat cheese!) with a little bow! I've also never been to Disneyworld, because my mother (despite being the coolest Mom on the planet) hates Florida. She hates California too. I had hopes for Tokyo Disney, since she's always wanted to go to Japan, but... alas...
Of course, if I do ever get to go, I'm not sure where I'd have to spend most of my time: The Hundred Acre Woods, with my other idol, Eeyore... or with THE MOUSE!
Summer: I remember that February break when I was in college. I really hit the jackpot when I was student teaching: my college had their February break at a different time than the school I was assigned to, but because they closed the dorms, I had to leave. Then, we had spring break too! I don't remember schools up there getting out much later, and certainly not any later than the schools in Virginia and Pennsylvania that do not have that type of break. I think it is a reward for risking life & limb driving to school in the snow! Oh... and would you like to do my report cards too?
Pam: NO! However, if you're finished with your chores and you'd like to do some of mine, that'd be great. I did manage to cook dinner (or at least the protein part of the dinner) for the week: crockpot pork tenderloin in cream of mushroom soup. I was disappointed that it didn't stay creamy, but it sure smelled awesome when I came home from class.
I didn't get my swim in, because I was a good little teacher and finally went to Staples. I managed to get almost everything I needed, and not have to spend any of my own money for once (all those teacher reward gift certificates. If you're not on that program, you should join: ANYTHING you buy in the store qualifies, and you get gift certificates when you reach a certaina mount. Its like $100 spent gets you $10). I do still need to get some things for my Red Cross kit, but they didn't have the particular folio I saw that I liked. I want something that is a folio style, with the accordian pockets... but I also want rings. I want to keep one blank form, and one correctly filled out form in a page portector in the rings... then store the extra blank forms behind it in the accordian pocket. I also want a place to put pens, pencils, paperclips, etc... sticky notes, highlighters, all the other stuff I carry as a group captain (client cards and disbursing orders). The folio works best because out client case records are large folders that don't fit in a traditional binder. I'd also like it to have a little fold out where I could put a small map or a list of phone numbers. Anybody ever seen anything that fits this description?
Oh... and a renewal of a previous request: if anybody wants/needs e-pals for their students, let me know. I'm desparately looking for some for my students. I teach high school students with cognitive impairments.

[Anonymouse]

Evening, all.

Guess everybody was busy today. It was a pretty calm day. My ED kiddo was a bit off the chain, spent a lot of time in chill, and lunch detention to boot. My TA was out sick, and there was no substitute, but our Dean & the Department Chair took care of us!
I had to a get a prescription filled and needed to get home before 6:00 so I could get a pacakage from our rental office (my grad school text!), so no swim today. :sigh: I'm hoping to get there tomorrow.
Eating has been way off since last night... I think I ate too many carbs last night, and made myself sick. I don't know how: I did have mac & cheese, but I substituted most of the regular pasta for the low carb stuff, but I was still sick. That carried over today, so I didn't eat breakfast or much for lunch. I just had some fresh cherries and a tiny piece of yellow cake. I had to eat the cake: one of the kids in the severe disabilities program celebrated his birthday today, and he is VERY insistant that you eat his cake. He won't take no for an answer, and stood over me till I ate it. I couldn't disappoint him, but I the other teacher did help me out by making it a small piece. This child speaks a mixture of Mandarin and English, and is totally unintelligable... but he is a total sweetheart and gets his point across. He used to not like me, but now that he's used to me he seeks me out in the hallways and apparently requested to give me cake today.
I broke down and actually took one of the meds they gave me for this, and hopefully will be better able to eat tomorrow so I can swim. I HAVE to swim, I have 1/4 mile left to meet my goal!!!!

[Chestnutlass]

Hello Everyone!

I am new to this website....it is amazing what you find online! I am overwhelmed by the variety of support here!


I too am a teacher.. elementary school, it is my second year teaching. It is such a diet killer! There is always so much food around, parties, birthday treats, the faculty room OH MY!!
I never realized how stressful this job could be, so what does that stress mean....thats right more eating! And between my students, and faculty meetings, and workshops and grading.....oh yeah and it is report card time!

I guess I have a lot to learn, including time managment!

Well I hope to "meet" you all soon!
Mari

[susie_sunshine]

ok..... I have a huge pile of exams to mark...........I DON'T WANT TO DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will... of course...... but it might require chocolate! I had some chocolate already today, it's the exam's fault! Perhaps I should staple my mouth shut while I mark?

[Chestnutlass]

I often grade tests with a sugar free hard candy - There is almost no calories and they last a long time! I also chew a lot of gum when grading (and in traffic for that matter!) Minty fresh and no points!

[ECmom]

Hi!
Sorry to be MIA for such a long time. This is the first day this week that I have not been running to the hospital to see FIL, along with all the other family stuff........almost forgot what it felt like to be here alone. (rather nice, I might add! ). I could use a whole week of this....

So, please forgive me I am not going to get personal today. Just too burned out, and too much to do while online. No walk today, maybe I will sneak in a stroll this afternoon.....just for the fresh air.
Welcome Mari! One piece advice I gave to a nurse friend (who attends WW with me and also faces the faculty room issue) is to never enter that room without a flavored seltzer in her hand. So when you see all that yummy stuff...take a nice no calorie sip. My friend used it this week, and it worked for her. (of course we are all different, good luck!).

Kiddies were ok this am......sort of a "light load" this am, so it was nice.
I am SO tired. Between PMS and all the nonsense, it is sure catching up to me.

Hi to Robyn, Summer, Mouse, Susie, Pam and Kerry
Gotta go! Tomorrow IS Friday!!!
Ginny

[Anonymouse]

Evening, all.

I haven't been here for awhile. I feel like I'm drowning at school... everytime I turn around, somebody hands mea new piece of paper. Today at our staff meeting, we received lists of students who are going to the voc assessment center in the county. 3 of my kids are on it, 2 of them need direct supervision for at least on of the half days that they are there. We got another list announcing an orientation for special education students at the local community college; but the kids have to provide their own transportation. I have 2 juniors and 1 senior who are elegible to go; my senior would like to go, but his mother does not drive and never leaves the house. His brother drives but can't (or won't... I'm guessing doesn't know becuase I don't think either my student or mom would ask!) take off work to accompany and take him. I'm so FRUSTRATED by that!
I am doing testing for 2 upcoming IEPs... and writing the IEPs. One of my kids that is workng for a state diploma shouldn't be. She really needs to work on life-skills and functional academics. Her mother refuses to allow this beyond the community instruction trips and 1 basic skills class with me. Now, though, I don't have her for community instruction anymore. Her mom wanted an on-campus job for her, but she can't be pulled from academic classes. So, they are pulling her from my community instruction class! GAH!
The good news is that the class worked together last period today to plan and start decorating our classroom door for Spirit Week. One of the girls chose "The 80s" as the theme: we used one of those plastic tablecloths for a door cover... in black. Then, they glued those shiny cardboard stars on the door in iridescent colors. We also found some of those jelli bracelets, and mini uno cards to glue on. I'm going to find some pictures of other 80s stuff to put up there too. I am trying to plan for dressing up during Spirit Week... but my tacky outfit fell through. I had black leggings, a brown and aqua paisley top, with pink feathered socks. But, the shirt wasn't available anymore, so I have to find a new top. I have Eeyore PJs for Pajama Day; and a college sweatshirt for another time. I might buy a Hopkins Lacrosse shirt if I can find one cheap enough at the bookstore. My biggest fear is that I'll probably leave my change of clothes at home on Tacky Day and have to wear that outfit to grad school!
I really need to get to the gym, but it hasn't worked very well this week!

[ECmom]

Never thought I would be back again.....Ds left the computer running. Someday he will pay electric bills and feel the pain..........

Mouse-ever get that swim in to finish your goal?

Mari- just noticed you are from The Garden State. I grew up in Bergen Cty, my Dm is still there and although I live in NY we are 7 miles from the NJ border. Where do you live?

BTW- thanks to those who have been so kind regarding to this mess with FIL.
MIL, BIL, SIL (both) found a good facility for FIL today- and it is only 15 min from my house. MIL is being a real pain in the a**......we are hoping and praying that she will be honest filling out the financial information on the nursing home application. Her lack of honesty could cost FIL getting into this place and unfortunately finances are her moral achilles heel.

Did sneak in 2 walks today.....one with Dd (she rode her bike) and a mid day mental health walk for me, just before I went back to work. Felt so good.....
Today my eating has been pretty good too, just have to behave myself for the rest of the day.
Gotta go- Nite!
G

[ECmom]

Mouse- our posts crossed......congrats on making the swimming goal! And you are too good a swimmer to drown at school!!! Sorry could not resist the pun.
Ginny

[Chestnutlass]

Hey everyone....I hit a major acomplishment....I survived conferences and report cards without falling off the wagon! WAHHOOOOOO

ECMOM thanks for the idea----flavored fizzy water is pretty good!
and actually I moved to DE you reminded me I needed to update my Profile! I grew up in central jersey, but went to school in Philadephia and got a job in Newark DE.......I hope to return home soon...if I can find a job!

[HatterasMermaid]

WHAT A WEEK! WHAT A WEEK!
I'm glad that it is over!

Hello, Chestnutlass.... I'm the resident grade 1 teacher! What grade do you teach! Congrats for remaining true to your plan EVEN with conferences AND report cards! THAT is a major accomplishment!

take care,
Robyn

[Anonymouse]

Evening, again, all.

Okay.... I managed to get quite a bit of an IEP done by going in early, and the progress reports. That made the paperwork load less. I also have the voc referrals to do, and have to go spelunking in their confidential files because I need test scores. However, I spent my prep period today over at a high school next to us (its literally less than a mile away???), looking at their vocational skills lab. Its pretty cool: they've got the entire set up that I've been trying to put together but on a much higher level.
I also got some laundry done (well, part done... it at least made it into the washer, and I swear I'll get it hung up to dry before I go to get my car's oil changed!).
With all that's been happening this week, I never made it anywhere near the pool. I will get to swim tomorrow, but ... damn...
Ginny: Thou shalt be fined for thy punning! Its just not PUNNY! Glad to hear FIL has a decent rehab facility. That's really important.
Chestnutlass: Welcome to the mad house!

[pamisuzinc]

Hope everyone is doing ok....Busy as usual just wanted to say Hey!

Pam