Sweet Baby :)Wednesday, May 26, 2010
School Excitement
There has been sooo much going on at school and outside of school that I haven't had a chance to blog. But, I am about to catch you up. :) Get ready...
First of all, Awards Day. Now, I know my school is ghetto to some people, but not usually to me. I must say, Awards Day showed the ghetto side to me. I don't know if it was the singing about just a praisin' Jesus and the ribbon dancers, or perhaps the standing ovation President Obama received when his name was mentioned with the President's Award, or maybe the rude parents. I am not sure, but when I left, I laughed, called my friends, and knew I had just experienced ghetto-ness.
Next is Jr. Beta Club inductions. I am so happy to be a part of this club at school. I love seeing children excited about their accomplishments. We have a lot of students who work hard and love to learn. This year, we inducted about 20 students. After the ceremony, we had cake and punch. The teachers then headed to La Cocina in Southside for an after party of our own. One of friends at school owns La Cocina. The food was amazing.
Then there was a musical production. When I say production, I really mean, about 15 kids who are in the drama club (which, for once, I am not a part of) did a small act of School House Rock. It was cute, but short and since the sound system was down, hard to hear. There were about 5 parents who attended the show and the 6th graders who were in PE also watched. I am thinking the 6th graders had a major impact on the show. They, of course, were loud and disrespectful to the students in the show.
Legend was also born in the mix of all of this!! I will be posting pictures of the cute little boy as soon as I have time to upload them. When I walked in the room to see him, I said his name and he grinned. Now, I know I am biased, but I think he's the cutest baby I've seen in a while. I love him already!!
Monday I went to the K-2 school to learn about the kiddos coming up to our school. Man, we are going to have our hands full!! There are a lot of kids who are really struggling readers, and even more kids that can't read. I am sure we are going to be very busy next year...
Tomorrow will be Field Day for the kids who are still coming to school. Not very many are left. And if they are still coming, they hate their parents for making them come. But not tomorrow. I can't wait to see them playing and having a good time.
Tuesday is our last day of school. I don't know where the time has gone. This year has been a huge year for me. I have a lot of things be thankful for, and a lot of things I need to change for the next school year. Stay tuned this summer as I post about the upcoming school year. :)
First of all, Awards Day. Now, I know my school is ghetto to some people, but not usually to me. I must say, Awards Day showed the ghetto side to me. I don't know if it was the singing about just a praisin' Jesus and the ribbon dancers, or perhaps the standing ovation President Obama received when his name was mentioned with the President's Award, or maybe the rude parents. I am not sure, but when I left, I laughed, called my friends, and knew I had just experienced ghetto-ness.
Next is Jr. Beta Club inductions. I am so happy to be a part of this club at school. I love seeing children excited about their accomplishments. We have a lot of students who work hard and love to learn. This year, we inducted about 20 students. After the ceremony, we had cake and punch. The teachers then headed to La Cocina in Southside for an after party of our own. One of friends at school owns La Cocina. The food was amazing.
Then there was a musical production. When I say production, I really mean, about 15 kids who are in the drama club (which, for once, I am not a part of) did a small act of School House Rock. It was cute, but short and since the sound system was down, hard to hear. There were about 5 parents who attended the show and the 6th graders who were in PE also watched. I am thinking the 6th graders had a major impact on the show. They, of course, were loud and disrespectful to the students in the show.
Legend was also born in the mix of all of this!! I will be posting pictures of the cute little boy as soon as I have time to upload them. When I walked in the room to see him, I said his name and he grinned. Now, I know I am biased, but I think he's the cutest baby I've seen in a while. I love him already!!
Monday I went to the K-2 school to learn about the kiddos coming up to our school. Man, we are going to have our hands full!! There are a lot of kids who are really struggling readers, and even more kids that can't read. I am sure we are going to be very busy next year...
Tomorrow will be Field Day for the kids who are still coming to school. Not very many are left. And if they are still coming, they hate their parents for making them come. But not tomorrow. I can't wait to see them playing and having a good time.
Tuesday is our last day of school. I don't know where the time has gone. This year has been a huge year for me. I have a lot of things be thankful for, and a lot of things I need to change for the next school year. Stay tuned this summer as I post about the upcoming school year. :)
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
a year ago today...
I made the biggest decision of my life a year ago today...
I walked in the doors of my school, only to see a girl in Jordan's red and black socks and skin tight shorts. She is having a heated discussion with some lady that appears to be in charge. The girl is a student... I meet with the principal. He seems pretty nice. He takes me to meet other teachers. They are really nice and try not to scare me when they tell me about the school. Only do they know, I will love it. I stay about 20 minutes and leave. I get in the car, call my parents, Mary, and I drive to Tuscaloosa with a smile on my face. I know I have found the place I will teach and try to make a difference. :)
When I get to Tuscaloosa, I call Jefferson County, confirm my decision and head to El Ricon with Mary to partake in Cinco de Mayo festivities.
A year ago today, I was a college student, living off the wonderful and never-ending parent fund, with no worries in the world. I was 4 days away from graduation and leaving Tuscaloosa. I was ready to be an adult...
I walked in the doors of my school, only to see a girl in Jordan's red and black socks and skin tight shorts. She is having a heated discussion with some lady that appears to be in charge. The girl is a student... I meet with the principal. He seems pretty nice. He takes me to meet other teachers. They are really nice and try not to scare me when they tell me about the school. Only do they know, I will love it. I stay about 20 minutes and leave. I get in the car, call my parents, Mary, and I drive to Tuscaloosa with a smile on my face. I know I have found the place I will teach and try to make a difference. :)
When I get to Tuscaloosa, I call Jefferson County, confirm my decision and head to El Ricon with Mary to partake in Cinco de Mayo festivities.
A year ago today, I was a college student, living off the wonderful and never-ending parent fund, with no worries in the world. I was 4 days away from graduation and leaving Tuscaloosa. I was ready to be an adult...
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Countdown
It's almost here. 17 more school days with kids...I can't wait. I love this kids, but it's time for them to flee and bother the 4th grade teachers. And not a minute too soon. I wanted to share some highlights of my year with you. A walk down memory lane begins now.
July 2009-- My daddy and I load up my 'teacher stuff' and head to the big city. I get to school, only to find that my room is FILLED with crap. Not my crap, other teachers' crap. We make just enough room for my crap and leave...as quickly as possible.
August 2009-
1. Cassie and I go to school to get my room in shape. WOW!! We stayed approxiately 3 hours, unpacked all my books, met the janitor, and left.
2. First Teacher Work Day- I don't know a sole. I don't like to meet new people. Thank goodness for Jamie. She likes to talk, and I am thankful she does. :)
3. Orientation- What in the world have I gotten myself into?! All the assisstant principal talks about is fights, dress code, and time of drop off and pick up...
September 2009- I finally start seeing my kids. I meet Michael Jordan and realize he's going to be my buddy.
October 2009- The tailgating party. Oh me. Gigi and I were the only white people at the football game. But it's okay because by this point I am good friends with LaToya, LaPordia, Gigi, Misty, and McCall. All is okay in my world!
December 2009- My 3 rd roommate/teacher moves in. I can tell we are going to be friends. Christmas break was not nearly long enough.
January 2010- Black History Play practice begins. Tutoring is also going on. Everyday lasts til 5. Enough said.
February 2010- Valentine's Dance!! Wahoo!! I go to Golden Corral for the first time ever with all the play kids. Not the best experience of my life.
March- Spring Break and testing. How in the world do they (education people) expect kids to do well on standardized tests right after spring break...come on now.
April- IEP seasons begins. The kids are getting antsy...it's time to move on to summer...
May- The best is yet to come. Yesterday we met to discuss all the fun things this month. Check this out-- Awards Day- May 14, Field Day- May 19, Beta Club Ceremony- May 20 :) Not to mention all of the paperwork I'll be doing.
The countdown is on...
July 2009-- My daddy and I load up my 'teacher stuff' and head to the big city. I get to school, only to find that my room is FILLED with crap. Not my crap, other teachers' crap. We make just enough room for my crap and leave...as quickly as possible.
August 2009-
1. Cassie and I go to school to get my room in shape. WOW!! We stayed approxiately 3 hours, unpacked all my books, met the janitor, and left.
2. First Teacher Work Day- I don't know a sole. I don't like to meet new people. Thank goodness for Jamie. She likes to talk, and I am thankful she does. :)
3. Orientation- What in the world have I gotten myself into?! All the assisstant principal talks about is fights, dress code, and time of drop off and pick up...
September 2009- I finally start seeing my kids. I meet Michael Jordan and realize he's going to be my buddy.
October 2009- The tailgating party. Oh me. Gigi and I were the only white people at the football game. But it's okay because by this point I am good friends with LaToya, LaPordia, Gigi, Misty, and McCall. All is okay in my world!
December 2009- My 3 rd roommate/teacher moves in. I can tell we are going to be friends. Christmas break was not nearly long enough.
January 2010- Black History Play practice begins. Tutoring is also going on. Everyday lasts til 5. Enough said.
February 2010- Valentine's Dance!! Wahoo!! I go to Golden Corral for the first time ever with all the play kids. Not the best experience of my life.
March- Spring Break and testing. How in the world do they (education people) expect kids to do well on standardized tests right after spring break...come on now.
April- IEP seasons begins. The kids are getting antsy...it's time to move on to summer...
May- The best is yet to come. Yesterday we met to discuss all the fun things this month. Check this out-- Awards Day- May 14, Field Day- May 19, Beta Club Ceremony- May 20 :) Not to mention all of the paperwork I'll be doing.
The countdown is on...
Saturday, May 1, 2010
heck of a week
I am incredibly glad this week is over. I don't know why I wait til the last minute to do everything. That's just the way I am. I have good intentions of getting everything done, but it never seems to happen. Here're my experiences this week...
Wednesday--An IEP meeting with a new student's mom. I was really excited about the IEP because I thought it was one of the best ones I'd written in a while. I had a TON of data and I was prepared to discuss with the mom his behaviors. She showed up to the meeting 20 minutes late, but that was okay because... SETS, the program we use to write IEPs, was down. The perfect IEP was untouchable. I was sick!! I had to remember exactly what I had written on the IEP. As we were finishing up, the program started working and I got to show the mom the real IEP. Now, you would think I would have learned my lesson. I should print out my IEPs prior to 30 minutes before the meeting. BUT--
Thursday, I had another meeting. This was a re-evaluation meeting. I needed permission to do an extensive evaluation of the child in order for him to continue to receive services. Again, the paper work part of the meeting was on SETS and guess what was not working?! SETS!! So, again, I had to go through part of my meeting without the program.
Friday, I was working like crazy. I had to finish 2 IEPs that I had meetings for on Friday. Of course, I had bus duty Friday. In the morning, it was so nice in the lunchroom. Our principal came in the lunchroom to help us regulate these kids. I was in a pretty good mood until Mrs. Leigh, an office lady, brought me a 5th grade role and asked me to feed the kids and split them up. Now, keep in mind, I teach 3rd grade. I have NOTHING to do with 5th grade. They don't know me or respect me. For 30 minutes, I was freaking out because of the IEPs I needed to write. At 8:20, I was able to go to my room and finish the IEPs. My first meeting at 10 went smoothly, then at 10:30, SETS quit working again. I had a parent waiting on me, and I needed to print out the IEP. AHHH!!! I once again fumbled through the meeting, and SETS started working again at the end.
I promise I learned something this week. I will have my IEPs printed before the meeting... I am going to print them as soon as I finish them!!
Wednesday--An IEP meeting with a new student's mom. I was really excited about the IEP because I thought it was one of the best ones I'd written in a while. I had a TON of data and I was prepared to discuss with the mom his behaviors. She showed up to the meeting 20 minutes late, but that was okay because... SETS, the program we use to write IEPs, was down. The perfect IEP was untouchable. I was sick!! I had to remember exactly what I had written on the IEP. As we were finishing up, the program started working and I got to show the mom the real IEP. Now, you would think I would have learned my lesson. I should print out my IEPs prior to 30 minutes before the meeting. BUT--
Thursday, I had another meeting. This was a re-evaluation meeting. I needed permission to do an extensive evaluation of the child in order for him to continue to receive services. Again, the paper work part of the meeting was on SETS and guess what was not working?! SETS!! So, again, I had to go through part of my meeting without the program.
Friday, I was working like crazy. I had to finish 2 IEPs that I had meetings for on Friday. Of course, I had bus duty Friday. In the morning, it was so nice in the lunchroom. Our principal came in the lunchroom to help us regulate these kids. I was in a pretty good mood until Mrs. Leigh, an office lady, brought me a 5th grade role and asked me to feed the kids and split them up. Now, keep in mind, I teach 3rd grade. I have NOTHING to do with 5th grade. They don't know me or respect me. For 30 minutes, I was freaking out because of the IEPs I needed to write. At 8:20, I was able to go to my room and finish the IEPs. My first meeting at 10 went smoothly, then at 10:30, SETS quit working again. I had a parent waiting on me, and I needed to print out the IEP. AHHH!!! I once again fumbled through the meeting, and SETS started working again at the end.
I promise I learned something this week. I will have my IEPs printed before the meeting... I am going to print them as soon as I finish them!!
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