This week went by really, really fast! I blinked and it was over. However, as fast as it was, it was a really fun week.
We started out the week by going horseback riding. It was fun and informative for the kids, and we got some great photos of them grooming horses and learning how to saddle them.
On Tuesday we went downtown for our annual scavenger hunt. I think it's safe to say my group didn't win. We haven't seen every presentation and figured out who got how many points, but we got less than 30, and the first group to go got 43! Yikes. Oh well. We got some good pictures out of it, and the kids had fun, which is what was most important.
On Wednesday we put together our scavenger hunt photos into PowerPoint presentaions, and we also worked on a science project with them--they learned to make solar stills out of plastic cups and black masking tape! Super cool. Tomorrow we'll see if they actually worked or not.
Thursday was our White Sox game. It was a really GOOD game, and we ended up having to leave early because we needed to get the kids back to school to meet their parents. We left in the 10th inning and the White Sox won in the 13th, although the news of the game was overshadowed by the sudden deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.
On Friday we went to the beach and it was a GREAT DAY for the beach! It was hot, but much cooler by the lake. The sun was out, and there wasn't a cloud to be seen in the sky. I got a little sunburnt, but I had fun with the kids. I didn't actually get to swim in the lake; another counselor from another school (he knows my coworker) arrived really late and ran straight into the water, so I spent the entire time on the sand making sure no one went under water and didn't pop back up. It kinda sucked, but it was also good to have a job and not just sit the whole time.
This week is a really busy one for us as well. We're going canoeing tomorrow, we've got our service project on Tuesday, a trip down to the Taste on Wednesday, and we've got 2 days to finish our PowerPoints, thank you notes, clean up, and create and then present each camper with his or her "Paper Plate Award" before 4:00 p.m. Friday. We'll be crazy busy, but I know this week will pass by just as quickly as the last 2. After Friday, my summer is MINE. :-D
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
I took the job.
......
I gave it a lot of thought, and I decided to take the position after speaking with the woman who's vacating the position later this month. I'm a bit nervous, a bit excited, and really glad the decision has been made.
I decided to give it a year and then decide. I figured that I can do just about anything for a year (Thanks to Ali for reminding me and telling me that I really have until April/May, so it's not even a year).
I've been craving the chance to write again, so being able to create brochures and write press releases again was a huge selling point. I've also got the added benefit of knowing how to create and design a website--our school website is a huge marketing tool and having access to all the Development literature can only help. Also, knowing web design like I do I can maintain 3 websites. It will be a challenge and some days it will be really busy, but I'm looking forward to being able to increase my strengths and learn some new skills.
Having a classroom AND an office is a lot of space to maintain, but the separate spaces will be good for my sanity. I'll have one place to teach and one place to be in a marketing frame of mind. Being in my classroom all the time would frazzle me too much--I don't know that I'd ever be able to focus on doing one thing and one thing only. I'd be writing a press release and worrying about how I was going to get all my grading done at the same time. Having 2 spaces will help separate my mind, if that makes sense.
This is also really good for my resume. Even if I do this for just a year having the marketing experience will look good and can help me find another job if I ever want to transition out of teaching.
Now........I'm still nervous.
The woman in the position is GOOD at her job. I won't be as good as she is. Maybe eventually, but I know that just starting off it's going to be rough. Hopefully my boss and colleagues remember that I'm a bit of a "n00b" and they'll be patient with me.
The summer hours thing kind of sucks. My almost-former-colleague told me it was nothing to worry about, but still....it leaves less time for camp. I know I'll have some flexibility in terms of my hours--I won't have to take days off, I'll just have to let my boss know when I'll be in and when I won't--but I'll have to structure my days or my summers won't be productive at all.
The extra responsibility makes me a little stressed, even just thinking about it. But really, I'm doing this for the extra experience and the extra money, sad as it is to say. I NEED the experience, and it's a lie to say the extra money wouldn't help. I *hope* the money and experience will be worth the added stress.
I'm looking forward to August when I officially start, but I'll be in and out the rest of the summer getting acquainted with the system set up by our PR director. It will be a large undertaking, but it will still be worth it (I hope).
I gave it a lot of thought, and I decided to take the position after speaking with the woman who's vacating the position later this month. I'm a bit nervous, a bit excited, and really glad the decision has been made.
I decided to give it a year and then decide. I figured that I can do just about anything for a year (Thanks to Ali for reminding me and telling me that I really have until April/May, so it's not even a year).
I've been craving the chance to write again, so being able to create brochures and write press releases again was a huge selling point. I've also got the added benefit of knowing how to create and design a website--our school website is a huge marketing tool and having access to all the Development literature can only help. Also, knowing web design like I do I can maintain 3 websites. It will be a challenge and some days it will be really busy, but I'm looking forward to being able to increase my strengths and learn some new skills.
Having a classroom AND an office is a lot of space to maintain, but the separate spaces will be good for my sanity. I'll have one place to teach and one place to be in a marketing frame of mind. Being in my classroom all the time would frazzle me too much--I don't know that I'd ever be able to focus on doing one thing and one thing only. I'd be writing a press release and worrying about how I was going to get all my grading done at the same time. Having 2 spaces will help separate my mind, if that makes sense.
This is also really good for my resume. Even if I do this for just a year having the marketing experience will look good and can help me find another job if I ever want to transition out of teaching.
Now........I'm still nervous.
The woman in the position is GOOD at her job. I won't be as good as she is. Maybe eventually, but I know that just starting off it's going to be rough. Hopefully my boss and colleagues remember that I'm a bit of a "n00b" and they'll be patient with me.
The summer hours thing kind of sucks. My almost-former-colleague told me it was nothing to worry about, but still....it leaves less time for camp. I know I'll have some flexibility in terms of my hours--I won't have to take days off, I'll just have to let my boss know when I'll be in and when I won't--but I'll have to structure my days or my summers won't be productive at all.
The extra responsibility makes me a little stressed, even just thinking about it. But really, I'm doing this for the extra experience and the extra money, sad as it is to say. I NEED the experience, and it's a lie to say the extra money wouldn't help. I *hope* the money and experience will be worth the added stress.
I'm looking forward to August when I officially start, but I'll be in and out the rest of the summer getting acquainted with the system set up by our PR director. It will be a large undertaking, but it will still be worth it (I hope).
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Camp Roundup: Week 1
I can't believe camp is already 1/3 of the way done! Crazy how time flies, eh?
This week was a great one. Aside from just playing games like the circle sit and human bingo, we got the kids out of their chairs and into Chicago. On Tuesday we took the kids to the Museum of Science and Industry to visit the Smart Home, which was cool. Because it was a school group, we qualified for an energy lab, which was a real treat. The kids learned how to separate hydrogen from water, and then used that hydrogen to fuel little cars with hydrogen fuel cells.
Later in the week we took them on a "Communication Walk" where they learned how to communicate without using words or sight. Some kids were blindfolded, others couldn't speak, but they had to remain attached at all times. It was crazy funny, and wicked cool to see them learn to communicate with one another without their usual strengths.
Thursday we made paper! We talked about the recycling process and the kids learned how paper is broken down to make new paper, and then they got to make their own. It was so neat!
Yesterday we went on a walking tour of the Pilsen neighborhood. Pilsen was built to house Lithuainian and Bohemian immigrants in the early part of the last century, but by the 1960s the area was mostly Hispanic. Now the neighborhood, while not the safest, is also revitalized and is much more "family friendly" than it used to be. The neighborhood embraces its culture and that is clearly evident through the murals that decorate the neighborhood. Hispanic leaders are depicted across the neighborhood on schools, garage doors, and even the CTA stop. Schools are decorated with glass mosaics showing leaders in human rights (Dolores Huerta), entertainment (Selena), and even politics (we saw signs supporting Sonia Sotomayor).
Everyone in the community has a hand in the murals. We were able to visit a community center that is home to adults with mental and physical disabilities and saw the murals they created for their building. We plan on creating a mural with the kids at the end of next week. The murals were gorgeous and help take back the community. The neighborhood is revitalized and I think Pilsen is really going to grow and become a model south side neighborhood in the coming years. Instead of just taking the hand they were given, many Pilsen residents have helped push the neighborhood forward and instead of accepting "old buildings" and "sub-standard schools" they've really pushed for reform and for good schools, and don't all kids--regardless of race--deserve a good school?
Camp this week was wonderful, and I can't wait to see what happens next week!
This week was a great one. Aside from just playing games like the circle sit and human bingo, we got the kids out of their chairs and into Chicago. On Tuesday we took the kids to the Museum of Science and Industry to visit the Smart Home, which was cool. Because it was a school group, we qualified for an energy lab, which was a real treat. The kids learned how to separate hydrogen from water, and then used that hydrogen to fuel little cars with hydrogen fuel cells.
Later in the week we took them on a "Communication Walk" where they learned how to communicate without using words or sight. Some kids were blindfolded, others couldn't speak, but they had to remain attached at all times. It was crazy funny, and wicked cool to see them learn to communicate with one another without their usual strengths.
Thursday we made paper! We talked about the recycling process and the kids learned how paper is broken down to make new paper, and then they got to make their own. It was so neat!
Yesterday we went on a walking tour of the Pilsen neighborhood. Pilsen was built to house Lithuainian and Bohemian immigrants in the early part of the last century, but by the 1960s the area was mostly Hispanic. Now the neighborhood, while not the safest, is also revitalized and is much more "family friendly" than it used to be. The neighborhood embraces its culture and that is clearly evident through the murals that decorate the neighborhood. Hispanic leaders are depicted across the neighborhood on schools, garage doors, and even the CTA stop. Schools are decorated with glass mosaics showing leaders in human rights (Dolores Huerta), entertainment (Selena), and even politics (we saw signs supporting Sonia Sotomayor).
Everyone in the community has a hand in the murals. We were able to visit a community center that is home to adults with mental and physical disabilities and saw the murals they created for their building. We plan on creating a mural with the kids at the end of next week. The murals were gorgeous and help take back the community. The neighborhood is revitalized and I think Pilsen is really going to grow and become a model south side neighborhood in the coming years. Instead of just taking the hand they were given, many Pilsen residents have helped push the neighborhood forward and instead of accepting "old buildings" and "sub-standard schools" they've really pushed for reform and for good schools, and don't all kids--regardless of race--deserve a good school?
Camp this week was wonderful, and I can't wait to see what happens next week!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
What would you do?
Today I got some good news and some bad news, and I've been chewing on it all day. Let's start with the bad news.
Our Alumni, Public Relations, Marketing, and Development Director (one wonder woman) is leaving. She coached part-time at a local high school this year and was offered a full-time position there last week. While she hasn't signed her contract yet, it's pretty much a given. When she told my co-director and I the news this morning, she started crying. I'm happy for her that she has such a great opportunity, but it's clear that she loves our school and really doesn't want to leave. However, it's also clear she can't turn down this opportunity, especially since she just got engaged and is looking to puchase a home in the next year. While she hasn't signed her new contract, she also hasn't turned it down, and unfortunately our boss can't offer her what she needs in order to keep her. I know it's not just the money that she's looking for, but the new opportunities as well. (Trust me, no one enters education for the easy money.)
Well, as bummed as I am about our wonder woman leaving, I spent the entire day at camp wondering who my boss would find to replace her. My last school was looking to hire a PR/Marketing Director and I was soooo interested in the job, but they wouldn't hire me because I didn't have the experience they were looking for. It took them nearly a year to find someone to fill that role, partly because they wanted someone with $100,000 talent and they could only afford to pay that person $30,000. As a 23 year old looking for her second job out of college, I'd have killed to work for $30,00o!
Well, I found out who my boss wants to replace her: it's me.
My boss called me in her office this afternoon after camp and told me that she wanted to re-draw my contract. Again. I got an initial contract offering my 4 days, and she re-drew the contract to offer me 5 days. When she told me she wanted to re-re-draw the contract, I was afraid that the money wasn't there for day 5, which really bummed me out. Then she explained that she wants me to fill in my co-worker's position as a part-time gig. If I take it, I'll teach 3 days a week, cram my tech and website duties in-between teaching, and spend the last 2 days working on Alumni, Public Relations, Marketing, and Development.
Umm.....I'm kind of freaking out about the whole thing. On one hand, I'm positively giddy at the chance to actually use the degree I paid $30,000 for. I'd be writing again! I'd be writing press releases, grants, letters, brochures....it's what I've been wanting to do, and it's all I wanted to do right after graduating from college.
However, it'd require a lot of extra time and energy that I'm not sure I want to give. It would involve a lot of planning and begging for money from local businesses and getting support for our school events.
It would also involve maintaining THREE websites. Right now I just maintain one, and I was considering taking on extra work to help pay the bills. Crikey...I wouldn't be able to do even one other website on weekends because I'd probably be at school on weekends!
It's a great opportunity and comes with a nearly 50% raise, but I'm still terrified about all the extra work it would involve and the free time I'd be losing. It would mean some nights and weekends at school and summer hours (which would mainly involve getting the work done and not necessarily set hours). Mostly, it would mean less time with my husband and family and I really love the time we have together, especially the downtime.
I'm also concerned about my teaching sufferring. While I've got a good thing going, I won't have nearly as much time to explore and play with my lesson plans. Another downer that I just realized...most of the time when my school takes a day off for professional development, our current director attends a seminar or grant-writing session while we're all at PD. I'd have to ask, but does this mean I'm getting out of PD (which means lost CPDUs necessary to keep my certification) only to attend another "PD" session? Oy.
Here's the list I wrote up earlier and you can see why I'm on the fence about this job:
Excited:
-I'd actually be using my degree. I'd be writing press releases (I can't tell you the last time I did that) and letters and I'd be WRITING.
-It's the kind of job I wanted to do right out of college but couldn't get because I didn't have enough experience. This would give me the experience I was lacking in case my school folds and I need to find another job.
-I'd get an office.
-I'd have a part-time employee who'd report to me (HOLY CRAP) and my boss even mentioned potential for an intern (unpaid).
-It's a 50% raise.
-It looks AWE.SOME. on a resume.
Terrified/Potential negatives:
-Our PR lady is GOOD at her job. REALLY GOOD. There's no way I'll do as good a job. That's not me being negative, I'm just not as good as she is.
-I'm worried my teaching will suffer. I've got a good groove going, but I'd still feel terrible if my teaching buckled under the weight of the new position.
-Summer hours. I know, I know....aww, poor Angie, she'd actually have to work all summer like the rest of us. BUT, I wouldn't be able to do camp, which I really enjoy. The hours are flexible, and I'd even be able to work from home if I needed to, but still....
-It would be A LOT of extra time and hours, to the point that the extra $9,000 wouldn't feel like enough compensation, I fear. Lots of working with volunteers and coordinating events and spending time at school to set up events, coordinate donations, and plan parties, the back to school block party (a ginormous event) and other stuff.-I'm still hung up on the extra time.
-It's a lot of responsibility. Like, A LOT.-I'd be doing over 2 or 3 days what it takes our current person 5 and 6 days to accomplish.
I'm not completely sure I want to take this position. I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeally want to write again, and this gives me the chance to build a portfolio that's got more recent examples than some news articles I wrote in 2005. Also, if something happens to my school or I lose my job and can't find another teaching job, I can apply for jobs I want because I've got at least a year experience writing all kinds of stuff, from alumni letters to press releases.
However, if my teaching took a hit, I wonder if I'd lose either position. If so...would I be back to teaching 4 days a week? Would I be PRing 3 days a week? Would I be out on my butt and have to look for a completely different job?
I know my husband will support me no matter what. When I asked him, "If you had to pick, what would you want me to do?" He said, "That's tough, because I would want you to be happy." He knows how much it pains me to not to be writing and using my degree like I really want to be. He knows it's my decision, ultimately, and no matter how it turns out, he's supportive.
I just wish there was an easy answer to this.
Our Alumni, Public Relations, Marketing, and Development Director (one wonder woman) is leaving. She coached part-time at a local high school this year and was offered a full-time position there last week. While she hasn't signed her contract yet, it's pretty much a given. When she told my co-director and I the news this morning, she started crying. I'm happy for her that she has such a great opportunity, but it's clear that she loves our school and really doesn't want to leave. However, it's also clear she can't turn down this opportunity, especially since she just got engaged and is looking to puchase a home in the next year. While she hasn't signed her new contract, she also hasn't turned it down, and unfortunately our boss can't offer her what she needs in order to keep her. I know it's not just the money that she's looking for, but the new opportunities as well. (Trust me, no one enters education for the easy money.)
Well, as bummed as I am about our wonder woman leaving, I spent the entire day at camp wondering who my boss would find to replace her. My last school was looking to hire a PR/Marketing Director and I was soooo interested in the job, but they wouldn't hire me because I didn't have the experience they were looking for. It took them nearly a year to find someone to fill that role, partly because they wanted someone with $100,000 talent and they could only afford to pay that person $30,000. As a 23 year old looking for her second job out of college, I'd have killed to work for $30,00o!
Well, I found out who my boss wants to replace her: it's me.
My boss called me in her office this afternoon after camp and told me that she wanted to re-draw my contract. Again. I got an initial contract offering my 4 days, and she re-drew the contract to offer me 5 days. When she told me she wanted to re-re-draw the contract, I was afraid that the money wasn't there for day 5, which really bummed me out. Then she explained that she wants me to fill in my co-worker's position as a part-time gig. If I take it, I'll teach 3 days a week, cram my tech and website duties in-between teaching, and spend the last 2 days working on Alumni, Public Relations, Marketing, and Development.
Umm.....I'm kind of freaking out about the whole thing. On one hand, I'm positively giddy at the chance to actually use the degree I paid $30,000 for. I'd be writing again! I'd be writing press releases, grants, letters, brochures....it's what I've been wanting to do, and it's all I wanted to do right after graduating from college.
However, it'd require a lot of extra time and energy that I'm not sure I want to give. It would involve a lot of planning and begging for money from local businesses and getting support for our school events.
It would also involve maintaining THREE websites. Right now I just maintain one, and I was considering taking on extra work to help pay the bills. Crikey...I wouldn't be able to do even one other website on weekends because I'd probably be at school on weekends!
It's a great opportunity and comes with a nearly 50% raise, but I'm still terrified about all the extra work it would involve and the free time I'd be losing. It would mean some nights and weekends at school and summer hours (which would mainly involve getting the work done and not necessarily set hours). Mostly, it would mean less time with my husband and family and I really love the time we have together, especially the downtime.
I'm also concerned about my teaching sufferring. While I've got a good thing going, I won't have nearly as much time to explore and play with my lesson plans. Another downer that I just realized...most of the time when my school takes a day off for professional development, our current director attends a seminar or grant-writing session while we're all at PD. I'd have to ask, but does this mean I'm getting out of PD (which means lost CPDUs necessary to keep my certification) only to attend another "PD" session? Oy.
Here's the list I wrote up earlier and you can see why I'm on the fence about this job:
Excited:
-I'd actually be using my degree. I'd be writing press releases (I can't tell you the last time I did that) and letters and I'd be WRITING.
-It's the kind of job I wanted to do right out of college but couldn't get because I didn't have enough experience. This would give me the experience I was lacking in case my school folds and I need to find another job.
-I'd get an office.
-I'd have a part-time employee who'd report to me (HOLY CRAP) and my boss even mentioned potential for an intern (unpaid).
-It's a 50% raise.
-It looks AWE.SOME. on a resume.
Terrified/Potential negatives:
-Our PR lady is GOOD at her job. REALLY GOOD. There's no way I'll do as good a job. That's not me being negative, I'm just not as good as she is.
-I'm worried my teaching will suffer. I've got a good groove going, but I'd still feel terrible if my teaching buckled under the weight of the new position.
-Summer hours. I know, I know....aww, poor Angie, she'd actually have to work all summer like the rest of us. BUT, I wouldn't be able to do camp, which I really enjoy. The hours are flexible, and I'd even be able to work from home if I needed to, but still....
-It would be A LOT of extra time and hours, to the point that the extra $9,000 wouldn't feel like enough compensation, I fear. Lots of working with volunteers and coordinating events and spending time at school to set up events, coordinate donations, and plan parties, the back to school block party (a ginormous event) and other stuff.-I'm still hung up on the extra time.
-It's a lot of responsibility. Like, A LOT.-I'd be doing over 2 or 3 days what it takes our current person 5 and 6 days to accomplish.
I'm not completely sure I want to take this position. I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeally want to write again, and this gives me the chance to build a portfolio that's got more recent examples than some news articles I wrote in 2005. Also, if something happens to my school or I lose my job and can't find another teaching job, I can apply for jobs I want because I've got at least a year experience writing all kinds of stuff, from alumni letters to press releases.
However, if my teaching took a hit, I wonder if I'd lose either position. If so...would I be back to teaching 4 days a week? Would I be PRing 3 days a week? Would I be out on my butt and have to look for a completely different job?
I know my husband will support me no matter what. When I asked him, "If you had to pick, what would you want me to do?" He said, "That's tough, because I would want you to be happy." He knows how much it pains me to not to be writing and using my degree like I really want to be. He knows it's my decision, ultimately, and no matter how it turns out, he's supportive.
I just wish there was an easy answer to this.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Well, ask and ye shall receive
Seriously.
Last week I posted about being $1,000 in the hole with camp. That's a big friggin' deficit. I didn't know how we were going to make it up, I really didn't. I had a feeling my coworker would put it all on her credit card and just suck up the debt. Neither of us are in a financial position to do that. Not even close. There are few people I know--if anyone--who could put $1,000 on their credit card and pay it off when the bill comes.
Well when I arrived today, my boss told me that she'd totally forgotten about a surplus from last year of nearly $700! Last year didn't cost nearly as much since we did more in-house and we got larger donations from family and friends (before we were "officially" in a recession).
Today, at dinner for my dad, my mom gave me a $50 check from my aunt and uncle. I couldn't believe it. I'm stunned and humbled by the generosity of my family. Times are tough, and Graham and I are lucky enough to not have a kid or two or three to put through college, and my aunt and uncle still spared a hefty hunk for us. That's huge.
We're still between $300 and $400 for camp, but it's much easier to fundraise when you have only a few hundred to make up. A three-digit number is much easier to collect for than a four-digit number.
I know we'll get there. One of my good friends, Amy, is even soliciting her family--none of whome I've ever met--for donations for camp. Seriously. Before, I've always thought I was a generous person, but this really makes me second guess my generosity. Not that I want to "match" people, but it makes me wonder what kind of heart I'm giving with. Here's a friend who's family is giving us money for a terrific group of kids and they'll probably never venture in to visit the school. Wow. I've always tried to have a servant heart. I always try to approach things with a selfless heart and I always give as much as I can, but Amy's sheer generosity and kindness about this whole situation has been really fantastic and humbling. Amy, if you're reading this, I owe you a huge beer. And a hug. And I'll be praying for you a lot.
Last week I posted about being $1,000 in the hole with camp. That's a big friggin' deficit. I didn't know how we were going to make it up, I really didn't. I had a feeling my coworker would put it all on her credit card and just suck up the debt. Neither of us are in a financial position to do that. Not even close. There are few people I know--if anyone--who could put $1,000 on their credit card and pay it off when the bill comes.
Well when I arrived today, my boss told me that she'd totally forgotten about a surplus from last year of nearly $700! Last year didn't cost nearly as much since we did more in-house and we got larger donations from family and friends (before we were "officially" in a recession).
Today, at dinner for my dad, my mom gave me a $50 check from my aunt and uncle. I couldn't believe it. I'm stunned and humbled by the generosity of my family. Times are tough, and Graham and I are lucky enough to not have a kid or two or three to put through college, and my aunt and uncle still spared a hefty hunk for us. That's huge.
We're still between $300 and $400 for camp, but it's much easier to fundraise when you have only a few hundred to make up. A three-digit number is much easier to collect for than a four-digit number.
I know we'll get there. One of my good friends, Amy, is even soliciting her family--none of whome I've ever met--for donations for camp. Seriously. Before, I've always thought I was a generous person, but this really makes me second guess my generosity. Not that I want to "match" people, but it makes me wonder what kind of heart I'm giving with. Here's a friend who's family is giving us money for a terrific group of kids and they'll probably never venture in to visit the school. Wow. I've always tried to have a servant heart. I always try to approach things with a selfless heart and I always give as much as I can, but Amy's sheer generosity and kindness about this whole situation has been really fantastic and humbling. Amy, if you're reading this, I owe you a huge beer. And a hug. And I'll be praying for you a lot.
Camp, Day 1
Today was interesting. It was a fun, chill day. We got to meet all the kids (not that I didn't know any), but we got to hang out, make our collages, and just mingle as groups. Interesting tidbit: one girl I had in my group last year made my 3 weeks of camp pretty tough. She whined, she complained, and she made sure that I knew she didn't want to be in my group. When my group was announced, she gasped and was begging--literally--my co-director to put her in my group because last year was "sooooooooooo fun". Huh?
Even if she had a great time with me last year (methinks there's some rose-colored hindsight happening there), group members and group leaders aren't paired up again just to keep things new and different.
It's strange, but I guess it's better than having her stand up and high-five everyone around her. "YES! I'm not in Mrs. G's group this year!"
Another plus? I hand-picked my group. I'm SUPER excited about them all and I can't wait for all the fun we're going to have this year. I love my group, I really do.
Tomorrow we're going to the Museum of Science and Industry for an energy lab and to see the Green House. Can't wait!
Even if she had a great time with me last year (methinks there's some rose-colored hindsight happening there), group members and group leaders aren't paired up again just to keep things new and different.
It's strange, but I guess it's better than having her stand up and high-five everyone around her. "YES! I'm not in Mrs. G's group this year!"
Another plus? I hand-picked my group. I'm SUPER excited about them all and I can't wait for all the fun we're going to have this year. I love my group, I really do.
Tomorrow we're going to the Museum of Science and Industry for an energy lab and to see the Green House. Can't wait!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Camp
Had a meeting today for summer camp, which was both exciting and frustrating.
Exciting: Two of our Junior Counselors are two of my favorite students from the Class of 2008. They've got great energy, they're entertaining, and they've both done E.X.P.L.O.R.E. so they're familiar with the games and the silly stuff we do.
I also know 3 members of my group, and I basically hand-picked them. A few weeks ago I told my coworker I wouldn't mind taking 2 of them, although we weren't sure if the two of them together would work well. I guess she's decided to try it, so I've got 2 kids who I really like. Because I'm taking 2 difficult kids, she let me pick a "good" kid. I couldn't decide, because I really like all the kids, so I chose a boy and a girl and she gave me the boy. I *think* all the kids will work well together, but time will tell. I'm being positive about it. So far I've got three 8th graders, so I'm expecting 2 7th graders in my group as well. I think my group will mesh well, and if not...well, camp only lasts 3 weeks. :-)
As for the frustrating.....camp starts on Monday, and we're already $1,000 over budget and that doesn't count hiring buses to haul us around to a few different events. Yuck. The fundraising has been done solely by my coworker and I. We both sent letters to family and friends asking for donations. I've got solid donations from my parents and sister, and one good friend told me she'd send me a donation (she asked where she could send the donation, so as far as I'm concerned that's solid).
Together, we've raised nearly $1,000, and the kids are paying $25 each, so that's brought in $550. However, some of the activities we have planned are costing us more than we expected, and that doesn't factor in all our transportation OR snacks during the day. Each day we give the kids a small snack and a drink, and sadly for some of our kids that's going to be their dinner.
It's so frustrating. I'm not sure what our solution is going to be. My coworker has already purchased some volleyballs and was planning on making those her donation to camp. She's decided to take on some more expenses and make that part of her donation as well. We're also going to send a letter to our colleagues and ask nicely if we can have some of their hard-earned money. It's not ideal, and it WON'T make up for the defecit, but hopefully we can get a few hundred from that.
It can be disheartening to not be able to give some really great kids a camp experience they truly deserve, but I'm glad they have the opportunity for camp, I really am. In the letter I sent to family and friends, I stated that for these kids, they're too old for the park district programs, and they can't afford the programs at the local Catholic high schools. For some of our students, this is their only option. And really, for a number of our campers, they don't have a summer aside from this. So many of them are responsible for a younger sibling while their parent or parents work, so for 4 hours a day they get to chill and have fun.
I can't wait for camp to start. Our first week is already jam packed, and we're hoping for a few stray donations to tumble in over the weekend and next week so we can officially pay for the rest of camp. God bless, and I'm sure I'll update soon.
Exciting: Two of our Junior Counselors are two of my favorite students from the Class of 2008. They've got great energy, they're entertaining, and they've both done E.X.P.L.O.R.E. so they're familiar with the games and the silly stuff we do.
I also know 3 members of my group, and I basically hand-picked them. A few weeks ago I told my coworker I wouldn't mind taking 2 of them, although we weren't sure if the two of them together would work well. I guess she's decided to try it, so I've got 2 kids who I really like. Because I'm taking 2 difficult kids, she let me pick a "good" kid. I couldn't decide, because I really like all the kids, so I chose a boy and a girl and she gave me the boy. I *think* all the kids will work well together, but time will tell. I'm being positive about it. So far I've got three 8th graders, so I'm expecting 2 7th graders in my group as well. I think my group will mesh well, and if not...well, camp only lasts 3 weeks. :-)
As for the frustrating.....camp starts on Monday, and we're already $1,000 over budget and that doesn't count hiring buses to haul us around to a few different events. Yuck. The fundraising has been done solely by my coworker and I. We both sent letters to family and friends asking for donations. I've got solid donations from my parents and sister, and one good friend told me she'd send me a donation (she asked where she could send the donation, so as far as I'm concerned that's solid).
Together, we've raised nearly $1,000, and the kids are paying $25 each, so that's brought in $550. However, some of the activities we have planned are costing us more than we expected, and that doesn't factor in all our transportation OR snacks during the day. Each day we give the kids a small snack and a drink, and sadly for some of our kids that's going to be their dinner.
It's so frustrating. I'm not sure what our solution is going to be. My coworker has already purchased some volleyballs and was planning on making those her donation to camp. She's decided to take on some more expenses and make that part of her donation as well. We're also going to send a letter to our colleagues and ask nicely if we can have some of their hard-earned money. It's not ideal, and it WON'T make up for the defecit, but hopefully we can get a few hundred from that.
It can be disheartening to not be able to give some really great kids a camp experience they truly deserve, but I'm glad they have the opportunity for camp, I really am. In the letter I sent to family and friends, I stated that for these kids, they're too old for the park district programs, and they can't afford the programs at the local Catholic high schools. For some of our students, this is their only option. And really, for a number of our campers, they don't have a summer aside from this. So many of them are responsible for a younger sibling while their parent or parents work, so for 4 hours a day they get to chill and have fun.
I can't wait for camp to start. Our first week is already jam packed, and we're hoping for a few stray donations to tumble in over the weekend and next week so we can officially pay for the rest of camp. God bless, and I'm sure I'll update soon.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Summer vacation
This is divine, truly. I love it. I'm not even sad it's been a cold spring because I don't have to get out of bed in the morning unless I want to.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Last Day of School!
It's finally here. Sweet Jesus, it's finally here!
Oh man...I can't wait for 11:30 this morning. 2.5 more hours and we're on our way for lunch at Valentina and I can collapse on the couch and read my book. Aaahhh....
Oh man...I can't wait for 11:30 this morning. 2.5 more hours and we're on our way for lunch at Valentina and I can collapse on the couch and read my book. Aaahhh....
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
For Teachers to-be
After your grades are done and turned in, and as you show them to your students, be prepared to hear the following:
"Darn. Is there anything I can do to raise my grade a little?"
Deadlines mean little to nothing to students some days....
"Darn. Is there anything I can do to raise my grade a little?"
Deadlines mean little to nothing to students some days....
My last class just left.
The sound of silence has never been so sweet. Aahhh...I'm done teaching for the year, and all my grades are turned in. Amen.
School Supplies
When I was in elementary school and high school, and even college, I loved going to pick out my school supplies. I loved picking up notebooks with fun and flashy covers and being able to determine which notebook would take the notes for which classes. I love the promise held in a clean notebook. I love the very idea of notes to be taken and thoughts to be thunk.
I love picking out pens as well. I really do. I can't use a pen if it doesn't feel right. I don't even like to use a pen if the ink isn't blue or black or purple, and I have a preference for which pens I like in which colors. Papermate Stick pens have to be blue. Bic Ultra Round Stick Grips pens have to be purple. Pentel RSVP pens (the big thick honkers) have to be purple or "violet". When I choose a pen with black ink, it's got to be a roller ball type pen, with ink that flows right on out and smears just a bit if you're not careful. I love the way they write on a sheet of paper. It's so determined and so permenant and almost...dare I say it...sexy.
One of the most wonderful things about being a teacher is that you get to pick out school supplies twice a year (at least, my school does). My school's on a tight budget but they'll buy any supplies you order at the end of the academic year for the coming year, provided it's from a particular company. I'm cool with that, because this company carries all my favorite pens, and I DO go through pens in my grading.
Right now I'm feeling positively decadent. I'm picking out PENS and PENCILS and ERASERS for the coming year. I'm finding all kinds of goodies in my catalog, including a battery operated pencil sharpener for my desk! Oh man...it'll be fantastic to have a pencil sharpener that doesn't rely on electricity and a cord for power.
What's fabulous is that I'm filling out my list now, but when I arrive in August I'll be able to check my supplies and determine what I need to buy, and I can't wait. I'm going to need to visit a store to get myself some folders, and I'm going to need at least 1 notebook for documentation (oooh, maybe one of those small Mead notebooks with the black and white marbled cover. I've always loved those).
School supplies always get me giddy. The one downside to not being a homeroom teacher is not being able to get protracters and birthday pencils and all that fun stuff that homeroom teachers get for their classrooms. Le sigh...maybe some day. For now, I've got my pens and my catalog to keep me company, and that's good enough for me!
I love picking out pens as well. I really do. I can't use a pen if it doesn't feel right. I don't even like to use a pen if the ink isn't blue or black or purple, and I have a preference for which pens I like in which colors. Papermate Stick pens have to be blue. Bic Ultra Round Stick Grips pens have to be purple. Pentel RSVP pens (the big thick honkers) have to be purple or "violet". When I choose a pen with black ink, it's got to be a roller ball type pen, with ink that flows right on out and smears just a bit if you're not careful. I love the way they write on a sheet of paper. It's so determined and so permenant and almost...dare I say it...sexy.
One of the most wonderful things about being a teacher is that you get to pick out school supplies twice a year (at least, my school does). My school's on a tight budget but they'll buy any supplies you order at the end of the academic year for the coming year, provided it's from a particular company. I'm cool with that, because this company carries all my favorite pens, and I DO go through pens in my grading.
Right now I'm feeling positively decadent. I'm picking out PENS and PENCILS and ERASERS for the coming year. I'm finding all kinds of goodies in my catalog, including a battery operated pencil sharpener for my desk! Oh man...it'll be fantastic to have a pencil sharpener that doesn't rely on electricity and a cord for power.
What's fabulous is that I'm filling out my list now, but when I arrive in August I'll be able to check my supplies and determine what I need to buy, and I can't wait. I'm going to need to visit a store to get myself some folders, and I'm going to need at least 1 notebook for documentation (oooh, maybe one of those small Mead notebooks with the black and white marbled cover. I've always loved those).
School supplies always get me giddy. The one downside to not being a homeroom teacher is not being able to get protracters and birthday pencils and all that fun stuff that homeroom teachers get for their classrooms. Le sigh...maybe some day. For now, I've got my pens and my catalog to keep me company, and that's good enough for me!
The thing about the last days of school...
.......is that homeroom teachers start to remember that they've got a lot to complete in just a few hours and I suddenly have a lot of time on my hands. Oh well. Back to cleaning and tearing down bulletin boards.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Today was one of those days...
You know, the kind that make me think that if I had another month of crap like today, I'd quit and move to Maui.
::bangs head repeatedly against wall::
OY. VEY.
Remember the "What the hell I am gonna do?" post? Ugh. I just found out that not only will the student be returning next year, but he's being promoted to the next grade. He wasn't supposed to be, but the principal decided that with summer school he could be promoted. I'm pissed about it for a few reasons. 1. He MIGHT have been better behaved with the incoming 7th grade. He wouldn't have had anyone to act out with, at least. 2. He SHOULD have repeated 6th grade this year, but they decided that he fit in better physically with the 7th grade. He towers over the 6th graders. 3. I don't think he's learned anything from the constant promotion. He's learned that even if he fails and just attends summer school he'll get passed on to the next grade. That means his behavior in August will be MUCH worse than it is now.
The principal promised me and the other teachers that he's being put on a plan for behavior and academics, and that with the plan comes the stipulation that if he's out of line he'll be kicked out in the first quarter of school. I'm....doubtful.
I HATE to say that about a child. I really do. But here's the thing...this kid hasn't made any progress since the start of the school year. He hasn't shown any signs of grown. In fact, I've seen regression in him. In the first weeks he was doing great. His work was coming in and it was generally pretty good. After he got comfortable he decided that he didn't have to work anymore and he hasn't worked since. He's failed all but one assignment he did this quarter...for me, that is. I can't speak for his other teachers. And that assignment was only after I wrote a note home (couldn't call because my Spanish is lacking) and explained that he had one chance to fix his assignment before I failed him.
He's failing my class. I'm a tough grader, and I never curve grades. I curved this quarter, and he's still failing. I might be willing to up his grade to a D if we were talking a point or two difference, but I'm talking a 15 point difference even with the curve. If I raised his grade, nearly everyone in the class would be getting straight As from me.
I'm so disgusted with this kid and his behavior. I know parents are pissed off as well. The class he's in has problems on its own, and I can't even tackle some of the problems in that class because I feel like I'm constantly saying, "Sit down," and "Get your work done" and "One more time and you'll be repeating my class at your recess." But NOTHING gets through. Absolutely nothing.
It's so disheartening. I feel like this kid overshadows all the good things that are happening in that class.
Remember the "What the hell I am gonna do?" post? Ugh. I just found out that not only will the student be returning next year, but he's being promoted to the next grade. He wasn't supposed to be, but the principal decided that with summer school he could be promoted. I'm pissed about it for a few reasons. 1. He MIGHT have been better behaved with the incoming 7th grade. He wouldn't have had anyone to act out with, at least. 2. He SHOULD have repeated 6th grade this year, but they decided that he fit in better physically with the 7th grade. He towers over the 6th graders. 3. I don't think he's learned anything from the constant promotion. He's learned that even if he fails and just attends summer school he'll get passed on to the next grade. That means his behavior in August will be MUCH worse than it is now.
The principal promised me and the other teachers that he's being put on a plan for behavior and academics, and that with the plan comes the stipulation that if he's out of line he'll be kicked out in the first quarter of school. I'm....doubtful.
I HATE to say that about a child. I really do. But here's the thing...this kid hasn't made any progress since the start of the school year. He hasn't shown any signs of grown. In fact, I've seen regression in him. In the first weeks he was doing great. His work was coming in and it was generally pretty good. After he got comfortable he decided that he didn't have to work anymore and he hasn't worked since. He's failed all but one assignment he did this quarter...for me, that is. I can't speak for his other teachers. And that assignment was only after I wrote a note home (couldn't call because my Spanish is lacking) and explained that he had one chance to fix his assignment before I failed him.
He's failing my class. I'm a tough grader, and I never curve grades. I curved this quarter, and he's still failing. I might be willing to up his grade to a D if we were talking a point or two difference, but I'm talking a 15 point difference even with the curve. If I raised his grade, nearly everyone in the class would be getting straight As from me.
I'm so disgusted with this kid and his behavior. I know parents are pissed off as well. The class he's in has problems on its own, and I can't even tackle some of the problems in that class because I feel like I'm constantly saying, "Sit down," and "Get your work done" and "One more time and you'll be repeating my class at your recess." But NOTHING gets through. Absolutely nothing.
It's so disheartening. I feel like this kid overshadows all the good things that are happening in that class.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
