A New Phase Begins

Dropped Prep off at her new dorm room.

All is well except for the crazy with a capital K that is her roommate's mother. It was as if Roommate's mom was moving into the room and not the Roommate, herself. I was pretty calm, but this crazy (I'm sorry) KRAZY lunatic was decorating within an inch of her life. Prep is going to have to live in her dormroom, not me, so I decided to hang back and let her take care of business. Not Krazy. And, I think she took Prep's lofted dorm bed that we paid $260 for. Let me get that situation figured out - I hope, hope, she didn't take it. Hell hath no fury like the fury I will unleash upon her.

But otherwise, it was an entirely pleasant day. Sort of. Can't believe she's gone, but she is in her element. I can't be anything but happy for her. She and the 24 pairs of shoes she took with her.

Oh, yeah. School started two days ago.

Nothing but sheer madness around here.

Two Down, 188 To Go (Unless the Governor Has His Way with Us)

Cupcake update: Here's the icing on the cake. While class sizes are allowed to go to an all-time high of 29 in elementary classrooms (and I've had 28 in a trailer), for some inexplicable reason, the rising 5th graders have lost some 19 students. Right now, we have 54 registered 5th graders. Our principal has already pulled one of our team members - my best friend - and left the rest of us scrambling on how to departmentalize with the three of us. While I might say that all hell's done broke loose, that would be an understatement. Because I envision two scenarios: first, fewer students come than anticipated. That leaves another teacher out in the cold and I'm hoping it's not me. But I think I am covered in that respect (what with my time in the county and the building). It is the second scenario that I am concerned about: the influx of fifth graders which we all know is entirely possible. If we get more kids than we can handle, what's going to happen? I personally think everyone jumped the gun on this one.

So, in addition to being completely freaked out about BrownBear - don't let this calm demeanor fool you-this school year is off to a completely sucky start. We moved into the building this year, but, as I said, I wasn't going to go off half cocked and work for free, so I did nothing - and the principal wouldn't let us in the building because the custodians were waxing floors and shampooing carpets. That is why I am up so damned early today -- I've got a crap load to finish before Meet and Greet tomorrow and they've scheduled meetings today -- who runs this district but a bunch of morons? -- so I am off to shower and get a head start.

While Cupcake and John Deere Mom dance about and enjoy their vacations during these crazy hot days of August, I have already spent the past two days in pre-planning. Nearly twelve hour days, because I didn't go and do one doggoned thing during the summer. My days of working for the government for free are over.

The State Board of Education voted unanimously to do away with the regulation that teachers work 190 days during the school year. Basically, they said that we only need to work 183. That gives the local school boards the power to furlough us for seven days; they even said that the bus drivers and cafeteria workers could be furloughed. They were going to furlough them when the impact on students wouldn't be felt. Feel free to look around and be confused. I know I was when I heard that tidbit.

(Just a little gossip about our State Superintendent of Education: Kathy Cox, that bright bulb who won $1 million on Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, filed for bankruptcy along with her husband not more than 2 months after winning. According to bankruptcy law, she was insolvent when she won the money and her creditors had the right to go after it. She transferred the money back to Fox TV and then went on Atlanta local news to talk about how bad her creditors were - coming after money that really belongs to the poor deaf and blind children of Georgia. Poor Kathy Cox - if she had only had a real attorney who knew the law, she wouldn't have filed for bankruptcy so soon after winning that cash. And if she isn't careful, she's going to lose that job that keeps her in a little over $100,000 per year.)

So, that's how smart our State Superintendent really is. Agreeing to furlough teachers who do the dirty work for a governor and legislature who didn't do their jobs in the first place.

Going back to school was good for me because BrownBear has been gone now since Saturday. I haven't heard anything - and the word is no news is good news. I do check weather.com everyday just to pretend like I know something about what's going on with her. LawyerBoy is on a business trip and Prep is at cheercamp, getting ready for her senior year(?!).

So, now, it's a shower, some leftovers and bed for me. To do it all again tomorrow - including a cheermom meeting and choir. You can bet I'm thrilled.

Countdown to Christmas

Football season came to a screeching halt at 3:00 AM this morning when Prep came in and woke me up - letting me know that she had arrived safely home from the Quarter Finals which had been an away game in the farthest corner of the state. Actually, as far away as the game was, I believe it was out of state.

However, the boys in blue lost by one point. So, there is no football in December this year.

BrownBear and I put up some of the Christmas decorations yesterday. We put the lights out because we are expecting rain today and, are you ready, snow flurries tomorrow night.

I have graded a stack of tests and essays - depressing as always - and have just a few things to do to get ready for Monday. The Holly Ball is tomorrow night, so I know I won't be getting ready for school Sunday evening. Prep is taking someone she went to kindergarten with. The whole idea couldn't be cuter.

Now that I have had a taste of vacation, I can't wait for Christmas. Can't wait. And you know how December is - you hit the ground running and it doesn't let up until the last day of school.

Cue the Olympic Theme Music

Today was the first day we rotated classes. I felt like I was running an Olympic marathon. Each of the English classes I teach is 45 minutes long, except for Math which lasts an entire hour. (You know why. They failed the test in droves last year. The county demands the time. They wanted 75 minutes, so we have to incorporate the extra15 minutes during the rest of the day. Can you imagine? We can't keep teachers engaged for 75 minutes.)

The first period is the one with the Sped kids. Their class also has 24 students. And guess what? No para-pro. No co-teacher. Just little ole teachergirl. Luckily, there were no issues, but I can see them looming on the perimeter.

My math class is a dream - with the exception of the people who could not read the schedule and figure out where their names were. As I pointed out, if you couldn't find your name, you shouldn't be in my class. (OK, sarcasm isn't an effective means of discipline with a student, but damn, kids, this is the accelerated math class. If you can't read the schedule, you don't belong with me.)

When my homeroom got back to me, they were beat. (They weren't the only ones.) They did my little writing assignment, packed up and went home. Me, too. All in all, I saw 85 of them today. Eighty-five.

I really have to get my stuff together, though. My lesson plans are shoddy. At best.

Worn.Out.

One down. One hundred seventy-nine to go. You know the drill.

When it was FINALLY time for them to go home, they couldn't find one of the kindergarteners. So, they couldn't send the busses. So, they couldn't release carpool. And the traffic got worse and worse...

I don't know where that kindergartener was, but they finally found her and all those kids finally went home. I finally went home around 5:00.

I can't believe we have to go back tomorrow and do it all again.

A Weekend In the Life of a Cheer Mom (Or Why the Church Frowns on Suicide)

I could really have used a stiff drink yesterday during my mandatory cheer mom meeting. Already being strung as tight as a prostitute in church (or some other such simile), I was ready to come undone. Why weren't they serving drinks?

I was extremely happy to find out that Friday morning breakfasts with the football moms were not mandatory. Imagine my relief. Were they going to fine us like they used to do in sorority when we missed a function? I truly did not know. LawyerBoy wanted to know if Cheer Dads could attend. I told him that I would pay for his meal if he would just do it. Please. Go.

I had to sign up to help with an after home game dinner for the football players and cheerleaders and co-host a pre-game dinner for the cheerleaders. The football backers also goosestepped in and told us that everyone had to sign up to work the concession stand for one quarter during a home game.

Uh, hell to the no. If you need someone to man that station, talk to the man of my house. I don't work in the food service industry. Never have, never will.

There was lots of gushing - stuff I don't do well. I wasn't a good sorority girl. I don't hold hands and sing Kum Ba Yah. (Or whatever the hell it was we used to sing.) So all this cheerleader love is about to push me past my limit.

And people. With school getting ready to start, I am already one step past my limit.

Tonight is Meet and Greet. I get to spread some cheer among my little homeroom darlings. (And after looking at my list, I am thrilled. I don't know if there are some more Bobs, but you know there will be at least one or two doosies.) I still have a few more logistical things to do with my room and then it is go time. I can't believe it.

I'm So Freakin' Tired, I Don't Know My Own Name

Kids don't come until Monday and I am not ready, yet. I appreciate the panic attack, Angie.

I'm having my own.

BrownBear helped me get ready this weekend - I had been ready and things got undone. She put up my bulletin boards on Saturday. Her little OCD self got my borders exactly right.

Monday consisted of all day meetings and team building activities. Today, I got three hours in my room and then had professional development - I had to go to a Science workshop and I'm not even teaching science. Tomorrow, we have staff meeting until lunch and then, I think, we get to go to our rooms. I'd stay late, but, you know, I've got that mandatory cheerleading meeting.


Color me thrilled.

Oh My Holy Hell, Part 3 (and maybe I'll stop)

.... this just in:

I got an e-mail from the cheermom (OMG, the cheermom) and this is what part of it says:

Wednesday August 6- 3:30 pm Cheer Perfomance for Parents
4:00 pm MANDATORY PARENT MEETING

Thursday August 7 and Friday August 8- Cheer Practice 9:00-12:00.

The parent meeting is very important, and we really need everyone in attendance. At this meeting, we will go over the cheer budget for the season, and there will be lots of opportunities to volunteer . The Varsity cheerleaders, football players, and their families are invited to an after party after all home football games and including the Westminster game. This party is held at school and the cost of the main meal is included in our cheer budget. The players and cheerleaders are usually starving, so it is a great way to feed them and celebrate those victories! Each of us will sign up to help host one after party, and the football parent in charge, will call you with what you need to bring.

There will also be a sign up sheet for the Cheerleader Pre-Game dinners for home games and the Westminster game. Senior Parents get first choice, must live close to Lovett, and have one other mom help them with the dinner.

Every Friday morning during football season, all the football player Moms and Cheerleader Moms meet for breakfast at OK Cafe at 8 am. This breakfast is a long standing football tradition and a great way for the moms to visit and get to know each other. Each person is respondsible for their own meal.

There will be lots of other things we will go over at the meeting, but these were some of the highlights.IMPORTANT!!OK, last but not least... The cheer budget is ready and I have attached a copy to this email. Coach McCarter and I tried to think ahead and plan for everything up front so you would only have to write one check for the season. For the returning Varsity girls, the big difference in this years budget vs last year, is that we have added the cost of the End of Season Cheer Video and the cost of snacks for the away games to our beginning budget, rather than collecting for them during the season. I cannot promise that something else may not come along, but I think we have most of it covered. Basically, the Seniors owe $255 and the Juniors owe $245. I have opened a seperate bank account for our expenses, so please make your checks out to me. You can mail the checks to me directly at:

(teachergirl needs another job - send funds immediately - because I can guarantee that this is the tip of the iceberg; uniforms, jackets, shoes, socks, sportsbras....)

I nearly fell out of my chair when I started reading this missive. Apparently, I tried out for a squad that I don't want to be part of. I'm going to get to host parties before and after football games? With stinky football players and cheerleaders. I can't wait!! And Friday breakfasts with football and cheerleader moms. So we can get to know each other.

Let me check my calendar. Nope. It's not 1957 and I'll be calling roll about 8:00 AM on Fridays. (Don't comment about comma usage and grammar - I just cut and pasted.)

I find it extraordinary that in today's world, we still have people who go to garden club and do lunch. And fill their days with stuff like this. With the world collapsing around us, I am amazed. I am sure that these parents are fulfilled by engaging in these activites, but I have volunteered to teach 10 year olds how to function in the world without their parents. Part of my fulfillment is a meager paycheck and health benefits, but I also do it to make certain that two young women in this house realize that self-sufficiency is an option. While I had the opportunity to stay home with them while they were little, I wasn't the garden club girl - I needed to have something to fall back on because I realized that these little girls were going to grow up and the void that they were going to leave is immeasurable. And I like what I do, most days - because every 180 days, we get to start over with a whole set of new employees. Perspective, people. Perspective.

First Day

Yesterday was the first day of school for the PrepGirl and BrownBear. It was a dream come true. Both are back in the same school on the same schedule. BrownBear is in 6th grade this year - the dreaded middle school years - but if yesterday was any indication, this might be fine. Prep, well, Prep is in 10th grade - the only sophomore in New Testament and Algebra II. I told her there could be worse things.

Phew! Back to normal.

One Down, One Seventy Nine to Go

So, today, they came. It looked like we were giving something away. "Free education right here!" The kindergarteners were absolutely precious - except the ones who don't answer to their own names. What? You talking to me?

My class is pretty good. I had more students tell me "yes ma'am" today than I have in four years. Praise be. Someone has had some home training.

UPDATE: I wrote this yesterday before the cable blew (kaboom!!!) and I couldn't post. I had another day with the kids- and I don't think it is a fluke. They are a good group. Now, they also realize that I am a bit of a freak, because I got choked up today, talking about the Constitution. Whatever. And I don't know what I did to them Monday, because several of them described me as "organized." WTH? Who came into my classroom when I wasn't looking? I was talking a good game and I have tried to clear off my desk these past two days, but man...organized. Whooooeeeee. I already have them right where I want them.

I am exhausted today; moreso today than yesterday. (Perhaps from all that organization) I can't wait until Friday. But you know, the kids are doing what I ask, when I ask, and so far, it has been good.

BrownBear and PrepGirl pick up their books tomorrow. Praise Oprah. Only another week before they go back full time. Those two need to finish that summer reading before I have an episode. How can my own flesh and blood not like to read? I swear. It ought to be imprinted in their DNA. Instead, I've got cheerleaders and scientists and mathematicians.

Meet and Greet

Schmoozed with parents and kids yesterday. Nice ones compared to last year, let me tell you. I have my first sibling and I am thrilled. Thrilled!! Must not compare the two but those boys are brilliant. Can't wait. When was the last time I said that? Seriously. I haven't looked forward to the first day of school in a long time.

The fifth grade team has been told that this upcoming class is golden; their poopoo doesn't stink. For months last year, we were told that if we could just make it through with to the end with our group from hell, it would be worth it to us this year.

Yesterday, after our open house, some of the fourth grade teachers started in with a few "stories" about a few of the kids who were coming up. You know, how they could be behaviors, or their parents weren't supportive....blah, blah, blah. I looked at our team leader (not me anymore!!!!!!!) and shook my head. We ARE going to be golden this year, if it is the last thing I do.

Cooling in my room comes and goes; you have to move around to indicate that there are people in the trailer. And believe you, I am dancing around in there so that thing knows I need to be cool.

Other than that, bring it on. PrincipalGirl, laid up after some knee surgery, noted that I am in the zone - not the hysterical one, either. PrepGirl and BrownBear took some time off of their summer reading blitz to help with my classroom lay out. The first day task list is ready, the art/student table is ready. First day is ready. It is the second day that needs some planning. And during the first week, you can basically plan just about anything. It is all golden.

It's Too Hot to Care... No Wonder Scarlett Had to Rest

This has been some week. I nearly died from heat stroke in my trailer on Monday. It is going to be 101 degrees here tomorrow. Whatever I've done, I'm sorry. This is pretty much purgatory. Can't we all just be sprung for what we've done?

Usually, it rains like cats and dogs on our school's Open House. Tomorrow morning is our open house. Here's hoping that it works this for us again this year.

Yesterday, I spent the entire day in "Professional Learning." I learned that I am a better teacher than some of the presenters. I learned that I work with some really cool people. I learned that I don't have to teach science this year. But I really learned that if you are going to send 5000 teachers to one meeting place, you had better have a parking plan in place and a way to get them all home in a hurry. You see, I sat in a bottle necked parking lot for an hour yesterday in that 100 degree weather. All the inspiration the county had hoped to instill in me just drip, drip, dripped away as I melted in that traffic, watching the clock tick and the gas on TeacherGuy's gauge just evaporate.


One more day of preplanning and then it all starts again. Can you believe it? I can't.

You Can't Stop an Avalanche as It Races Down a Hill

Spent the morning in my classroom, sorting out my desk and closet and putting up the two new bulletin boards. I have no idea what is going to happen at my school this year. After last year's bad ride and the revolving door I was privy to, I can't believe we are low in numbers. There is talk among the teachers that teachers will probably be cut across the grade levels.

But, you can't stop the river as it rushes to the sea.

I have a bit more seniority in the county in my grade level than my teaching partner. And it doesn't matter if you have more building seniority.

We believe that part of the problem is the new charter school that was slated to open last Monday. They didn't make it, and they have promised to open this Monday. They have had many problems getting a principal and facilities. Right now, they have trailers set up in a commercial warehouse-type park. Across the four lane road from the Waffle House. No playground. No cafeteria. (I guess they get to go to the Waffle House.)

You can't stop the motion of the ocean or the sun in the sky.

So, we wait and worry. Is anybody coming to our school this year? Where will the teachers go? And to pour salt into the wound, there was an article in yesterday's paper stating that the county was hustling to hire 90 more new teachers to fill all the positions before the first day of school. My first thought was, "let's not be so hasty!!" We might need a few of those spots.