Meet Charles Randel

I had a feeling yesterday was going to be the day. I took my phone to church, even. Got the first call before noon, that Greg and Chelsey were going to the hospital, but didn't know if they would stay. Greg was good about giving updates as Dan and I were at City hall, painting and cleaning in the band room. Finally got the call and got to meet the little guy. He's very special and the second of my two grandsons to be born on a Sunday.

Can you teach an old dog (er, gal) new tricks?

I had a surprise after school yesterday when I was called into the principal's office. She said, come in with an open mind. She preceded to offer me a "new" job. The administrative team wanted me to transfer to teaching a level 2 class for next year. For those of you not real familiar with special ed and levels, I have been teaching level 1, and most of the help has been in the general education classroom with a little bit of pull out. The new position is longer times of pullout and I'll be teaching the student's whole reading curriculum, or math curriculum, perhaps not using what the classroom is using. Groups will be small and the students will still go to a regular class for social studies and science instruction. The students are more handicapped than those I see now. As a matter of fact, I helped move several of these kids from the lesser restrictive environment to the more sheltered one this year, as these kids were just not making progress. The teacher currently leading the level 2 class is retiring and we will split the kids by grade level into 2 classes for next year.
I thought about it, weighed the options and decided to go for it. I will get a regular sized room in the fourth grade hallway with windows!!!!! I will have a program associate and hopefully they will grant my wish for which one. I lose co teaching with my favorite person, but at the same time don't have to co teach anymore with one I don't like as well. They pretty much told me I could keep this position until retirement.
So... I have to think about moving sometime during the summer. Hopefully this is a positive move for everyone involved. I always enjoy a new challenge!

Finally rescued

I think I am above water again, at least for a while. I have only two individual education plans still to write out of 23, and our visit by the state department of education is over. Apparently we passed - no citations at the elementary. We have hired a new superintendent, so that process is over. We still need to hire a principal here at the elementary and I may be involved with that, as my department usually is not good about volunteering.
At home the yard is looking better all the time with Dan spending some of each of his days out there. I wish I could think of something to make with creeping Charlie as we have tons of that. Spring truly has come and the trees look so pretty around town with all the beautiful blooms. Luckily no one at our house is bothered much by tree pollen.
Church activities also are waning. No more Wednesday night choir rehearsals, though we will still sing on Sundays and the last bell choir practice is this week, with a performance on Sunday. Kids Quest is over because of Little League.
We have begun saving money and looking for a second vehicle. Having just one has been inconvenient, but not impossible. It just cuts down on impulsive moves. My biggest problem is needing my jacket, which is in the car, which Dan has!
Counting down to Baby J's arrival!

Help! I'm drowning!

Lots of things I could post, even some pictures but am buried in school paperwork, so just know I'm still alive and I'll get to this soon.

Back at work

Vacation is over :( This is the first time in many years when I haven't been really bored before vacation was over. I guess I am getting more ready to retire. I had just learned to sleep later again, now its back to getting up just after 5:00. It's not that I accomplished too much. But, just enough to keep busy. I spent one whole afternoon uncrocheting a rug. I've been making these for several years out of cotton yarn and when they get a hole, I just undo to the hole and crochet it again. Wouldn't you know, the hole is always close to the beginning , not the end you unravel from. Now in the evenings I am putting it back together.
I have read a few more books, but I forget to log them on my list before I take them back to the library.
Anyone out there remember Mr. Popper's Penguins or Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary? I am teaching both these books in small groups right now. It is fun to have the kids get to read something a little out of their reach to do independently. I took my laptop home yesterday to finish up some planning for these books, and forgot to bring back the power cord. The MacBook Pro is a great machine, but you do have to plug it in sometime! Dan was nice enough to drop it off for me.
Tonight as usual, I have bell choir at 5:00. One of our songs has me playing the REALLY BIG bells. It is like lifting weights - you feel it in your ribcage. Dan meets me at six and we go out to eat before Chancel choir at 7:00. We are down to one car again, so this week he has to come or I have to stay here!
It rained all day today. Lucky us!

Nya nya, I'm on vacation!

Vacation! what a wonderful word. I have already accomplished a few things, because this week is going to be too short! I finished completely the baby quilt for my friend at school. Baby J's baby quilt is pieced and will be finished when I get some more flannel. I went to the library, then to church to give blood. I even let her wiggle the needle a little! I know Chelsey will appreciate that!

Last week I spent some time in the dr's office. My foot was really giving me fits, I thought maybe I had broken it, without an obvious injury. Well, after xrays and tests for gout, I was given a diagnosis of arthritis and a prescription for pain/ anti inflamatory. It may be mental tricks, but boy, it feels better than in a long time.

The back yard is devoid of sticks and limbs, courtesy of an afternoon's work by Dan. Looks much better. I was worried about the limb that fell in the lilac bush as it was stuck upright there and was about 8 inches around. The lilac seems none the worse for wear.

Best part of this week so far? Sunshine!

odds and ends

We are half way through our second week of school with no snow days! This is so great the district rewarded us with a mandatory Saturday work day! Joy, joy! I actually have some things that need doing, so I guess it's ok. My student teacher is done and I'm working the new schedule which includes 10 minutes of playground duty with second graders. Yesterday I noticed a 9 foot long icicle hanging from the north side of the building. Even though no kids should be over there, I thought I'd better tell the principal and he had a great time pulling it down from the drain spout. Unfortunately the ice was blocking water behind it so he got a little shower as well. He even came to my room to thank me!
I've had a cold this week but feeling better each day. I needed to get to the Dr for a physical but they weren't making appointments - the computers were down. For two weeks. Must be hard to get things done in those circumstances. Way harder to do things the old fashioned way!
This week I am helping to interview candidates for the superintendent's job. She is retiring. We are considered to be a rather large district, so want someone with experience. Should be interesting. It extends the day quite a bit so I hope I don't embarrass myself by yawning too much!