The Final Week

Ah, we did it. We have reached the end of the first quarter. What describes your mood? Relief? Happiness? Sadness? At the end of every period in life, it's natural to be reflective. A new term means a fresh start and how often in real life do we have those? I've lived my whole life on a school schedule, or as much as I can recall. Every fall was a new beginning, every summer a break from it all. I don't know what it would be like to work a 50 week year doing the same thing. Sure, I've worked summers before, but I always have some element of change in what I'm doing. Do you look forward to life after school and living a different sort of life and schedule?

I will be out of the building for two days this week for a district workshop. If you need to reach me, email me at rebecca.mccammon@spps.org or comment on one of my blogs. Please be on-task and respectful of whoever subs for me. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

Funky Blogger

My blogger is being odd and not showing in my dashboard the most recent posts. So, I've gone searching this morning for people's most recent posts. I think I am caught up- whew! What a week! With all this testing, the early release and the registration process, not a single day has been routine. Today, though, should be a smooth day of classes without interruption:) Even as I write that, I wish I had some wood near by to knock on.

Last night I made my way to MOA with Luke and Quinn. It was a totally unplanned trip. Luke picked up Quinn from preschool and Quinn wanted to go ride the train/light rail. So, they stopped by the house, picked me up and away we went. Initially, it looked like out stop was going to be solely for Quinn to get an ice cream cone and then we were going to turn around and go home, but a trip to Lego Land and my need for some maternity attire stretched out of our trip. The woman at GAP was exceedingly friendly and not pushy at all. It turned out she has two adopted Korean kids of her own and so we were all a chatter. It was such a nice interaction that it reminded me that customer service is such a vital commodity. I would return to that store just to honor her strong work ethic. Of course, the Rosedale GAP doesn't have a maternity section, but I also would want to throw any commission her way that I could. We chatted about local Korean restaurants, potty training, the Mom works, as it were. So many days I function in my world that is the same from day to day, talking to the same people and interacting in the same ways. Meeting new people is extremely rare. How nice to come across such a genuine person who I had things in common with!? So, my musing today wonders if you are inclined to meet new people in your life? Do you like that process? When was the last time you met someone new? For as small as our school is, do you know everyone? Do you feel boxed into your social group or relationships?

Change is interesting

Yesterday was the first time we did registration the way we did. It is fascinating to watch people's reaction to stress. It's intriguing to watch individuals struggle with their transcripts and academic fate. It made me realize a series of things. For one, this was never something I had to think about in high school. I went to a big, traditional high school and we signed up for a year of classes in the spring prior to the new school year. My classes were nearly all the same all year long- English, History, Band, German, etc.. Sometimes, in having so many choices and yet not, there is enormous turmoil. I see students celebrate their hard work, bemoan their credit shortage and more. In my room, it was relatively calm because I help to advise the freshman who are new on the high school path. But, many an upperclassman wandered into my space and in varying degrees, changed the tone and mood of the room with their energy. I watched the explosion of emotions that had little to do with me, but was aimed at me. Odd. In my old high school, there was a whole office of people who handled the scheduling. Here, the teachers who already teach a larger variety of classes than in any other school are asked to also be guidance counselors. And I don't mind this, because I like helping students outside of my subject area, but when the school is then attacked by voices for doing their best-- it pains ms. Of course, some of this all relates back to the notion of equity. Shouldn't our school have the kinds of resources that others do? All interesting queries.

It sounds like that come springtime, you will register for the whole year at one time. Will you like this? Do you like being actively engaged in selecting your classes?

On a side note, my back has started to show signs of the pain that comes with pregnancy. uggh. What is running through your mind today? Tell me about your book.

For your amusement

This was actually taken a few weeks back at a family Halloween party, but here is Quinn and his Dad. His Dad crafted from cardboard and painted Quinn's wings. Pretty adorable, eh?

A new day

Ah, a Monday. So, how were your weekends? Mine was lovely:) Aside from some continued nausea and pregnancy sickness that hit me on Saturday, I did much of what fulfills me as a person. I had relaxed mornings with my family without any of the normal rushing that takes place on school days. I made my son breakfast both mornings. I went out to dinner with Luke while Quinn's Grandma took him to a pumpkin patch for outdoor fun and later, mall trick or treating. I watched adult tv programming without interruption (Dexter) and read from my book. We went to the MOA and played at Lego Land, I cleaned the downstairs of the house and I've just made meatballs for dinner. All in all, not bad. I need to do some planning and correcting, but I feel pretty pleased with how I've spent the last 48 hours. I've been with people I loved, relaxed as able and done for others what I could. Not bad. There's something about having lose ends tied in life that allows me to approach a new week or task with enthusiasm. For example, I can't correct papers in a super messy house. I can't focus on Quinn fully unless I have things sort of organized. They say that parents should spend at least 15 minutes a day doing exactly what the kid leads you to do and guides you. Often, Quinn invites me from my school work to come and play with him and I do. It's enough that I have to pull myself from him too often, but when he asks, I do my best to respond.

How have you responded to the needs pressing on you in life? How do you attend to your own needs and honor the needs of others? How will you approach the demands of the next two weeks while maintaining your physical and emotional health? How can I help?

Be well and have a glorious day.

Hello, hello

Just a quick note about some upcoming events that will keep the computer lab busy and your presence will need to be moved to the office or my classroom. Next week there will be testing both Tuesday and Wednesday in the computer lab. On those days, you will need to submit your blog about your book on paper, as opposed to electronically. Thanks!

For today, your question is to describe the various masks and disguises you wear everyday in order to stay sane. Is Halloween a celebration of something specific to your way of thinking? Why do you think we all enjoy the notion of becoming someone else? Is there someone in this school or in your life that you would like to be like or trade lives with, if only for a day? Why?

Looking forward to insightful, intriguing blogs today. Have a marvelous and safe weekend!

The Final Countdown

With just 11 days of class left in the term, I am sure many of us are facing the music on our work for the term. Some may be celebrating and full of elation for a term well done and others may be mulling over what patterns or routines to adjust for the coming term. The use of quarters in our school is just over a year old now and we used to have trimesters. At times, it seems like quarters fly by and other moments things seem just right- very Goldilocks. Next week we have a half day on Wednesday and the following week is 4 days. The end of the term event is on its way and with that comes rehearsals and great excitement. There are likely a flurry of exams and projects to complete, absences to be made up and all while we work to stay healthy and positive. So, for today's blog, please comment on what you need to accomplish over the course of the next 11 days in order to end the term strong. How will you make yourself proud?