Been busy with art club

Raise your hand if you knew that March was Nation Craft Month? Ha, I didn't think so! Hell, I didn't know either until I read it on Twitter (an aside: I have become a total twitter freak in the last few months and I tweet all the time!!!!). Keeping that in mind and because I have been a total slacker with the art club, I decided to make a project a week during the month of March.

I've been slacking because the art club stipend was cut in half from last year. So I've been working with kids one on one and in small groups, on library time, so I didn't have to invest so much of my own time for such little money. But in honor of Nation Craft Month, I've really stepped up to the crafting/ art club plate.

So far this month we made a banner for students to hang in their rooms since they live on the campus. It's cool because it has a paper floret. But if you decide to make them, I have 3 words for you: Hot Glue Gun. Hot glue gun the entire thing together.

We also made duct tape wallets, by favorite standby art project. Easy to do and all the kids- guys and girls- like them. And duct tape now comes in so many fun patterns and colors, it's hard to resist!

Yesterday we made 3-D flowers to hang in their rooms, sort of an Easter/ spring thing.  Actually, I totally cheated because I found, on Pinterest of course, directions to make 3D snowflakes. I just had the kids use pastel papers and rung with pink ribbons and added a green stem and viola, it became a flower instead!

Imagine this in pastel. Looks like  a flower, eh????

 Next week I'll get totally crazy and make chalk/ magnetic boards. I spray painted the cookie sheets with chalk board paint and then the kids will decorate those and also make a few magnets. (they aren't allowed push pins for obvious reasons in a school I've endearingly nicknamed Alcatraz).

The magnets

The chalk board cookie sheets

 


Go get your Craft on while there's still March left!

Maggie

More than restless natives

I have no idea what's going on with the kids at school. Holy Fighting, Batman!

The kids just keep pounding on each other, and it's unrelenting.

And these aren't just small fights. These kids are beating the crap outta each other at the drop of a hat.

We had one girl scream at her teacher, leave the room, and go to another classroom to beat up a boy who broke up with her; I guess she just smacked him hard and then ran crying from the room and went to the office.

Then there were three boys. The boys were calling each other names and then one boy said to another "your mama's a 'ho who sucks dick." Oh yes he did! Apparently that was a line crossed because they went after each other to beat the snot out of each other. It took 3 male staff members to restrain the one who's mam was insulted. The other kid sorta cowered. And the third boy smacked the name caller in the face with a chair and walked out of the class.

There was the usual pushing and name calling by both genders, the kids cussing teachers and slamming doors.

And a kid who threw a temper tantrum and threw a chair into the hallway, and threw the recycling bins and then ran outside and ran around the building screaming and then punched a tree.

What's going on? I'm not sure but it's not good.

Things have to settle down.
Maggie

Public school -vs- prison school

I subbed today and it was great. The teacher I subbed for teaches Spanish, French and Math- and I can't speak any of these. (Yes, I include math as a foreign language, thank you very much). She has great classes and it reminded me of things I miss about teaching in a public high school:

• I don't have to worry if I lay a ball point pen down that it will be stolen so a student can use it for a homemade tattoo. Or I may let students use scissors and not have to count each pair because someone might decide to smuggle them out of the classroom to cut him/herself later.
• If I ask them to get quiet, the generally do and without swearing at me or calling a bit**
• 99% of them attempt to follow directions, and 100% of them do without throwing things at me
• Heard one student say to a few others: "I'm a black belt in yoga and I'm I'm not afraid to use it" and the other kids GOT THE JOKE and laughed with him, not at him
• I let a student to go her locker to get a book. She actually came back with the book, and in less than 10 seconds so she probably didn't do "bad stuff"
• kids actually studied in study hall
• no meetings were called during prep period to go over new policies about whether certain colors of girls' headbands are symbolic gang colors

Public school wasn't so bad... at least not today!

Mags

Week from Hell, and it's only Tuesday

1- Some kid lost her library book. I've been patient and have renewed it twice, giving her time to see if she can find it. Today she came in the library and I never said a word about it. Then she confronted me, in a confrontational tone, and asked me what I was going to do about her lost book. I asked her what she meant and she launched into "angry, loud, obnoxious, teenage girl" tone, ranting that SHE wasn't paying for it, SHE was calling her daddy and telling him to not pay a damn dime and on and on. When she seem to run out of steam, I nicely asked her if she would just check in her dorm again and SHE told me to do my job since I was the librarian. Oh yes she did. And oh yes I did give her the maximum allotted punishment for being disrespectful and for swearing.

2- We have a reading program that I've written about before. The company has updated said program and it's now web hosted. We paid the astronomical fees and updated and upgraded. We've encountered one issue after another with it and it's been an ongoing debacle since last February. Yesterday, during the last step of the upgrade process, all of the data was lost. I want to point out that I told our outside computer people who were doing this (not ITSam thankfully) that I hadn't hard copied the data and they told me I didn't need to worry about it since they were just copying. And now, somehow, in the magical world of technology, it's gone. All gone, every single piece of student data- test scores, books lists, point earned, tests taken.... gone gone gone. I finally sent an email to our principal and said I am done with working on this project and I don't care what they do with it. I've not yet heard a response.

3- Our principal resigned. He is the best boss I've ever had and now he has the opportunity to grow another, normal public high school, and his last day with us is on Thursday. I'll miss him.

And it's just Tuesday afternoon...

Maggie

Random Musings. For today.

If you want to drop by my house and choke or drop dead, that's okay. I'm officially re-certified, officially, in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. I'm also certified in First Aid but let me tell you, that's not my strong point. I'd be good at keeping you calm and calling EMS. If you're bleeding or worse, I'm not really successful. Blood makes me faint. I'm more useful if I know my limits than if I become a victim, too. So, come on over!

TGIT- Thank God It's Thursday. Since we have a 4 day school week, this is my Friday. And I am so ready for it; it's been a really long week. Though, I wonder, psychologically about this. Since I know it was the end of the week, could I have persevered on to one more day or would today have been my limit and I would've had to take a mental health day tomorrow if we were a 5 day week? Who knows? Who cares? What matters here is that I get a FOUR day, paid weekend. Booyah!

Since I work at a primarily Christian institution, the idea of Thirsty Thursdays don't work with colleagues. Or at least not how I'm used to organizing it... damn.

I'm totally excited that season 4 of Mad Men is now on Netflix! Booyah!

I don't usually watch much television but I'm excited about the start of the new fall season: House, Mad Men, The Big Bang Theory, Criminal Minds, and Mike & Molly. None of these are new shows but I like them all the same. And from the few trailers I've seen of new shows... well, I'm not impressed nor excited about new stuff.

I'm totally excited about the NEW magazines I ordered for the school library. I tried to diversify and not take my own personal needs into account. We're getting Game Informer, Entertainment Weekly, Taste of Home, Wired, Teen Vogue, In Style, Newsweek, Popular Science, and Cicada! These are gonna be awesome. I guess the library has had the same old mags for about 4 years so I'm mixing it up a little bit!

Sometimes nothing beats a McDonald's Sweet Tea. However, I was thinking that orange juice, pineapple juice, frozen peaches, peach schnapps, and Malibu Rum, all blended together and poured into a cold glass with a sugared rim! That might beat a Sweet Tea!

Mac is coming home for the long holiday weekend. Only, he has classes on Monday so for him it's not long. But he's coming home anyway. And I'm glad. I think. Remind me I said that later, if necessary.

And finally, I don't have to work at all the next four days. Except laundry.

Booyah,
Maggie O

Whew---- one week down!

I can't believe I've been away from here all week. I am so sorry, if anyone cares! We went back to school on Monday and since then it's been go- go- go!

Mac is getting ready for college, along with all my back to school drama. He's a lovable pain in the ass right now.

Daddy-O has another ear infection, which worries me.

Lest we forget the insufferable heat attacking the Midwest right now which sucks, and getting into the routine of getting up early, going to bed at a normal time, cooking, chores and financial worries, it's been a looooooooooooong week.

I was so ticked off on Monday because we have some "old guard" teachers who think our new discipline policies are stupid and won't comply. We have new teachers who are learning. Our construction isn't done yet. Just lots of back to school issues, like so many other schools suffer.

I also took a 3rd part time job- I'm overseeing lunch period for our students who live off the grounds but attend our school. I'll do this everyday, and get paid $15 per 90 minutes (or $10/ hour!). I have 4 kids, and they're pretty good. I also decided to oversee the literary magazine, co chair the prom, be the sponsor for the art club, and direct the school play in the fall and the musical in the spring. Yes, I have lost my ever-loving mind. The only things that could save me from this fate would be a handsome Irishman to whisk me off to the Emerald Isle, marrying Johnny Depp, a new job, or death.

I also got in a new shipment of new books, had to do bulletin boards, schedule all the English classes to visit the library, oversee all the new student testing, AND I have girl's PE locker room duty. Oh, and I met with students who wanted to check out books- you know, regular library stuff which is... oh, just MY JOB!

Sorry I was out of the blogging loop. I'll try to get back in the groove. I sure did love my month off, and miss it already. But I really love my job and is was good to be back with my students!!!

Hope you had a good week. Tomorrow is going to be "read other blogs while doing laundry" day.

Kisses,
Maggie

Flies like a butterfly, stings like a bee...

As you have figured out by now, I work in a school part of a non-lock down, juvenile prison facility. We have a school and a residential living facility.

And about six weeks ago one of our teachers got punched in the face. She's a little bit of a thing and she was trying to break up a fight between two big guys and she got socked in the face. It was an accident and could've happened to anyone in that situation. She got hit hard enough to be taken to the ER and got stitches. No concussion, no need for facial reconstruction surgery, just a really good black eye and some stitches- 5 of them. She missed school for about 3 weeks.

According to her story at the time, it was an accident. The boys in the fight said it was as did ALL of the students in that classroom.

But it's turned into a bog damn, drama.

If I was in the situation and was stupid enough to step between to big teens boys who were set to pound each other, then I would understand it was an accident and be back at school in a day or two.

I would not show weakness and miss three weeks.

These boys did not go after her with the intent to hurt her. Actually, when questioned later the boys didn't even know she was hurt.

The boys are expelled from our school. They are now doing on line learning. One kid was sent to boys' prison school. The other one is still at our facility awaiting a decision from his county.

We are all trained to handle these situations. But every single person in the trainings are told if we- the staff- know we can't stop the fight, are out numbered or if the kids are bigger, then wait for help. It doesn't matter if you are male or female, those are the rules of thumb. She weighs in at about 90 pounds and there were two of them and one of her. She just got caught in the middle of the foray.

I feel like this was made into a HUGE ordeal. It could happen to any teacher at any school in the world. Kids fight. Adults who try and break it up can get hurt. It is what it is. It doesn't make it worse because it was at our facility.

I hate the drama created by this.

I've taught in three "regular" public schools and I feel safer at Alcatraz than I did at any of the others. We have two "emergency response teams" if we have a problem. One can be there in less than 30 seconds. No public high school I know has this. I remember when I was at a middle school last year and a kid was screaming and swearing in the hallway and all the teachers locked doors and called administration for help, it was about 5 minutes because our principal was in the high school NEXT DOOR at a meeting.

More than likely our kids won't come to school armed unlike regular high schools where kids can carry in a fire arm in a back pack. Columbine mean anything to anyone?

We are trained through a nationally recognized program which trains people to handle crisis in a therapy setting. Not only are we trained with this 5 days program, we are kept updated on this training 3-4 times a year. Any other public high school teachers get this?

Sometimes I think adults can't see the forest for the trees.

Maggie

Uncomfortable sport

I've decided that I'm profoundly uncomfortable at high school boys' wrestling matches. There. I admitted it.

The athletic director at our school asked me if I would operate the concession stand for him and I've done that twice, yes two separate occasions- and both times I'm just very uncomfortable with the entire process.

First, the one thing that bugs me and it has nothing to do with being uncomfortable is that wrestling scoring makes no sense to me at all. The ref (judge? umpires? official?) has to lay down on the ground and get mat level with the two boys to see what's going on. It has to do with pins and holds and how long, and how fast they extract and all that stuff. It makes no sense at all to me. I do not like to watch "sports" with impossible to follow scoring.

As for the rest of it... ewwwwwww! It's not the 2 boys grappling around on a mat together that bugs me. I don't really care about that, though I must say at a few points during some of the matches those guys got to know each other really well, with their hands and heads in very INTIMATE places on each other's bodies. Actually, that sort of makes me laugh because these are often the same boys who make "gay" jokes. I know they're not gay, but it's more of the irony of it all for me.

It also looks painful, with the mashing of their faces and all their other body parts against the mat and then held there for an undisclosed amount of time, up to at least 2 minutes. They circle each other and smack each other on the head and grab at each others hands before rolling around together and slamming and crashing into each other. Why call it wrestling- we might as well call it "bullying."

I am very uncomfortable with the little stretchy outfits they wear. All their junk it hanging out and outlined. Then the boys have to go around and "adjust" themselves. Repeatedly. And in front of everyone... well, in front of me. It's awkward and just a bit gross. When they're waiting their turns, they have their hands down their pants, apparently straightening their compression shorts (think SPANX for men) they wear underneath but it still looks like they're playing with themselves in public. They also have to take their shirts off and smack their naked chests and pull the straps of the body suit up, right before it's their turn, and then that involves more fondling of their man parts. The man parts which are outlined, highlighted, very visible--- it's all distasteful.

I was at a meet and a invitational and this is COMMON behavior. I thought it might be just one weird school or something but this is something that all the boys at all the schools do! What is up with this weird grossness?

I don't like the bully style and the almost naked of it all. I also am NOT impressed with the foul language of the athletes who are standing mat-side waiting their turns to wrestle. It's not my new found "anti- swearing" but it's more the "way" they swear rather than actually swearing itself that I find distasteful. I also think since they are athletes representing their schools they could clean up their mouths while little kids and old people and anyone else who might be offended are standing around.

And don't even get me started on how the boys try to stay in their weight class- binging, purging, water diets, over eating, plastic wrapping of the body. It's awful!

So between protruding penises, ugly uniforms, the bullying aspect, and their apparent need to cuss like sailors makes me very uncomfortable. I think it's not going to make me a "wrestling superfan."

Not a grappling groupie,
Maggie

It doesn't Matter Why I hate my job

I had this whole post written about how much I hate my job as a special education aide at this particular high school. It was full of explanations, complaints and whining about the kids, the woman who is the director of the special education department, and just a general all around gripe session. I even had a really good story about a teacher who defended me to the Spec. Ed. Boss one day because that teacher saw her treat me like spoiled yogurt.

But none of that really matters. Guess why?

Because this girl right here, the one writing this post, is now, officially, the new Alcatraz School Librarian! They hired me back. My former, to be again, boss said hiring me for the position was a "No brainer" and they didn't even bother to interview anyone else!

You have no idea how happy and relieved I am. None.

Since I took the job as the aide and left Alcatraz, I had a head ache almost every single day. I seriously thought I was growing a tumor. I dreaded getting up in the morning. I've taken 4 days off already. I hate it. But now, I'm happy, happy, happy!

I have so many ideas! I want to write a grant to buy sets of books to have a monthly book club. I want to train kids to go read to elementary schoolers. I want to have a book contest. I want to have a Dr. Seuss birthday celebration. I want to have a featured genre of the month. I want a bulletin board where kids can write a couple sentences about their favorite books to share with others. I'm trying to come up with "story time" if you will, for high schoolers...

My first "real" job (not paper carrier nor car hop count here) was at a library and I worked there for 7 years. It would be kinda cool if my work life came full circle and I was back to being a librarian.

I have no details about the job except I know my hours and my paid vacation days. I don't even know how much I make an hour and right now, I don't care- I know it's more than minimum wage, which is what I make right now as the "spec. ed. aide". I'll know more today.

I'm thrilled. Thank you.

Maggie

Mother Nature was pissed off

Yesterday was a weird day, weather-wise. We had strong winds and it was very warm, unseasonably so- like about 80 degrees at 7:30 am. We had wind advisories and we were under a tornado warning. People were talking about it all morning, it was all over the weather, and we giggled over it when the radio DJs made fun of it on the radio on the way to work. I live in the Midwest where we have "tornado watches" as often as people need air to breathe- yes, all the time. Tornadoes didn't always happen but we sure were warned all the time. Hell, in my hometown, if the wind blows hard, the town sirens tornado sirens go off. Yes, it's become the town joke. Until today. About 9:30 am, something weird, something a little scary happened.

The school secretary came over the PA system and announced that we were supposed to take our students to our "tornado stations." They did not use the tornado alarm like we have for a drill. instead she came over and in a very shaky voice, told us to get there and, basically in not so many words, to be quick about it. In my school system, if we're having a tornado or fire drill, the faculty and staff get an email in advance. There was no email. Shit.

We have to take kids to interior rooms (no windows, no outside walls) and sit in "duck and cover" positions. So I'm there with my classroom teacher and 29 seventh graders. We're also joined by 23 HS students and their teacher who are taking Spanish- Mac happened to be in that class. I was in lock down with all those kids and Mac, thankfully.

We're all sitting on the floor, waiting. At first the kids were quiet and just looking at us and asking us lots of questions. Then they started laughing and talking. The principal came in and talked to one of the teachers in our room and when she came in , the three adults conferenced. This was NOT a drill, the teachers were quietly told. The kids are all sitting on the floor, all the way around the perimeter of the room. The lights are on dim and we finally turned a movie on, to settle them. After about an hour of listening to it storm and howl, and trying to show a movie, the power goes out.

Here we are with all these kids, in a completely dark room- the emergency lights did NOT come on. Black as pitch. I had 7th grade girls locked onto my legs and arms, some girls in the room were quietly crying and otherwise, it was dead silent. Mac quietly says above the din, "Mom, are you okay?" And I say yes, which seemed to make other kids cry. Finally I got my cell phone out of my pocket and flipped it on. Yes, I broke the damn cell rules but in a room that is totally black, with crying kids, about 52 freaked out kids, I didn't care. The teachers in the room actually told anyone who had a phone could take it out and shine the light. One of the 7th graders asked if the First Aid kits had flashlights and lo and behold, it did! (Good thinkin' 7th grader!) A science teacher opened the classroom door and handed in a candle. Then the wind really picked up.

Some kids were crying again but otherwise it was quiet IN the room. The weather was thundering, lightening, blowing like never before. Then it just became quiet. very quiet, inside and out. For anyone who has ever been in a school building during the day, it's never quiet. There's always "noise" of some kind. This was especially eerie because we had a building full of 600+ kids and faculty and it was silent- dead silent.

Finally we get an all clear. The principals came door to door to tell us. Because we still had no power, the two classes were to stay together and we were released to room with windows. It seemed the "tornado danger" was over. We all get into a room and are looking out the windows and we had lots of downed trees and branches but still no power. It's now about 11:15 a.m.

What do you do to break the tension of all the kids who had been locked up for about 2 hours, mostly sitting on the floor in fear, in the dark? With no air conditioning (teenagers are smelly but add them packed in like sardines and then the smell of fear... well, it was gross!)? Well, sing of course. Mac is giving me a huge hug and I could tell he was just freaked out. I started singing quietly in his ear, "sing, sing a song, make it simple, let the world sing along, sing of happy not sad, sing of good things, not bad." He started giggling.

Then he had AN IDEA! The upperclassmen, led by MY SON started a sing along and got the kids singing and dancing; it was a mini concert. Mac did a Journey song, "Don't Stop Believing", "I'm Yours" and "Hey There Delilah" by Jason Mraz, as well as "My Girl" by the Temptations.. We were having such a good time, two other classes came in with ours and started singing and clapping. Mac took all the solos... he is such a character. He cracks me up as well as everyone else, for that matter.

The long and the short of this tale is that we had an early release at 12:30pm. Yahoo for a half day!!!! (I HATE this job so anything that gets me out is GOOD!) It's hard to believe that happened early in the day because by 3pm it was sunny and clear with a light breeze. And dropped about 25 degrees- it was about 55!!!!!! We didn't blow away but the building had some rain damage and some wind damage, I guess.

I was so very impressed with the kids. It was utter and total chaos with lots of fear and they held it together. When it was over and done and the school was trying to get lunch organized, and buses and early dismissals and crazy scared parents, the kids were awesome and behaved and did what they were supposed to do. I was really proud of the kids.

And in the community, apparently, Wal-Mart here in town was hit by the tornado, as was the local Kroger grocery store. Furthermore, about 1/2 of the county was without power and all the fast food places and schools and a bunch of businesses had to close for the rest of the day. The hospital had people in the basement and it was just a mess. It will be interesting to see the newspaper today to see the rest of the fall out.

Maggie

Fall Break

I am so glad that we have 2 days off this week. In my system, we have a "fall break" so I don't have school tomorrow or Friday. Thank the gods.

Originally Mac and I were going on two college visits but both of us agreed we really needed the vacation. We just couldn't bring ourselves to do it. I have to work at the reception desk second shift on Friday and Saturday so I'm thrilled Mac wanted to bail. I can now have all day Thursday and Sunday to do whatever I want. And I am.

My big plan is to do nothing and laundry. I might read or scrapbook or quilt or sleep or blog or read blogs... Just a bunch of nothing is the main point, though. Curly and I are taking Princess to see Rogers & Hammerstein's musical of "Cinderella" on Sunday afternoon. Otherwise, Ii have nothing planed except to veg out.

Today also marked the end of a school quarter so Mac got a report card. I'm so proud of him- 5 As, and 2 B+s- whoot- whoot! I also had parent teacher conferences where I played the role of the parent and it's amazing to hear such great things about him: especially his enthusiasm and his energy and to hear how smart he is.

Tonight Mac and I are going to Southern Civilization to see Princess dance in a recital. Apparently, some dance studio gives 5 or 6 or the Alcatraz girls free dance lessons and tonight is a performance. We're going to watch her do her thing. Then I'm going to come home, shut off the alarm clock and phone, and head to bed.

Mags

Damned if you do, damned if... well, if you do

I went to the The Dollar Tree and I love their education corner! And I found some really great bulletin board stuff. Since I'm just a worthless aide now and don't have my own room, I still like to look and I find reasons to buy!

I found some totally fabulous science words and I bought a package for the science teacher whose room I'm in. She thought they were totally AWESOME, and jumped up and down and promptly did a new bulletin board using them. How cool, right?

So on Thursday night I was in there and found some super cool boarder that was all US History stuff. Well, the 8th grade social studies curriculum is all US History! So I bought some boarder and gave it to the social studies teacher. He's a coach- did I mention that? And he never speaks to me when I'm in his room, unless I ask him a direct question. He isn't what you would call "Mr. Personality". So I gave him the boarder and he looked it and said, "Is this a hint that I should decorate my bulletin boards?" *Screeching halt*!!!!!!!

Shit. Well hell, that's not what I meant at ALL! Why would his first instinct be that I was being mean? I stuttered around and said no but I just thought it was cool. Then when I was in his classroom, I noticed, for the first time in months of sitting in his room, he really didn't decorate his bulletin boards real elaborately.

But I seriously just thought it was cool since it had Lincoln, the St. Louis Arch, Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, and the like on it........ I thought he would just think it was neat.

Jerk.

I should go in his classroom when he's not there, steal it and keep it.

See if I ever do anything nice again....
Maggie

Random thoughts Friday

Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow.... my mouth hurts.

So yesterday two girls at school got into a fist fight and both are now one step away from being expelled. They had to "do time" in a juvenile day jail program for a week. If they fight again, they are expelled. Oh, these two girls were fighting over.... their love of a third girl who was going to "have her"- typical love triangle, right? They're 8th graders...

I'm going to try teaching a novel with the last 6 weeks of school. Yes, I am quite possibly, out of my mind. No I've not selected said novel yet--- To Kill A Mockingbird maybe?

I overpaid the dentist. By A LOT! And I wanted my money back. But I have to wait until the office manager cuts me a check next week. Now, I HAD to pay for my services before he even touched my mouth, but now I have to wait more than a week for a $200 refund? Where's the fair in that? TaDa, Bragger or Curley, could one of you strong, kick ass ladies call there and be all strong and kick ass for me please?

Yesterday one boy got expelled and was sent to boy's school because he went home with stolen property from school. The vice principal went with the cops to his house, knocked on the door and the stupid student answered... holding a doobie. Yup, boys school. Idiot. I don't know what happened to the other kid who jumped out the back window into the waiting arms of another cop... I didn't think to ask!

Mac is going to the prom on Saturday night and I gave him a chore list that involves getting a haircut, washing and waxing the car, changing my CDs to his, picking up the corsage and his tux, and "finding the funky smell" in the car. Uh-huh. Things you never want to say...

Is wrong to borrow a movie from one of my students who illegally downloaded it from the 'net? For me to just watch in the privacy of my home? Am I breaking the law?

There's a guy I like. He lives away. I miss (and like) him. I think I miss (and like) him more than he misses (likes) me. Does that matter?

I'm helping Daddy-O learn all about Medicare. When the heck did the government start charging people for this? And I think someone should hire me to explain Medicare because it's not as complicated as they want you to think. I think. Though I could be confused. If anyone has any advice, it's welcome.

I love it that I a friend who calls me and asks me to help her with her homework because, and I quote, "You're my only smart friend."

At last, it's Friday.... TGIF!!!!!!
Mags

On another note...

Dead man walkin'

It's the last day of spring break. I wonder if I can even technically call it the last day of spring break because even if we would've had school all week long I would still have the weekend. OMG- maybe the last day of spring break was 3pm on Friday, which is when school would've ended!

Okay, so not matter the semantics of today, today is the last day of spring break. I don't want to go back to school tomorrow. I don't know if I don't want to go back because I have to go to the dentist on Tuesday and I am NOT looking forward to that, or if I just don't want to go back because... well, it's middle school with 7 more weeks of classes to go and the kids are past caring?

I'm also such a procrastinator. I've worked on laundry in dribs and drabs all week long but still have a bunch left and of course, I left it until today. I have one stinkin' chore to do before Daddy-O gets home tomorrow- it involves moving a pile of leaves- and of course, I waited until today. In my defense, I had thought I would do it Wednesday, sort of the middle of break, but it rained and then I had to wait for the yard to dry.... okay, yeah, it sounds lame to me, too.

I had a good week-- saw all the girlfriends who live around here and had some quality girl time. Read at least 2 books; I realize that number is usually higher but... I saw 7 movies at the time of this post (could add a few more to this list today while I'm doing the laundry thing), spent quality time with Mac, had quality alone time, cooked a bit, ate out some, cleaned the kitchen and did one knitting project. I also spent a LOT of time being lazy, playing on the Internet, talking on the phone, and at the library.

All in all... not a bad way to spend a spring break!

So, did I mention it was only 7 more weeks until summer vacation?

Maggie Mae

Ya ever have one of those weeks? And Friday hasn't really even started yet!

Mild Monday
Good day at school, even better when I got home because I went with Daddy-O shopping and then to hang with Curley for a few hours! It rocked!

Terrible Tuesday
The day started with a meeting of all "none certified staff"- this means all the folks who are not teachers. We were all told hours were being cut. And while that didn't affect me, I was basically told that I won't have a job next year because the grant money to pay me will be gone. So, come June 2, I am officially unemployed-again.

Otherwise, it was a good day at school- yeah, I know- two in a row? Who knew?

It was AFTER school where the first problem hit. First, I had to have a parent teacher conference, and I was the parent. Apparently, according to Mac's Step-monster, he got in a fight with his science teacher, cussed her, pushed her and threw a desk at her. In REALITY, what really happened was that he yelled at her, and cussed in FRONT of her. He never pushed her nor did he ever throw a desk. His step-monster is an over-dramatic, pot stirring, bitch from hell.

Anyway, I went to meet with the principal who first set me straight on what happened. Then he said he met with Mac ans since this behavior was COMPLETELY out of character for him, he was told he had to apologize and meet with the school counselor. BUT if he got in trouble again, he would automatically start at the 3rd disciple level. Then I had to meet with the counselor and filled him in on his sperm donor's supreme asshatness as a father and the super bitchiness of the step-monster. The counselor said he would meet with Mac once a week for the rest of the school year, that I had to pay $47 for SAT fees, Mac is a good kid who needs to apply himself and if he doesn't, the the law school Mac wants to attend won't even take him. Ummmm, okay- please hit me with all the bad news at one time.

I went home and had a long "Come to Jesus" meeting with Mac, so I think we have the situation in hand, and he lives to breath another day. And the swearing? he told the science teacher that "just because I took a dumbass science class doesn't mean you should treat me like a dumbass." Yes, world, he wants to be a lawyer. Judges don't call attorney's mommies to court to reprimand them, right?

Tuesday I also found out my computer was dead and I had to buy a new one.

Tuesday wasn't totally horrible because XRayGirl and I did see a movie and have an uber-cheap dinner.

Wastoid Wednesday
School was okay. I made it through the day and didn't lose my mind, so I consider it all good.

I went to the library and got some good books, and even had a sweet tea from Mickey D's.

I had a few hours home alone and instead of doing anything productive like housework, laundry or read, I was a complete worthless layabout on the couch and worried about going to the dentist, the cost of a new computer, Mac, the cost of prom, getting Mac a car, finding a full time job, no health insurance, being fat, wanting to drink, being lonely, and pretty much all other weights of the world I piled on me.

But hey, I had some alone time!

Thankful Thursday
School was fine. I am sick of poetry. I am sick of teaching. I am sick of students, as well as people in general. 'Nuff said, right? I'm tired of the politics and just in general stupid stuff that happens when you work in a public school.

I also went to the dentist. Okay, I know this is weird but I AM thankful for this because I got my teeth cleaned and they feel all shiny and new and pretty and smooth. I also got my new crown on, and it FIT! Though my gums are sore and my mouth is achy, it was good to have it all work right and be done. A further plus: I have no cavities. So when I get my 2 wisdom teeth pulled, I am done until I have a 6 month check up and cleaning. Thank you!

I also went out to supper for my favorite pub in my college town with Daddy-O. Dinner was great, as was the company- thanks father!

And the big news was that my computer wasn't really dead after all! One more big whoot-whoot to Curley's son! Love me that boy- he's my hero!

So all and all, this has been my work week, so I am more than excited about today being TGIF!

I need a weekend so badly. That's right, I NEED a weekend!

Hope your Fridays are delicious, too!
Mags

What am I?

One of my kids asked me today if I was a "prep". I thought she meant when I was in high school and I said I certainly was not and she wanted to know if I was now. I said "nope" again and she said, "I didn't think you were a prep." First, I know there are things to NOT ask so no way did I want to hear WHY she thought I wasn't. Then she wanted to know what I WAS. I told her I was a nerd. She then told me I wasn't a nerd because I wasn't any good at math; she speaks the truth and I had to giggle. There was a boy student listening to this exchange and he turned around and grinned at me and told the girl, "Ms. O is a nerd but in English, science, reading and social studies. She's totally a nerd." And all the other kids were nodding their agreement. I had to laugh, because in-spite of myself, the boy is SO right- I'm a nerd.

How many people keep track of how many books they read in a year? I think it's sort of nerdy. And I do go on and on and on about how much I love books and reading and words. I don't just extol the virtues of my bibliophile-ness here in Bloggerville, but I do it at school as well. (Hey, so sue me that I want the kids to get excited about reading!)

And I have to admit that I LIKE being in an 8th grade science class. We have a super neat teacher; she's young and has a great deal of energy. She respects kids, and she believes in making learning fun, so in both regards she and I have similar teaching styles. She does make the kids take notes (sometimes), write essays (sometimes), and do worksheets (sometimes) but she tries her best to make science interesting, even though she has about $100 in her budget and 150 kids. Just last week alone, the kids made crystals and made flubber (it's amazing what you can do with Borax!!!). I was excited to go today to see if the crystals would turn out and some did and some didn't. So she made the "failures" a learning experience by hypothesizing about the experience. She lets them talk and interact. She is a good teacher. And I'm excited to be in her room twice a day just to see what's gonna happen next. I didn't enjoy science when I was in school so I have to say this is exciting to me- I'm learning with them and it's hands on. I even wanted to show Mac how to make flubber over the weekend; he wasn't not as excited about the prospect as I... yeah, a totally nerdy thing to say, I know!

I also sit in an 8th grade social studies class each day. First, I want to say I like the teacher; he is a very nice person. He also has an interesting background as to what led him to teaching as a second career. That being said... he isn't the most exciting classroom teacher ever. He's a bit monotoned and he has a speech impediment so sometimes it's rough in that classroom. BUT he TRIES. I will say that. He might not make it as interesting as it could be, but he TRIES. And he welcomes discussion among the kids. And I just LOVE history (I have as many history college credits as I do English credits and almost became a History teacher!) so I enjoy this class. I do learn things in that class, while at times I'm also having my memory refreshed of what I knew but forgot. I love the learning!

So, I guess when the kids talk about me being a nerd, it's true. What I find to be interesting about it all, is when they said I was a nerd, they said it with pride, and they weren't being mean. They think it's cool I like to learn and I try to share my love with them. Does it make me a bit nerdy and geeky at times? Sure... but the kids like me anyway, and sometimes, that all it takes to get them to learn. I can be labeled a nerd for the good of the cause!

But back to the discussion about me being a prep or a nerd. Guess what they finally decided I was? A teacher.............................

Geek Girl,
Maggie Mae

Field trip update

I survived my day and so did Kool.

Apparently her mom got her act together enough to give Kool a Lunchable and a Pepsi. When Kool got to school and I gave her lunch she looked through the bag and just stared at me. I was all like, "whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?" And she told me it rocked and was so much better than her mom's since I got her everything she LIKED. And she took both lunches with her. Ah kids!

I had also made the deal with her that if she behaved on the field trip and I got a good report, since this was a privilege not a right, then I would take her dinner to Pizza Hut, a place she has NEVER been before. Yeah, never ate at a Pizza Hut, I know. So I guess it's the Hut one night next week because everyone was GLOWING about what a good job she did and how well she behaved. WTG Kool!

As for me and my foray into 6th grade for the day................ as Bragger said in a comment to my previous post, "6th graders are Of. The. Devil." I think she summed it up nicely with that statement and I can't add much to that. They made me tired and frustrated.

I did have an encounter with a Rain Man type of kid. Actually it was like Rain Man meets A Beautiful Mind. This kid is brilliant and just.... wow. There are obviously issues, but today I worked on 6th grade math with him for an hour and it was a super great experience. I can't even begin to explain what it was like to converse with this child, other than wow. Good. Wow. And I want to write a case study paper about him. Damn..............

So we all survived Field Trip day. And Monday should be back to the regularly scheduled program. Unless we really get the 10-14 inches snow Sunday night that's in the forecast...........

Mags

Field trip

The 8th graders are going on a field trip today and Kool gets to go since she has been in perfect behavior and is making super excellent grades this semester. She said it's the first time she's been allowed on a field trip since she started middle school. Rock on her!

Now the kids have to pack a lunch and I pulled her aside and just flat out asked her if anyone at her house would make sure she had a lunch and she said "prolly not." I asked if she could pack one herself and she hesitated before saying, "no." Then I asked if there would be food in the house for a lunch and she shook her head no. So I made a silly joke or two and told her I would LOVE to bring her lunch for the filed trip because I could take this opportunity to give her all sorts of healthy food like sprouts and veggies and tofu. She laughed and then I asked her what her fav soda is (this week it's Dr. Pepper) , her fav chips (this week Doritos original), and if she wanted grape or strawberry on her sandwich. So tomorrow she gets a nice lunch with Doritos, Dr Pepper, PB&Strawberry J, carrots, chocolate covered pretzels, applesauce, and some of those blue (her favorite color) bunny peeps. I also got her a pack of gum and some new pencils. Okay, I know, I know but Jesus, Mary, and Joseph SOMEONE needs to give this kid positive attention, SOMEONE needs to care about her- and if packing a lunch will do it for the day, then so help me, I'M gonna DO IT! And when we were joking around about it, I told her it was because she passed her spelling test today with a perfect 10/10 AND she had a great IEP case conference!!! She gets to actually GO on a field trip for the first time in years! Go Kool! Ha!

And further about tomorrow, while the entire 8th grade class is gone, all 140 of them, I'll be reassigned to other classes. Since I spend five periods a day in 8th grade classes, and they'll be gone for four of those 5 periods, I'll be spending two periods in 6th grade classes. I am nervous and not looking forward to that- those kids are pretty squirrelly; and there are 4 Autistic boys in one room. Should make for an interesting day. I also get to be in the library for a period (I have no freakin' clue why or what I'll be doing there), and one period I am TEACHING a basic skills math class. Yeah, you read that right: ME teaching basic skills MATH. Oh stop yer laughin', now, alrighty?

I'll be in my regular 7th grade reading class, and I'll be proctoring my study hall so it should prove to be an interesting day.

And could you all think positive thoughts for Kool today- that nothing happens that could cause her trouble (of her own making or otherwise?)? Please? Pray if you do, and all that stuff. I'm nervous for her and I won't be there to troubleshoot.... I'd just appreciate all your positive energy from about 8:30-2:30 EST directed at Ms. Kool in Civilization!

And I'll let you know it goes- for her AND for me!

Maggie Mae

Feels like a Monday but it's really a Thursday

Since we were back to school for our full day, the kids had to readjust. It's like they had never been to school before- they were off the ever loving wall! I have no idea what got into them-- other than 2 days off in the middle of the week.

And to top it off, midterm grades go out tomorrow. I'm so proud of Kool!!!! Her mid term has 2As, 1B, 1C, and 2 D+s!!!!!! This is the first time in her life, she said, that she passed everything. She was even all sorts of ticked off because she had a D+ in Social Studies. I tried to explain that she brought her grade from a 36% to a 68% in a few weeks so it might not be something to be that mad about. But she is so proud and she should be!

I'm in a Social Studies class today and we watched the more boring power point about James Monroe and his presidency high lights. Ugh! My brain almost slowed to a stop. I'm not sure how to make James Monroe all that exciting, but this was just a snoozefest.

And that was my day at school. What's really sad is that my body feels like it's a Monday. I'm all tired and lazy like a Monday. Hmmmmm, maybe 2 days off in the middle of the week isn't such a good idea after all.... NAH- who am I kidding?!? Days off are good ANYTIME!

Maggie

All good things must come to an end

Guess this is the end of my midweek mini-vacation because a snow day hasn't been called. It's back to school for me. I didn't even get a 2 hour delay this morning; I have to be there at regular time. The least they could've done was a measly 2 hour delay...

Mac gets a 2 hour delay, though, since I guess the wind was blowing wicked hard last night and there are drifts the size of Texas in some spots out in the country. The lucky little brat!

The rat race has an extra rat today,
Maggie