That doesn't excuse my near month absence from blogging. Today was the first official day with students, things seem to go well. I teach in a block schedule, so I see the other half of my classes tomorrow. I really like teaching in the block format but that fourth hour class on Day 2 sometimes gets things forgotten because I have gone over it so many times. But, they survive.
Tuesday we had our Link Crew orientation. It is a big deal - we train about 40 upperclassmen to engage and do ice breakers with small groups of ninth graders, give them tours, and we have a big celebration in the gym. It takes up nearly all of my prep-time before school starts - even more so when I am not paying close enough attention and import names incorrectly and have to try and fix my stupidity (an unsolvable problem, apparently). This year was our best yet, everything ran smoothly, the Link Crew leaders gave great tours and it all went well. A relief. Now I can focus on my real job.
During inservice I got a swanky certificate celebrating the five years of service for the district. FIVE YEARS! I can't believe we are starting our sixth school year in Ashland. Nick goes up for tenure this year, not sure if he gets a swanky certificate celebrating that.
So what I hope to do over the next few nights is post some stories and photos from the summer.
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| Lilly using her imagination, shoveling snow in the summer. |
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| Color program at the library |
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| Swimming lessons - blowing bubbles! |
Swimming lessons - we did these as soon as the school year ended. As in the very next day after the last day of school. Lilly was super hesitant and nervous at first. Didn't do much of anything the first day. The second day when the teacher had the students try jumping in to their parents. Then Lilly was okay trying most things. Except for putting her face in the water, blowing bubbles, floating on her back. But as one of my colleagues who did lessons with his son at the same time pointed out, she's doing really well for a kid who wouldn't even take a bath two months ago. Very true.
Lilly took a bath tonight after getting covered in paint. The girl who would sob when water would turn on was splashing around, laying on her belly, kicking her legs - and we had to set a timer to get her out of the tub!
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| Granny Goose and Lilly |
Every week, or nearly, we went to Granny Goose at the library. Granny Goose is in her late 80s and reads stories three times a week at the library, once on Mondays and twice on Tuesdays. Lilly adores Granny Goose. One day on our way to Granny Goose I asked Lilly, "Do you love Granny Goose?" To which Lilly responded, "So much!".
Tuesdays were our usual day, but in the photos above, Granny Goose made a special appearance to Kids' Day at the Farmer's Market. The night before we saw Granny Goose at the Farmer's Market was when we first tried the big girl bed. One of the things we said to her was that she needed to be well rested to see Granny Goose the next day, that she didn't want to be tired. Lilly asked if Granny Goose would sleep in her room with her. Nope, sorry sweetie, Granny Goose is going to sleep in her own bed at her own house.
The other perk at Kids' Day at the Farmer's Market was the fire truck. You can see how thrilled Lilly was to explore the truck . . . This also shows how unsuccessful the first night of sleep in the big bed was. Those are some tired, tired eyes!
Okay, it is time for bed. School starts at 8:10 this year - as in kids are in their seats learning at 8:10, so I need to be in bed! More summer stories to come ideally tomorrow night!
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