Did he or didn't he? Sorry, he didn't. I really was planning to go to the gym today, but I didn't make it. Details?

Last night after returning home, I ended up falling asleep at the computer, and later on the couch having not finished my lesson plans or (even starting) my homework sheet. This morning, I was not able to get up early enough for the (my) early train (6:26am). I ended up getting to work with 8 minutes to spare taking my regular "late as possible and still get to work on time" train(6:53am). I arrived just in time to brush my teeth. I think I've mentioned in previous blog entry that I have been making my breakfast in a cup for the past few months. I buy 16oz. Styrofoam cups from the 99 cent store (ten per pack). I fill the cup to the premarked 8oz. line with hot water and add two packs of instant oatmeal (or cream of wheat) and stir. By the time I am on the MN train, my breakfast is good and ready. Since I've been "eating my breakfast on the train, I have not missed breakfast in a very, very long time.

Anyway, I arrived with no time to set up my morning "Do Now" or write my schedule on the chalkboard. On Friday, I spent most of the afternoon talking with the other third grade teacher across the hall. A lot of talking without much productivity. So, from my morning start, I believe that my day might not be a very good day.

About 8:15am, AP1 came in to tell me that the third grade teacher (across the hall teacher) was absent. AP1's solution?

She divided up the class between the two remaining third grade classes. I got 9 (three girls and 6 boys) students. All the boys "Across the Hall" has been complaining about. Five minutes after the "new 9" arrived, one of my late-comers arrived with a mini Mohawk. His father who works at a barber shop did it. And the boy said that his mother approved the hair cut. Most of my day was spent acting like a crazy man about to explode. I told the kids that the situation was a crazy one, and if anything set me off, I would not be held responsible. I strongly believe the situation could have been much worst. However, to be very honest, the experience wasn't that bad. Considering that last year my class register was about 23, I was grateful that this was only temporary. To show her gratitude, AP2 gave me $7 dollars to buy myself lunch.

About 10am, a revised daily bulletin arrived. There would be a faculty meeting today at 3pm. Crap!!

Since I did not do my homework sheet over the weekend, I had to do one during the school day. I also hooked up my new(refurbished) laptop (with wireless Internet connection) to my personal classroom copier. I was able to print out my homework sheet directly to my copier. I was like a babe with a new toy. Oh, My copier can also function as a scanner. I also thought about the lunchtime detention that I could do with my wireless laptop in the lunchroom. I have a couple of kids who did not do their (very easy) research homework assignment. They will be doing it during lunchtime. Unfortunately, mine as well as theirs. :(

About 3:10pm, I arrived to the first faculty meeting (of the school year) after dropping off the students not picked up on time. The meeting started with the newly hired "Data Analysis" person reading a poem having something to do with humanity in data. Then she did a PowerPoint presentation looking at data of the fourth grade. Then...the faculty meeting took a turn into the "Bizarre".

The principal started discussing the results of the "anonymous" survey from parents and teachers about the school and the principal. The survey is sponsored by the BOE and will now be the basis for a part of a school (and a Principal's) report card. the principal was not happy that she scored low in certain areas like: leadership, and trust of the faculty, etc... the last 15 minutes of the meeting was the principal and AP1 basically asking for written "anonymous suggestions" (then and there)on how she (and the school) could get higher scores. Everyone was asked to stay until they submitted "suggestions". Some teachers did not submit anything even though both the principal and AP1 were asking that no one leaves unless an "anonymous suggestion" was put in AP1's hands. Me? I wrote my name on my "anonymous suggestion" and left.

Personally, I think the principal was well within her right (and reasonable) to ask for suggestions on improvements, I just thought the method was all wrong. I am also leaving out details like the principal on the one hand asking for suggestions and claiming to be open-minded to suggestions and expressing a willingness to "do whatever it takes to get higher scores" -- like, "willing to come in a teacher's classroom everyday with her notepad and offer suggestions to teachers who feel they are not getting support or feedback from the principal". Those of you not in the classroom...that's not a good thing. Also, saying she is open to suggestions, but later saying that she thinks "she is a 9 or 10 in most of the scoring areas". 10 is the highest score. Can you really offer suggestions to perfection? I don't think so, so why bother.

Oh, so what "anonymous suggestion" did I give. I just mentioned that I did not receive reports or feedback from my formal observations. I did not get 3 of my 4 formal observations.

After that faculty meeting, I returned to my classroom. I ate a Smart Ones mini meal with a can of apple juice. I cleaned up and organized a bit. I was out of the building about 5:45pm. I decided to take a quick trip to Staples to buy some red pencils. I thought it might be a nice idea to have the students correct their own homework with me providing the correct answers (after I have checked that they did it). Well, I left Staples about 7pm...and about $114 poorer. I bought 100 folders (.49 cents each), red pencils, erasers, overhead blank transparencies, colored index cards, etc...

I returned home about 8pm. I had a bowl of frosted mini wheats and a Healthy Choice meal. I dozed off soon after. Now, I am up finishing this blog entry. After I finish this entry, I need to find and grade some papers. Then, I will shower and call it a night. I will try again to go to the gym this week.

Well, it time for me...

Oh wait! I almost forgot. Before I wrote this blog entry, I checked my e-mail. I received an e-mail from "Across the hall". She wanted to thank me for providing her with suggestions for lesson plan aims for reading and writing periods. She also told me the reason she was absent...


Death in the family?


No.


Sickness?


No.


Family emergency?


No.


She had a college paper she had not done over the weekend.

Oh, I almost forgot. The other third grade teacher also sent me an e-mail on Sunday, since she had a long weekend, she was not planning to come to work today. I am glad she came today. I think the day could have been much worst. I am also a little bit nervous, last year both teachers used up all of their sick days (about 10 I think). In the past 10 years or so, I have only missed one day.

Well, that's enough for now.


Post Date - Tuesday, October 2, 2007 12:37am