Friday, November 02, 2007

Whew.

Glad to be home.

I did a scrapbooking class with 12 sixth graders tonight-- 2:30-8 p.m. They did albums of their outdoor lab pictures, and their albums were so good. I hope they bring them to school so they can show them off next week. One poor kid didn't have any photos (he's from the LW School of Scrapbooking--only one person will get that joke but that's who it's intended for). His dad said he was going to bring them by, after quite awhile the kid called his dad and was told something about there was a problem at the photo lab at WalMart or something, he'd bring them in a little while. After another hour the kids called again and his dad said he wouldn't get them til tomorrow. Personally, I think that stinks. They've had three weeks to get their photos, and this poor kid didn't have his. I had four I took when I went up for a day, and had made copies for all the kids, so he had those, plus the kids put all their "extra" pics on a table, and he used a few of those. He finally just called home and had them pick him up after we ate pizza.

The whole event was fun, but I was glad when it was over. The last couple of hours turned into kind of slumber-party type behavior. They were so silly--I just sat at my computer and found poems and things for them about fall, leaves, nature, etc.. and printed them off for them, so tried to distance myself. It was pretty interesting listening to them talk about the high school leaders, their teachers, their friends, etc...

More angst is brewing at the work place. People feeling misunderstood (been there) and made to feel unimportant and not valued (done that). I think we're going to start calling a certain someone Captain Smith. Remember him? he was the man in charge on.... the Titanic.

Warning. Iceberg ahead. Women and children first. I hear the strains of "Nearer My God to Thee".

Rose: Mr. Andrews... I saw the iceberg and I see it in your eyes... please, tell me the truth.
Thomas Andrews: The ship... will sink.
Rose: You're certain?
Thomas Andrews: Yes, In an hour or so, all of this will be at the bottom of the Atlantic.
Cal Hockley: What?
Thomas Andrews: Please, tell only who you must. I don't want to be responsible for a panic. And get to a boat quickly, DON'T WAIT. You... remember what I told you, about the boats?

I think we're gonna need a bigger boat. No, wait. Different movie.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

That stinks about that boy's pictures. I'm sure it's not the first time his parents have disappointed him..and that sucks.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry I bailed on you today. I just couldn't deal with one more second in that building. I need to find some way to relieve stress. I think my health is suffering. Mental and otherwise.

Laurie said...

It's really hard for me to imagine a blue ribbon school going down- but sometimes it doesn't take very long for things to change. Like the Titanic. That was a long album workshop- but it sounds like you and the kids got a lot out of it.

Laurie said...

Oh, and ha, ha.

cb said...

R-- Believe me, it wasn't a problem! There wasn't really that much for me to do after I taught them about cropping, how to lay their pages out, etc... They worked completly on their own, and only a few asked for help a couple of times. It was probably a good thing you weren't there-- it would've REALLY been a slumber party, then! :-) I know what you mean about the health part-- I'm feeling it myself and I think work is a part of it. I'm sorry you had to have that happen to end your week on such a bad note.

cb said...

L-- "Blue Ribbon School"--we're that in name only. That award has done more to change our school (in a negative way) than anything ever could. The year we got that award was probably the worst ever. Talk about divisive--it was awful. Everytime I'm outside the school and see those banners hanging on the brick, I want to cringe.

Anonymous said...

I feel the same way about those banners. That year sucked! So many disappointments. Plus, when you have to wordsmith what you are actually doing in a building to make it sound like what you know you should be doing, does the award really even count?

I think there are lots of great things finally happening in our school to provide some direction and consistency. Unfortunately, the morale stinks. That makes it hard to like coming to work.