The 25th Hour ~karenjcardoza.com~

Calm before the storm & tailgate prep.Very muggy awaiting Hanna and getting ready for tomorrow’s Patriots tailgate.

Ahhh….. I’ve got the perma-smile going now! It’s that start of summer vacation look that reflects what I’m feeling inside.

Today was a very busy day because we moved Syd to her new room and I set up mine the way I want it for next year. The custodians will take everything out over the summer to strip the floors and clean it thoroughly but I have the layout all set. It’s a great feeling knowing that I’ll have all of that space to work with and can set up some vocational stations for my students as well. I’m very excited about next year already and my wheels are spinning making plans…

Naturally, there were less than 50 kids in the entire school today but I had a full class… hehe! My kids will have a few weeks off then will all be back for the summer program on July 7th. I never work summers and am usually so burnt out by the last day of school I would never dream of going in. If I’m not busy this year when they call for subs I may head in for a few days. (I left some pretty detailed instructions for the summer teachers about my class and I’m hoping that they follow through to keep the consistency for a smooth transition back this fall.)

Tonight was spent giving lots of rides, spending time with my girls and making out my list for tomorrow. I plan on working out early, getting some yard work done, going through my mail, taking the girls for walks, and running some errands. Hopefully I’ll get some reading done and I’m going to try reverting back to something I used to do years ago.. having my morning coffee on the screen porch. It mostly depends on the girls schedule (and if they can be out there without barking at the birds and waking up the neighborhood!)

So…. here I am! Today was another day of getting organized and cleaning. I’m in great shape for the summer and to start off next year. Of course, Room 249 was full but most of the rest of the school was empty. We always have a full house right up to the end; especially since they all go to school in the summer for ESY (extended school year).

Syd and I found out some great news today after school: She’s getting the room next to mine which is what we hoped for. We still plan on doing a lot together and more or less will be sharing 2 rooms now instead of 1 but we won’t be so squished and the best thing is I can take down the barrier that we’ve got separating our sides of the room. My room will be used for all of our daily living skill curriculum and when she’s cooking or using the laundry area, I’ll go into her room with my group. We’ll still be sharing materials, will team teach some units and will swap off kids and make different groups depending on what their needs are. I’m very excited about the upcoming year!!

Tonight was an errand night and by the time I got home, put the groceries away, took care of the girls and cleaned the kitchen it was already past doggie bed time! No worries though, since I’ll have LOTS of time very soon, to catch up on things!! I’ve got some library materials that are coming due and I need to return them soon.

Today was a very good day, and the only downer was Bella’s eye.. Every time I look at her I get choked up and want to cry. I called Dr. Abrams and he’ll see her on June 27th. Barring a miracle, spontaneous, self-healing, she’ll need surgery again and I’d like to get it ASAP. I’m nervous about her playing with Chloe and damaging it more. I’m trying to stay positive and sending the good vibe.. and I know that no matter what, she’ll be ok. I would love to avoid her having to go through yet another surgery though.

As for now, I’m heading to bed and once my phone alarm rings tomorrow at 6:00AM, I’ll not only shut it off but cancel the daily wake-up call for the next 10 weeks!

Just have a minute because I just got in, but tonight was my 8th grader’s graduation. They did great and it was a wonderful night, despite being moved indoors due to the weather. After, we went to a party in honor of our vice principal who is retiring after 30 years. It’s pouring out and I’m wet, so it’s off to change and get in bed.

On another note, I’m sad tonight because when I came home, I noticed that Bella’s other eye has a cherry eye… :-(  Looks like I’ll be calling the surgeon for yet another procedure .. I could use a hug.

Today was a pretty uneventful day; the final day of classes for the 8th graders as they’re graduating Monday night. I finished off the last of my special education paperwork and typed out some visual aids that I want to laminate next week. The school was abuzz with all of the movement at the job fair and many teachers will be leaving my building to take elementary positions next year.  It’s going to look like a different place come September with all of the changes.  I’m still content with my decision; and it’s a good thing, because nobody bid on the PreK  job so it’s still open and they’ll be advertising and hiring outside of the district unless one of the few certified Severe/Profound teachers in my district chooses it over the summer.

I’ve got a busy weekend ahead, with yard work (we had a yard of cedar mulch delivered and it needs to be spread), my niece’s birthday party, Fathers Day, and the usual laundry, housework, weeding, etc.  I’m hoping to start off tomorrow bright and early with a nice walk with the girls before I do anything else. It’s a great way to start my day off right.

As of now,  I’m just finishing this post then opening my book to read until I fall asleep. Unfortunately, my son has friends sleeping over and those male voices echoing downstairs and on the screen porch are resulting in a symphony of barks from my girls… sigh… I can just imagine when they hit the pool.  Anyone got an extra set of earplugs?

Just a quickie because it’s late and I’m tired…. Today was another good day at school and I got lots done in my classroom again today. The kids had activities so I was able to go through all of my visual supports and get them organized. I printed some new ones using Writing with Symbols and will make more each day so that I can laminate them next week.

Today was the END of a bit of emotional rollercoaster ride that I’ve been on for the last week. I hadn’t mentioned it here because I didn’t know what I was going to do but came to my decision yesterday only to waver a bit today when I saw it in black and white on the job fair list… the question was whether or not I would attempt to bid on a Pre-K Severe Profound job that came available last week because the long time teacher of the class is retiring.

It was a tough decision but I decided to stay right where I am. Anyone who has been reading this blog, who knows me, or has heard me whine on Twitter knows how STRESSED out and disgusted I was about the Alternate Assessment that I’m required to do on my students each year.  The thought of teaching the population that I love without it being a grade level that is assessed was mighty tempting but, it was just about the only thing that really attracted me to make a complete change at this point.

Reasons to go:

• no assessment
• no punky kids in hallways/lunchroom

Reasons to stay:

• Keeping my partnership with my teacher assistant, Mrs. M.
• I love my kids and have a great class next year
• I’ve got a game plan to make assessment bearable
• I’m finally NOT going to have to share a room
• Syd and I are excited about sharing kids and doing more cooperative units
• We’ll be eating with our own kids so no lunch duty!!
• We’re hooking up with a good team for next year
• I have a principal who supports every decision I ever make about my kids
• I’ve never felt that deep down desire to “work with the little ones”
• I know what I’m doing after all these years
• I have a parking place…hehe!
• I hate change

I didn’t even attend the job fair today because I had a hair appointment and knew I wasn’t going to bid out.  I am curious to know who did take that job and if I even would have had enough seniority to get it anyway but I’m feeling secure in my decision to stay put.  (Now, if the job fair would have taken place in the middle of the assessment period, I probably would have taken ANYthing to escape it but it’s like childbirth I guess… you forget the pain when it’s all over!

So, I’m off to bed now and will wake up content as I head to school for the last Friday of this year.

One week from today… wooohoooo! The hot weather has broken and it was a beautiful, sunny, mid-80’s day today. It was an easy day because of the schedule. Kids had music and gym first so it gave me two periods to do paperwork. I’m in great shape for the end of the year… the best I’ve ever been in! All of my IEPs are done, progress notes are written and printed, report card grades are in, and ESY (extended school year) paperwork has been handed in. I love it when I have a productive block of time. It helps to be able to use my own laptop too, and now that there’s wifi in the wing downstairs, I can catch the signal by the door. I spent all of my time online getting all of the necessary paperwork out of the way.

In the afternoon, we took the kids for a walk to get some ice-cream and they did a great job making their decisions and asking the clerk for what they wanted. It warms my heart to see how far some of them have come.

After school, I attended a retirement party for a colleague who also happens to be my former high school English teacher. He was my favorite teacher of all time, and was well ahead of the curve in using exciting projects and different materials to engage students instead of traditional text books. It’s funny because we’ve worked together for 10 years now and it took at least 7 of them for me to be able to call him by his first name. He will be missed but is still young enough to enjoy his retirement and spend some quality family time. He deserves it and I wish him well!

Kelsea and I were supposed to have an appointment with the financial aid people at the school that’s she’s planning on attending in September but they had to cancel so we’ll be rescheduling. I’d prefer to go during the day anyway, so we’ll likely go next week.

As of right now, I’ve got some reading to do and Bella isn’t cooperating here in bed with me; she’s jumping all around instead of snoozing. Looks like a change of location is in order for her!

Today was our 4th straight HHH day and many districts either had no school or early dismissals due to the heat and the fact that most schools don’t have air conditioning.  Ours didn’t close but it worked out fine for me anyway. We went on a field trip to a local YMCA pool club and had a great time!  I spent most of the day by the pool and some of it actually in the water. Our kids (Syd’s and mine) did very well and had a blast!  They had a pool area, picnic area, and huge grassy area. There also was a sprinkler park which was lots of fun and kept our kids busy and cool.

Tonight was spent catching up on my Book Nook blog, organizing a few things and hitting the nest early.  I’m quite tired after hours in the sun and watching kids and didn’t really sleep that well last night. I’m hoping to nod off early tonight  and the girls are finally tucked in. They were all riled up and wrestled like crazy tonight.  I for one am thankful for the peace and quiet right now!

Tomorrow is another full day…