group pictures

We have one week left of 2nd Quarter. How the time flies when you're (mostly) having fun. I just got home and feel quite proud because I managed to finish up a weeks worth of grading, straighten my desk, prepare for next week, and create portfolio folders for several students. That was all just within the space of about 2 hours. This means that I have from now until 7:00am on Monday morning to NOT think about school. Sweet.

Today was yearbook group picture day-- always a super fun day. Actually, it's rather stressful and I'd actually prefer that it wasn't part of my job. But, with the exception of a few tiny kinks to the over plan for today, it was successful.

First off, the photographer was told by our school secretary not to come until 8, which any other weekday would be fine, but since it was Friday, we didn't have Advisory. I made a schedule for the teachers saying that we'd take the first picture at 7:45 with a different group/picture being taken every 5 minutes after that. You can probably see the discrepancy. So, at 7:45 I had a group ready for a picture but no camera to take it with.

When the camera man finally got to the school and set up, it was nearly 8:20. I was almost one hour behind schedule and I was crunching those groups through as fast as my 2nd year experienced mind could manage. By the middle of 3rd period, I had us all back on schedule with even a little time to spare. I managed to get almost 50 groups of students in line, on stage, smiling for their yearbook photo. I was beat by the time I was finished! I really don't know if there is an easier way to take these pictures in a junior high school setting, but I'm already thinking ahead to next year about the things I need to improve.

On this same crazy day of picture taking, "they" decided to deliver some of the computer tables to my room (the future computer lab). A janitors came to ask me where I wanted the tables and I laughed and told him that the tables aren't for me, that I am, in fact, being kicked out for my room to be turned into a computer lab. He only brought 2 tables today and will bring the rest next week when they can remove all the desks from my room. It looks as if I will be a traveling teacher very soon. I have the sympathy of the faculty but I am trying to make the best of it.

In our committee meeting today it was suggested that we have an open house week where parents can "Come to School with Your Student." This suggestion was met with much trepidation and skepticism. Basically the parents can come whenever for however long they want. They can sit in a class, see their children's behavior, help out with the tardy issue and go to lunch, and see what it's like in between classes. The hope is that parents will see their child. I'm not sure how many parents will actually come, but it makes me nervous to think that there could be more than one parent in my room. This is still in the planning phase, but it sounds like the higher-ups are all excited to see it through.

It's snowing. Again. Ben and I are going to go sit in the sauna at Gold's Gym tonight (he went skiing yesterday, hurt his shoulder, and is sore) and probably just hang out. It feels good to not have a big stress sitting on my shoulder this weekend. Happy weekend to all!!