Sunday, November 3, 2013

Halloween Week

Monday was tough!!!  We got a text message on Sunday afternoon that one of the 9th grade freshman football coaches passed way this weekend unexpectedly.  We met as an Admin team on Monday to decide how to handle the situation and most of Monday morning was spent with the 9th grades as they mourned the passing of their coach.  It brought back all those memories from John Hendricks death at LDHS.  While the event is tragic and no one wants to see anyone pass, I can tell you that the athletics 9th grade football program is the only group really affected by this death.  The coach was an individual that did not teach on the campus, he came on after school only to coach and he was relatively new.  This does not lessen the blow because a lot of the teachers here still new him since he was a student at North during his high school years as well.   After lunch things started to go back to normal as the football players began to go back to their normal class day to be with their friends and teachers.  We provided counselors and support for anyone who needed it and Trevor sent a very nice email to the faculty and staff explaining the situation. 

Monday night football practice was voluntary and the coaches were having the students just do some fun drills.  Well, they probably should have gone home because we ended up with a fractured clavicle from one of the players.  Let me tell you this kid is tough!!!  He did not shed a tear or have any complaints.  Can you tell I was impressed?  Very proud of him and he came to school on Tuesday!!  He is a trooper!!!! 

Tuesday was the day that we said good-bye to Trevor, our principal.  We had lunch with the admin team and gave Trevor his gift.  Tuesday night we said good-bye to the Superintendent Rick Miller at a farewell gathering also.  It is sad to see them go but again, as I stated in the last blog, I am happy for them as they pursue other endeavors.  However, it is bittersweet.  While I am so excited for them, I am completely sad that I will not get to work with them.  These two men had some great ideas and I was looking forward to learning from them.  As you and I both know, it take about 3-6 months to get comfortable in a job and start making changes so we have new people coming into positions now that will need some time to learn. 

My friend and fellow Asst Principal - Rich Davis. 
He says he does not like technology but if you look closely
he is on the regular phone, on his cell phone and has his computer on. 

Wednesday was uneventful, which was nice.  No major crazy items as we get ready for Halloween.  I did have my Admin Induction Meeting where we learned about the process for supervision and evaluation in CA.  Now, SC has one up on CA here.  Every district does it a little different here in CA.  Whereas the SC model is SAFE-T.  On top of that RUSD, my district is using Professional Teaching Standards that are about 4 years older than the state has adopted and other districts are using.  The best I can determine is because there has not been a change due to the union and consistency at the DO to make the changes.  There is not that much difference between the older and newer ones other than some vocabulary and clearer intentions in some cases.  I have 16 evals to do this year and I have already started to make sure that I get the first observation done before Christmas.  Only 6 more to go now.  Yeah Leann!!!!!

Halloween was a treat.  At John W. North some of the kids and teachers get DECKED out.  To the point it is a little odd and scary but SUPER FUN!!!  Carolina 1 was dressed as a Southern Beauty Queen but let me tell you she did not look like our Ali Rogers!!!!
Gabby, Joann and Crystal 


Keri and Michael John Roe

 It was hilarious and great to have fun.  The United Student League (USL) which is Student Government sponsored a costume contest and it was fun to see the kids get so excited about the event.  I hope to dress up more next year.  I really just went with my Tigger ears.  I was unsure of how much adults dressed up so I played it safe.    I had a great time at school with the kids.  It was fun to see them.  That evening I supervised the play, "Any Number Can Die," which was put on by the Theater department.  It was FANTASTIC!!!!  The acting was fabulous and I had the best time.  It did not even feel like a full two hours that I was in the play.  I did miss Facetime with the Bryant's due to the play and I hate that.  That might be about the only thing I have been truly upset about (other than the Escape, but that would have happened in SC also).  I missed doing Halloween in Laurens and giving out candy while Walt, Brad and Sonya went trick or treating.    Most of the people in CA go to churches, the mall or festivals rather than house to house.  They just don't know what they are missing.  LOL!!!

Play: Any Number Can Die
 

Friday, we had a pep rally and it was an EVENT TO REMEMBER!!!  Without going into a lot of details online, which would embarrass the school and some individuals, let's just say that I was horrified at some of the things that happened from a student misbehavior aspect and it was my first real introduction into school-wide discipline!!!!  What happened was seen by students and teachers who were also upset so making sure that we provided the appropriate consequences was important for the school to see.   We will have to see what comes out of it next week.






This weekend I am laying low.  I cleaned the apartment, did laundry, had the couches cleaned, and got my new car checked out for its 30 day inspection at 8:00 am.  Now, I love the VW dealership.  I emailed my "car guy" Scott and asked him if they could put on my new license plates and check out the rattle I keep hearing.  Scott said yes without hesitation.  So, there is a rattle in the door that I hear every now and then but not with any consistency.  I have looked at speed, where it happens, lanes and everything else but cannot figure out what causes it to start, stop or how to stop it myself.  I really thought Scott would tell me I was nuts but he says that it happens sometimes.  They want to be sure it is right so I can bring it back when I have time to leave it since today was a push for me.  It makes me feel good that he does not think I am crazy and he said that his Passat did the same thing and they just needed to tighten some of the screws.  Whew!!  I was going to be upset that I bought a car and less than a month later it had a rattle.  I love that Scott does not make me feel nutty!!!  After that, I had to be at the mall at 10:00 am for a hair appointment and to get my watch fixed.  Then I had to be at the apartment at 12:00 pm for them to come and clean the couch.  However, they did not come till 4:45 pm so I was a little irritated that I did not get to workout today, get the car detailed, my shoes picked up or a few other items because I waited around for 5 hours for this company.  However, the guy was really nice and he did a great job.  He let me know what to look for, how to clean and walked me through the process.  I did get a lot done this afternoon that needed to get done.  I have now compared the JW North policies on the website with the Code of Conduct provided to the students and let me say, "Oh my, we have some work to do!"  There is enough of a change that parents and students could have an argument in some instances.  We need to get that fixed ASAP!!!  So overall, a productive day that ended grocery shopping at Target with a saleslady who was FINALLY able to help me open my RedCard account so that I can save money and donate to the school a percentage of my purchases.  I am getting tired and am looking forward to falling back so that I can get up tomorrow morning and workout!!!! 

Today I ate breakfast at the cutest place called Richie's Diner.  It is adorable and perfect.  They have a variety of items on their menu but since I was there for breakfast I was good.  They have all kinds of French fries and shakes.  This is definitely a place that I need to stay away from during lunch or dinner, since both of those things are a weakness for me.  The kicker was the fresh baked goods that were here.  They are made daily and brought in.  The other thing that is amazing is the number of Jelly Belly items.  Now for those of you that know me well, you know that I have a few vices - okay many.  At Easter, jelly beans are one of them.  They had so many different kinds it was crazy!!!!  I was good and left all of them there!!  However, as we (Jessica and I) were leaving, guess what should appear but a Jelly Belly RV and VW beetle!!! 



The Jelly Belly company was doing a promotion to advertise for Richie's today.  Needless to say, I was impressed!!!  I have never seen the Jelly Belly RV or Bug anywhere else!!!! 

 

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