Another Week of Testing

Sunday
Easter was great fun!  We dyed Easter eggs with the kids outside to prevent the mess from the colors inside and it was interesting to see how the 3, 5, 10 and 15 year old all reacted differently to the event.  I will say that we did not end up with any brown eggs so that was a feat!

Two sets of dyes.

Dying Eggs

The end result of dyed eggs.  They did not last long.

At the end of the afternoon, we ended up making deviled eggs with the pieces of arts created by the kids.  The left over eggs ended up as egg salad for lunch this week.  This is the bad thing about Easter for me.  I love the eggs and the candy associated with this holiday.  The jelly beans and Reese's Peanut Butter eggs are the downfall of me.

Monday
So today was the Performance Task part of the Smarter Balanced Assessment.  We had students all over the place taking a variety of tests.  11th graders were taking the SBAC test, 10th grades were taking the Science test and the 9th graders were taking the practice CAHSEE tests in order to prepare for the exam next year.  We are going to use the results to help provide interventions for the students and identify students who need more help.  Today was also the first day of Witness Prep for a lawsuit that is getting ready to start.  I have never been involved in one before other than as a juror so it was interesting to see the process.

Tuesday
I am so tired and it is only Tuesday.  It feels like it should be Thursday already.  I can't believe that we have been in school two days this week and I feel like it has been forever!!!!  Today was another day of testing and fun.  I had a doctor's appointment today because I had to finally admit that i might need glasses.  In December when I was working on the PhD, I noticed that i was having trouble reading some of the smaller print articles.  I got a pair of reading glasses from Target but they almost feel too strong.  I made it to Dr. Hart who said that my eyes are just getting old and due to my constant reading and use of computers, my eyes might need some "help," translation - they want to tell me that I am getting old. LOL!!!!  So now I know my eyes are like .50 and .75 and I need my astigmatism fixed.  So needless to say, I am getting some reading glasses.  Of course when I was picking them out I tried on about 25 different pairs and the one pair I like is a bit expensive - Ugh!!  I usually don't have this kind of expensive taste.  Then I come to find out that it is real the lenses that are most expensive for me.  LOL!!!!  Guess I need to pay for the health care vision plan now also.

Wednesday
Ummm….. is it only Wednesday?????  Come on, it has to be Thursday or Friday……  The days have seemed incredibly long this week and I am not sure if it is because I have been so tired or so busy.  We are in our second week of testing and the Science CST's started this week also.  The schedule is a little crazy and yes, I was one of the ones that created it.  I was trying to maximize instructional time!!!!  The schedule is not really the problem, just a lot of testing all together with a lot of moving computer carts around and checking on teachers.  Thank goodness Josh is around to help move the carts!!!  I would be even more whooped!!!  On another note, and I do not know if this is a CA thing or not.  The school is undergoing a hearing for a SPED situation and we are having it at the High School.  A judge from San Diego is coming in to hear the case and the district lawyers and the other lawyers will be here on Thursday for the start of the case.  We used one of the portables that I cleaned out the other week for the hearing (see picture below).  I think this is being done at the school because it is an expedited case but am really unsure.  This did not happen at Laurens or LR5 that I know of.  I find the entire process fascinating and am learning a lot in the process.

I am trying to eat more fruits and vegetables now.  Since I am not making it to the gym as much as I would like and having been eating so poorly I am trying to get back into my good eating habits.  So tonight I made asparagus.  Good think that I got a microwave steamer so it makes cooking the veggies much faster than cooking them in the oven.

Wednesday Night Asparagus Dinner

Thursday
Laurens 55 (LD55) has Senior Project.  John W. North has Senior Exhibition.  They both are the same thing with a little different twist.  Both Senior Project and Senior Exhibition involve students working on a project throughout the school year and presenting to a panel.  North only requires a 5 minute presentation while LD55 has 15 minutes.  North also has all students present in one afternoon between 1:45 - 4:00 pm while LD55 does it over three days twice a year due to the 4x4 schedule.  Both are fabulous opportunities for students and they do a great job. We had a big BBQ for the panel members who got to sit and talk with each other.  Many of the panelists have connections to North in the form of community members or alumni so it is nice for them to make connections and re-connect.  In addition, this year USL (student government) fed all the seniors after their presentation so it was great to see the start of the end of the school year for the seniors.  This was their first event as they get ready for graduation on June 12.  In order to get this done, we dismissed kids after testing so all students were off campus by 12:15 as panel members came on campus.

Friday
Today was a regular scheduled day and busy at that.  We had the admin meeting this morning and we got to look at my pretty colored calendars I did on Wednesday night and hung in the conference room.  Don't you love my cute little post-it notes that are on every month to let us know what we have planned!  I am sure this will keep us more organized - LOL!!!!

The afternoon was filled with the summer school issues affectionately known as the Summer School Draft where the schools who are hosting summer school get to pick which teachers will be teaching.  I was told that in the past years it could get a little "ugly" because of trying to get your teachers into summer school for the extra money.  This year however, I was told it went well and was pleasant,  I am going to credit that to the BFAW's.  We all get along so well that it was nice to hang out with everyone and learn all about how Summer School is done in RUSD.  We even ended the afternoon with our group pic!!  We are missing some of us but these are my AP BFAW's of RUSD.  It is not the Back Porch Girls at Colleen's but we have a GREAT time!!!

AP BFAW's of RUSD

Friday night after the draft pick Megan dropped me off back at the school and I got some technology work done.  I was able to move a few things around and Mike and I hung the LCD projector in a classroom.  Well, Mike hung it and I supervised?!?!  We had to replace the LCD projector as opposed to purchasing a new bulb because the bulb was going to be 425.00 and a new projector is 490.00.  This was more of a project because the LCD projectors were different so therefore the mount had to be "refitted."  At least it is done!!!!

Saturday
So today is Prom Day!!!  I know the students are excited and so am I.  DeEtte, Megan and I are going to lunch, get mani-pedi's and work on Master Schedule.  LOL!!!  So here are my cute toes for Prom.  This is pretty amazing because I told Tony, the guy that did my toes, that I was wearing teal shoes and for him to pick a color for me and he used this color which matched my shoes perfectly - no, I did not take the shoes.

Prom Toes!

Megan and I - Pre-Prom

So Megan and I got dressed at her house and we went to dinner at Spaghetti Factory for Prom. This is Megan's favorite place to eat and the food was yummy.  I had pasta with mushrooms and cheese.

Starbucks - To Stay Awake!!!

Before the Students Arrived

The Prom was called "A Formal Affair" and it was packed at the golf course banquet hall.  While this picture above does not contain students this venue was small and we had so many kids there it ended up being hard to move.  The kids are here and lined up to get in at 7:45 pm and they stayed until the very end 12:00 am until the very last song.  In fact we had to chase some of them out!!!   While LD55 has their Prom at school and transforms the entire commons area, we have no place large enough on campus and the schools here go to hotels and other venues.  This place was about 30 minutes from the school.  The kids looked fantastic and had the same dresses as the kids in the Southeast do and the same dress problems!!!

Gatsby Inspired! 

Two Students who Visit me Often - They clean up nice. 

 The kids really did have a lot of fun!  One of the campus supervisors rapped at the dance.  There was a prop photo booth the students really enjoyed and the teacher that were present had a great time!  Megan and I got to the car at 12:30 am after looking for missing shoes for one of the students.  I walked in the apartment at 1:23 am after Megan dropped me off at my car and I drove home.  I walked in, changed clothes and climbed into bed where I stayed until 9:00 am with Squeak on Sunday morning.   I had a lot of fun and it was great to get text messages and pictures from LD55 during the night since there Prom was the same and this was the first time I had not been at the LD55 Prom since 1999.  Wow - that makes me sound old!!!  LOL!!!!

The Start of Testing Season

Monday, April 14, 2014

Ummmm……mistake……Yep, we all make them.  Mine was Sunday at Sam's club when I decided I needed to stay awake and therefore I got a 32 oz drink, Diet Coke (first one in like 4 years), at Sam's.  Then after I was done with my shopping and my coke I filled it up to leave again and that was 64 oz in 12 hours.  Needless to stay, I was awake until 2:00 am and I get up at 4:50 to get to work because I want to be early.  However, I had to get up earlier than usual because testing starts today.  I needed to make sure the access points in the rooms were set up and ready to go and I wanted to watch the video on starting the test again.  So I got to work at 5:30, giving me about 45 minutes extra to get things set up.  The access points got set up without too many problems and I got to watch part of the video that i needed to.  I had some extra help on site to be sure things went well.  Dan and David were there to make sure the computers connected with the access points and we got started.  The first period was a little ROCKY but we made it through.  I ran around all day trying to make sure carts got to the correct rooms for testing during the day.  Thank goodness Josh, one of our regular substitute teachers was there to make sure carts were moved also.  He was a life-saver!!!!!

The Chromebook Cart

I left work to go to Disneyland to meet Roger and Travis, who are on Spring Break, from South Carolina.  We ate at Rainforest Cafe and then went to ride Pirates of the Caribbean.  We had a lot of fun together and it was nice to catch up on what is happening in SC with people we know.  Travis, Roger's son, has grown up and in 9th grade.  It is hard to believe he is a 9th grader and that he is so tall!!!!!  He has really matured over the past years!!!  I left Disneyland at 10:00 pm and made it to my bed at 11:00 pm to fall asleep right away!!!

Tuesday
I was up again early and made a run to Starbucks for caffeine as I headed to get to work at 5:30 am to make sure access points were working and computers were in the correct rooms.  Today we had three new teachers testing and we needed to make sure they were logged in and ready to go.  It has been a challenge to be everyone that I need to be making sure that everyone is happy and ready to go.  It has gone really well and while we have had some bumps and bruises as we proceeded but overall we have had successful test sessions.  Today was also High School Task Force but it was really hard to concentrate because I was so tired.

Tuesday night was our monthly AP dinner.  We met at a Mexican restaurant and had fun just chatting.  I think this was our largest crowd yet and it was hard to talk with everyone because their was so many people there.  Which is GREAT!!!  It is fabulous to have so many people join us for fun and sharing ideas.  I came home right after the dinner and was asleep by 9:02 pm after changing the sheets on my bed and taking a quick shower to relax.  However, the problem was at 1:20 am when I woke up and could not go back to sleep because I had gotten about 4 hours of sleep.  So I got up and did some work for about 90 minutes and then went back to sleep for a bit.

Wednesday
I got SLAMMED Wednesday morning.  It was like every parent that needed something got the memo to come to my office, make a phone call or send an email at one time.  It was like triage in a hospital.  Thank goodness Josh was there to get everyone started while I put out fires and worked with the parents and student concerns.  Other than the craziness of being busy, today was pretty easy since everyone testing had gone through the testing process and therefore they were ready to go.  While it was still a busy day moving computer carts around, I was able to see some students today and try and get some work done.  However, there was still a lot to do today and I presented Google Docs today to a group of teachers.  While I did not get to prepare for this presentation like I wanted to I was able to get everyone into Google Docs and we were able to see how to use a Document.  We will meet again in two weeks to look at Forms and then Spreadsheets.  After that was done, Ali and I spent the evening working on more testing items.  The lists are done for teachers and students to have posted to know where to go.  Students are rearranged based on IEP plans so they are in a better testing environment.  The teachers that have Jury Duty are rearranged, the bathroom break schedule is done for all of the testing days thanks to Alison and I feel confident in moving forward.  This of course was all done in the evening and I left school at 9:30 pm with as much done as possible to be ready for Thursday.  Below you will see what Squeak does when I am gone. This is a regular thing for her.  I think she is yelling at me.

Thursday
There was no unusual testing today.  Today was a normal day which was nice.  Granted it was an early release day so kids were able to go home at 2:00 pm, there was still a lot to do.  Today was the last day of Common Assessments with the Science Department, a staff meeting and we had the New Admin Induction Meeting as well.  We had a great Induction Meeting and learned a lot at the meeting. We talked about hard to deal with cases and what we are ethically, morally and legally obligated to do and how to handle the situations.  It was good to see that everyone has the same issues and questions that I do in how to deal with situations.

After the Induction Meeting, I had to go back to campus for the PTSA meeting. That lasted until 7:45 pm or so and then I spoke with a parent for about 30 minutes about their child and returned some phone calls of which I got and had not had time to return. I went ahead an checked all the access points before i left school so that I could sleep a little extra in the morning.   I left the school about 9:00 pm to get home.

Friday
I got to school at normal time today 6:15 am and was psyched.  I am leaving the campus at 4:00 pm today regardless.  My plan is to go get my hair done, run a few errands and crash.  I will be back on Saturday but I can already feel that I am brain dead this week and I need to get some rest before I continue to think.  Friday seemed to fly by a little bit but probably because we had out admin meeting in the morning and then the practice CAHSEE had to be copied.  I got my secretary and Josh to work on making the copies as the day progressed so that I did not have to spend a lot of time up at the school on Saturday.  I was able to leave at 3:50 pm and was at the apartment by 4:30.  In fact I left so quickly, look what I forgot to put on the charger.

My walkie talkie - that I always forget to take with me on campus.

I had a nice evening and was able to go to sleep early, 10:00 pm and did not wake up till 7:00 am on Saturday morning.  

Saturday
While I got a great night's sleep, I can still feel that I am tired and a little emotional.  For those of you that know me well, when I get as tired as I have been this week little things set me into a crying stage.  I can be stressed or have a lack of sleep but having both stress and lack of sleep makes me like this and I hate it and try to avoid it at all costs.  I can watch TV and see the Human Society commercials and just start crying.  For those of you who have been talking with me or around me during this time, I apologize for anything weird look, odd thing or any other emotion that has come from me.  Thanks for dealing with me well over the last week.

I was able to relax and get some stress relief on Saturday morning.  I ate breakfast at Chick-Fil-A and ran a few errands.  I was able to get my car washed and cleaned out since it had bird doodie all over it as well as bugs from driving.  Not near as bad as driving across the mid-west / Texas but it still had a lot of stuff on it and now it is CLEAN!!!!!

I got to work about 12:45 pm in order to clean two portables and get them ready for testing as well as get the 9th Grade Practice CAHSEE Math tests into teacher boxes.  Megan and Ali were there and helped to get some things done.  I wanted to get a few more things done but the cleaning of the portables took longer than I expected and we worked on some master schedule items.  I guess tomorrow is another day and some things can wait.

On Saturday night, one of the Roe children, Kennedy came over and we got pizza and watched Pitch Perfect.  This allowed me to forget work for a bit and just relax.  It also kept Kennedy out of trouble and allowed her some time away from the younger children and a chance to be somewhere different also.  She is maturing and it is nice to see how she has changed.  While I don't want any children of my own, I do enjoy spending time, mentoring and working with secondary aged kids.  I know people look at me weird when I say that and tell me that I would be a great mom / parent but I really just enjoy my life the way it is.  There is only one person that I have met that I would ever consider having children with if he wanted them, but lucky for me he feels the same way I do, children are not something he desires either.   I like being able to do what I want when I want and working with the kids the way that I do, which I know seems selfish.  Hopefully I do make a difference in their lives and help - that is the thing I worry about the most.  I made it to bed at 10:00 pm and while i know that I can never get back the sleep I have lost, I am trying to make sure that my mood, emotions and ability to make good decisions are restored.  LOL

Sunday
Well, I guess my body is rested.  I woke up today at 6:00 am and got up to get some things caught up.  I am working on this blog which I waited till today to do.  I really like to type it as I progress through the week because then you get more than just SCHOOL STUFF.  However, this week was hard.  I have two recommendations to write for people, a few things to document and catch up on as well.  I am joining the Roes for Easter today to dye eggs and eat dinner.  So a normal Sunday!!!!  I needed that this week.  Hope you enjoy your time with your family and friends.  Sometimes your friends do become your family and I truly appreciate and my Southern California family members who include more than just the Roes!!!!  You know who you guys are and I don't tell each of you enough how much I appreciate and love you - sometimes our crazy schedules just don't allow it.

My Squeak

Week after Spring Break

Good news!! Chapters 4 and 5 of the PhD are written and are sent to my chairperson.  I know there will be a lot of revision to come but at least something is on paper and ready to get started.  It is a very big relief to have something down so that I can move forward!!!

Well it is testing season in both CA and SC!  So anyone in SC thinking CA does not test - that is not true.  We are testing 11th graders until they are going to collapse or at least it feels that way.  For the next three weeks my inner "Anita Wilson" is coming out. I have adopted Anita's thoughts on maximizing instructional time and making sure students have something to do in their extended periods so we are having all students do something at various times over the next three weeks.  We are administering four tests - 1) Smarter Balanced Field Tests, 2) EAP - Math, 3) EAP - ELA and 4) CST - Science.  So it is not just SC that test the bejeezes out of their kids - it is all across the US!!!    However, we have a teacher who has been talking with students about the Smarter Balanced test and has somewhat encouraged the students to boycott the test.  Now, the truth is, the test is a field test and it is within the students parent's rights to request they not take the test but since this is a "norming" year and practice year I do not feel this is a good idea.  In addition, for these students to talk intelligently about the test later they need to see it.  The last reason is the students have brought me papers that remove them from all testing including the EAP which is the Early Assessment Program - this affects their placement in English and Math classes if they attend a California State University (CSU) or a University of California (UC) campus.  They do not understand the repercussions of their decision in an attempt to rebel against testing.  They got a form off the Internet that removes them from all testing except the high school exit exam rather than asking the teacher or administration for the form that allows them to select the tests they don't want to take.  Oh well, live and learn!!!!

I have been doing testing training this week also for teachers.  Of the 91 teachers that come on campus there are only 80 that have not had anything to do with any of the testing this Spring.  That includes our part time teachers also.  I have a few teachers on campus who are having a hard time with the testing schedule.  I know they don't want to test and hate the change in the schedule so they are closed off to the changes and therefore are having a hard time understanding what they are doing on what day because they are overwhelmed with the full process.  I have another teacher who only wants to teach his class and is very upset they have to give one test on one day during the entire Spring Testing season.  I don't remember any of the science teachers in Laurens or District 5 having issues like this so it is new for me.  Now, remember that I was only working with science for the most part but I would imagine the Administrators had some people complaining about giving tests that I just did not know about!  My thought process - "If you are in public education in this century, you are in the age of accountability, so taxpayers want results for their money, hence we test.  So if you don't want to test, you probably need to go to a private or charter school."  Now that makes it seem like I am okay with all this testing - no, I am not, but there are ways to protest and be proactive in this career field and refusing to give a test or have your students take a test is not one of those ways in my mind nor is it effective when you are talking about an entire state!

On the discipline front, it has been calm.  I know I am going to regret typing that.  I have a few students  who are running away every other night from their homes and am having parents call me asking for help, of which there is not much that I can do because they are not coming to school either.  I don't remember students in Laurens running away this much and having the absenteeism that my school is having but again, it may be because Sylvia Woodard was so good.  I did not teach honors students all the time.  I did have the reunion tour kids for biology and physical science and they were very transienent but they would at least show up a few times a week or the following week but a lot of my students here at North High School just do not come.

I do want to give a shout out to two people who have been incredibly helpful this week in helping ease my stress.  It has been some really late nights for me as we get ready for testing and I need to thank Alison, a guidance counselor at the school, who has been with me every step of the way to brainstorm. I also need to thank Mike, the nighttime custodian, who has been helping me move carts, get access points ready and work on making sure LCD projectors work in rooms for Senior Exhibition that is coming up.  Without their help I would not be able to be the sane girl I am right now.  I don't know if they read this blog or if anyone I work with does but give them a high five and thank you if you do!!!

On the apartment front, Squeak is going to be ticked at me.  See cute little face below.  This week I was invited by the Journalism / Yearbook staffs to attend a conference with them in San Diego.  So I left Thursday night to go to San Diego till Sunday morning.  Squeak will have no one to cry to and sleep with while I am gone.  So I will really hear about it when I get back this evening.  She will not look so cute.

So I have been taping the doors of the kids.  I tape about 1:30 am and then check again at 3:00 am and again at 5:00 am when I take the tape off.  I am very tired right now from not getting a full nights sleep but it has been absolutely fun to be here with the kids and see them so happy and excited about the sessions they are attending.  They have been phenomenal kids who are taking this conference seriously as well as exploring the city.  They have been down to Seaport Village to visit, found an awesome breakfast place and several other little areas to eat.  The kids have been spending their evenings in the pool and then hanging out in rooms at night to watch movies.  Yesterday was an awards ceremony and the students took 4th place for their Special Edition paper.

On Saturday night I went to my very first Major League Baseball game.  I am not a huge fan of baseball.  I look at it as wait….wait….wait….swing…3 seconds of action and wait………  So I wanted to see what a MLB game was like.  It was a lot of fun and they have vegetarian options at the stadium.  Of course Mike Breyer, AD at my school who was in town for the AD conference and ended up being there also, stated that it was because it was San Diego and most stadiums do not, but needless to say I was pleased they had veggie dogs, veggie burgers and so on.  The entire event was fun and I would be willing to go again.  It was extremely nice because the hotel that I am at with the kids - literally has a bridge that you walk over and I was at the stadium so I did not have to deal with traffic or anything.  The AD's who were staying in Fashion Valley rode the trolley into town.  The AD from my school, Poly High School, a Catholic Girl's school in Davis, CA and a friend of theirs from Murrieta were all at the game and we hung out together.  Seeing them act a fool was entertaining as well.  I think I had pretty good seats.  This was my view.

I did eat at two new places.  One was Meze, a Greek restaurant and it was super yummy.  The other place was a "mom and pop" place in Seaport but I don't remember the name of it.   At Meze, I went for brunch and had this yummy Greek Omelet and Greek potatoes with fruit.  It was so good!!!!

Now, I know that I am in San Diego and I have been here since Thursday night and it is the weekend but I have worked and had fun.  I have gone shopping in Seaport, walked around San Diego, and gotten to eat some new places.  I know that I have a problem with balancing my work and downtime so I did get this bracelet for myself to remind myself to do things for me (see below).  This is very hard right now because of finishing the PhD.  There are so many things I want to do, places I want to visit and friends I want to hang out with but feel I need to spend my time working on my writing on the weekends because I don't have time during the week to do that, much less work out the way that I want and need to as well.  Anytime you start a new job there is a learning curve and next year will be better once programs, policies and knowledge is in place.  So yes, I am looking forward to the 2014-2015 school year.

So for my wonderful teachers who have gotten emails from me at different times and odd times over the past three days - sorry!!!!  I am getting ready to leave here and go back to the apartment to unpack, go to the grocery store and getting ready for next week and am looking forward to my favorite Sunday afternoon activity - Seeing the Roe's!!!!

Last week of March

Monday, March 24, 2014 and Tuesday, March 25, 2014 

I was at Rigorous Curriculum Design (RCD) in Carlsbad.  The conference who was directed by Leadership and Learning Center put it on.  The training was based on Larry Ainsworth Book, Rigorous Curriculum Design.  It was a great conference and I learned a lot.  While I had read the book already, it was nice to hear the steps laid out and explained, especially the Priority Standards surrounded by the supporting standards so I truly understood what it is Ainsworth was saying in the book.  The Sheraton Conference Center was beautiful and they the facilities were great.  I drove down on Monday morning and it took about an hour from my apartment.  I stayed the evening and the bed was huge and room was beautiful.  I slept really well and woke to raindrops outside, which is really unusual for CA.  The second day was great as well and I learned a lot.  I love the fact that how I planned my curriculum in the classroom was the same as how Ainsworth suggests.  The only thing that I did not do as deeply as what Ainsworth suggests is as many planned and organized formative assessments.  While I provided them, I did not do them as strategically as Ainsworth suggests.  What I am finding is the most difficult part of using RCD to develop curriculum is the teacher persistence to create.  In developing middle school curriculum and high school curriculum in Laurens, I found many times we got into a "get it done" mindset because of the time and therefore we did not include all the parts required and laid out by RCD.  The really great thing about RCD is that is focuses on the standards and not the textbook.  This allows us to work on really focusing on the standard and using the materials that we have and then filling in the gaps with pieces rather than buying a pre-made curriculum.

When I left Carlsbad, I headed to Ulta in the San Marcos area and then went to eat dinner at one of my most favorite places.  It is a placed called Hungry Bear and it has the absolute best sub sandwiches.  They get very high marks on Yelp and people who I talk to who do not hang out down in the San Marcos area know about this small little sub shop.  They do everything fresh, like the del it that I worked at in Irmo and I love that about the Hungry Bear Restaurant.  YUM!!!!!

Wednesday
Today I had my first explosion panel.  I got there at 8:00 am to be sure that I could read the packet before the panel started and to meet Alex the hearing supervisor.  I was on the panel with Dale who is a principal in the district.  The hearings went well and both students will be able to finish their education and graduate so all is well.  It was interesting to see the process and I am very glad that I did before I have to present a panel on my own.  Seeing one in action and hearing the questions that will be asked was extremely beneficial in the planning stages and why it is so important that the packet be put together correctly.

When I got back to school I had an IEP meeting for a student and then went to do a few observations of some teaches.  Next it was back to the office for parent meetings.  It was a very busy day and apparently there was a lot going on around the school.  We had a teacher act as an admin designee and work on some of the discipline that needed to be done - the regular electronic violations, missed teacher detentions and so on.  Elizabeth got a lot done for all of us and it was great that some of that is taken off the plates of us before Spring Break.

View after school on Wednesday.

I stayed really late trying to put everything together for the next day and get things together and try and get ahead.  I was able to get all the paperwork done for discipline the next day and I tried to watch some of the videos to get ready for SBAC testing.  However, while I get the part of how to get the test started, I still am not sure how to upload students into the system for them to test.   That is where my problem really is!!!!! I am going to meet with Dan next week and see if that will help.

Thursday
So, someone has put something in the water in Riverside and the kids are drinking it.  Today was crazy.  We had one kid after another getting in trouble and being sent to the office.  It was a little nutty.  While I tried to get a lot of the discipline done in the morning it seemed I kept running into road blocks with trying to get things complete.  Between reports of bullying, bringing edibles laced with inappropriate contents and trying to do my normal work, it was basically almost impossible to get anything complete. I was at school pretty late on Thursday as well trying to get things done.  Thursday afternoon was also early release PD with Social Studies and then a meeting at the District Office on creating a Coaches Policy and Procedure manual.  It has been a crazy day!!!!

Friday
Today was a very upsetting day today.  I had a big decision I had to make and I am still not sure that I am sure that I made the right one but I cannot go back and change the decision now.  However, I gave my decision at 8:30 am and by 10:30 am I was regretting my decision.  However, it would not be fair to  go back and change it.  From 10:30 am till the end of the day it just felt as though nothing was going right and every time I tried to sit down and relax to decompress something else would happen to make it worse and fill me with regret.  I kept saying, why did I not wait???  However, I promised my answer in the morning and I felt waiting was inconsiderate.  I came home emotionally drained and did nothing but sit and relax in the evening.

Squeak likes when I am home.

I was sitting at the computer and felt the chair shake and thought to myself what the heck is going on what is up with my chair.  I also heard a strange noise outside but did not really think much of it.  I started to also get woozy and then I realized what was happening.  It was an earthquake.  It seemed to last a fairly long time because my chair kept shaking.  Then I started getting texts from different people to see if I felt it.  However, I was still about 60 miles from it.  It was not a major shake, just enough to make me realize that something was not correct.  It was an interesting feeling as well.

I ended up going to be early and falling asleep quickly.  I did not set any alarms and had the plan to sleep as long as I wanted to on Saturday morning and get as much rest as possible over Spring Break.  I am doing a Staycation to get work on the PhD done, which is one of the things that affected my decision and if that was not hanging over my head I would feel better about things in general.  I am so close that I need to be done but just don't want to do the last parts because I really dislike writing.  Ugh!!!

Saturday
I really woke up this morning not feeling very good.  I decided today would be a "Boxer" day.  Get rest and finish up those tasks around the apartment that are not pressing but take a few minutes to get done.  Some of these including updating the resume, doing the blog, and working on moving some files around.  I did a load of laundry and watched TV.  I also took a NAP!  Yes, I took a NAP.  Anyone who knows me well knows that I do not nap during the day easily.  Squeak and I laid down together on the couch and took a 40 minute nap.  I feel much better now and I halfway wonder if the earthquakes don't make me a little woozy.

Reading with my baby!!

I am going to sign off for two weeks.  Starting tomorrow I am going into PhD mode and will not be doing much but sitting around reading and typing so there will not be much to tell.  I am going to work two days this week because I will be working summer school but that will be for testing purposes and planning for next school year.  So I will see you the second week of April.
  

March 17-22

Well it has been a tough week.  I can't seem to get ahead, more than other weeks.  I am not sure how I am possibly going to make it through the next few weeks.  I know I will but it is going to be a huge task.   On Monday, I was still at ASCD in LA and had a great time.  On Monday, I got back to the apartment and took my car to get cleaned, pick up some groceries and unpack.  I have been gone for three weekends strait and am tired and need to get things done around the apartment such as laundry, some cleaning and play with Squeak.  I halfway wonder if I don't have Mono as tired as I have been lately.  I usually have loads of energy and it is not a problem but this past week I have been struggling.

When I got back to school on Tuesday there was plenty to do and catch up on.  I spent the majority of the day catching up on discipline.  I attended the Riverside State of Education Address and then when to the High School Task Force meeting.  I enjoy attending these meeting but sometimes I feel like they are circular and we has out the same items over and over again.  We did the same thing and are not really anywhere closer to an answer, or so it feels that way.  I did go ahead and relax that evening by going to the Karen Allen Salon for a bit.  I made it home and crashed because I knew it was going to be a tough couple of days.  On Wednesday I set up the Writing portion of the Early Assessment Program the 11th graders are going to take Monday.  Alison helped teach me all the parts that had to be put together but the truth is I need to thank Anita Wilson for all the work she did on testing and taught me because it made making decisions and putting things together easier.   I knew that at some point all that hard work would come through. LOL!!!  I ended up being at school until 8:30 pm working on getting testing together, having parent meeting and trying to get organized.  We also ended up with a student who hurt himself on the track by trying to climb over a fence.  Reports are that he slipped and fell and I got to use my athletic training background.  I miss working with athletes at times and then crazy things like this happen and I remember how athletic training always makes me smile because it is never the same thing all the time, like being an assistant principal.  

On Thursday I decided that someone has put something in the water around the school.  It was a busy day and I had lots to do and of course nothing went correctly.  We have been having problems with the network at school and when the principal wanted to use the network, of course it was down and we don't get great reception in the MPR so there was issues, of course!!!  From there it was a quick rush to room 323 for the staff meeting and then to 700 for Early Release Professional Development.  Once that was over I was on the way back to the office when I ran into a teacher and angry parent while I still had another appointment waiting on me.  The parent was upset about a situation that occurred after school.  This caused a two hour investigation which involved the police.  While I did not conduct the entire investigation, there were several of us that were involved and I ended up with having to call the parents of one of the students involved.  After that, I was in a meeting for School Site Council, than PTSA which I left at 8:05 pm and they were still meeting.  I went to clean up the rooms I used and then finished up some items in my office.  Needless to say, I did not leave until 9:40 pm and then ended up getting back to the apartment at 10:15 due to construction on the freeway.

On Friday, it was one thing after another with the Spring Assembly and more student reporting issues from the day before with lots of different people now being involved.  We were in meetings this morning and then again in the afternoon since the admin team had not met in awhile.  At the end of school, we had a report of students having things on campus they should not.  While that was being investigated, I had to deal with a parent calling wanting to know what was going on with her child that she came home upset.  I was suppose to meet the Roe's for dinner but that plan got delayed and when I got there it was about time to leave so I went back to school and heard about the investigation.  I got home at 8:30 am after running to Target and ended up cleaning up a bit and laying on the couch and almost falling asleep there the entire night.  I did make it to the bedroom to sleep, which was good so that I got some restful sleep in my comfy bed.  I ended up sleeping till about 7:00 am, which was pretty late for me.  I spent the morning with Squeak curled up next to me working on some reading that I have been trying to do.  It was a relaxing morning and I was able to eat breakfast with a friend before heading to work to get some things done since I am so behind.

I just don't think I will get caught up.  Friday, one of the district instructional specialists sent an email say she needed the work done by Sunday night for our MYP application.  This irritated the fire out of me because all the way back in October, I begged for this not to happen.  I have a PhD to work on, SBAC testing coming up, been out of town and discipline.  I don't have time for a 48 hour deadline!!!!  Especially when there has been 8 months to work on this.  Ugh!!!!  Frustration!!!!!!  So I am signing off with no pictures so I can make sure I get everything done.  Best wishes to everyone!!!!

Week of March 10

Hello My Friends
  I hope you are all doing well as I start this blog.  I will tell you that I am tired, not that everyone else is not, but I am usually don't drag this much.  I think it is the combination of the items last week and this week after the Texas Instruments Conference and getting ready for the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development Conference this weekend.  While I was at the Texas Instruments Conference this quote was put up by one of the presenters and I felt like it was appropriate for some of the situations I have been dealing with this week. Parents, please be your child's advocate, but be that advocate in a way that develops them into mature young adults who can maintain a job, survive in life and be successful.  Their boss will not let you come and advocate for them, they have to learn to be corrected and take advice or they will be fired.  Please let them work through their mistakes now and take their punishments where they have a cushion rather than when they are out on their own.

  As I end this week, I reflect that I stayed at work on Monday and Wednesday late but I left right after the Middle School Task Force on Tuesday.  I decided I deserved to get my nails done and so I left to have a relaxing evening of getting my nails done, playing with Squeak, working from home and packing for ASCD on Tuesday night.  I did go outside the box a little and get orange toenails with white dots.

See how cute they are!!  It made me HAPPY!!!  I even wore open toe shoes on Wednesday to show them off to everyone.  :)  I think I may have taken the polka dots too far though on Thursday.  I knew on Thursday I would be sitting most of the day so I wore my most favorite pair of shoes!  Does anyone know which ones they are????  I always get loads of compliments on them……. You got it….

 So it might be dot overload!!! Especially since I was also carrying a polka-dot bag.  I am really not that girlie and try to match my dots.  It just kinda happened.  I did get a lot of compliments on my shoes and everyone really wanted to know where I got them because they were supper cute!!!


On Thursday night, I left to go to ASCD for the conference on Friday.  I got t see Robert Marzano present and be in his session about Teacher Evaluation.  This was pretty awesome just because of who he is and what work he has done.  I find that the information he presented we will be seeing in the next 3-5 years so it was great to get the introduction to what will be coming out about teacher evaluation.   He is talking about Teacher Eval being in three categories based on the length of time you teach.  Makes sense - your first year teacher is competent in different ways than your 5th year or 12th year teacher.  Then upon that category there is different cut scores for proficiency in those areas based on the  amount of time they have to grow and develop as a teacher.  It is a great concept and also includes teacher self-reflections, student survey, test scores and a variety of other observations to get a more holistic picture.  It really is what we need to do but would take another two administrators in order to make sure it is done correctly and infused.  I am excited about being in education at this time as we move forward with the idea of Teacher Evaluation Revamping!!!

Robert Marzano

Robert Marzano and Myself - Yes, I am a geek / nerd.  

Megan and I

Kristen Swanson and Megan McGroarty

Jay McTighe

  So on Friday night, my BFAW, Megan and I raced back to Riverside to cover the basketball game on Friday night.  It was very sad that we lost the game and the boys are out of the playoffs.  It was really sad because the game was not closer but it was still a great game to see the fast paced rhythm of the game and the incredible shots that are made by these high school students.  After the game, Megan and I raced back to LA.  I got to drive her 2013 Red Acura and I did not get a ticket!!!!  It drives great!!  I might know what my next car is in 10 years. LOL!!!!

Today, I am attending the conference and am super-excited about all the items that are being introduced to us through this phenomenal conference.  This is the PLACE TO BE right now!!!!  You learn so much about what is coming down the pipeline.  Now that I write that it make me think - who really controls education in US - ASCD!!  LOL!!!

I really am looking forward to next weekend.  I believe I am going to stay home and sleep.  I want to try and get caught up on the laundry and work on the PhD.  I do love the fact that Spring Break is coming up soon - I am staying here and trying to finish all the writing to get it to Michelle, my committee chair!!!!

Week of March 10th - TI3 Conference - Not as long - Been a busy week and I'm tired!!!

Sunday was a busy day with lots of work to be done.  I did not get the one thing done that I wanted to finish – my PhD – chapter 4 but I did get all the work done to be able to go to work and be productive on Monday.  Yeah!!!!  I had dinner at the Roe’s, which is typical and I love.  Jessica made my favorite mean – Spinach Fettuccine Alfredo.  We also had salad and Oreo dessert so it was a good night.  Yum!!!!  I got all the ironing done in the evening and even was able to go to bed by 10:30 pm.  I was very proud of myself.    However, Monday came……Can we say BUSY???  I knew this week was going to be rough because I was only working three days before the Texas Instruments Conference, but WOW!   The three days I worked this week may have pointed out to me how much I still have to learn.   I have been feeling pretty good recently, plugging along, staying busy but still getting it.  After our firecracker ring escapade I felt like, “I got this.”  Guess what, “I don’t have this.”  I know that sounds awful but we are being honest here.   I have not really been trained on how to put in suspensions in the computer.  While I know we use the Assertive Discipline Systems (ADS), I have not had to go in and put together a full packet and do the paperwork.  So, as you know my secretary is out on maternity leave, the other secretary has an audit on Thursday and the last secretary changed positions and there is a new secretary in place who does not know the system.  Well guess what….you got it.  I have not been trained either.  The training I went to was more along the do this…this has changed…and so on…  I never had to put in a full suspension to the expulsion from start to finish on my own.  So this week was a struggle on Monday to get all the paperwork done for our suspensions.  I feel very ill equipped (imagine me with a frown).  Everything was put together and got to where it needed to go but I don’t feel it was done well and as you know I am a over-achiever and a bit OCD so this bothers me. 

On Monday, I got to eat dinner with my education friend and catch up on what is going on then returned to work to get organized for the next day since things were so crazy.  On Tuesday I had the High School Task force meeting where we are discussing different types of diplomas for students and then went back to work for the track meet.  I was sad as well because the Boy’s Basketball team, who are so good, lost their games to a team ranked #4 in the nation.  Now, the positive side of me is, “Well if you have to lose to a team, better to lose to someone that great,” but man, it sucks to lose!!!  I know the kids were bummed but the other admin at the game continued to send me updates as the night went on so that I could keep up to date on the score.   I was bad and had one of my favorite meals that night – Del Taco.  I know I know, what is special about a bean burrito, but for some reason I love them and they are soooooo good.  The crinkle cut fries that are so bad for you are good as well.  I got home around 9:35 pm and finished getting items together to leave from work to go to the conference in Vegas.  Yes, I did say Vegas.  A lot of people are telling me how much fun I am going to have and how lucky I am and while I do agree I am lucky and will have fun.  My time in Vegas is all about learning about the TI Nspire and iPad App for TI.  They have it set up so that we are doing all kinds of PD and interactions with others so there is very little time to “do Vegas.”  I am okay with that since I was just there with the girls this summer.  My favorite part is old Vegas but mainly because I like the lights and entertainment on the street.

So here I am in the Ontario Airport that is easy to get in and out of, surprisingly, after a long day of work and I am about to fall asleep.  It is only an hour flight but I am worried about staying awake now to get on the plane. LOL!!!   It will be good to see all my TI friends and friends from District 5 who are coming.  I know it is only two of them, Leza and Yarah but it will be nice to see them!! 

On a side note:  To the two MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL players in the two rows behind me.  No one on this plane cares you are a MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL players.  No one on the plane wanted your autograph and no one cares who you know.  You ruined the flight for the people in the 10 rows in front of you because you talked so loudly and would not sit next to one another on the place, which had open seating!!!  Please notice how polite everyone else was and did not say anything to you but shot you the dirtiest looks I have ever seen.  For these two BOYS who are pushing 37, you need to get a clue and grow up.  We don’t need to hear your stories!!!

I made it to Vegas safely and without killing the guys behind me in the airplane.  I found my friend Howard who I was able to ride to the hotel with and we ate dinner together.  Howard is always fun because he is so talkative and open.  He has been a great friend / mentor to me

Thursday

So I am at the T3 Conference and I just got an absolutely great quote about why we need to have Essential Questions and Agendas in the classroom, at meetings, and for things we do.

         “It is not enough that the teacher knows where the students are headed, the students much also know where they are headed; and both teacher and students must be moving in the same direction.”

I LOVE the above quote and this is my thought from it…..Kids want and need to know where we are doing and where we are doing with their learning.  There is so much going on in their lives and they are connected to the world.   Students must pick and choose what they “attend to” cognitively.  We have to make the hidden visible for students and what is commonplace for the professional educator, may not be for the student. 

Saturday

The past three days, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, have been a whirlwind of activity, so much so it has been hard to breath figuratively and literally.  While Las Vegas may be fun for some, I have only been here for conferences and I think Las Vegas is lost on me a little.  I like Old Vegas because of the lights and entertainment on the streets.  I guess if I was here to dress up, gamble and party I would view it in a different light.  Instead, I have been at meetings every morning by 7:00 am until 8:00 pm at night along with sessions each day.  It has been a great time and I have learned a lot, met a lot of new people and brainstormed ideas with many across the United States, Canada and Australia but it is time to get some sleep – of which I lose an hour tonight due to the time change. 

Thanks to my breakfast crew, Donald, Erick, Jeff for two great breakfasts.  I truly enjoyed sharing time with you and talking.  Still cannot believe all the great food we had.  Sorry I did not get pictures of the second breakfast because the waffles and french toast were amazing also!!!

Jeff's Pancake

Leann's Vegetarian Option

Erick - What were you thinking - Pancakes and eggs!!!  

The conference has been phenomenal so far.  I have met so many wonderful TI3 people who I am able to catch up with and make new friends through them.  It is a social butterflies paradise because everyone is willing to talk and make connections.  There is just not enough time to talk with everyone!!!!  

Cat and I - Cat is the one that got me involved with TI - She is FANTASTIC!!!!

Howard and I - We knew each other from DonorsChoose.org online and actually met through TI.

Sunday

Today was the last day of the conference in Vegas!!!  This morning, I saw an excellent presentation on the changes to the AP Science Tests which shed a lot of light on items in the AP World.  I am excited to take the info back and share it with the teachers at my school.  One of the presenters is the nice lady who shared a cab with me to the airport last year and it was nice to re-connect with her.  The closing session was amazing.  The speaker was David Saltzberg, who is the Science Technical Advisor for The Big Bang Theory TV Show.  He was so funny and showed us clips from the show and told us about items he worked on as well as his job and what he must do.  He says it was funny to teach the guys on the show who had no science background about science.  He mentioned he was happy with Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) joined the show because she really does have a science background and she helps to answer the biology questions since he is an astrophysicist.  I really did enjoy his talk and it was a great way to end the conference.

David Salzberg, The Big Bang Theory Technical Advisor for Science

Dr. Steven Schlozman - Dr. Zombie - works with Max Brooks and helped to write the STEM Behind Hollywood Zombie Apocalypse program.

I cannot believe how much I need the Internet for to get things done.  I am so far behind because I only had my phone the past four days for Internet access and I don't get as much done on my phone as I would like.  It makes me want to get wi-fi on my iPad but honestly, I am too cheap to do it because I don't have that many times when I don't have access.  However, when I don't it is a pain.  So I am sitting at the Las Vegas airport, which has free wi-fi working to get things done so that I can get home and unpack and begin to repack for the ASCD conference this week.  Yes, you heard me.  I am gone again this weekend to LA.  Squeak is going to be so made at me!!!