First official day!

We reported officially to school today! We had our first in-service…I might have been making sarcastic remarks in my head and apparently on my face as well – but I tried REALLY hard to be a good sport through it all! We started off with an introduction to all the staff and what they were teaching (a lot of changes…there’s a lot of turnover and rearranging we’ve found). Then Mr. Elofson reminded us of the school vision etc etc. We then had our first devotion – I guess we have to do them about once a month (REALLY missing a big staff to hide in at SGCS….once a year!) After that was a short break and any of the specialty teachers and aides could leave and then we had writing training in the 6+1 program. I used it in student teaching so I was familiar – but we have more training all week. I like the idea of it – very process oriented, good help for grading, etc etc. Anyway, half the teachers didn’t seem to get the idea and were asking these way off base questions – apparently we’re supposed to be instant authors after one class – how about a whole school seminar and then they’ll be ready to write? Hmmmm…yea, we’re not in Kansas anymore Toto….it’s just very different philosophy wise here as far as education goes. I of course was making my own comments along the way, I just felt like someone had to be on track when speaking besides the teacher (Laura who teaches 4th grade). Anyway – in-service was informative, good if I ignored random thoughts or comments…after that we were dismissed for lunch and to work in our classrooms. I had forgotten my keys – absent minded this morning…there was a lot going on to get ready, make breakfast, pack a lunch, pick up Rachel, and get to school on time! Went by the apartment, got the keys, got to school….again…thankfully being on 2 campuses gives me the freedom to do that without looking like a dork. No Rosanne or Alex or Osmine to call when I’m locked out anymore! Got to school, did some work for a couple of hours before I got hungry. I took my lunch to warm it up in the microwave and Laura starts chatting with me so I stood in the hall eating and talking while she put up her bulletin board paper and border (we share hallway bulletin boards…random) Mekeio spelling? (6-12 grade English teacher…yes….the school is that small) and Laura and I talked for about an hour about all kinds of stuff and they offered to show us around and answered lots of my school culture questions – VERY good chat…might have even begun a new friendship or two :) I was telling Adrienne I may have missed home the most today. It was the first in-service where there was no one to save me a seat or to giggle with in the back, there's no back with 20 people on staff! Adrienne and I didn’t even get to sit by each other – everyone was paired off with only single seats left – strange to go from Social Diva to Social Outcast – ok exaggerating for effect, but you get the point. It was nice to talk to someone that gets the boat I’m in, so that helped…but it was making me miss all my LD pals (who I haven’t heard a word from…bitter if you’re reading this!) Tomorrow is more training, more classroom time and more Mad Dog Math copying…did I mention that if you make to many copies the machine gets hot and the copies aren’t as dark? Or that I can’t read anything on the copier except the numbers???? Maybe Trace can come fix it for me J I’m missing Ellie’s 1st birthday tomorrow – sad – happy birthday baby girl – love and miss you much…lots of hugs and kisses!!! We’re supposed to be getting our own internet tomorrow – yes, we’ve heard that before, but maybe really this time! After that I promise to upload classroom and other random pictures – it just takes to long for my patience on stolen internet!