This photo was taken a few weeks ago in Salem at the Burial Grounds.Happy Halloween all!
Candy. Witches. Haunted Houses. Dressing up. My students totally hyper and off the wall for the entire month of October!
What does Halloween mean for you?
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Congrats to the World Champions - Red Sox!!!!!
Congrats to my boys! 2007 World Series Champs!!!!4-0 series baby!!!!!
So proud of them!
Go Red Sox!!!!!!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
It's officially Fall in New England!
This photo was taken at Russell Orchards in Ipswich, MA.Fall is in the air around my neck of the woods. It's starting to cool off a tad bit. Great sleeping weather if you ask me!
I love the Fall in New England. It's my favorite time of the year. I don't like what follows this season but the Fall is my favorite! I love the bright colorful leaves of reds, golds, and oranges. The days are great for taking long walks. At night, you sleep sooooo good - nice and cool.
Pumpkins! I'm a pumpkin addict (hence the photo above)! I adore pumpkin! Pumpkin pie (particularly Janet's recipe which is not the recipe I've linked here). Pumpkin creme brulee. Pumpkin martinis. Anything pumpkin. Oh, and I have pumpkin lotion from Bath & Body Works - I highly recommend it!!!! Do you see a pattern here????? :-)
What are your favorites of Fall?
Thursday, October 25, 2007
I think the stress is finally getting to me . . .
I left school early today because I wasn't feeling good. Headache, stomach blahs, fever, etc.
I think the stress of everything is finally getting to me. I'm debating about taking Friday off as a sick day and just take a mental health day.
I have a horrible teaching schedule this year. I get a 90 minute planning period every other day. It's a violation of our old contract but it would require changing all 1600 student schedules to accommodate six teachers in the freshman house. By contract, we are supposed to get 90 minutes planning every day. Yesterday, I lost my planning period due to two parent meetings so I didn't have to do my duty today. This terrible schedule also requires that I plan far ahead and sometimes that is impossible due to assemblies, field trips of other classes, meetings, etc.
My second issue this year is that I was given a student with autism. This student has an aide but the aide just sits there and reads his book and doesn't help the autistic student. I have no background or training in autism. This student is VERY demanding and high maintenance. His mother is pushing for all the SPED services. This student is a cutie pie but very difficult to work with in the classroom when I have 24 other students to teach and help. Getting no help from the aide is pushing me over the edge! And, of course, my school is not providing any help or support either.
My third issue is my co-taught class with a SPED teacher. I've vented about him A LOT last school year. He's the one that sits in the back of my classroom and falls asleep and farts??? Nothing has changed this year. I still have the same teacher and he still behaves the same way. The difference is that this year's class we have at least five students who can't read above a 2nd grade reading level and need more support. We also have over 75% of the class of IEP's (Individual Education Plans). I make as many accommodations as I can but the SPED teacher is supposed to be doing it too. At progress report time, every single one of my SPED kids in that class is failing right now. I run around that classroom with my head cut off trying to help all these kids. Yes, I've complained to the administration and his head teacher and I was told to "Suck it up. He's retiring at the end of the school year." (yes, this is a direct quote!) This school is very lucky that the parents don't understand their children's IEP's or the school would have some serious lawsuits with all the violations and codes they are breaking! As I mentioned above I left school early today. The SPED teacher was in the room and he had the balls to give me an attitude since I asked him to cover the class for the last 1/2 hour since I was going home sick! I need to point out that this man is making THE SAME SALARY THAT I MAKE and does nothing!!!!!! Oh, he does nothing in the other four content classes he's supposed to be co-teaching with too.
And, of course, the NO contract thing. It weighs over the faculty very hard. Veteran teachers are standing outside in the mornings with protest signs (no, we are not on strike; it's illegal in my state for teachers to go on strike!). It's the second year without a contract and I'm making the same salary as I was making last year. Meanwhile, the cost of living goes up and the city I work for will not settle on a new contract. The morale in the building is really low and depressing. And, we are constantly being asked to do more. I just can't take it anymore.
Rumor has it that the high school in the town that I live in will be hiring next school year for a few social studies teacher positions (retirements). I will try and apply but I'd be surprised if they call me in for an interview. It will be my 10th year next year and I'm too expensive to hire at this point. I can't really afford to take a pay cut plus I'd screw myself for retirement by taking less money. So, I'm stuck at my current job. I am looking at other options outside of teaching as well.
So I hope this explains what's up with me. Why I haven't been blogging a lot lately and when I do blog, it's usually negative.
I think the stress of everything is finally getting to me. I'm debating about taking Friday off as a sick day and just take a mental health day.
I have a horrible teaching schedule this year. I get a 90 minute planning period every other day. It's a violation of our old contract but it would require changing all 1600 student schedules to accommodate six teachers in the freshman house. By contract, we are supposed to get 90 minutes planning every day. Yesterday, I lost my planning period due to two parent meetings so I didn't have to do my duty today. This terrible schedule also requires that I plan far ahead and sometimes that is impossible due to assemblies, field trips of other classes, meetings, etc.
My second issue this year is that I was given a student with autism. This student has an aide but the aide just sits there and reads his book and doesn't help the autistic student. I have no background or training in autism. This student is VERY demanding and high maintenance. His mother is pushing for all the SPED services. This student is a cutie pie but very difficult to work with in the classroom when I have 24 other students to teach and help. Getting no help from the aide is pushing me over the edge! And, of course, my school is not providing any help or support either.
My third issue is my co-taught class with a SPED teacher. I've vented about him A LOT last school year. He's the one that sits in the back of my classroom and falls asleep and farts??? Nothing has changed this year. I still have the same teacher and he still behaves the same way. The difference is that this year's class we have at least five students who can't read above a 2nd grade reading level and need more support. We also have over 75% of the class of IEP's (Individual Education Plans). I make as many accommodations as I can but the SPED teacher is supposed to be doing it too. At progress report time, every single one of my SPED kids in that class is failing right now. I run around that classroom with my head cut off trying to help all these kids. Yes, I've complained to the administration and his head teacher and I was told to "Suck it up. He's retiring at the end of the school year." (yes, this is a direct quote!) This school is very lucky that the parents don't understand their children's IEP's or the school would have some serious lawsuits with all the violations and codes they are breaking! As I mentioned above I left school early today. The SPED teacher was in the room and he had the balls to give me an attitude since I asked him to cover the class for the last 1/2 hour since I was going home sick! I need to point out that this man is making THE SAME SALARY THAT I MAKE and does nothing!!!!!! Oh, he does nothing in the other four content classes he's supposed to be co-teaching with too.
And, of course, the NO contract thing. It weighs over the faculty very hard. Veteran teachers are standing outside in the mornings with protest signs (no, we are not on strike; it's illegal in my state for teachers to go on strike!). It's the second year without a contract and I'm making the same salary as I was making last year. Meanwhile, the cost of living goes up and the city I work for will not settle on a new contract. The morale in the building is really low and depressing. And, we are constantly being asked to do more. I just can't take it anymore.
Rumor has it that the high school in the town that I live in will be hiring next school year for a few social studies teacher positions (retirements). I will try and apply but I'd be surprised if they call me in for an interview. It will be my 10th year next year and I'm too expensive to hire at this point. I can't really afford to take a pay cut plus I'd screw myself for retirement by taking less money. So, I'm stuck at my current job. I am looking at other options outside of teaching as well.
So I hope this explains what's up with me. Why I haven't been blogging a lot lately and when I do blog, it's usually negative.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Trying to keep life in perspective these days.
Blogging is a place for me to vent my feelings and emotions. I've been looking at a lot of my posts and I realize how negative they can be at times.
I don't mean to be so negative. I just need to vent those feelings and emotions out there. I sound like a broken record at times. School sucks. My love life sucks. My money situation sucks. Etc, etc, etc.
I will try and be more positive in my posts. I can't guarantee every single post will be cheerful and positive but I will do my best to look at the positives in my life. I know I have plenty:
*My family. They are the strength of my being. Even if I don't always say it or tell them, I do love them and appreciate having them in my life.
*My friends. I have some awesome "peeps" in my life. Over the past few years, I've had to weed out the unhealthy friends out of my life. Some have been by my choice. Some by their choice. I've very blessed to have my friends that support and love me for ME.
*Ellie the Cat. Pets are great. They love you unconditionally. Ellie is no exception! When I was sick last week, she knew something was "up" with her Momma and stuck by my side the entire time. She would cuddle on the couch with me and give me a lick on the face here and there to make sure I was OK.
*My job. Yes, things at school have been sooooo stressful with no contract. But, I need to be grateful that I even have a job. I need to accept myself as an educator and realize that I can only do so much for these kids. I also need to not take everything so personal and to heart.
So, I will try and keep my life in perspective. Thanks for listening aka reading! :-)
I don't mean to be so negative. I just need to vent those feelings and emotions out there. I sound like a broken record at times. School sucks. My love life sucks. My money situation sucks. Etc, etc, etc.
I will try and be more positive in my posts. I can't guarantee every single post will be cheerful and positive but I will do my best to look at the positives in my life. I know I have plenty:
*My family. They are the strength of my being. Even if I don't always say it or tell them, I do love them and appreciate having them in my life.
*My friends. I have some awesome "peeps" in my life. Over the past few years, I've had to weed out the unhealthy friends out of my life. Some have been by my choice. Some by their choice. I've very blessed to have my friends that support and love me for ME.
*Ellie the Cat. Pets are great. They love you unconditionally. Ellie is no exception! When I was sick last week, she knew something was "up" with her Momma and stuck by my side the entire time. She would cuddle on the couch with me and give me a lick on the face here and there to make sure I was OK.
*My job. Yes, things at school have been sooooo stressful with no contract. But, I need to be grateful that I even have a job. I need to accept myself as an educator and realize that I can only do so much for these kids. I also need to not take everything so personal and to heart.
So, I will try and keep my life in perspective. Thanks for listening aka reading! :-)
Thursday, October 18, 2007
I think I need a vacation . . . .
It's been one of those weeks. Even though I was out sick on Monday and Tuesday, it seems like a very long week!
I go back to school on Wednesday - an early release day for the kids in the morning and a professional day for the adults in the afternoon. My school didn't make AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress - a No Child Left Behind thing) so we are going into freak out test the hell out of the kids mode. The 9th graders spent two hours doing MCAS English and Math practice tests (in my state, you need to pass these tests to graduate - don't pass - no high school diploma). Since I'm on the freshman team, I had to proctor the tests. These tests were thrown together at the last minute so there were no instructions and no communication to the teachers. The 10th and 11th graders were given the PSAT's. The 12th graders were shown a video on how to make positive choices (no alcohol or drugs) and then were put into groups to create activities (they got the better end of the deal since they got to bond with their class). The 9th graders had an assembly for the last hour about responsibility. The last two blocks of the day were shortened to 30 minutes. Not a lot of academic learning could take place in that time.
After the kids left for the day, I got to sit in a department meeting for an hour and an half to brainstorm about how does my dept. help with MCAS (our MCAS are still in pilot mode and won't count until 2012). We then met as a faculty to discuss all the ways every single department is supporting MCAS. It sounds like all departments are doing what they are supposed to be doing to help the kids succeed on MCAS. I just don't know what more we can do except maybe take the test for the kids. The skill level of reading and writing is VERY low at my school. I have a lot of kids this year that can barely read above a 2nd grade reading level. How do I work with that? I'm not trained in it. I help the kids as best as I can during the school day when they are in class with me but they need more help. They need to stay after school for extra help and they won't stay. Compared to my last school, students don't value their education or respect their teachers. It's emotionally draining to continue sticking your neck out to help these kids and they just don't get it! The day was very long and draining and I still wasn't feeling well. I probably should've called in sick again but I really didn't want to take another sick day.
Today, I had parent conferences after school. I had a line! Almost all the parents that wanted to talk to me were the Honor's parents and all they just wanted to hear how great their kid was doing in my class. The conferences were supposed to end at 3:00 but I didn't leave school until 5:00 pm! Ughy!
Also, today the union rep stopped by to ask if I would mind wearing a t-shirt and protest outside every morning to support the union negotiations. Yes, we are still without a contract and the 2nd year without a raise. And, I need to point out that this is my second year so I'm not tenured yet. It's a high risk to go out and protest for the union since the union can't protect me my first three years anyway. $500 a year is taken out my paycheck for union dues.
Oh, my Dad went to the emergency room yesterday morning. He was in pain - he's got a kidney stone and it won't pass. They admitted him and monitored him. I got a phone call a few hours ago and they are performing surgery to get the stone out. Please think happy thoughts for my Daddy! :-)
Sorry this post is all over the place. I'm tired. I'm exhausted. And, I still feel like poop!
I go back to school on Wednesday - an early release day for the kids in the morning and a professional day for the adults in the afternoon. My school didn't make AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress - a No Child Left Behind thing) so we are going into freak out test the hell out of the kids mode. The 9th graders spent two hours doing MCAS English and Math practice tests (in my state, you need to pass these tests to graduate - don't pass - no high school diploma). Since I'm on the freshman team, I had to proctor the tests. These tests were thrown together at the last minute so there were no instructions and no communication to the teachers. The 10th and 11th graders were given the PSAT's. The 12th graders were shown a video on how to make positive choices (no alcohol or drugs) and then were put into groups to create activities (they got the better end of the deal since they got to bond with their class). The 9th graders had an assembly for the last hour about responsibility. The last two blocks of the day were shortened to 30 minutes. Not a lot of academic learning could take place in that time.
After the kids left for the day, I got to sit in a department meeting for an hour and an half to brainstorm about how does my dept. help with MCAS (our MCAS are still in pilot mode and won't count until 2012). We then met as a faculty to discuss all the ways every single department is supporting MCAS. It sounds like all departments are doing what they are supposed to be doing to help the kids succeed on MCAS. I just don't know what more we can do except maybe take the test for the kids. The skill level of reading and writing is VERY low at my school. I have a lot of kids this year that can barely read above a 2nd grade reading level. How do I work with that? I'm not trained in it. I help the kids as best as I can during the school day when they are in class with me but they need more help. They need to stay after school for extra help and they won't stay. Compared to my last school, students don't value their education or respect their teachers. It's emotionally draining to continue sticking your neck out to help these kids and they just don't get it! The day was very long and draining and I still wasn't feeling well. I probably should've called in sick again but I really didn't want to take another sick day.
Today, I had parent conferences after school. I had a line! Almost all the parents that wanted to talk to me were the Honor's parents and all they just wanted to hear how great their kid was doing in my class. The conferences were supposed to end at 3:00 but I didn't leave school until 5:00 pm! Ughy!
Also, today the union rep stopped by to ask if I would mind wearing a t-shirt and protest outside every morning to support the union negotiations. Yes, we are still without a contract and the 2nd year without a raise. And, I need to point out that this is my second year so I'm not tenured yet. It's a high risk to go out and protest for the union since the union can't protect me my first three years anyway. $500 a year is taken out my paycheck for union dues.
Oh, my Dad went to the emergency room yesterday morning. He was in pain - he's got a kidney stone and it won't pass. They admitted him and monitored him. I got a phone call a few hours ago and they are performing surgery to get the stone out. Please think happy thoughts for my Daddy! :-)
Sorry this post is all over the place. I'm tired. I'm exhausted. And, I still feel like poop!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Life just runs away . . . .
It's been a crazy few weeks in the life of M-Dawg.
I've been out sick the past few days from school. I'm finally starting to feel human again which is why I'm posting today.
The drama with the computer: The drama began in August. I had McAffee for my Internet protection on my computer. The service contract was set up for automatic renewal every year. The date for renewal is Sept 30th. The deal is that I have the fee taken out of my checking account 30 days before the renewal date. McAffee decided to deduct the money 28 days. They took the money out and all the bills I had paid a few days prior bounced! I had a pay check coming in around the same time so I knew it would be close but NOT that close! So, I went to my bank and luckily they sided with me and I didn't have to pay any fees and I was able to deposit me check with no problem and the bills were paid (I haven't bounced a check in years so I was freaking out!). I emailed McAffee asking them why did they deduct the fee two days earlier. Their response was to cancel my subscription! I didn't want to cancel the subscription - I just wanted an answer to my question. So I said fine, whatever! I still have 30 days left on the old subscription to research another software company.
So, I research and come up with McAffee being the best out there for protection. I decide to renew (again) with McAffee on Sept 30th. And, it was cheaper this time around: $75.59 per year. I was psyched and figured everything was OK. I was wrong!
On October 2nd, McAffee deducts $75.59 twice out of my checking account! Now, I'm on a strict budget with my money. I had counted on money for gas and food for the week. I called the customer service number and spoke to someone that could barely speak English. I was on the phone for over 45 minutes trying to explain the issue. She kept telling me that she would reimburse me $99.99 and I kept telling her that I just want one of the $75.59 to be put back into my checking account. She told me it would take a few days. A few days went by and still no money in my account. And, they cancelled my subscription for virus protection all together so now I can't get access the Internet without the fear of catching a virus or having my computer break. I finally call a second time. I explained to them I just want my money back for the second charge but I still want one subscription. They said it was being processed. Finally, on Oct 9th, they reimburse me $125.98. I still had no McAffee protection and they still owed me money. Do the math folks. $75.59 + &75.59 =$151. 18; not $125.98! They still owe me $25.20! It's not a lot of money but for someone who is living on a budget and one income, it adds up quick!
So, I called again and this time demanded to speak with a supervisor - they still don't get my situation! Ughy! So, the drama continues.
I finally just went out and bought Norton at Super Wal-Mart to protect my computer. So, hopefully, no more drama for another year with my computer.
What are you folks using for Anti-virus protection on your computer?????
I've been out sick the past few days from school. I'm finally starting to feel human again which is why I'm posting today.
The drama with the computer: The drama began in August. I had McAffee for my Internet protection on my computer. The service contract was set up for automatic renewal every year. The date for renewal is Sept 30th. The deal is that I have the fee taken out of my checking account 30 days before the renewal date. McAffee decided to deduct the money 28 days. They took the money out and all the bills I had paid a few days prior bounced! I had a pay check coming in around the same time so I knew it would be close but NOT that close! So, I went to my bank and luckily they sided with me and I didn't have to pay any fees and I was able to deposit me check with no problem and the bills were paid (I haven't bounced a check in years so I was freaking out!). I emailed McAffee asking them why did they deduct the fee two days earlier. Their response was to cancel my subscription! I didn't want to cancel the subscription - I just wanted an answer to my question. So I said fine, whatever! I still have 30 days left on the old subscription to research another software company.
So, I research and come up with McAffee being the best out there for protection. I decide to renew (again) with McAffee on Sept 30th. And, it was cheaper this time around: $75.59 per year. I was psyched and figured everything was OK. I was wrong!
On October 2nd, McAffee deducts $75.59 twice out of my checking account! Now, I'm on a strict budget with my money. I had counted on money for gas and food for the week. I called the customer service number and spoke to someone that could barely speak English. I was on the phone for over 45 minutes trying to explain the issue. She kept telling me that she would reimburse me $99.99 and I kept telling her that I just want one of the $75.59 to be put back into my checking account. She told me it would take a few days. A few days went by and still no money in my account. And, they cancelled my subscription for virus protection all together so now I can't get access the Internet without the fear of catching a virus or having my computer break. I finally call a second time. I explained to them I just want my money back for the second charge but I still want one subscription. They said it was being processed. Finally, on Oct 9th, they reimburse me $125.98. I still had no McAffee protection and they still owed me money. Do the math folks. $75.59 + &75.59 =$151. 18; not $125.98! They still owe me $25.20! It's not a lot of money but for someone who is living on a budget and one income, it adds up quick!
So, I called again and this time demanded to speak with a supervisor - they still don't get my situation! Ughy! So, the drama continues.
I finally just went out and bought Norton at Super Wal-Mart to protect my computer. So, hopefully, no more drama for another year with my computer.
What are you folks using for Anti-virus protection on your computer?????
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Quick Post
Sorry everyone! I haven't been around in a while. Everything is fine. I'm OK.
I was having MAJOR computer issues with my Internet security system so I didn't have access to my Internet at home. I didn't want to risk a virus or anything else harmful to my computer so I haven't been reading or commenting on blogs or even checking my email from home. I didn't want to post from school since they monitor us on the computer.
I'll share the long story tomorrow. And, I'll catch up with everything at that point.
I just wanted to say hi! and to let ya know I'm still alive and kicking!!!!
Is it possible to go through Internet and blogging withdrawal???????????
I was having MAJOR computer issues with my Internet security system so I didn't have access to my Internet at home. I didn't want to risk a virus or anything else harmful to my computer so I haven't been reading or commenting on blogs or even checking my email from home. I didn't want to post from school since they monitor us on the computer.
I'll share the long story tomorrow. And, I'll catch up with everything at that point.
I just wanted to say hi! and to let ya know I'm still alive and kicking!!!!
Is it possible to go through Internet and blogging withdrawal???????????
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
I'm going crazy! :-)
I'm doing it again.You know. The "I can't say no to anyone" thing. Overcommitting to stuff at school.
Let me explain. Yesterday, all I wanted to do was watch a volleyball game at my school. The assistant coach asked me, "How well do you remember the rules of volleyball?" My reply, "I'm a little rusty, why?" "Can you ref our game today?" Instead of saying NO! I said YES! Duh! I have to say that I got a free lunch out of it today (There is no money for paying the refs so it's strictly volunteer - the assistant coach bought me lunch to thank me for helping her out).
Oh, the Harvard Model Congress is looking for a co-advisor. You want to help me M-Dawg? Sure! At least it's a paid stipend position - I get to split $443 with the other advisor. And, I'm still sophomore class advisor too.
Oh, you want to bring the faculty at your school together and bond? Sure! Be in charge of the Social Committee!
Oh, we need a teacher to host the German teachers for the GAPP program for three weeks . . . are ya interested???? Maybe?????
And the final Oh - organize a baby shower for one of your colleagues!
I swear to God I have the word, "Sucker!" tattooed on my forehead!
I guess I should point out that we are STILL without a contract and there is no end in sight for settling! Joy!
How do you say no to things in your life???? Please leave comments!!! :-)
Oh, on a positive and totally unrelated note: I bought the new Matchbox 20 CD today! Wow! Love it! Target has it on sale for a limited time for $9.98!!!!!!!
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