what a day

So as I drove down Ridge Road on the way to school this morning (listening to the LONG list of school closings) I first noticed the Subway had no power, then realized all the street lights were out. As I drove closer to school I found myself hoping that they'd be out all the way into the parking lot. Sure enough...they were! I noticed all the lights off in our building, all except the emergency lights. I joined the 3 other cars in the parking lot and went inside. The 2 other teachers and custodian were waiting in the lobby with flashlights. Our principal and more teachers arrived by 7:15am. We all assumed they'd send us home and that'd be it. NOPE...word from the superintendent was that we'd be business as usual. With absolutely no direction as to what we were to do with the kids once they arrived, we went to our classrooms, opened the blinds and tried to get our day started.

Kids arrived at 7:50, screaming as they realized how dark the hallways were. They thought it was pretty cool, until they realized that the bathrooms were like a deep dark dungeon in the middle of the building, they refused to go in! News came by 8:30 that we may be moving everyone to another building in the district (we were the only ones without power). Of course, this possibility had the kids full of questions. "what school are we going to?" "will we get lunch?" "are they going to go by bus?" "are we going to have recess all day?"

I survived the many questions with my staple answer, "I know as much as you do." (I'm sure that helped them feel very safe!) At 8:55 we received news that we'd be loading the buses at 9:05 and needed to be ready to teach once we got there!

We arrived at our sister school and were directed to kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms. We had to pick up and move every hour--we were in a total of 3 different classrooms. At about 10:30 I finally had my students understanding that we were not going back to our school. By 10:45 they were coming around to tell us that power was back on at our building and we'd be loading up the buses to take students back at 12:30. UGH! Sure enough, they were full of questions again! "can we get grilled cheese sandwiches still?" "how will we pay for our lunch?" "is the power really back on?" My staple answer this time: "I know what time we're eating lunch and when we load the buses...that's it!"

We returned to our building (through the whiteout conditions) and settled the kids in for a movie. Every day at the end of dismissal we hear the announcement "All buses have been called." Today, those words were music to our ears...the day was OVER!

the "s-h" cuss word

Yesterday when I picked my students up from library the librarian told me she needed to talk with my after school:

During library one of my boys went to the librarian and exclaimed that another boy had said the "s-h" cuss word. She was caught slightly off guard and asked him specifically what had been said. The "tattling student" happens to be brutally honest (sometimes to his own detriment) and whispered to the librarian "shut-up."

HA HA...one thing I love about teaching 3rd graders is their innocence.

I know it's been awhile since my last blog. I've been busy getting back into the swing of the new quarter at school. My class has taken a complete 180 turn since the difficult student was removed. My students are respectful, funny and smart! I love my job! Not too many people are fortunate enough to say that, but I really do love it! Of course, there are still frustrating and stressful times, but I am truly blessed by the 18 students God has placed in my care.

This past week I found myself on an organization fix. I've been rearranging and organizing my classroom and finally feel like it is an inviting and comfortable space for learning and fun. I'll be posting some pictures of my classroom soon :)

New Year's resolutions

Normally I don't put much stock in New Year's resolutions. However, after such a tragic and eventful Christmas season I have had something weighing heavily on my heart. Within the last week I have received news of 4 tragic events in the lives of people very close to me. News of each event has brought deeper sorrow and heartache as I realize the pain those close to me are going through.

The thing weighing heavily on my heart is that I am not always the best at keeping in consistent contact with those close to me. I find that in this time of facebook and instant message it is so easy to feel connected without actually being connected.

To my dear friends and family, I love you all and thank God for you daily.

A bittersweet week

Matt and I traveled home to my parents last Saturday and so began the Christmas week. We spent 2 days with my parents then traveled half-an-hour down the road to spend Christmas Eve with Matt's family. After opening presents Christmas Eve morning we piled into the car and headed to Pennsylvania. This was the first year I was able to participate in the family regifting tradition. I think Matt got the best gift...an animated shadow box nativity scene. When you pull the string it plays music as the nativity characters move back and forth across the box. Ha ha! We spent Christmas day at Grandma and Grandpa White's. We ate lots of food and enjoyed time with family!

Upon our return to NYS we went back to Matt's parent's house and did a whole lot of relaxing. Oh, we also saw "I am Legend." A highly recommended movie!

It was Thursday morning when the week took a turn. I had been in contact with my parents on a regular basis after hearing that Dad spent Christmas day in the emergency room. He was in a lot of pain, and after some tests it was determined it was gall-bladder related. When dad called Thursday morning, I thought it was for a quick update. He had other news to share:

A friend from high school had been killed in a farming accident. Collin had the greatest ability to befriend anyone, and lived life in pursuit of his dreams and goals. I believe in his 23 years he pursued and accomplished more than some will do in an entire lifetime. Regretfully, Collin and I hadn't had much contact over the last year. The last time I saw him was at a wedding in June 2006.
I spent the next few days struggling with the emotions of this tragedy. Even now I find myself struggling to understand the loss of such a great young man. I hold on to the many great memories with a great friend.
Matt and I attended the calling hours on Saturday evening and were amazed by the number of people that came...clearly showing the many lives Collin had touched in his 23 years.


Saturday night Matt and I headed to my sister's. Our whole family was together for the Brown family Christmas :). It was a great day to catch up and enjoy family time.

I'll post pictures soon...