Today is the FIRST day in a minute that I have left work before it being completely dark. Yes people, I know we lost that hour over the weekend to have our longer, lighter days. For the past three weeks my life has been consumed with testing. The preparation, the actual test days and make ups, and the packing up of the materials and accounting for everything have kept me from sleeping, tending to normal daily duties, and having a life. My first appointment with our division test folks was today and to echo the words of our division test coordinator, "This is more stressful than taxes." She's right. We, the school test coordinators, sit there and wait as the they go through all of our items with careful inspection. You sit and wait for the mistakes and problems of the documents. A forgotten form, an unaccounted for student, irregularities, etc., etc. I think the stress for me comes in knowing where I was last year and those I had to work with in the process. It was painful and created the type of stress that makes you sick. Fortunately, the process made me stronger and better; I now understand why I had to go through that wilderness experience. To see the rewards of today and hear the words of "over achiever" and "very meticulous" warmed the heart, making the past three weeks worth it. As my supervisor commented today, the thoughtfulness and thoroughness put into ensuring all students were tested and the smooth process have to count for something. Our hope is that our kids will have the results to support the energy and time everyone in the organization put into making this process a success. It felt good to leave the building today, come home, eat and crash for a few hours. I am up for a moment to change out of the clothes, wash the face, brush the teeth and get more rest. While March Madness is still continuing around me I am trying to keep it all in perspective to get the things done that need to be tackled and taken care of...Those that want to see it speak up which means more than they'll ever know.
And, on the discipline horizon...The latest these days are my 3 Stooges that can't keep it together on the bus. I am tempted to remove them from the bus for a while to let them know that their behavior is driving me bonkers. Unfortunately, it's their crazy parents that are the true issue. No one wants to take responsibility; all want to point the finger. AND, this morning I had an issue with a kiddo (on the SAME bus) whose bookbag was "stolen" at the bus stop. Two kids decided it would be funny to put his stuff in a ditch and not say anything. THREE TIMES these two had an opportunity to speak up and say something. This kid didn't have lunch, no homework, and he already struggles...We were having a hard enough time getting information from him about how the bookbag would have ended up in someone else's hands and his not seeing it. Our guidance counselors had to go drive out and get the kid's backpack from the ditch since we could not reach his parents; they were excited to have the road trip and felt like Cagney & Lacey. (I'll save the story of my episode with my 8th grade crew of young ladies who think they own the school...June couldn't come soon enough where they're concerned. And, their story deserves an ENTIRE entry!)
Okay. Enough...I have a conference tomorrow and will be out of the building. I am excited to be going with the three faculty members that are attending. It'll be an insightful day!
OH...Friday there's a dance...Hmph.
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