Kitkat, I'm going to jump on the bandwagon of thankfulness. I think it'll be good for me to make a conscious effort to be thankful.
So, I am thankful for the Chartrand family and their foundation. I am thankful that they are such charismatic and committed advocates for the success of our school and the other parts of the New Town Success Zone. Thanks to them, we have about 30 partners involved in this area and it will continue to grow.
At a "thank you" gathering tonight, Mr. Chartrand said a few words. His most profound were, "We strongly believe that one of the most effective ways to end the cycle of poverty is through education." Mr. Chartrand, you read my mind! Thank goodness someone with the means to help understands this.
I am also thankful for my job. It has made me grow as a teacher, person, and professional. Doesn't get more real than that.
5.28.2009
5.23.2009
Forecast: Reality
It's been rainy for the past 7 days. And 5 of the 7 days, it rained without letting up. Normally, consistent gloomy weather puts me in a funk, but this time around, it hasn't bothered me. It's actually been kind of enjoyable. Maybe I CAN live in Seattle...? Wishful thinking.
One of my friends is a choir director at a brand new high school in St. Johns County. His students had their final performance Monday evening, so I decided to check it out. After driving through miles and miles of gated communities with perfectly pruned lawns and cookie-cutter houses in suburbia hell, I made it to the school. Before I get on my soap box, I want to say that he and his students did a wonderful job.
My 45 minute experience at this school gave me reverse culture shock (is there such a thing?). And being there pissed me off. How little progress we have made in closing the gap between white, privileged communities and poor, ghetto, black communities AND each one's relationship to education. Explain to me why the county (St. Johns or Duval, it doesn't matter) has the money to build brand new schools in white suburbia but can't afford to repair the infrastructure of older schools (like mine) that are infested with roaches & rats, have playgrounds not up to code, and classrooms that flood on a regular basis. What are their intentions, really? Keep building new schools in safer parts of town so that the inner-city schools will eventually fail (academically, structurally, communally etc.)?
Did you know that DCPS has made the following a requirement: in order to be a candidate to serve on the DCPS school board, you MUST have administrative experience in a Title I school (eh-hem, a school like mine). So, are we planning on Title I schools being around for a long time, i.e., not helping the poverty-stricken communities around those schools so that potential administrators and potential board members can get their rough and tough, hard-core, real-life inner-city experience? That's like saying, "We're counting on you to fail! so that our people can reap a special experience from your shitty, low FCAT score, high-crime, low parent involvement reality!" Okay, okay, let me be rational for a moment: maybe they're just trying to get fair representation from various schools.
I can't say that the lives of my friend's students aren't AS REAL as the lives of my students. They are both equally real. And I can't blame his students for being born into that reality, just as I can't blame my students for their situation. It is what it is. But I feel like I can blame the public education system for making those realities so foreign to each other and mainting the age-old divide between the rich and the poor. I am convinced that one of the biggest causes of poverty is lack of education. I believe that. And I also believe that people should have to work for what they want instead of receiving hand outs. But when you're trying to do that in a system that sets you up to fail, what's the point? I can see why those people would feel that their efforts are futile.
Ugh. I could say more, but my adrenaline is waning. Lucky you :)
One of my friends is a choir director at a brand new high school in St. Johns County. His students had their final performance Monday evening, so I decided to check it out. After driving through miles and miles of gated communities with perfectly pruned lawns and cookie-cutter houses in suburbia hell, I made it to the school. Before I get on my soap box, I want to say that he and his students did a wonderful job.
My 45 minute experience at this school gave me reverse culture shock (is there such a thing?). And being there pissed me off. How little progress we have made in closing the gap between white, privileged communities and poor, ghetto, black communities AND each one's relationship to education. Explain to me why the county (St. Johns or Duval, it doesn't matter) has the money to build brand new schools in white suburbia but can't afford to repair the infrastructure of older schools (like mine) that are infested with roaches & rats, have playgrounds not up to code, and classrooms that flood on a regular basis. What are their intentions, really? Keep building new schools in safer parts of town so that the inner-city schools will eventually fail (academically, structurally, communally etc.)?
Did you know that DCPS has made the following a requirement: in order to be a candidate to serve on the DCPS school board, you MUST have administrative experience in a Title I school (eh-hem, a school like mine). So, are we planning on Title I schools being around for a long time, i.e., not helping the poverty-stricken communities around those schools so that potential administrators and potential board members can get their rough and tough, hard-core, real-life inner-city experience? That's like saying, "We're counting on you to fail! so that our people can reap a special experience from your shitty, low FCAT score, high-crime, low parent involvement reality!" Okay, okay, let me be rational for a moment: maybe they're just trying to get fair representation from various schools.
I can't say that the lives of my friend's students aren't AS REAL as the lives of my students. They are both equally real. And I can't blame his students for being born into that reality, just as I can't blame my students for their situation. It is what it is. But I feel like I can blame the public education system for making those realities so foreign to each other and mainting the age-old divide between the rich and the poor. I am convinced that one of the biggest causes of poverty is lack of education. I believe that. And I also believe that people should have to work for what they want instead of receiving hand outs. But when you're trying to do that in a system that sets you up to fail, what's the point? I can see why those people would feel that their efforts are futile.
Ugh. I could say more, but my adrenaline is waning. Lucky you :)
5.17.2009
Scattered Post
Last week:
There are 13.5 days left of school. I couldn't be happier about this, especially after last week which was Fine Arts Week. While the week was very successful and fun for the students, there were many unnecessary head-butting incidents with adults which pushed me over the edge. So, I have a bitter taste in my mouth. I'm too tired to explain the week in its entirety but there are pictures on Facebook if you are interested in seeing the students doing Pollock painting, mosaics, and the final performance.
Friends:
I am truly thankful for the people in my life in Jacksonville. I've come to know some really genuine, loyal people here who have become a second family, and I appreciate them with all of my heart.
This summer:
With Fine Arts Week behind me, I am ready to dive in to my goals for the summer which mainly involve heavily researching graduate schools and working on my porfolio. I'm going to apply again this fall so that I can hopefully get in for the Fall 2010 term.
There are 13.5 days left of school. I couldn't be happier about this, especially after last week which was Fine Arts Week. While the week was very successful and fun for the students, there were many unnecessary head-butting incidents with adults which pushed me over the edge. So, I have a bitter taste in my mouth. I'm too tired to explain the week in its entirety but there are pictures on Facebook if you are interested in seeing the students doing Pollock painting, mosaics, and the final performance.
Friends:
I am truly thankful for the people in my life in Jacksonville. I've come to know some really genuine, loyal people here who have become a second family, and I appreciate them with all of my heart.
This summer:
With Fine Arts Week behind me, I am ready to dive in to my goals for the summer which mainly involve heavily researching graduate schools and working on my porfolio. I'm going to apply again this fall so that I can hopefully get in for the Fall 2010 term.
5.04.2009
Spoiler
If you haven't seen The Soloist yet and don't want any part of it ruined, then you probably shouldn't read this.
Speaking of real, this movie was a little too real for me at certain points. I cried at 2 parts, and no, it wasn't during the part when Lopez gives Ayers the cello and he plays in the tunnel or when Ayers gets into Juilliard. There's a very tender-hearted flashback which shows Ayers's mother coming down to the basement where her son sleeps. In so many words, she tells him that music is his way out of that neighborhood. It reminded me so much of my students and their situations; no one really says it, but if a student can go to LaVilla instead of Butler (sorry, truth hurts) because of their artistic talents, that's their ticket out. What also got me were various scenes of the Lamp Community with all its homeless.
Though uncomfortable at times, what made this movie a success, in my eyes, was its real-ness. There was no happy ending, no predictable moral. One of its unexpected lessons was the importance of meeting people where they are and moving forward with them from that point. We spend so much time trying to tell other people what they should do or think or be. We project ourselves onto each other, as if our own life with all its ideals and experiences is THE way to live. Lopez went through that with Ayers, and in the end (if there is an end), he realized that he couldn't change Ayers because that's not what Ayers wanted or needed.
Bonus: I was SO happy that this movie brought classical music to the general public through the medium of film. I'm hoping it instilled some music appreciation. The cinematography in conjunction with the music was incredible.
Sidenote: I set aside my not-so-secret crush on Robert Downey Jr. while writing this post.
4.28.2009
Helping or Enabling?
I vowed to myself long ago that I would never give cash to a stranger who approached me with that request. I don't care what or how convincing the story is, I won't budge. What solidified this decision for me was a guest speaker who came to visit my college writing class (back in 2003...my word, has it been 6 years?). The guest (I believe his name was Spencer) worked at a local homeless shelter/rehab facility and was a friend of my professor, Chris Dew. Hearing Spencer's first-hand experience with addicts (most of whom were homeless) made me decide that the worst thing I could do was give them money.
This is very different from my father's mentality which goes something like this: "It's not my job to know what they're going to spend it on. It's my job to give. What they do with it is between them and God. If I get to heaven and Jesus says, 'John, why didn't you give me help when I asked you?', I'll respond by saying, 'I did help you. Why did you go spend it on blow?'"
Yup, that's my dad.
What I'm willing to do, instead, is give the person food or buy them what they need if I'm in a position to do so. The corner of I-95 and Park is a typical place for people to hang out and ask for money, especially because it's one of the longest stop-lights in Jacksonville, I'm convinced. I have rolled down my window, listened to their request, and told them no, "But would you like this half of a sandwich I didn't eat?" Sometimes I get a taker, other times they turn and walk away.
This past Wednesday evening, I was about to walk into a CVS when a young man approached me with a baby girl in a shopping cart. He started telling me his story and something about his baby daughter (who looked totally healthy), and when he finally said, "So if you could spare some change or cash..." I told him I didn't have any cash (which was true). He was about to walk away and I asked him what he needed for his daughter. He looked at me for a second, confused. "I won't give you cash, but I'm about to go into CVS and can buy what you need for her." Still looking a little dumbfounded he said, "Size 4 diapers, a drink, and a snack." Before I went in, I looked at him and almost demanded that he wait right there. "Oh, well my mom's car is right over there in the parking lot", he said. "No, you need to wait right here for your stuff." He agreed. s
The whole time I was in CVS, I kept worrying that this was going to be some big joke: I'd buy the stuff, walk outside, and he'd magically disappear. Thankfully, he was still there, and his mom was there too. They thanked me and I went on my way.
Now, I'm happy to help, and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to do so. But am I convinced that they were actually in need? No. It all seemed like a ploy. This man was wheeling this baby girl around the entire parking lot, going from person to person. It just seemed...whack, for lack of a better word. Oh well.
I just hate to think that I'm enabling someone. What do you think??
This is very different from my father's mentality which goes something like this: "It's not my job to know what they're going to spend it on. It's my job to give. What they do with it is between them and God. If I get to heaven and Jesus says, 'John, why didn't you give me help when I asked you?', I'll respond by saying, 'I did help you. Why did you go spend it on blow?'"
Yup, that's my dad.
What I'm willing to do, instead, is give the person food or buy them what they need if I'm in a position to do so. The corner of I-95 and Park is a typical place for people to hang out and ask for money, especially because it's one of the longest stop-lights in Jacksonville, I'm convinced. I have rolled down my window, listened to their request, and told them no, "But would you like this half of a sandwich I didn't eat?" Sometimes I get a taker, other times they turn and walk away.
This past Wednesday evening, I was about to walk into a CVS when a young man approached me with a baby girl in a shopping cart. He started telling me his story and something about his baby daughter (who looked totally healthy), and when he finally said, "So if you could spare some change or cash..." I told him I didn't have any cash (which was true). He was about to walk away and I asked him what he needed for his daughter. He looked at me for a second, confused. "I won't give you cash, but I'm about to go into CVS and can buy what you need for her." Still looking a little dumbfounded he said, "Size 4 diapers, a drink, and a snack." Before I went in, I looked at him and almost demanded that he wait right there. "Oh, well my mom's car is right over there in the parking lot", he said. "No, you need to wait right here for your stuff." He agreed. s
The whole time I was in CVS, I kept worrying that this was going to be some big joke: I'd buy the stuff, walk outside, and he'd magically disappear. Thankfully, he was still there, and his mom was there too. They thanked me and I went on my way.
Now, I'm happy to help, and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to do so. But am I convinced that they were actually in need? No. It all seemed like a ploy. This man was wheeling this baby girl around the entire parking lot, going from person to person. It just seemed...whack, for lack of a better word. Oh well.
I just hate to think that I'm enabling someone. What do you think??
4.02.2009
Something Cool
One of the things we did during our 40-day program Monday night sessions was a guided meditation followed by a written response. Before we started, everyone was given a small piece of paper and writing utensil. With eyes closed, Melanie led us through a meditation that went something like this:
You are walking down a dirt road. There are rocks and boulders on either side. No one is in sight. You feel the hot air on your skin and look up at the sky and trees as you walk. Far off in the distance, you see a figure. As you keep walking, you realize that it's another person. Even closer, you realize it is a child. You are a few feet away from the child now, and you realize that this child is you. You bend down to look into his/her/your eyes for a moment. You want to give this child one piece of advice, the most important piece you can fathom now that you are an adult. You hold the child by the shoulders, look into her/her eyes and tell them that one thing. You embrace.
After coming out of the meditation, we opened our eyes and Melanie asked us to write down that once piece of advice on the paper. We then folded it up and passed it to the right and the left and the right, over and over again until our paper had traveled to the other side of the circle. We were then allowed to unfold and read the advice someone else gave to him/herself as a child. The one I received was as follows:
I cherish this for many reasons, but mostly because it came from the depths of another person's soul, memory, meditation. It's such an intimate thing, and the fact that we could share that with each other as a group was extremely powerful.
So, what one thing would you tell yourself, as a child?
What advice did I give my child-self?: Love.
You are walking down a dirt road. There are rocks and boulders on either side. No one is in sight. You feel the hot air on your skin and look up at the sky and trees as you walk. Far off in the distance, you see a figure. As you keep walking, you realize that it's another person. Even closer, you realize it is a child. You are a few feet away from the child now, and you realize that this child is you. You bend down to look into his/her/your eyes for a moment. You want to give this child one piece of advice, the most important piece you can fathom now that you are an adult. You hold the child by the shoulders, look into her/her eyes and tell them that one thing. You embrace.
After coming out of the meditation, we opened our eyes and Melanie asked us to write down that once piece of advice on the paper. We then folded it up and passed it to the right and the left and the right, over and over again until our paper had traveled to the other side of the circle. We were then allowed to unfold and read the advice someone else gave to him/herself as a child. The one I received was as follows:
You can always change your way of thinking and being no matter where you come from.
I cherish this for many reasons, but mostly because it came from the depths of another person's soul, memory, meditation. It's such an intimate thing, and the fact that we could share that with each other as a group was extremely powerful.
So, what one thing would you tell yourself, as a child?
What advice did I give my child-self?: Love.
3.30.2009
Disappointment + Decisions
I'm disappointed in myself for not posting in over a month. To sum up, the 40-day program was phenomenal and yoga has become a part of my routine. I feel weird without it. What do they say? It takes 21 days to create a habit? If I'm able to do yoga 6 days/week for approx. 6 weeks, then I feel that I'm able to do just about anything regarding exercise. I wish I had documented my progress throughout the program, but I didn't. I'm sure it'll come out in pieces here and there.
I'm also disappointed in the fact that I gained weight from doing that program. Though it wasn't my intention to lose weight, it also wasn't my intention to gain. My only conclusion is that the weight-gain is due to muscle (which is great). But still, it's no fun waking up one morning only to learn that more than half of your pants don't fit anymore. My Bauer-butt has increased in size (or so it seems). For those of you who don't know, the Bauer-butt is a term my sisters and cousins have created to describe our butts. Finding a pair of pants that fit can be taxing. What usually happens is that pants will fit everywhere but the waist, which just kinda sticks out because our butts fill in the back but our waists are small. ::sigh::
Now to the most pressing issue: work. Once again, the security of my position for next year is up in the air. For the 09-10 school year, art has been cut from 5 days to 4 at S.P. So, if I retained my position there, that would mean 4 days at S.P. and 1 day at another school. That's a big IF, though. DCPS has called for a 30% reduction in art teachers at the elementary level; this amounts to 26-28 teaching positions. This means that seniority comes into play, and because I only have 2 yrs. in the system, I am @ the top of the list for being surplussed or terminated. Overall, I'm just happy that there will still be art at my school, whether or not I'm the teacher. It is, however, discouraging; I feel that I've laid a really good foundation this year in my 2nd round of teaching, and to think that I wouldn't be able to build further upon that f-in blows....not to mention all the connections and relationships I've made with the Cummer Museum, the Weaver program, the Chartrand Foundation, etc., and all that they have contributed to the arts at our school.
After being pissed off, sad, and all of those productive things, I decided to just do my job to the best of my ability for the remainder of the year because I am still employed, thankfully. I've decided not to worry about next year because it doesn't exist yet. In the meantime, I'm making a mental list of what I will/could do if teaching is not in the cards for me after this year. I must admit that I get excited when i think about these options:
-move to the area where I'd like to attend grad school and start taking post-bacc. classes.
-apply to graduate school (I have my eye on New Mexico & Arizona)
-move overseas and teach English (Hello, Japan!)
-work for Cathedral Arts Project and paint and exhibit more
-apply for a paid internship at the MOMA in NYC
If I do lose my job, I know that I don't want to work for the public school system ever again...not in Florida, anyways. It is one of the most corrupt institutions I have ever experienced, and I do not want to be a part of that system. I've decided that FCAT will be and is the demise of public education in our state. Teachers are encouraged to "teach to the test"; if a grade level isn't going to be tested in science, then those teachers are not supposed to "waste time" teaching science. I think 3rd grade isn't tested in writing, so teachers are told not to have writing instruction.
?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!
Anyways, I suppose that's enough for a new post....
I'm also disappointed in the fact that I gained weight from doing that program. Though it wasn't my intention to lose weight, it also wasn't my intention to gain. My only conclusion is that the weight-gain is due to muscle (which is great). But still, it's no fun waking up one morning only to learn that more than half of your pants don't fit anymore. My Bauer-butt has increased in size (or so it seems). For those of you who don't know, the Bauer-butt is a term my sisters and cousins have created to describe our butts. Finding a pair of pants that fit can be taxing. What usually happens is that pants will fit everywhere but the waist, which just kinda sticks out because our butts fill in the back but our waists are small. ::sigh::
Now to the most pressing issue: work. Once again, the security of my position for next year is up in the air. For the 09-10 school year, art has been cut from 5 days to 4 at S.P. So, if I retained my position there, that would mean 4 days at S.P. and 1 day at another school. That's a big IF, though. DCPS has called for a 30% reduction in art teachers at the elementary level; this amounts to 26-28 teaching positions. This means that seniority comes into play, and because I only have 2 yrs. in the system, I am @ the top of the list for being surplussed or terminated. Overall, I'm just happy that there will still be art at my school, whether or not I'm the teacher. It is, however, discouraging; I feel that I've laid a really good foundation this year in my 2nd round of teaching, and to think that I wouldn't be able to build further upon that f-in blows....not to mention all the connections and relationships I've made with the Cummer Museum, the Weaver program, the Chartrand Foundation, etc., and all that they have contributed to the arts at our school.
After being pissed off, sad, and all of those productive things, I decided to just do my job to the best of my ability for the remainder of the year because I am still employed, thankfully. I've decided not to worry about next year because it doesn't exist yet. In the meantime, I'm making a mental list of what I will/could do if teaching is not in the cards for me after this year. I must admit that I get excited when i think about these options:
-move to the area where I'd like to attend grad school and start taking post-bacc. classes.
-apply to graduate school (I have my eye on New Mexico & Arizona)
-move overseas and teach English (Hello, Japan!)
-work for Cathedral Arts Project and paint and exhibit more
-apply for a paid internship at the MOMA in NYC
If I do lose my job, I know that I don't want to work for the public school system ever again...not in Florida, anyways. It is one of the most corrupt institutions I have ever experienced, and I do not want to be a part of that system. I've decided that FCAT will be and is the demise of public education in our state. Teachers are encouraged to "teach to the test"; if a grade level isn't going to be tested in science, then those teachers are not supposed to "waste time" teaching science. I think 3rd grade isn't tested in writing, so teachers are told not to have writing instruction.
?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!
Anyways, I suppose that's enough for a new post....
2.17.2009
Cleanse*
*I never finished this post but wanted to publish it anyways...this feels like forever ago.
Yesterday started my 3-day fruit cleanse for the 40 day program. This entails 3 days of eating nothing but fruit...avocado and tomato count as do fruit juices and tomato soup. This is day 2, and I have never been more thankful for tomato soup than I am at this moment. I don't even like tomato soup! And I never thought I'd say this, but I'm tired of eating things that are sweet. After this fruit cleanse is over, I can't see myself picking up a piece of chocolate or anything with a lot of sugar. I'm all sugar-ed out. This cleanse is also doing wonders to my digestive system...I'll leave that to your imagination. I feel good though...lighter, brighter, cleaner. It's interesting though, how much food affects you. So many times we just eat because we're bored (my vice) or upset or restless. Eating only fruit is making me realize how much food I DON'T need to eat and still feel nourished and be able to function. Yes, it is possible to do an hour and half yoga practice only on fruit :)
Yesterday started my 3-day fruit cleanse for the 40 day program. This entails 3 days of eating nothing but fruit...avocado and tomato count as do fruit juices and tomato soup. This is day 2, and I have never been more thankful for tomato soup than I am at this moment. I don't even like tomato soup! And I never thought I'd say this, but I'm tired of eating things that are sweet. After this fruit cleanse is over, I can't see myself picking up a piece of chocolate or anything with a lot of sugar. I'm all sugar-ed out. This cleanse is also doing wonders to my digestive system...I'll leave that to your imagination. I feel good though...lighter, brighter, cleaner. It's interesting though, how much food affects you. So many times we just eat because we're bored (my vice) or upset or restless. Eating only fruit is making me realize how much food I DON'T need to eat and still feel nourished and be able to function. Yes, it is possible to do an hour and half yoga practice only on fruit :)
2.04.2009
Awake
I got to work an hour late yesterday because I slept through/turned off all three alarms without getting up. I'm not a morning person---never have been---and if I don't get my shower-time in (which helps me wake up), I feel like a zombie (literally) ALL day. And then I have to hear people say, "Man, you look tired!" which annoys me to high heaven. It's like someone telling you that you look sick :P Anyways, I blame part of this over-sleeping on attending the hour and a half yoga class Monday night, and the group session directly after. I didn't get home until 10pm, and didn't get into bed until midnight. My body decided I needed a full 8 hours, so I guess I can't argue with that.
So I have 1 week of the 40-day program under my belt, and it feels wonderful. I've become aware of a lot of things in that short period of time, so I can only imagine what the next few weeks will bring to the surface. There are these excavation questions we have to answer which correspond to the meditation theme for the week. Actually putting a pen to paper and writing down the answers was awakening; we think we know ourselves, but so much gets lost in translation when those thoughts are left to just float around in our heads. When "forced" to move your thoughts from the abstract to the concrete, it becomes clear...or clearer.
Overall, I feel myself making a return to emotion. What I mean is that I've spent the past several months somewhat numb, mostly due to the end of a 5yr. relationship; those last few months in the relationship were particularly draining to the point of emotional exhaustion. So I gave up on emotions for a while, which denied the sensitive part of who I am. I'm noticing that I'm not as afraid to feel the good, bad, and the ugly. At the same time though, I notice myself being very sensitive to other people and their life situations/emotions. I have a tendency to take responsibility for others emotions, so I'm working on a balance.
I must admit, I'm not quite as excited this week as I was last week....not as easily motivated. I'm determined and happy to push through it, though.
As we say at the end of class, Namaste.
More on my meditation struggles later...
So I have 1 week of the 40-day program under my belt, and it feels wonderful. I've become aware of a lot of things in that short period of time, so I can only imagine what the next few weeks will bring to the surface. There are these excavation questions we have to answer which correspond to the meditation theme for the week. Actually putting a pen to paper and writing down the answers was awakening; we think we know ourselves, but so much gets lost in translation when those thoughts are left to just float around in our heads. When "forced" to move your thoughts from the abstract to the concrete, it becomes clear...or clearer.
Overall, I feel myself making a return to emotion. What I mean is that I've spent the past several months somewhat numb, mostly due to the end of a 5yr. relationship; those last few months in the relationship were particularly draining to the point of emotional exhaustion. So I gave up on emotions for a while, which denied the sensitive part of who I am. I'm noticing that I'm not as afraid to feel the good, bad, and the ugly. At the same time though, I notice myself being very sensitive to other people and their life situations/emotions. I have a tendency to take responsibility for others emotions, so I'm working on a balance.
I must admit, I'm not quite as excited this week as I was last week....not as easily motivated. I'm determined and happy to push through it, though.
As we say at the end of class, Namaste.
More on my meditation struggles later...
1.27.2009
I am ecstatic.
Yesterday began the M Body Yoga "40 Days to a Personal Revolution" program. This program includes the following each week:
-5 studio practices
-1 home practice
-1 day of rest
-2, daily meditations (morning, evening)
-In week 3, we do a 3-day fruit cleanse (That'll be interesting. I may call some of you whining).
-keeping a journal of daily food intake and things in general
-Monday night group sessions
Our 1st group session was last night, and we had to introduce ourselves and announce why we are doing this program. I hadn't thought about this extensively; I knew I wanted to do it for physical and emotional well-being. But when it was my turn to speak, what came out of my mouth was, "I'm tired of making excuses. I fill my life up with so many distractions to the point that I am unable to feel centered & feel good about my core...I'm not sure I've ever felt centered."
Hmm....thank you, inner-voice, for speaking the f*** up. lol :) After the next few people shared, I thought about what I'd said, and I realized that I'm also doing this to work on living in the present. Not doing this has been the cause of much anxiety and sometimes depression...which is just dumb (easy for me to say that now when I'm feeling so great). The last thing that helped me with that was my internship at Wolfson Children's Hospital. Your worries about life are put into perspective when 5-18 yr. olds are battling leukemia and you're perfectly healthy. More on that later.
So far, I am on track. I've done the meditations and have gone to the studio to practice both yesterday and today. I feel great. Really. I had more to say, but I think I'll stop there for now. A shower is in order.
-5 studio practices
-1 home practice
-1 day of rest
-2, daily meditations (morning, evening)
-In week 3, we do a 3-day fruit cleanse (That'll be interesting. I may call some of you whining).
-keeping a journal of daily food intake and things in general
-Monday night group sessions
Our 1st group session was last night, and we had to introduce ourselves and announce why we are doing this program. I hadn't thought about this extensively; I knew I wanted to do it for physical and emotional well-being. But when it was my turn to speak, what came out of my mouth was, "I'm tired of making excuses. I fill my life up with so many distractions to the point that I am unable to feel centered & feel good about my core...I'm not sure I've ever felt centered."
Hmm....thank you, inner-voice, for speaking the f*** up. lol :) After the next few people shared, I thought about what I'd said, and I realized that I'm also doing this to work on living in the present. Not doing this has been the cause of much anxiety and sometimes depression...which is just dumb (easy for me to say that now when I'm feeling so great). The last thing that helped me with that was my internship at Wolfson Children's Hospital. Your worries about life are put into perspective when 5-18 yr. olds are battling leukemia and you're perfectly healthy. More on that later.
So far, I am on track. I've done the meditations and have gone to the studio to practice both yesterday and today. I feel great. Really. I had more to say, but I think I'll stop there for now. A shower is in order.
1.23.2009
*Part 2
*This is an old post I forgot to submit...
Next week begins the new resource schedule. This means I will be seeing the other half of the school who, up until now, have been attending music and p.e. rather than art and media. And up until now, I haven't been excited about the switch-0ver, but now I feel ready. In some ways, it'll be like starting a new year: I'll be able to re-establish rituals and routines in more effective ways. It's a second chance, mid-year.
Here are some of my goals for the next group of students:
-Provide more assessments
-Have each student create his/her own portfolio of artwork so that they can note their progress
-Have 3-5 minutes of warm-up/doodle time at the beginning of each class. (Thanks, mom, for giving me all of those notepads! They will be put to good use!)
-Create more art history/artist-focused lessons so that the projects are more in-depth & connected.
-Play more music
-Teach students the "Paint" application on the computer.
Next week begins the new resource schedule. This means I will be seeing the other half of the school who, up until now, have been attending music and p.e. rather than art and media. And up until now, I haven't been excited about the switch-0ver, but now I feel ready. In some ways, it'll be like starting a new year: I'll be able to re-establish rituals and routines in more effective ways. It's a second chance, mid-year.
Here are some of my goals for the next group of students:
-Provide more assessments
-Have each student create his/her own portfolio of artwork so that they can note their progress
-Have 3-5 minutes of warm-up/doodle time at the beginning of each class. (Thanks, mom, for giving me all of those notepads! They will be put to good use!)
-Create more art history/artist-focused lessons so that the projects are more in-depth & connected.
-Play more music
-Teach students the "Paint" application on the computer.
1.21.2009
Findings
I'm starting to feel as if my job is a sociological study or rather, could be used for one. Though every day could be described as interesting, I've discovered some particularly-interesting things within the past couple of weeks.
Finding I.
Last week, we did a lesson on African masks. I asked students what it means to be African American....(crickets). I asked how many thought they were African American...(crickets). Finally, a 5th grader said, "African American means you're black!" ::sigh:: Unfortunately, this was the answer (if any) given by the majority of students. This took me by great surprise. Are these kids really unaware of their heritage? Have they any idea how much adversity their ancestors had to overcome? If they did know, would it put into perspective how important it is for them to take seriously their education?
We discussed how & why the color of your skin doesn't necessarily determine your ethnicity. My kids had the most puzzled looks on their faces, but I think I may have planted a seed. I encouraged them to go home and ask their parents/grandparents/aunt/uncle/guardian about the origin of their ancestors.
Finding II.
In other areas, my students are extremely aware...perhaps a little too aware of the world and its issues. On the day of the inauguration, I had grade 3-5 students compose a letter to Barack Obama. We brainstormed by making 2 lists: one with advice for Obama and the other with promises as to what we will do as citizens to make a difference. Many students mentioned improving public schools, stopping child molesters, feeding/housing the poor, stopping prostitution, arresting drug dealers, cutting taxes, providing more jobs, etc. I was pleasantly surprised by how much they knew; at the same time I was saddened that they are aware of so many burdensome world-issues. Usually, children are so unaware of themselves and how they exist in relation to the world. There are many conflicting expectations for the students of S.P.; we want them to be able to come to school and just be kids, but on the outside, they are expected to be so much more than that for survival purposes. Some of them are so resilient and can withstand situations I wouldn't have dreamed of at their age. Others are victims of it.
There were some other items I wanted to discuss, but they have left me.
Have a great weekend.
Finding I.
Last week, we did a lesson on African masks. I asked students what it means to be African American....(crickets). I asked how many thought they were African American...(crickets). Finally, a 5th grader said, "African American means you're black!" ::sigh:: Unfortunately, this was the answer (if any) given by the majority of students. This took me by great surprise. Are these kids really unaware of their heritage? Have they any idea how much adversity their ancestors had to overcome? If they did know, would it put into perspective how important it is for them to take seriously their education?
We discussed how & why the color of your skin doesn't necessarily determine your ethnicity. My kids had the most puzzled looks on their faces, but I think I may have planted a seed. I encouraged them to go home and ask their parents/grandparents/aunt/uncle/guardian about the origin of their ancestors.
Finding II.
In other areas, my students are extremely aware...perhaps a little too aware of the world and its issues. On the day of the inauguration, I had grade 3-5 students compose a letter to Barack Obama. We brainstormed by making 2 lists: one with advice for Obama and the other with promises as to what we will do as citizens to make a difference. Many students mentioned improving public schools, stopping child molesters, feeding/housing the poor, stopping prostitution, arresting drug dealers, cutting taxes, providing more jobs, etc. I was pleasantly surprised by how much they knew; at the same time I was saddened that they are aware of so many burdensome world-issues. Usually, children are so unaware of themselves and how they exist in relation to the world. There are many conflicting expectations for the students of S.P.; we want them to be able to come to school and just be kids, but on the outside, they are expected to be so much more than that for survival purposes. Some of them are so resilient and can withstand situations I wouldn't have dreamed of at their age. Others are victims of it.
There were some other items I wanted to discuss, but they have left me.
Have a great weekend.
1.14.2009
Tidbits
Good news! Due to a lack of DCPS school board support, the possibility of West Jax being merged with my school is slim to none...closer to none. This makes me very happy because I don't think our school is ready to accumulate 200 more students yet. We're making significant gains academically, but there is much work to be done concerning the general atmosphere of the school and discipline of the students. Additionally, this gives me a chance to have another year (if my job stays intact) to teach, pay off my loan, save for graduate school, and get my professional certificate. Woot.
In other news, I've been getting the feeling that 2009 is going to be a year of growing and stretching. I can't put my finger on why I feel that way. The last year like that for me was 2006, and 2007 proved to be the year to apply all that I learned in 2006. We'll see what happens.
This is a short week: Friday is a Planning Day and Monday is a national holiday, as you know. My 24th b-day is Saturday. Hmmm...what was I doing 10 years ago? Oh yeah, hating high school :)
In other news, I've been getting the feeling that 2009 is going to be a year of growing and stretching. I can't put my finger on why I feel that way. The last year like that for me was 2006, and 2007 proved to be the year to apply all that I learned in 2006. We'll see what happens.
This is a short week: Friday is a Planning Day and Monday is a national holiday, as you know. My 24th b-day is Saturday. Hmmm...what was I doing 10 years ago? Oh yeah, hating high school :)
1.11.2009
My Favorite Things to Do When Sick
1. Sleep (and taking Nyquil to help that become a reality).
2. Read.
3. Drink blue Gatorade.
4. Drink hot, green tea with honey.
5. Watch movies or episodes of Saved by the Bell.
6. Take hot showers (well, I like those anyways).
7. Sit in the sun.
8. Sleep some more.
9. If it's a cold, I end up eating a lot even if I can't taste everything that well, especially the following: broccoli, spinach, tangerines, oyster crackers, veggie soup, egg noodles, toast, and grapes.
10. Not listen to music.
2. Read.
3. Drink blue Gatorade.
4. Drink hot, green tea with honey.
5. Watch movies or episodes of Saved by the Bell.
6. Take hot showers (well, I like those anyways).
7. Sit in the sun.
8. Sleep some more.
9. If it's a cold, I end up eating a lot even if I can't taste everything that well, especially the following: broccoli, spinach, tangerines, oyster crackers, veggie soup, egg noodles, toast, and grapes.
10. Not listen to music.
1.08.2009
Top 5 for the first week of spring term:
(not in order of importance)
1. I joined a gym and started going.
2. I painted!
3. I get to see my students from last semester until the end of the 2nd grading period. Then I'll have a new batch of kids. This gives me some time to put my game face on all over again for rituals and routines.
4. I think I made nice with my vice principal.
5. I had a nice, good cry at the beginning of the week.
1. I joined a gym and started going.
2. I painted!
3. I get to see my students from last semester until the end of the 2nd grading period. Then I'll have a new batch of kids. This gives me some time to put my game face on all over again for rituals and routines.
4. I think I made nice with my vice principal.
5. I had a nice, good cry at the beginning of the week.
Rusty
It seems that all the numbness from ending my 5 yr. relationship 3 months ago is starting to wear off. Over the past few days, I've been sadder than a polar bear on a melting iceberg. Today, I seem to be coming out of it, a little, thanks to friends and family talking me through it. Monday was one of those ask-me-if-I'm-okay-and-I'll-burst-into-tears type of days. Haven't had one of those in a long time. But the good thing is that it has provoked me to squirt out some paint and create a little. Yay.
This sounds ridiculous but at 23, I in some ways feel like my life is already mapped out (I know this isn't true, but hey, it's how I've been feeling). I feel this way mostly because of some financial obligations that are preventing me from saving money that I'd like to put toward graduate school...possibly overseas...amongst other things. Additionally, at 23, there is a part of me that is tired of being responsible. Part of me wants some time to do nothing but paint, ride my bike around, walk my dog, yada yada, be a beatnik. At the same time, I know I feel most accomplished and "happy" when I am involved with something, be it a job or organization or whatever.
I suppose I have some more soul-searching to do. Who doesn't?
This sounds ridiculous but at 23, I in some ways feel like my life is already mapped out (I know this isn't true, but hey, it's how I've been feeling). I feel this way mostly because of some financial obligations that are preventing me from saving money that I'd like to put toward graduate school...possibly overseas...amongst other things. Additionally, at 23, there is a part of me that is tired of being responsible. Part of me wants some time to do nothing but paint, ride my bike around, walk my dog, yada yada, be a beatnik. At the same time, I know I feel most accomplished and "happy" when I am involved with something, be it a job or organization or whatever.
I suppose I have some more soul-searching to do. Who doesn't?
1.03.2009
Preference
I am ready to publicly admit that I have been reading Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series and am thoroughly enjoying book 3 at this time. I in no way, shape, or form support the recent movie based on book 1...it was a disaster. I don't know about anyone else, but I am getting really tired of filmmakers adapting books into movies. It's almost like books are being written with the mindset that they will be made into a movie. Some things should be left in their original medium.
In short, the series revolves around a love story that involves a human (Bella), a vampire (Edward), and a werewolf (Jacob). Don't laugh. It really is quite good :) Both Edward and Jacob love Bella and while she loves Jacob as a dear friend, her heart belongs with Edward's. So Jacob loves Bella, Bella loves Edward, and vampire and werewolf are sworn enemies.
Anyways, what I find intriguing is the relationships Meyer has created between these characters. One of the things it makes you question involves what your preferences are when it comes to love/relationships. Do you prefer the infatuated-passionate-love-with-reckless-abandon-for-all-eternity relationship (Bella + Edward) or do you prefer the steadfast-unquestionable-ever evolving-exhilarating-but-calm relationship (Bella + Jacob)? Each one sounds pretty good, but the artist in me makes me partial to the Bella + Edward dynamic even though it's far fetched and somewhat unrealistic.
Thoughts?
In short, the series revolves around a love story that involves a human (Bella), a vampire (Edward), and a werewolf (Jacob). Don't laugh. It really is quite good :) Both Edward and Jacob love Bella and while she loves Jacob as a dear friend, her heart belongs with Edward's. So Jacob loves Bella, Bella loves Edward, and vampire and werewolf are sworn enemies.
Anyways, what I find intriguing is the relationships Meyer has created between these characters. One of the things it makes you question involves what your preferences are when it comes to love/relationships. Do you prefer the infatuated-passionate-love-with-reckless-abandon-for-all-eternity relationship (Bella + Edward) or do you prefer the steadfast-unquestionable-ever evolving-exhilarating-but-calm relationship (Bella + Jacob)? Each one sounds pretty good, but the artist in me makes me partial to the Bella + Edward dynamic even though it's far fetched and somewhat unrealistic.
Thoughts?
12.31.2008
Let's be frank...
To be honest I've been a little down lately, and I can't say why, exactly. At first, I thought it was because I'm coming off of some anti-depressant medication, but after more consideration, I don't think that's the reason. I've been coming off of it for almost a month now and I've felt completely "normal" (if there is such a thing, as my high school lit teacher would say) and great. Maybe it's the holidays...maybe it's the 2 week down-time from work...maybe it's my recent bouts with some soul-searching...unanswered questions, frustrating dreams, lack of routine outside of school. Yeah, I'll chalk it up to those things.
On another note, I've been meaning to write about our faculty Christmas party which was a couple of weeks ago. It was fabulous, and being around co-workers OUTSIDE of our 4 walls was refreshing and healing. We become more than our job titles. Our staff is composed of a wide range of age and ethnic groups which is enlightening on many levels. During the past year & a half at S.P. working within the African American culture, I've discovered how much more open they are in some ways. I can't really find a word to describe it, so I'll use a few: fun, accepting, brave, willful, succinct. In short, there's a lot less bullshit :) and you are accepted for who you are, where you came from. Your past is relevant in that it makes you who you are today, and not in the sense that it can be used against you. There's little shame or doubt and much more determination to do the best with what you've got. I think this has made or is making me a stronger person, someone who is more confident about how I've come to be who I am...and who I am becoming.
Now, I'm not trying to dog on white people, but it is different. I think white culture is so much more uptight, for lack of a better word. There's so much anxiety, expectation, guilt, disappointment, self-loathing. I'm not saying those things don't exist in African American culture, but it doesn't seem as prominent.
So what am I saying? I guess I'm saying I appreciate those aspects of their culture. It's helping me evolve.
On another note, I've been meaning to write about our faculty Christmas party which was a couple of weeks ago. It was fabulous, and being around co-workers OUTSIDE of our 4 walls was refreshing and healing. We become more than our job titles. Our staff is composed of a wide range of age and ethnic groups which is enlightening on many levels. During the past year & a half at S.P. working within the African American culture, I've discovered how much more open they are in some ways. I can't really find a word to describe it, so I'll use a few: fun, accepting, brave, willful, succinct. In short, there's a lot less bullshit :) and you are accepted for who you are, where you came from. Your past is relevant in that it makes you who you are today, and not in the sense that it can be used against you. There's little shame or doubt and much more determination to do the best with what you've got. I think this has made or is making me a stronger person, someone who is more confident about how I've come to be who I am...and who I am becoming.
Now, I'm not trying to dog on white people, but it is different. I think white culture is so much more uptight, for lack of a better word. There's so much anxiety, expectation, guilt, disappointment, self-loathing. I'm not saying those things don't exist in African American culture, but it doesn't seem as prominent.
So what am I saying? I guess I'm saying I appreciate those aspects of their culture. It's helping me evolve.
12.17.2008
Drivin' that Train
Okay, so I feel like a total schmo (define that as you please) for not posting anything in the past 2 months. I do, however, have legitimate reasons. First and foremost, I haven't had internet at home until very recently (try arguing with that one). Secondly, I've been dealing with a lot, including a move, an online course, and a puppy. So I'll break this up into categories for briefing, and more details will come later.
Move: I am, again, a resident of Riverside. I LOVE this area. Everything is within walking distance, the neighborhoods are old and therefore have tree-lined, canopied streets, and I'm only 3 miles from work. I'm in a quadriplex, and my 3 neighbors are great. I am eating up this whole living-alone-thing. I feel like I need this "selfish" me-time now more than ever.
Online course: Because I was a non-college-of-education major, I am required to take 15 credit hours of certain education courses. My cheapest option was through the University of Phoenix online. I just finished the first course (mind you, these are three-week, three credit hour courses. Ugh.). I'm all about teaching myself things, but I'm not all about paying $500+ to do that. Needless to say, I am not a fan, so far, of this whole online course thing. I'm not even sure why they have a professor facilitating it. They should just save themselves the money and have computer monitor your posts, entries, etc. It was cool getting to know some of the people, but I learn more by actually interacting with the students and professor(s).
Puppy: On Halloween, one of my 4th graders came to my room with a puppy hidden in his jacket. His homeroom teacher told him to put her back outside, but he came to me instead. He desperately wanted to keep her, but his mom wouldn't have it. So, I took her in. Samantha is about 3 months old now...I'm not sure if she's a rottie or a doberman or...? I guess it'll be a surprise. I've wanted a dog for a long time, and Sam seemed to just fall in my lap. It's fun having a puppy, but it's also teaching me a lot about patience that I haven't learned yet from teaching :) Imagine that.
More to come. And Uncle Pete, THANK YOU for keeping your blog up and running.
Move: I am, again, a resident of Riverside. I LOVE this area. Everything is within walking distance, the neighborhoods are old and therefore have tree-lined, canopied streets, and I'm only 3 miles from work. I'm in a quadriplex, and my 3 neighbors are great. I am eating up this whole living-alone-thing. I feel like I need this "selfish" me-time now more than ever.
Online course: Because I was a non-college-of-education major, I am required to take 15 credit hours of certain education courses. My cheapest option was through the University of Phoenix online. I just finished the first course (mind you, these are three-week, three credit hour courses. Ugh.). I'm all about teaching myself things, but I'm not all about paying $500+ to do that. Needless to say, I am not a fan, so far, of this whole online course thing. I'm not even sure why they have a professor facilitating it. They should just save themselves the money and have computer monitor your posts, entries, etc. It was cool getting to know some of the people, but I learn more by actually interacting with the students and professor(s).
Puppy: On Halloween, one of my 4th graders came to my room with a puppy hidden in his jacket. His homeroom teacher told him to put her back outside, but he came to me instead. He desperately wanted to keep her, but his mom wouldn't have it. So, I took her in. Samantha is about 3 months old now...I'm not sure if she's a rottie or a doberman or...? I guess it'll be a surprise. I've wanted a dog for a long time, and Sam seemed to just fall in my lap. It's fun having a puppy, but it's also teaching me a lot about patience that I haven't learned yet from teaching :) Imagine that.
More to come. And Uncle Pete, THANK YOU for keeping your blog up and running.
10.08.2008
Close Calls
Saturday night at Neptune Beach, 8:30pm:
Dylan and I were walking toward the shops/restaurant area of Neptune Beach when we heard a loud crash of glass, followed by yelling. To our right were two men (who looked like bums) in front of someone's house. My guess is that they threw something at the window. (Walking faster now.) Before I knew it, there were 2 police cars pulled up in front of the house. An officer immediately got out of his car with his gun cocked telling one of the guys to get down on the ground. The other man had hurried off down the street in the direction Dylan and I were headed. (Walking even faster, moving to the other side of the road.) "Get down on the ground or I'll put a bullet in your head!", yelled the officer. (Holy shit, we're going to get shot). "Where did your friend go? Huh?! WHERE IS HE??" The guy, now on the ground, must have mumbled something about Dylan and I because the next thing I heard was the cop yelling, "Who? The guy and the girl?! The guy and the girl?!" We were the only "guy and girl" in sight, so, thanks bum, for pinning it on us. It was at this point that the 2nd police officer came running towards Dylan and me, but thankfully, this officer was not as hyped up as his partner. He asked us to stop and Dylan informed him that the other guy had sneaked into the parking lot to our immediate right and was wearing a red shirt. Within 2 minutes, the cop found and cuffed him.
Today at school, 1:20pm:
It was an early release day, so I reported to my post at the bus port. Arriving before everyone else, I opened the back gates. Daycare vans also pick up students in this area, and usually, they're not even really "vans", rather an SUV or personal car. A junky, red, 2-door Ford Explorer pulled up just as I was opening the gate. Not recognizing this vehicle as a regular, I went over to the window to ask who they were here to pick up. To my surprise, there were two, middle-aged white men with scruffy beards, overalls, and worn baseball caps, one driving and one in the back seat. I'm sorry, but they looked like total rednecks.
As I approached the window, they didn't roll it down, Instead there was this awkward interaction of me waiting for the window to roll down and them making some hand gestures I didn't understand. I decided to walk away and leave them be when the man in the back seat knocked on the window and held his Jacksonville Sherriff's Office badge up to the glass. Finally, the driver rolled down the window and said, "We just need to sit here for a minute and look like we're doing something. We need to look busy." It was then that I looked out to the main street and saw some men walking by each other. Drug deal, maybe. Then he said, "And what're you doing out here? You don't someone to take you off the street!" I explained we were about to start dismissal and left it at that. They departed a few minutes later.
Today at school, 1:35pm:
Still at the bus port, I looked over to the street again to see some 4th grade walkers on their way down the sidewalk just outside the fence of our school. Before I knew it, 2 of the students starting throwing punches and kneeing each other in the stomach. I dropped everything--my walkie, notebook, etc.--and ran over to the fence to break it up. Before I could get there, they took off running down the street. I guess they weren't hurt enough to be unable to run home.
Argh.
Dylan and I were walking toward the shops/restaurant area of Neptune Beach when we heard a loud crash of glass, followed by yelling. To our right were two men (who looked like bums) in front of someone's house. My guess is that they threw something at the window. (Walking faster now.) Before I knew it, there were 2 police cars pulled up in front of the house. An officer immediately got out of his car with his gun cocked telling one of the guys to get down on the ground. The other man had hurried off down the street in the direction Dylan and I were headed. (Walking even faster, moving to the other side of the road.) "Get down on the ground or I'll put a bullet in your head!", yelled the officer. (Holy shit, we're going to get shot). "Where did your friend go? Huh?! WHERE IS HE??" The guy, now on the ground, must have mumbled something about Dylan and I because the next thing I heard was the cop yelling, "Who? The guy and the girl?! The guy and the girl?!" We were the only "guy and girl" in sight, so, thanks bum, for pinning it on us. It was at this point that the 2nd police officer came running towards Dylan and me, but thankfully, this officer was not as hyped up as his partner. He asked us to stop and Dylan informed him that the other guy had sneaked into the parking lot to our immediate right and was wearing a red shirt. Within 2 minutes, the cop found and cuffed him.
Today at school, 1:20pm:
It was an early release day, so I reported to my post at the bus port. Arriving before everyone else, I opened the back gates. Daycare vans also pick up students in this area, and usually, they're not even really "vans", rather an SUV or personal car. A junky, red, 2-door Ford Explorer pulled up just as I was opening the gate. Not recognizing this vehicle as a regular, I went over to the window to ask who they were here to pick up. To my surprise, there were two, middle-aged white men with scruffy beards, overalls, and worn baseball caps, one driving and one in the back seat. I'm sorry, but they looked like total rednecks.
As I approached the window, they didn't roll it down, Instead there was this awkward interaction of me waiting for the window to roll down and them making some hand gestures I didn't understand. I decided to walk away and leave them be when the man in the back seat knocked on the window and held his Jacksonville Sherriff's Office badge up to the glass. Finally, the driver rolled down the window and said, "We just need to sit here for a minute and look like we're doing something. We need to look busy." It was then that I looked out to the main street and saw some men walking by each other. Drug deal, maybe. Then he said, "And what're you doing out here? You don't someone to take you off the street!" I explained we were about to start dismissal and left it at that. They departed a few minutes later.
Today at school, 1:35pm:
Still at the bus port, I looked over to the street again to see some 4th grade walkers on their way down the sidewalk just outside the fence of our school. Before I knew it, 2 of the students starting throwing punches and kneeing each other in the stomach. I dropped everything--my walkie, notebook, etc.--and ran over to the fence to break it up. Before I could get there, they took off running down the street. I guess they weren't hurt enough to be unable to run home.
Argh.
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