The dog days of summer....

If any of you have not read the first page of Tuck Everlasting, you really should; reason being is that the first page has this unbelievably descriptive depiction of the oppresive and stifling heat that usually arrives around this time of year. So....there ya go. Thought it was appropriate. Oh, and if you can't handle the heat (hardy har har) you should read Brian's Winter, by Gary Paulsen, as it it the same thing, 'cept about cold.

So, last time I posted was a while ago. I had just passed a kidney stone, and was leaving for family vacation the next day.

I have had not more kidney related issues, thank goodness, and so no more needs to be said about that. And, I'll thank you to mind your own business. (c;

Vacation was a lot of fun. Bibi, Grace and I drove south to Table Rock Lake, where we were meeting my mom, step-dad, my sister and her boyfriend, and my other sister and her girlfriend.

The drive down was mostly uneventful. Gracie was wonderful in the car, and did not cry excpet for the last half hour, (we got lost, otherwise, it would have been even less eventful.) I have to say, southern Missouri is definitely a beautiful area. The bluffs and hills, or...ahem, 'mountains', were all absolutely gorgeous. It was a wonderful drive.

We were staying at a really nice resort, and were pretty much able to enjoy ourselves the whole time and do whatever we wanted to. (You know, how vacactions SHOULD be.) I read, relaxed, and even played some putt-putt.

Good times, good times.

We came back last Thursday, and got lost again. Different part of the trip, but for about the same length of time. I'm a very good driver....yeah. Charlie Babbit.

Fast forward through to Monday, the 6th. Bibi dropped me off at work, and I got the opportunity to meet some of my new co-workers, and work on my classroom a little bit. Registration was Tuesday, so our principal had asked if any of the staff wanted to come in and help spruce things up a bit. It was fun. Didn't meet everyone, but enough so that I don't feel like a complete newbie anymore.

My classroom is AWESOME. It's HUGE. I have: two teacher's desks, a couch, two comfortable and relaxing reading chairs, a table for conferencing, extra desks arranged for partner reading, a sink and drinking fountain, desks and room for 30 students (although I only have 25) and, as was previously mentioned, two windows. Legen....(wait for it)...dary.

Tuesday we had our first day of New Teacher Orientation. It was during this day that we covered all of the necessary legal stuff: professional expectations, sexual harrassment, confidentiality, substitute teacher requests, sick days, personal days, etc. We also went on a "Raytown Scavenger Hunt to acclimate ourselves to the community. Met some new people during that, which was cool. (I have such a hard time meeting people....heh heh heh.)

Today we had day TWO of our four-day New Teacher Orientation. We spent the entire day getting prepped for the districts Communication Arts curriculum. (How the district expects you to teach reading, writing, etc.) We were able to plan the first month of one subject, and the first week to second week of another subject. We're going to be given already prepared lesson suggestions and helpful tips as well. Tomorrow we work on Math curriculum.

I will say this....the Raytown Quality School District has impressed me a great deal in my short time working here. They are thorough, and the provide a seemingly endless supply of supports to their teachers in order for the teachers to provide a seemingly endless supply of supports to their students. (You know, like they should!)

All right, kiddo's; I'm tired, and my bed is singing the siren song of comfort....

thanks for stopping by....

Tommy