February 28, 2010

Well, we made it...to the end of February even without that one extra day that would have made it a leap year. Today the Olympic hockey team (featuring a player from Cherry Hill, NJ) received the silver medal losing in overtime to Canada, but what an extraordinary game those young men played. Today my mom's computer went down...my old one that I think I had for about five years and she's had for three. She never learned how to back things up, so I'm hoping we can at least save the word documents she has. Lucky enough to have another lap top I set up for her, but now need to set up the printer as well. Today is Sunday, and hopefully, we will get back into a routine of school and good eating starting tomorrow. Four days off just sets off every "if it's a snow day, let's eat whatever" attitude. Today is the day I finished another month of my 365 photos...a record for me...so anything after this is such a bonus. Today is the day that marks two months without soda of any kind. A good thing.

And, today is the day I notice my bulbs starting to come up. Through the mud, through the snow, these resilient little plants are poking their stems up through the ground. THEY know spring is coming... I just hope someone has told Mother Nature that message as well.

February 27, 2010

The world waited and watched today as an 8.8 earthquake in Chilie caused what could have been a devastating tsunami in Hawaii this afternoon. The hour of the predicted tsunami on the Hilo coast as well as in Oahu, came and went and, although thousands were evacuated from low lying areas, no harm came to anyone. The Hawaiian people practice this drill again and again like we practice fire drills. Last summer we visited the Tsunami Museum and saw the devastation the last one brought the island. I was so happy that they were spared this time.

Breaking away from a day of news and Olympics, I went to see the local high school production of The Wizard of Oz to see if I could get any ideas for my own production in April. The kids did a nice job and I did come away with some staging tips, but I have to say our Dorothys (we have two) are almost as good as theirs and our lion is JUST as good. I look forward to working with the kids again this week. But, no matter how good or bad the shows are, drama is something that is just so good for kids. It gives kids an outlet other than sports where they can feel accepted and have fun. For those who ARE good in sports and participate in a show, it fosters more team work and acceptance of others. I won't think about cutting anyone from our shows...it just isn't right. When our schools work on having students of all levels succeed, why would we even think of cutting a child from an activity. Just a thought.

February 26, 2010

I don't know if it's because we had another snow day today or the Flower Show is opening in Philadelphia next week, but when I was in the Christmas Tree Shop today and saw these I just had to buy them. It gives me hope that spring is on the way. I immediately planted the basil kit (on the left) and inserted a water bulb (I'm notorious for forgetting to water). The other things will be put away until I am sure they are finished with the construction in my yard. Phlox is the ONLY thing that ever grew in my front and I'm not sure how much construction, mud, and snow has ruined what I already have.

It's not that I don't love winter...truth be told I do, and if we had a few more snow storms in March, I won't be upset, but once Easter comes, that's it. It's spring time for me which means a new beginning, an awakening. And maybe, just maybe, some of these plants will actually make it.

February 25, 2010

Winter February 2010: "snow"

This isn't actually a photo but it is a video. To see it, clic on the words, Winter February above. It was processed on flixtime, a new program I learned about on Plurk. Good thing, too, because I am a bit concerned that I can't find my external drive right now...I mean the computer isn't reading it. I hope to take my own advice and reboot to help it be rediscovered.

Today we had a snow day...a bad call on the district's part as it didn't even stick to the ground, but it gave me time to discover this program. Now it IS snowing and sticking and the wind is howling. SO tomorrow is up in the air. Next week we have an in-service, so that would mean another four day week. And February isn't even over yet!

February 24, 2010

The phone rang in my classroom just as we were finishing up reading. "There's a guy who is going to put a hammer through your wall," my mom informed me. Just what someone wants to hear with nineteen kids getting ready to go to gym.

"Give me five minutes," I begged. "Let me call you back."

The outside of my house is being sided...not resided as this community was not sided to begin with, so for the past few months we have put up with reconstruction on the outside. On the inside of my house, there is a wall bowing out. It's in the stairway, leading to the second floor, and has a cathedral ceiling. I didn't know if it was structural or termites, but the management company was sending someone over to find out, but if someone is going to put a hole in that wall to find out WHY, that means replastering and hiring someone to repaint that wall. It's not that this is the first time I have complained about this, but it's the first time the managment company has sent someone over to see it. Of course it's during the construction time OUTSIDE the house as well.

What I liked about this was that my mom is such a great person. She had the tough and rough construction guys eating out of her hands. They are going to have to repair and repaint at their expense. What I like even better....I don't have to deal with it. What I LOVE about it is that my parents are there to help me out. Thanks, Mom and Dad.

February 23, 2010

I love zwieback crackers, or toast, or whatever the classification is. When Nabisco stopped making it earlier this year (the one you find in the baby aisle), I wrote to the company but didn't get a response. Last week I went to the Christmas Tree Store and they had this type, which was cheaper and just as good. I don't know, there's just something about this crunchy toast paired with cheese or tuna fish that is so good. I'm sure the next time I go to to the CTS, these will be gone and I'll start my hunt again, but for now, they are a good substitute.

February 22, 2010

100 days ago nineteen students walked into my room. We didn't know each other; they were a bit afraid of all the"scary"things they had heard about me. I was a bit apprehensive of the"second graders" I had heard about, plus this was my firs year in third grade without an assistant. Still 100 days later, we have made it into a tight knit group who care and protect each other. They have gone from "I don't know how to write cursive" to putting my handwriting to shame." They have gone from not using a computer to begging to get the mobile lab every day. There have been tears, fears, some let downs on both sides, but still each day these amazing students come back. Day after day. I walk into the room and their faces light up with a "Hi, Miss Kasse" like they are happy to see me. They tell me that I am intelligent, pretty (thank goodness for a nine year old eyes), and love to see me smiling at them each morning. I have pushed them farther than they or I thought they could go. We have laughed at 100 jokes, cried at the loss of pets, grandparents, friends. I have met their amazing parents and marvel at the way we are all working towards the same goal...the best for their child.

Today we celebrated by each person bringing in 100 of "something" and distributing it to the rest of the class. Paper, paper clips, mints, Cherrios, even pasta were given out in our celebration.

100 days doesn't seem very long in the scheme of things (considering I've been teaching for more than 4, 500 days in my life), but even so, just the thought of only having this class for 80 more days brings a twinge of sadness to me. The one good thing is that they will be in fourth grade, and I'll get to see them for at least 360 days after they leave me.

February 21, 2010

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to be part of the DEN (Discovery Education Network) team in Hershey, PA, to help where I could, sit in on a few sessions, and help present at 'recess'. My ride TO Hershey was fairly easy, although I did make a few wrong turns. I arrived before lunch and spent that with Patti and Meg, going to Fudruckers, a restaurant I haven't been to in a long time. After that we helped by stuffing folders, putting together name badges, and, along with lots of other dedicated DEN members, get the day ready for the session on Sunday. After that I tried to go to the bank across the street, but the ATM was out of money (?). Upon returning to the hotel, I lost my parking space and had to park in another lot. When I entered the hotel, I was totally lost for at least fifteen minutes, but have to say I got a good workout in walking the halls. After that, we were all treated to a wonderful dinner at the Lodge. What fun meeting new PA and NJ Leadership Council people and catching up with Matt M, Steve D and meeting Whitney, all DEN leaders. Turning in, although not really sleeping, knowing I had to be up at 6 in order to go to work at 7. Back to the conference room (which I swear was as far away as it could), I hope I was helpful setting up and meeting and greeting people for the the first session. I bought so much "stuff" that I decided to move my car during the first session which meant MORE walking, but this time after I packed the car, I moved it closer to the entrance. Back to a session, lunch, and to present at recess. Of course my laptop wasn't working to its fullest (it's old and I know I need a new one), but my netbook was in my car, so OUT to the car, again, about 1/4 mile away! Moved it closer this time. The netbook worked, recess was great. I loved talking to people and meeting new ones. Then I had a session about making videos with kids, which I already do, then to give out prizes and I actually WON a microsope (toy one but the kids will like it). Then it was time to leave. When I got to the car I realized I couldn't find my phone. Back into the hotel (more walking) and no one had seen it. Robin helped by going to my car to see if it was there, and of course it was, inside the cover for the netbook. Sigh...I was exhausted. Luckily, the drive home was so easy (three roads to get home from Hershey!), no traffic and I was home before it was too dark. A quick shower, checked things here, and I'm ready to bed. I won't find a kiss on my pillow, but I sure will have "sweet" dreams.