Toasty

That is me, after a VERY sunny day out in the ballfields, supervising 300 7th graders, many of whom have the social skills and behavioral tendencies of animals. I heard more group chanting of curse words (since, in a group, it isn't "fair" to snag one kid who is definitely doing it, suspend them), food and water fights, refusal to participate in cleanup of the fields, etc. It wasn't sunny when we went out, and I left the sunscreen inside. Oopsy. And when I did go inside to escort some miscreants, I got drafted to supervise a bathroom break (mind you, the school is empty. The 8th grade had a class picnic off premises, the 6th and 7th grades had field days - - so the only people in the building were administrators and the kids who couldn't behave), I had to write up some sexual harassment (a boy who poked a girl in the ass with his drumstick, a literal drumstick (no clue why he had it, as he only had the one, and he doesn't play the drums), then when she grabbed it away from him, he body slammed her into a corner and pawed her trying to get it back).

Anyhow, so busy that I forgot to pick up my paycheck, even. Money is tight, wife wants to re-do the bathroom while I am away. Our sink is original to the house (built in 1957) and is breaking down. New sink implies new vanity, which implies new fixtures including toilet. We looked at a tub, and that will require re-tiling around the tub, etc. Lots of work. But I did finish my Saturday teaching (money rolling in, god knows when) and volunteered for a professional development on the 29th which pays a stipend.

On the happy front, my friend the art teacher who went psycho is now speaking to me again. I think she was over stressed and I caught her at a bad time with a situation that brought up bad issues. Anyhow, we chatted about Lost (I have theories...they don't sinc with theories on the web, but I am still loving it), and her new job next year at a high school that is twice the size of our place...so 2000 students. It will remove her from some issues in the building, least of which was an overbearing mentor who at one time had her job as art teacher. On the bad side, one less person to chat with. Plus not knowing (I will speak to the principal after school finishes) what subject or grade I will teach next year - whether I stay with Math and maybe move up to Algebra (where it was announced today that 100% of our students who took the Algebra exam scored proficient or advanced!!! And I helped, by preparing those kids years ago) which would require an additional qualifying test, or stay where I am in Math (where we are being told that the curriculum will shift by a year, so 6th grade will be pre-algebra, and all 7th graders will get Algebra), or if I will get a Science placement due to my Australia experience.

Five more days of school. Two of "teaching", two of finals, and one day of "you better not come to school, you rotten kids." Tuesday will be my oldest's 17th birthday. Yikes.