Last Day of 2015-2016

Today was the last day of the 2015-2016 school year.  Our students were out on Friday, but we had to finish today.

Funny how much you can get done when you are home.  Once I left school, I managed to cook a healthy lunch, take an hour nap, start/finish a load of laundry, put on chicken for the next few days, do a 15 minute walk, and upload pics and documents to clear up my desktop.  If I accomplished that much in an afternoon/evening, I wonder what I will accomplish in the coming days. :-)

Happy summer, everyone!

70 Degrees on August 1st!

Texas is having the craziest weather this summer, and I am loving it!!  Here it is, August 1st, and it was 70 degrees at 8:00 this morning. As I type this, it is 73 degrees.  Can you believe it?  In Texas? In August?

I took advantage of the weather and went for a walk this morning.  While I walked, I noticed the animals were out to enjoy the amazing weather too.

FYI:  According to the meteorologists, it was the coldest start to August in more than 40 years.

Pros and Cons to Vacationing in West Texas

Pros to vacationing in West Texas:

-There are neat historical sites.
-There are neat state and national parks.
-If you are into lots of space, this are is for you. Everything is really spread out and there is ton of space.
-There are long scenic drives.
-Life is just different here.
-There are mountains and desert areas.
-The stars are amazing!
-It is a different experience everyone should experience.
-There are great "Mom & Pop" restaurants to try.
-You can see/touch Mexico without a lot of trouble.
-State and National Park employees are great--nice, polite, helpful.
-Spending precious time with my niece & nephew, making memories, and sharing great adventures & experiences.  These moments are priceless!



Cons to vacationing in West Texas:

-Most chain restaurants & hotels have not made it to these towns.
-It is not easy finding local eateries.
-It is not easy finding websites or Facebook pages for local eateries.  (I guess they don't really have to put their info out there for the world.)
-They haven't heard of gluten, don't know how to pronounce it, don't know what it is, and don't always have the most nutritional choices for those needing to be gluten free.

-Gas stations are few and far between.

-Gas is much more expensive (it is about $0.60+ more than when/where we left). I guess this is b/c there are so few stations, and they can charge whatever they want.

-Not sure I would choose this part of the state for a "girls only" weekend.
-Although you can drive 70-80 on the major highways and 70 on the state highways, you don't get anywhere fast b/c everything is so spread out.

-Restaurant owners, greeters, and waiters/waitresses are not nearly as friendly, welcoming, or courteous.

-You easily sunburn and sweat.  

Summer Vacation 2014--Day 6

Today, we headed back, but we wanted to see what we could visit along the way.

During breakfast, we discussed our plan for the day.  We could either see anything else they wanted there near Ft. Davis (really, not much left) and then see whatever was available in the towns along I-10 on the way back OR we could go to Big Bend National Park and then see whatever we could along I-10 on the way back if it wasn't too late.  

We decided to go to Big Bend National Park.  We overlooked the Rio Grande Valley, saw the Rio Grande River, and looked across to Mexico while at the Hot Springs area.

My GPS said BBNP was a little over an hour away from Alpine, where we had out motel.  Well, that wasn't exactly true.  That must have been to the northern most point, but that was fine.  I can't remember how far it was to Marathon and then it was 70 miles to the park "gate" and then 2 miles to the check-in and then 26 miles to Panther Junction (kind of in the middle) and then 20+ miles to the Rio Grande Overlook and Hot Springs.  All was fine. Let's just say that I didn't adhere to the 45 mph in the park.  Too dang slow!  We figured we would actually see the Rio Grande River at the Rio Grande Overlook.  Nope!  We went to the Hot Springs, and we found water (a stinky portion of the river) and could see Mexico across. To get in and out of the Hot Springs area, you had to drive on the edge of a cliff (literally).  There were rocks jutting out on the passenger's side and nothing but drop off on the driver's side.  Yes, I was driving.  I was unnerved! There is one way in and one way out.  We went back to Panther Junction (had to get gas) and then back to Marathon.

We got to experience Border Patrol on our way back--3 officers and a dog.

Make sure you have plenty of gas in this part of the state.  Gas in Marathon was $3.95 a gallon, and it was $3.80-$3.85 in the Park.

The next town we came to was Fort Stockton.  Still not a lot of choices for places to eat.FYI:  They have no idea what gluten is, what it is in or not in, or even how to pronounce it.  Do not go to Subway b/c they do not have gluten free bread or Thousand Island dressing.  Also, the Sonic Manager was not friendly either, and thanks to him, we just ate on the road as we drove.  I was never more ready to leave a town than I was Fort Stockton today.

Our final stop was in Ingram where there is a replica of Stonehenge and the statues on Easter Island.  When I visited Stonehenge in England in June 1994, I was so disappointed I couldn't go stand in the very center.  I got to do that today in Ingram!

Summer Vacation 2014--Day 5

As we drove from Alpine to the Fort Davis Historic Site, we stopped to read two Historical Markers along the way.  One was the first location of a school back in the 1800s.  The other was the ruins of a ranch home of a pioneer, which was abandoned in 1854.  It was later used as a Ranger Station from 1880-1882.

We decided to stop at the Chihuahuan Desert and Nature Center too.  It had a botanical garden completely made up of native plants to the Fort Davis Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert.  We walked through the botanical garden and a cacti greenhouse.  We then took a hike down to a creek, which we thought had water in it, but it did not.  It had a mine with items actually used in mining.  We thought it was a working mine or an area where the kids could mine, but it was not.  More of a little museum dedicated to mining. While it is situated in the desert area, it was a neat experience.  Take bug spray and sunscreen or an umbrella.

At Fort Davis Historic Site, we watched a movie about the history of Fort Davis and visited the museum.

We then walked the Fort.  A few of the buildings were open as museums for us to see how life would have been.  When comparing life there then to life now, they are very different.

We asked a few people at the Fort for lunch recommendations.  They told us about the Fort Davis Drug Store, Lupita's, and Cueva de Leon.  We decided on the Fort Davis Drug Store for lunch and we would choose one of the other restaurants for dinner.

We arrived for a late lunch, somewhere between 12:30 & 1:00.  It was a "seat yourself" kind of place, and it was full, so we waited. The people in front of us got tables, and then we took a table--a little small, but with 5 chairs.  During this 15-20 minutes, no one greeted us or even spoke to us.  We sat at the table for several minutes before a waiter came to clear part of the table from the former patrons.  He said he would get menus and a waitress.  Didn't happen.  We waited and waited.  Either Mom or my sister-in-law went and found menus.  We changed to a larger table.  Still no waitress.  Finally, a waitress walked by, and my sister-in-law stopped her and asked her to get us a waitress.  You should have seen the look the waitress gave my sister-in-law and heard the tone she used.  If there was anywhere else to eat, we would have left!  Once our waitress showed up, things got a little better.  She was kind, apologetic, and took our order.  However, a very large group of ladies came in after us and got their orders well before us.  Thank goodness the food was delicious (or maybe we were just starving).  By the time we left, we had been in there well over an hour and a half to two hours.  

Not only are towns few and far between in this part of the state, but restaurants are few and far between in each town.  Also, they do not have the best customer service.

We decided to go back to Balmorhea State Park to swim until dinner.

After our swim, we went to Cueva de Leon for a Mexican buffet of fajitas, enchiladas, rice, beans, and more.

We ended our night with a visit to the McDonald Observatory.  The view of the stars was AMAZING!!  We were able to look through telescopes after the constellation discussion to see Saturn, Mars, a galaxy, and a nebula.

Summer Vacation 2014--Day 4

When my niece and nephew were tiny, my brother and sister-in-law took them to the Fort Davis area on a rare family vacation that did not include Mom and me.  We did a little research, figured out how far it was, and decided to go for a weekend.  We hit the highway by 8:00 am and headed west.

We made it to Fort Stockton for a late lunch.  FYI:  They do not have anything gluten free at Pizza Hut except salad.  That just is not enough when you have gone that long without a snack.

When making this drive, you must get gas whenever you are in civilization b/c the towns are few and very far between.  Also, make sure you have snacks and water on all trips and blankets/coats during the winter.

We decided to drive straight to Balmorhea State Park to swim.  It is a spring with fish and turtles.  The water seems really cold when you are getting in, but once your body is in, you don't notice the cold at all.  I wish there was more shade around the swimming area.

When we finished swimming, we decided to go find our Value Lodge in Alpine.  I got a really good deal on this motel, and the pics looked decent for a family on a budget.  We weren't quite prepared for the dilapidated bathroom, but overall, the stay was fine.  You can tell the couple is working to fix up the place.  If you are used to fine hotels, this one is not for you.

We did a little research on places to eat.  We finally settled on a little Mexican food place.  When we arrived, we found it to be a house, and we noticed a sign saying they only took cash.  We made sure we had cash.  When we entered, we were greeted with "Do you have a reservation?"  We did not and had no idea we needed one.  Needless to say, we left.  We drove around town and saw a few saloons, but other than a McDonald's, we didn't see any place to eat that interested us or that looked kid friendly.  We decided to drive to Marfa to eat and then we could see the mysterious Marfa Lights on our way back.  We drove around Marfa and found even less than Alpine.  We finally found a restaurant, so we got out and went in.  Again, we were greeted with "Do you have a reservation?" Of course not! The waitress gave us a restaurant suggestion.  On our way out, a nice gentleman sitting at a table outside gave us the same suggestion.  Thank goodness for kind people!  We went to their suggestion--a Mexican food place.  We got out and went in.  This time we were not greeted with "Do you have a reservation?" but we did have to wait for them to clear a table.  The food was good, service was slow, and everyone in the place knew one another.

On our way back to the motel, we stopped at the Marfa Lights viewing area.  It was neat standing out in the cool summer wind watching the lights blink on and off making our own predictions.

Summer Vacation 2014--Day 3

Today, we went to the Cave Without a Name near Boerne.  We forgot to ask why it doesn't have a name, but we did enjoy our visit.  It is a fairly small cave--about a quarter of a mile in and a quarter of a mile back out.

They had a labyrinth outside, so I explained what they are and had my niece and nephew experience it.  They didn't quite get it, but they enjoyed walking around the "maze."  They had an area outside to pan for gems too.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch at Guadalupe River State Park and then we took a swim.

Another Amazing July Morning

I was awakened just after 6:00 this morning, and knowing just how uncharacteristically cool it was outside, I had to get up and take advantage of it.  I quickly changed, and with my walking shoes on, off I went for a morning stroll.  I walked along some of my normal streets, but then I added a few new ones in a little different direction.  I had hoped to make it 3 miles (since I don't have paths laid out or any real idea of distance along certain roads, it makes this difficult), but I came in just under.  That is OK b/c I will get that last little bit done at some point today.  And who knows? I just might get another 1-3 miles in this evening with my BFF.

I wish we had these mid to upper 60s and low 70s 90% of the time, but I would have to move, and that isn't happening.  So for now, I will cherish these cool temperatures and make the most of them until we hit triple digits again near the end of the week.

Fall Weather in July

It is July 19th.  JULY 19th, PEOPLE!  My weather app says it is 66 degrees.  66 DEGREES, PEOPLE!  In TEXAS!!

According to the meteorologist on last night's news, we have set around 4 records in the last 2-3 days with these unseasonable cool temps.  Some of these records go back 52 or 115 years.  We are setting coolest lows and coolest highs. Wow!  I have to say, I love these temps!  I would love to have these temps all year long!

We have had the doors and windows open, no air conditioning, covered in an afghan made by Granny, and loving every minute of it.  When was the last time we didn't have the a/c on in JULY??? Never, I'm sure. Well, except when it broke.  I have been sitting in my little spot listening to the birds and insects.  Such a peaceful morning!

I hope you have amazing weather today and can get out to enjoy yourselves!

Educators on Summer Break

Educators, have you seen 26 Signs You’re a Teacher on Summer Break? Some of you will read it and immediately connect to several items on the list. 

My alarm has gone off 80-90% of my summer mornings.  When it hasn’t gone off, I’ve been up between 6:30 & 7:00 and out of bed soon after. I also know what most days are.  I have also been in professional dress 75% of my days off. Why?  Because my 2^nd and 3^rd jobs started the Tuesday after the year ended—teaching Summer Acceleration and writing 6^th gr Science curriculum.

There have been no beach visits & hammock swaying, or any other fun, relaxing days or activities either.  Summer is the time to get everything done that had to be put on the To Do List during the school year. I am cleaning out and cleaning up my grandmother’s house and cleaning up and reorganizing my house. This has been a huge, exhausting job.

My mind is constantly racing with ideas for the next school year, and I am reading various books and articles for ideas we can implement.

Yes, I do visit Pinterest looking for ideas for my house and school.  If I had children or some children to borrow, I would try out some of my new ideas. I had the energy, I would try out some of the ideas for the home I have found.

Sadly, because I have been so busy with housework, teaching, and curriculum writing, I have not visited the library. That doesn’t mean I haven’t read about 5 books since school let out.

Yes, my treadmill and BFF’s neighborhood streets are getting a workout.  I try to get 2-4 miles in a day.  More than when school is in session.

I hate deciding what to eat for lunch and dinner.  It just seems easier during the school year.

Yep!  An educator’s job is never finished.  We end working with one group and prepare to work with the next group. We read, find new ideas, think of ways to improve on last year, wonder about the new students and faculty, worry about those no long in our classrooms or schools, and prepare to make a difference in the lives of the students and teachers we will meet in August.

Resources:

Hudson, H. July 2, 2014.  26 Signs You’re a Teacher on Summer Break.

Retrieved from http://www.buzzfeed.com/weareteachers/26-signs-youre-a-teacher-on-summer-break-h0xt on July 12, 2014.

Summer Acceleration 2014

In my 17th years as a public school educator, I have never taught or worked Summer School.  This year, I was asked to teach Science for Credit Recovery, the class students attend to do/finish work and then get credit for the class from this last school year.  I agreed b/c I taught Credit Recovery both sessions throughout the school year this year for 7th & 8th grade Science AND Social Studies (all at the same time in the same room).  As the Administrators planned, they realized I was needed to teach Reading in Summer Acceleration instead.  This is the course 8th graders need to take as a last ditch review before taking the 3rd administration of our state assessment, which they must pass to go to 9th grade.

At first, I started pulling together my own ideas and lessons, but I soon learned that the District Coordinator would give us a curriculum and individual student workbooks.  While I was excited to be given something so I didn't have to plan it myself and excited to be given texts I didn't have to go find, I was sad that it wasn't more engaging and included workbooks.

I taught two groups.  Group 1 was from 8:00-10:00, and Group 2 was from 10:00-12:00.  We met on June 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, & 23 for lessons/activities.  They took their test on the 25th.

I learned a lot during this time with my 2 groups.  While trying to keep them engaged and on task, we discussed the World Cup, movies, God, religion, Islam vs Judaism vs Christianity, the Big Bang Theory (not the show), Hurricane Katrina (its impact on a student and his relocation to Texas), what they read, why they don't read, why they hate reading, text to text, self, & word connections to all we read, books, and much more.  I tried to do Book Talks or Book Reviews to get them reading more.  I so enjoyed Group 1, their focus, topics of discussion, and personalities.  Group 2 was more worried about talking about any and everything and not doing any work, so they were a little more difficult with which to work.

When we met, we created Super Hero or Alter Ego names, so the students drew their pictures and we kept them on display in the classroom.

My Alter Ego name was Professor Sleuth.  I thought it was quite fitting.

Week 1: Focused on the Prove It Strategy/Annotating, Fiction, and Plot Structure

Week 2: Focused on Expository Text and Inferencing

Week 3: Focused on Text Connections and Testing

I can remember 3 horrifically awful testing experiences, and two of those occurred this last school year. After the 8 days we have had together (Group 2 and I), I was dreading testing yesterday.  I was so pleasantly surprised.  Yesterday was one of my best testing experiences ever.  They were so well behaved, and the majority worked hard and used their time wisely.  I don't know that they will all pass, but most have a better chance b/c they were so well behaved yesterday.  We should find out scores in 2 to 2.5 weeks.

A Moment with My Nephew

My nephew is going to Boy Scout Camp in July, and he needed a physical, so we worked one in to today's very busy schedule.  I hate he needed the physical, but I loved getting to sit and visit with him while we waited. He isn't so photogenic lately, but I got him to look and not cover his face.  :-)

Bub, I love the young man you are becoming!  You are a reader, do great in school, enjoy service work, and show you love your country through your Young Marines program.  Love you!

Last Day of School for 2013-2014

Today was the last day of school, and I wasn't sure I was going to make it to the end and have everything finished. We had to pack the entire building for remodeling, sprinkler system, and painting. If you have never experienced this, you are so missing out.  Science Prep Labs, hundreds of novels, Math manipulatives, Science games and manipulatives, my office, random materials & supplies, technology, SpEd paperwork, oh my! I learned a lot about chemicals and chemical disposal throughout the process. (We found things from 1973, which has to be around the time the building opened. I can't find the year it opened, but I will keep looking.) On top of all this, one of our Science teachers was in an accident and received an extremely serious head injury on Memorial Day.  This led to working with a sub to finish the year and assisting with packing up this classroom.  (I have some amazing Science teachers that worked together to help the sub and make sure the room was packed.) We had a few other teachers on long term leave, so we had to check on the packing of those rooms too. I (or we) got it done, so now it is time to rest for a day or so, fight this sinus infection, and prepare to teach Reading at Summer Acceleration and write Science curriculum.

Last Day of Summer Vacation

Summer is coming to an end, and educators are headed back to work.  Teachers, how are you spending the last day of your summer vacation?

Mine began by reading and answering emails, checking out Pinterest, and playing Words with Friends. I also began preparing our dinner menu for the week. I find that if we plan, then we tend to eat better and I have leftovers to enjoy for lunch.

I then sent my morning text to my niece & nephew and went to church.  The verses that stood out today were Luke 12: 48.
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
These verses have been used and quoted many times in many settings, but I looked at them in connection to teaching. Many of the teachers who are considered "good," are often called upon to do more and more. Teachers are entrusted with parents' most precious children, and they are expected to hold them safe, teach them, and so much more.  So much is asked of teachers, probably more than there should. This verse just reminded me that we are in a special position, and we cannot take it for granted. The future is in our hands, and we must step up and do what is demanded of us with those entrusted to us.

After lunch, I had to take a nap.  I haven't felt well for two days now, so a nap was well warranted. I couldn't keep my eyes open or focus.

Since waking, I have been working on my presentation for Wednesday's District Science Professional Development. I am responsible for reviewing and creating Science specific Objectives and Closing Questions as part of Framing the Lesson (created by Sean Cain). I have the basis of my presentation ready to go.  After making some copies tomorrow or Tuesday, I will have a better plan laid out.

I have planned and laid out every outfit for this week, right down to my socks and shoes.  :-) I like to be prepared and take the stress off of each night when I would normally plan my outfit for the next day.  We are not allowed to wear shorts this first week back filled with work days and campus meetings, so jeans and t-shirts it will be.  Well, I will be a little more professional than t-shirts.

We were entertained by a cottontail that came all the way up to the patio glass door a little bit ago.  It hung around on the patio for a bit before hopping away.  We have several cottontails living in our yard, which I love to watch, so we see them all over at various times of the day, but none have come up to the door before.

After I finish working on Wednesday's plan, I have to start thinking about weekly 20 minute History lessons and weekly 20 minute Writing lessons--for 7th and 8th grades. My goal is to have several weeks prepared before this week ends.

No matter how prepared I am, I can't sleep the night before the teachers go back or the night before the kids start.

Teachers, enjoy your evening, and have a great week!

Summer Goes Too Fast

I'm sure students and teachers think this.

Fireworks Community Show

Each year for the last 10 or so years, my local community has hosted a fireworks show.  At first, it was just the city shooting them off from a field for all to enjoy.  Everyone would drive to the other side of town to get a good view. In the last few years, they have had activities for families to do earlier in the evening or from about lunchtime until the fireworks start at the large community park. Last night, they even had a concert with a somewhat well-known country singer after the fireworks for those who purchased tickets.  The community is really working to make this annual event something fun and worthwhile.

When my family began enjoying the community fireworks, my niece and nephew were little.  We decided we would put together a picnic and go early to find a parking space, have a little fun, and settle down to watch.  Our picnic each year consisted of pizza and soda.  The kids loved it!  We backed the truck or van into one of the first spaces with a grassy curb on two sides.  We put down the blankets and chairs, we enjoyed dinner and conversation, and then we were ready for the fireworks.  The kids loved it!  My grandmother loved it! When my cousins, all right around my niece and nephew's ages, were in town, my aunt would bring them out, and the fun multiplied.  We have great pictures of the kids all dressed in red, white, and blue having fun with one another.  The kids remember these events and even mention them to this day.

While it isn't July 4th quite yet, the community fireworks were popped tonight.  I surprised my mom and Great Aunt by telling them to put their shoes on and get in the truck.  They didn't know where we were going.  We stopped at Sonic for a half-price shake and then drove to the high school to get a spot.  They enjoyed the show.  This year, we could hear music playing.  I think the community played music at the park, and we could hear it where we were.

While the evening was fun, it was sad.  My niece and nephew weren't there for us to share this experience, and this is the first year without my Granny and Great Uncle, with whom my Great Aunt always watched the show. I know all those who have passed have the best seat in the house to see all the Nation's fireworks this year.  I hope my niece and nephew get the opportunity to watch fireworks, even if it isn't with Gram and me.

Here are a few pictures I snagged from a friend on Facebook.  I didn't take any pics, and when I do, they normally don't come out well.

Educational Changes

This is the time of year when administrative changes are named, teachers begin seeking different schools/districts/positions, and many things related to school seems to be up in the air.

Many principals and assistant principals are named to their new positions in April and May.  Other changes are made just as school is letting out and into June.  Because resignations and retirements do not have to be done until July, changes continue to take place right up until school starts.

With these changes comes unsettlement, questions, excitement, and disappointment.
People I know
. . . have lost their jobs b/c their positions no longer exist.
. . . have been named assistant principal.
. . . are having their hopes and dreams slashed since they have not gotten an assistant principal or principal position yet.
. . . are looking forward to relaxing this summer and starting fresh in August.
. . . are looking for jobs closer to home or positions they have dreamed of having.


I pray for those
. . . without jobs.
. . . trying with all their might to reach their dreams but haven't yet.
. . . who are staying put but will have new administration and are feeling uncertainty.
. . . whose dreams have come true.  I hope it all they have ever wanted.
. . . in new positions.

Educators, enjoy your summer.  Find time to rest, relax, and rejuvenate for next year.
For those of you looking for a job, I pray you find the one that best fits you.

First Day of Summer Vacation

How have you spent your Saturday? 

This is my first full day of summer vacation. Today has included a workout, few errands, lunch, relaxing afternoon, and a nap.

Share your summer plans!

Summer Plans

What are your troops doing this summer?

We will be having our Bridging Ceremony later this summer.  We have two wonderful young ladies bridging from Brownies to Juniors.  The end of the school year was so busy that we have moved it back just a little.  It will be fun for the girls to get together.

Now is a great time to catch-up on training.  Leaders, are you attending any training this summer?  Need help or have questions?  Just give me a shout.

I would love to hear from any readers out there.