Back to School

So, summer is ending and we are heading back to school - in January! Our In-Service day was Wednesday. Students were to arrive Thursday! One day to prepare the classroom, meet as a staff, discuss class lists, review yearly progress, finalize class lists, and locate materials. I had to smile and take deep breaths! We are given almost an entire week in Oregon, and most of us are there for days in advance.

At Macksville, we began with a staff meeting to quickly introduce new staff and view a powerpoint on current funding, socio-economic status, school improvement plan, and the vision for 2010. So far, just like in the states. Then came Morning Tea with lots of goodies and coffees/teas for socializing, then team meetings for class list preparation, then lunch together, then a health and child safety training, and my car pool left 35 minutes later at 4:00. I walked away from school without a class list, without a finalized schedule, without a journal or text book, but with a delight in the contrast and "no worries" attitude here!

Everyone is very friendly and welcoming. The school community is strong and supportive, and the grade level team has been very helpful.

Thank goodness for Kim Sutton double dice! I purchased a set of dice and books to use while I'm here and then leave for my partner, and with that "tool" in my teacher kit for the otherwise-unprepared day, I knew I was set! I still didn't get much sleep Wednesday night. But really, what teacher does sleep the night before school starts??