ASU Website?

Is anyone having problems getting on the ASU website. The web page keep says there is a problem with the connection, but I am not having problems on any other websites.

So, it has been a some time since I have blogged. I have been pretty sick with bronchitis this past week.  One does not appreciate a "breathe" until you cannot take one-very scary.  Anyway, I am planning on going back to work tomorrow for a fun filled day at the rodeo with about 150 students. It is sure to be a crazy day.

My practicum is going well, spending so much time listening to faculty regarding the cuts, and working with students who are struggling academically.  I am going to get the chance to help out when they start working on the schedules for next, which should be fun.  I will fill you in more as I move through it.

Better get for now.

~Racquel

Is Anyone Out There-Isn't that a song?

Oh, yes.  To find the time for blogging.  I have come to learn that blogging is much harder than I initially thought it would be.  I just find myself running out of things to blog about.  Do we need to focus on home life, work or what we are learning in school?

I will do all:)  Work is going well-next week is a review as our seventh graders will be taking the writing TAKS and sixth grade prepares for the last practice test.  As of now, I am still employed.  A coworking and I have been talking about the various emotions that are rising up in us and how that must be affecting the kids.  Some of the teachers (sad to say) have become a little "catty" with their prediction of who will get cut and why.  I am trying to stay away from the lunch room gossip and stay focused. 

With that being said, I was asked yesterday  to pick out two or three novels that I would like to work with next year, and the first thing that came to mind was: does this mean I will still have a job?  I later found out that they had already informed two of the thirteen teachers that they would not be renewing their contract (and asked them to not tell anyone).

It made me sad-I am finding the secrets bothersome-it just does not seem like it would fosters the teamwork necessary to be a strong campus.  Would love to hear any other perspectives on the matter, as well as any suggestions on staying positive during the course of the lay offs.

Okedoky, I am going to get ready for bed.  Have a great weekend and week.

~Racquel

Beautiful Day

What a beautiful day it is outside.  As I type, the birds are singing me a song-it sounds as if the bird in the tree out front is communicating with the bird in the back yard:)  Today is sure to be a nice day.

So, this nice day needs to include some much needed cleaning, shopping, and yes, HOMEWORK.  Homework has been falling to the wayside a bit since the news of our budget cuts a couple weeks back- especially this week as district people have been meeting with our principle behind closed doors.  We all know the numbers are flying- from what I understand, the decisions were made yesterday and the letters will be going out soon.  It is really putting stress on every teacher and one could see it this Friday- the word now is that "we just want to know" so we can move forward and get back on track for the year.  I keep praying for those involved, because I know it is weighing heaving on them to make the decisions.  Anyway, enough of that talk-

My sons left for Livingston yesterday, leaving my daughter and I to a quiet house.  Of course, she will sleep until noon if I let her, but we shall see.  She is really tired from running hurdles yesterday and getting sun burnt.  Never did putting sun screen on her cross my mind, but it will be one of the items I purchase today in my shopping spree.

I better get for now- hoping you all have a great weekend!

~racquel

Time Sipped Away

Hello All,

The past few weeks have been interesting with dealing with the family issues and getting sick, but I am on the mend and feeling much better.  School is going well, and I am caught up on homework.  We are gearing up for another TAKS practice, as well as for the cuts that will be happening in March (very scary).

I have decided to learn Spanish and improve my communicating capabilities.  However, I cannot make the software work and am beginning to think I did not get the best deal in the world-like I thought.  It is the Rosetta Stone software and keeps asking me for an activation code.  The person I purchased it from says I can skip that part and use the software, but I am thinking it is not true.  Will keep you up-to-date as I become fluent in the Spanish language:)

As for now, I am going to sit in front of the fireplace and drink some hot tea-all while planning my daughter Sweet 16 that will take place on March 18th. Where did the time go? Oh yea, it must be hanging out with my sanity:)  Hope everyone is having a nice week.

~Racquel

Lights Out

Today started out with getting to school to find the electricity out and 150 kids sitting in the cafeteria.  The school day continued with hourly rolling electricity outings and some very excited kiddos.  While I was glad to see the day come to an end, it was okay- after 20 minutes of trying to quiet kids, I found about 100 glow in the dark bracelets that I had stored from last year.  I decided to give each of my students a bracelet when they walk in class and when the lights went out, we played glow in the dark vocabulary.  We all had fun!!!  No word yet about whether or not we will go to school tomorrow.

As for school work, I am falling behind, but hope to catch up this weekend.  It seems this sinus stuff just keeps hanging around and all I want to do in my free time is sleep.  I am sure it will be gone soon and all will be back to normal.

Hope you are all staying safe and warm.

~Racquel

Silence In the Room

You could have heard a pin drop in the Library at school today as our principle informed us that 7-8 people would lose their job next year.  Sadly, this would occur across district lines as we begin the process of cutting 21 million for two years.  I cannot quite explain what I felt, but know it was shared as whole across the school.  I honestly thought our principal was going to start crying, but she held it together and ended the meeting very fast.

So, since most of you are teachers or counselors, I wanted to say- utilize your voice and write your state representative.  Let them know your views on education and that downsizing (cutting teachers) does not constitute valuing the future.  This is one action that we have a choice to do-be heard!

Texas State Senator

Senate District 11--Senator Mike Jackson

Capitol Office: CAP 3E.2

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0111

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station

...Austin, TX 78711

Texas State Representative

House District 128--Representative Wayne Smith

Capitol Office: EXT E2.708

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0733

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910

Austin, TX 78768

~Racquel

Common Cold

It is here-the common cold and it is running through all the peeps at my house.  I only had a small cold, aches, stuffing head, with no fever.  Unfortunately, my daughter is not so lucky, she is feeling pretty yuk and running fever.  We are drinking a ton of juice, and using the hand sanitizer in an attempt to stop it from passing on to the boys.  I was greeted this evening with, "mommy, I need a hug."  How funny it is to watch them revert back to a little one when they feel bad- of course I am always glad to wrap my arm around my babies anytime.

As for school, everything seems to be going smooth- I am caught up on my work and enjoying my classes.  As I write, I am also checking out the Iris Center for our next assignment (I read the due date was bumped forward).  I have enjoyed the Iris Center over the course of my studies at ASU and used it in my classroom countless time.  On another note- I was ssssoooooo excited when I got on my blog and saw I had two new followers- WELCOME!!

Off to do some school work:)