Christmas 2008
Whidbey Island Friday December 19, 2008Well, shoot, looks like time to update the library - publications - english 8 - whatever - else news.
Two months have passed in their usual sly fashion, like a shadow on the very edge of one's peripheral vision, and so quick! But everyone says that, I suppose because really we just live in the moment because we were built to do so and to forget the past except as the odd snapshot which the brain apparently randomly photoshops anyway.
Doom and gloom in all conceivable directions which has the effect of making people (adults at least) sort of giddy. Just sent Governor Gregoire an email congratulating her on minimal cuts to class size monies and maximal cuts to teacher pay increase allocation; that is the way I like it; who needs the money if the working conditions (layoffs and 35 kids in a class) are awful? "Go Chris," I say.
Nature is having its way with us which I also enjoy because it makes one humble and gets one days off (at least until we have to make them up in June which isn't all that great a month anyway so it works out). I have had two 8 mile walks in two days into Langley through the woods in the snow. But that is enough of that for now. Forecast of more snow and strong wind for the day after tomorrow.
Adventure Ed back to back expeditions to Channel Islands and San Francisco Bay are all scheduled up and ready to roll. Also booked a day at the brand new California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. Like I said its about the working conditions not the money. If only Amtrak is not blocked by another major avalanche like last year.
The October Washington Coast hike was rough with rain and wind but the kids were tougher and not a whine anytime.
Gloom and doom forecast is for Adventure Ed to get the axe next year (its 16th). Need to get those cards and letters posted to oppose such a truly short sighted move.
Need to refocus Publications on several fronts in the new year, particularly yearbook and video productions; almost lost That LMS Friday Show two weeks ago and had little going for this last Friday but then there was snow. Kailee is back on the job after a long hiatus on the East Coast so that will help. Breanna is showing promise as a new segment producer. Video yearbook is motoring along nicely as ever but we are losing Hannah to Spokane and will be moving Team Cera/Cara into that slot in addition to their regular vid yb duties. Print yearbook is always looking for coverage ideas; if anyone "out there" has one send it along. We are currently experimenting with a good weather bad weather spread as in seasonal affective disorder and whatever the opposite of that is. I suppose seasonal affective disorder wouldn't have to be only sadness as a result of lack of sun it could also be a sun induced disorder like...Spring fever. Spring seems to bring a whole lot of disorder around here.
English 8 is semi-happily creating its second handbound coptic stitch journal while finishing the colonial era unit and reaching the end of Johnny Tremain. Hope to move on to the fictionalization of the true story of the last "wild" Indian in California, Ishi: Last of his Tribe by Theodora Kroeber (mother of fantasy/science fiction author Ursula Le Guin) followed by Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Started Daily Oral Language ritual several weeks ago and I am surprised by the positive reception. More student blog work is also coming not to mention more fun with cba's.
Lots of new books purchased for the library but I haven't seen them since. We need ebooks just for the possibility of more efficient, therefore increased, circulation. No chasing physical copies; it is overdue, its wiped and checked out to the next kid. No muss no fuss, more reading.
Enough for now...
And so adieu, until we meet again,
S.
ps And do please keep those comments and suggestions rolling in!
