So morale is an all time low at my school. Every one is stressed out because our school system is on target this year. In other words, we did not meet the standards for test scores in the subgroup for students with disabilities. All of the schools in our system are under "fire" from our central office and the pressure is mounting daily. It seems like every day the "higher upers" have come up with some other strategy/solution for us to do in our classes. Which basically means a lot of busy work for the teachers. Whatever happened to just letting teachers get back to the basics and just letting us teach!?!?!

Needless to say...morale is VERY LOW at school. We are trying to come up with ideas to brighten the mood at school. The school counselor and I are in the process of setting up secret pals with everyone on the school staff who wants to participate. Do you guys have any suggestions/ideas of things that we can do during the entire year to help with morale? I would love any feedback.

Also, I have a field trip tomorrow to the pumpkin patch. Please keep me in your thoughts as I take 19 lovely children off school property. I only hope we do not get rained out or there will be some very disappointed boys and girls. Please pray that I do not lose anyone this year in the hay maze! My first year teaching I lost a student in the hay maze...Opps! :)

I had a better day today as far as energy and pain issues go. However, my lymph nodes have started to give me trouble again in the last couple of weeks. I stayed in bed pretty much all weekend and went to bed last night at 7:30. I'm looking forward to having Friday off and enjoying the day. I continue to remind myself that painful lymph nodes is a good thing and that it is far better to have painful swollen lymph nodes than swollen lymph nodes with no pain as that can be an indication of lymphomia.

Well, it is off to bed for me so that I can be bright eyed and ready to go pick a pumpkin tomorrow.

Positive Affirmation for the day: I still have not been sprayed by a skunk! :)

After working in the Social Services field and as a teacher...I can't really complain to much about my childhood. So I got a spanking if I acted up...but at least I had clean clothes, school supplies, took a bath, had decent meals (except for when mom tried to make me eat cabbage), etc. And my parents were not crazy Meth heads with children who were being supported by the state because they refused to get a job. I still think people should have to apply for a license in order to have children! I hope I'm in a better mood about school by next Thursday (Parent/Teacher conference night)!

I have not been sprayed by a skunk nor have I been given lice by any or my kids at schools.

I do want to give a special thank you to the mystery student who gave me a lovely case of ring worm last year. Even though I am gracious to your genorisity mystery student...next time...give it to someone else! :)