And the fun begins...
School begins tomorrow. While this is my 4th "first day", I'm still nervous. I am once again doing something new this year with 6 different classes for one subject area rather than the same kids all day teaching 5 different subjects. I have written down every possible thing I can think of that I need to do tomorrow, but I'm sure there will be something I forget to do.
Unfortunately, I don't have email access in my portable due to the power outage last week. I have to send a work order from the Media Center, but it's not likely I'll have a planning period tomorrow because 1st period always runs long, and I have planning 2nd period. So, if I do get one, it will only be like 15 minutes or so, which only gives me time to run to the restroom.
I just read an email that I have a student this year that have special bathroom needs. I have no idea what that entails, but I'm supposed to let this kid go any time they need to go, which shouldn't be too much of a problem. I have a pretty strict policy when it comes to the restroom, but I of course make exceptions for those who require them. My understanding is that the kid is in a wheelchair, which I wish I had known last week so that I could have gotten a special desk for them. All I have are those desk with the chair attached. So not helpful for people in wheelchairs. I do have a table in the back of the room where my desk area is, so they can sit there for now. I should be able to scrounge up something by the end of the week. I just have to let my AP (Assistant Principal) know. Now, if only I could remember what class I have this kid....
The other thing that is making me nervous is that I don't have a paraprofessional this year. We don't have enough to go around, and Reading teachers are getting them first because they have 90 minute blocks. My choices were to have someone come in during 3rd period only, have a different para come in each period, or none at all. I chose not to have one unless I could get the same one all day. The kids need someone consistent. I don't have time to train 6 different paras, nor would it be fair for only one of my classes to have assistance. My AP promised that if he had one available all day, he'd send them my way. In a perfect world, I would have a para all day, and I would have the same one I had last year. She and I got to be really good friends, and I didn't have to spend a lot of time training her. She just naturally knew what to do. However, my world has never been perfect, so I'm going to have to accept that I'm a one-man-band of sorts this year. I'm not going to let that deter me from doing elaborate projects and group work. I'll just have to take it a little slower and adjust with the needs of the class.
So much nervous energy! I'm looking at the clock and it says: 9:04 pm. I still have an hour or so before I go to bed. What will I do until then?? Well, I do have to make my lunch for tomorrow. I actually got smart this year. I'm going to make my lunch for the whole week, put it in containers, and refridgerate it. That way, all I have to do at night is put everything in my lunch bag. I usually eat a salad for lunch along with yogurt, fruit, a soda, and some sort of treat. It's quick, easy, and doesn't require reheating, which can take forever in the Teacher's Lounge. All right. Enough babbling. I'm off to make my lunch for tomorrow and the rest of the week. I'll let you know tomorrow how things went. Happy Reading!