Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
S N O W D A Y !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not really, but it is a few days off, where I get paid and don't need to take a vacation day.
Our regular attendance at school averages way above 95% normally. We slowly began to dip the last few weeks. No one in a school wants to get below 75% because then that school day does not count as an instructional day. We are happy with the dip because most parents are paying attention to the H1N1 nonsense that is gripping the nation and not sending kids to school with fevers and coughs... what a novel idea, but we see a lot of kids that are sick and at school, for whatever reason. I am not judging if you can't pay for daycare, but it is not fair to the kids who will get sick after your kids cough over everything.
So this week we dipped into the 80's percent wise and unfortunately, our staff started getting sick as well. We now have a few days off to hopefully kill all the germs living in our school furniture and touch points. And for our staff to catch up on rest and stay healthy! I am relieved myself, sitting in the office was more like an infirmary every day last week. Granted, kids were faking, some have read into their parents H1N1 mania claim all types of symptoms. Either way, I would just let them call home. The usual suspects didn't even get the eye roll and "did anyone see you throw up?". Just dialed for them.
I do hope we don't have to use too many snow days for this illness, I am looking forward to the 3 am phone call telling me to stay in bed as a snow storm blankets the area!
Our regular attendance at school averages way above 95% normally. We slowly began to dip the last few weeks. No one in a school wants to get below 75% because then that school day does not count as an instructional day. We are happy with the dip because most parents are paying attention to the H1N1 nonsense that is gripping the nation and not sending kids to school with fevers and coughs... what a novel idea, but we see a lot of kids that are sick and at school, for whatever reason. I am not judging if you can't pay for daycare, but it is not fair to the kids who will get sick after your kids cough over everything.
So this week we dipped into the 80's percent wise and unfortunately, our staff started getting sick as well. We now have a few days off to hopefully kill all the germs living in our school furniture and touch points. And for our staff to catch up on rest and stay healthy! I am relieved myself, sitting in the office was more like an infirmary every day last week. Granted, kids were faking, some have read into their parents H1N1 mania claim all types of symptoms. Either way, I would just let them call home. The usual suspects didn't even get the eye roll and "did anyone see you throw up?". Just dialed for them.
I do hope we don't have to use too many snow days for this illness, I am looking forward to the 3 am phone call telling me to stay in bed as a snow storm blankets the area!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Monday, November 09, 2009
Real, live Community
Well, those of you who know me well, know that I have been searching for a church home since I moved back to M-ville. I hate to admit it, but I have yet to find a place to call home. I've been all over, but the feeling of "ahhh... this is it, this is home" hasn't hit me yet. I felt it for a while at my mom's church, but then the interim pastors left and took that feeling with them. I have been to two other churches as well, but that feeling hasn't struck me yet. I have such a strong desire to feel a connection of community with a church family here! I have been worrying and wondering if it would ever happen to me, if I'd ever feel as home as I did at Oak Pointe Church. The strange thing is, that all the time I've been searching for this feeling of community, it's been close enough to touch.
As strange as it may sound, my workplace has it. The sense of love and connectedness I've been seeking has been developed right at work, a place I spend 8 hours at a day, as opposed to one hour on a Sunday.
This summer, my principal hired a Family Liaison for our school. Her job is to be a go between for the parents and our school. I pictured her as the person who would listen to the parents complain about after school programs. But she has taken a whole different level to her job. So far this year we have: made pink ribbons for the many women at our school affected with breast cancer, we are making these women meals as they go through chemo, we have raised money for a family in our very school that needed a handicap ramp built on their condo and did not have enough money to do so, we are collecting food and money for Thanksgiving dinners for students in our school. We have sent cards to kids sick at home. We have bought uniforms for families who can't afford them. We have parents active in carpooling that have otherwise been walking because of a lack of transportation. We have built a community at our school that cares for those in need. We are going to build up a base of food for parents who fall behind on kids lunch accounts. All the while, remaining a elementary/middle school. Plus, we are teaching the next generation that kindness and looking out for your neighbors are important.
I am still looking for a place to call home on Sunday's (and more). I would love to find a church that follows the community based living my school has found. I realize I need to open my eyes more and do some active searching. But I can't be blind to the blessing of my school's spirit of community. It's an amazing thing to see in action!
As strange as it may sound, my workplace has it. The sense of love and connectedness I've been seeking has been developed right at work, a place I spend 8 hours at a day, as opposed to one hour on a Sunday.
This summer, my principal hired a Family Liaison for our school. Her job is to be a go between for the parents and our school. I pictured her as the person who would listen to the parents complain about after school programs. But she has taken a whole different level to her job. So far this year we have: made pink ribbons for the many women at our school affected with breast cancer, we are making these women meals as they go through chemo, we have raised money for a family in our very school that needed a handicap ramp built on their condo and did not have enough money to do so, we are collecting food and money for Thanksgiving dinners for students in our school. We have sent cards to kids sick at home. We have bought uniforms for families who can't afford them. We have parents active in carpooling that have otherwise been walking because of a lack of transportation. We have built a community at our school that cares for those in need. We are going to build up a base of food for parents who fall behind on kids lunch accounts. All the while, remaining a elementary/middle school. Plus, we are teaching the next generation that kindness and looking out for your neighbors are important.
I am still looking for a place to call home on Sunday's (and more). I would love to find a church that follows the community based living my school has found. I realize I need to open my eyes more and do some active searching. But I can't be blind to the blessing of my school's spirit of community. It's an amazing thing to see in action!
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Captain Trips
Things fall apart, the center will not hold.
Okay, I'm being a little dramatic, or I have read The Stand too often.... yeah, I should read that again, it's been a few years.
I've become an expert. An H1N1 expert. Somehow, at school, I have become the go between with our corporate office, the county and my students and staff. I don't know how or why, but that is what I have become. I am not sure I am the right person, it seems like people are either obsessively worried about every detail or not the least bit concerned. While I am concerned about the health of my school and my loved ones, I can't say I've been too worried. I am almost to the point of, okay, let's get it already and get it over with.
What I do know and am not surprised at, is that no one really seems to know what is going on. Doctors are saying conflicting things to a lot of our parents. It's hard to know if a student actually has H1N1 because of the wording and phrases the doctors are giving out to parents. If I was a parent with a sick child, I would be very upset. Some doctors are testing and some are saying no testing is necessary. The county wanted us to inoculate all our kids and then cancelled because no shots are available.
The nice thing that I have learned is that my school does want even staff to stay home with an illness. A lot of places I have worked would not be so willing to be short staffed, but my boss is making plans to have subs and has given permission to employees who do feel ill. That is a nice feeling!
The best advice I have seen anywhere is that a high temperature (over 100) with aches probably is the H1N1 strain of flu. The throwing up vs respiratory issues have been different by person, but the temperature has been the same. Most people say it hits fast too. I can usually feel my usual sinus troubles coming on for days with breathing issues or aches in my body, but the H1N1 hits fast and furious.
I hope no one I know and love gets this illness but I don't believe that will be true. I think we all will at some level. Stay home and have a good book on hand, just in case! Also, red Faygo pop. For some reason, I love that with saltines when I have the flu!
Okay, I'm being a little dramatic, or I have read The Stand too often.... yeah, I should read that again, it's been a few years.
I've become an expert. An H1N1 expert. Somehow, at school, I have become the go between with our corporate office, the county and my students and staff. I don't know how or why, but that is what I have become. I am not sure I am the right person, it seems like people are either obsessively worried about every detail or not the least bit concerned. While I am concerned about the health of my school and my loved ones, I can't say I've been too worried. I am almost to the point of, okay, let's get it already and get it over with.
What I do know and am not surprised at, is that no one really seems to know what is going on. Doctors are saying conflicting things to a lot of our parents. It's hard to know if a student actually has H1N1 because of the wording and phrases the doctors are giving out to parents. If I was a parent with a sick child, I would be very upset. Some doctors are testing and some are saying no testing is necessary. The county wanted us to inoculate all our kids and then cancelled because no shots are available.
The nice thing that I have learned is that my school does want even staff to stay home with an illness. A lot of places I have worked would not be so willing to be short staffed, but my boss is making plans to have subs and has given permission to employees who do feel ill. That is a nice feeling!
The best advice I have seen anywhere is that a high temperature (over 100) with aches probably is the H1N1 strain of flu. The throwing up vs respiratory issues have been different by person, but the temperature has been the same. Most people say it hits fast too. I can usually feel my usual sinus troubles coming on for days with breathing issues or aches in my body, but the H1N1 hits fast and furious.
I hope no one I know and love gets this illness but I don't believe that will be true. I think we all will at some level. Stay home and have a good book on hand, just in case! Also, red Faygo pop. For some reason, I love that with saltines when I have the flu!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Happy Birthday Gram!
It has been a long and fun weekend. Cards, Gram's birthday and all the Kelly's that live in Michigan were over, cider mill, more cards, kids naps, racing, dinner and a little shopping. What a wonderful weekend.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Not quite the same
Charles Pugh on how he can relate to what Detroiters are going through:
"I'm currently going through what thousands of Detroiters are experiencing. My home is now in foreclosure. This is something I've been working for months to avoid, but, unfortunately, was not able to. Because it is a conflict of interest for a broadcast journalist to run for office, I had to leave both my careers. I tried on multiple occasions to have the mortgage modified, but because I wasn't able to guarantee a steady income, I was not allowed to. I am currently working to determine the options available to me that will allow me to stay in my home. I am not proud of this development but, like many families here in Detroit, I will get through this. I do not regret my decision to run for Detroit City Council, although it has required a great personal sacrifice. I'm committed to Detroiters and the future of our city."
Not quite the same Charles, you GAVE UP two jobs to pursue a career in politics. You weren't downsized, outsourced, outbid or under or over educated. You gave up two careers. Just walked away. Not the same as what most people in Detroit, Michigan or the United States are experiencing.
"I'm currently going through what thousands of Detroiters are experiencing. My home is now in foreclosure. This is something I've been working for months to avoid, but, unfortunately, was not able to. Because it is a conflict of interest for a broadcast journalist to run for office, I had to leave both my careers. I tried on multiple occasions to have the mortgage modified, but because I wasn't able to guarantee a steady income, I was not allowed to. I am currently working to determine the options available to me that will allow me to stay in my home. I am not proud of this development but, like many families here in Detroit, I will get through this. I do not regret my decision to run for Detroit City Council, although it has required a great personal sacrifice. I'm committed to Detroiters and the future of our city."
Not quite the same Charles, you GAVE UP two jobs to pursue a career in politics. You weren't downsized, outsourced, outbid or under or over educated. You gave up two careers. Just walked away. Not the same as what most people in Detroit, Michigan or the United States are experiencing.
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