Another Email Update

I don't want to write this all again, so here is what I've been sending via email...


Greetings from Me!

How are things in _____? Things out here are going okay. I am getting a handle on all the extra paperwork etc. required in teaching. I had a pretty hairy day on Thursday when my one little guy presented me with an epipan that he was supposed to have given me on the first day of school. I knew he had a nut allergy, but my notes from (teacher I am covering for) said she had talked to his mother and been assured that it was only a minor allergy and that no extra precautions were necessary. I called this child's mom and she had that same attitude but still, there is paperwork and so on involved in me having the medication in my classroom. It really scared me actually, and I had a minor melt down after school because I am not a fan of needles etc. and was not really keen on the thought of possibly having to administer this medication. Anywho, the staff here was very supportive and managed to calm me down. Other than that, this week has been pretty good. I am starting to see some great progress in the behaviors and academic performance of my students which is a real encouragement this early on. I must be doing something right! This week will be pretty busy as my year plan, professional growth plan and individual program plans are due. Also, on Wednesday I have a sub coming in as I am going to Lac La Biche (1.5 hours away) for a conference on (well you know what, I don't know what its on but I'm sure once I figure that out it will be good on the resume ). I also have on Thursday night through Saturday a province-wide conference at Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton all expense paid!! I am hoping sister will meet me there and a couple of friends from Lethbridge have talked about meeting me there as well. It should be fun. Last night, I rented some movies and just chilled out. It was a nice break, and really the first time I have spent in my apartment except for sleeping since I got back here. I start my swimming again on Monday, the pool here has aqua aerobics Monday -Thursday nights at 8pm which is perfect! I would have started this last week but I was nursing a cold - apparently my adventures in Lethbridge did not agree with my body . I am beginning to think that maybe I can stay in Bonnyville in January. I wasn't sure I could and I was going to run back to Peace River but I did set out to start a new life and career here in Bonnyville and I am starting to think I want to see that through. We shall see. I don't have to decide anything right now. I am making some great proffessional moves though, I will be presenting in-services for the staff here on how to effectively use the internet and computers in the classrooms. This is an area of strength for me and I am happy to help others develop their skills (plus, lets face it, it looks good!) I also created a mini-unit for my students and on a whim shared it with the other grade two teachers and BOTH have used it in their classroom. What a compliment! Anyway, now that I have written you a novel, I will sign off, but I just wanted to let you know how things were here.

Talk to you later,
Pinky

PS: A cute/touching thing happened at school...one of my little guys was using my classroom phone, and posted beside the phone is the letter I got from mom when I returned to school. He can't read very well, and asked what it is. I told him. And then he asked "What happened to your mom?" I said, "She died." (The students did know this already). And then he says "So you can't talk to her anymore?" Well, at this point I'm starting to well up. He noticed and immediately gets this big grin on his face and says "Remember the time you hit the squirel?" Well, I laughed, hard. I had told the class on my first day back, in sharing circle, how on my drive back to Bonnyville, I had hit a squirrel. I had been really sad, and my sister had laughed at me. I had told them how I had swirved to miss the squirel but the silly thing moved too and I got him. I had been laughing when I told the story because it seems funny now. He knew that reminding me of that would make me laugh. A very cool momment. This kid is my "little Newfoundlander" he maintains he is not a Newfoundlander, but has the accent. He tells the best stories in sharing ciricle, for example one storyin included the line "So I looks the bee right in his little eyes, and I pick him up and throw 'im." He's newf for sure!!