Insert Sigh of Relief Here

After a long school year of uncertainty, my future as elementary music teacher is finally in the books. The past several weeks, even months, have been filled with tension throughout the school, low morale, them vs. us ridiculousness, and lost sleep. We've lost some great teachers altogether; others have been forced to retire or move into other schools. Luckily, I was not one of them. Friday, the teacher's union voted on the proposed contract that would increase insurance costs, but save 8 more jobs. Last night, I got word that the 2-year contract was ratified. I am safe for at least 2 years.....let me rephrase that......our students will be receiving the imperative arts education they need for at least 2 more years. Since the dawn of time, specials teachers have bucked the perception that we are simply someone's prep period. Well, it's the contract language that states all classroom teachers are required a certain number of prep minutes a day that saved my position. So, despite the misguided notion that we are simply there to give the classroom teachers a break, it has saved the art and music in my school. For that, I am thankful.
We've spent the past 2 months in a wait-and-see pattern, so now we are late gettting started on our home improvement project! It's GO time!!!!! :0) Thanks to all who've been checking in with me and pulling for us, as well as arts advocacy in general.

Mother's Day by Joel

At the end of the school day today, Joel arrived in my classroom with a decorated flowerpot containing seedlings he had started in class. He also presented me with a Mother's Day "essay" (fill-in). It read (Joel's words in blue):

My mother is the most special mom in the whole world! She's as pretty as candy. She weighs 50 pounds and she is 20 feet tall. Her favorite food is mustroos (mushrooms). In the good ole days when my mom was little, she used to watch TV. I know my mom is sad when she lays down and I know my mom is happy when she remembers her list. (my personal favorite!) I think she looks funny when she laughs but I know when she is really angry when she breaks something. (???!!!) I wouldn't trade my mother for a toy train because I love her very much!

Too funny! I foresee a very busy weekend so...
Happy Mother's Day to all those moms out there!

Catch-Up

Pics are out of order!

Here are the pics of the new scrapping area that I've been meaning to post for quit some time. It's not 100% organized to my satisfaction yet, but you get the idea. I love it! Last weekend, I whipped up an "Organized Home" binder/scrapbook for a colleague's bridal shower. I love working right in front of a window and having Andy hanging out watching TV nearby while I scrap.

Before shot (don't worry, I still have the treadmill)...

Joel is loving baseball! The team he's on are truly beginners and it's comical to watch sometimes, but we are happy he's learning. He's so sweet looking in that uniform...the one that gets a heavy dosage of Zout twice a week! :0)