5 Pennies - Day 247 Recovered

1. Gave money to a student for a community service project
             So one of my band students is doing the 'Bowl For Kids Sake' project this weekend. I remember being her age and doing the same thing on a Saturday morning in March. Its a pretty cool activity in which all of the money collected will be given to local early childhood education systems and supportive programs. I'm a horrible bowler, but I knew that when I participated in this activity I was helping others more than just trying to earn a high score. Now that I'm funding one of my students, it still feels pretty cool.

2. Wrote various staff members 'Thank You' notes
              So much has been going on at my school! Between various college visitation field trips and special career visitors, a lot of good work has been done by my fellow staff members. Although it was simple, a 'Thank You' note went to those that worked on these various events.

3. Made Posters for the Talent Show
              Every spring we have this really great Talent Show that features a whole variety of acts from our student body - singers, dancers, gymnastics, instrumentalists, karate, baton twirlers, and this year a really cool jump roper! Anyway, all of the collected proceeds this year will go to a local organization that supports Breast Cancer Awareness. The students themselves shows this organization this year to feature and sponsor in various activities/events. I'm so glad that they did because I am tied to this through family & friends that have fought and survived. Anyway, we ran out of time to have professional posters made and needed something to start the advertising of the show. So last night I took 6 sheets of poster paper and drew like there was no tomorrow. Sharpie markers - strong stuff. I was happy to make these posters because I knew that it was supporting a good thing.

4. Bought snacks for a morning meeting
             All is well in talking about reading achievement and test scores when your belly is full of morning breakfast treats.

5. Wrote 'Thank You' note to two staff members that covered my class
              I had to step out of my regular band class twice this week in order to help with various activities in other areas of my school - welcome visitors and a morning band field trip. Did I mention that we had a lot of busy things going on at my school - Phew!!! Anyway, two other teachers were kind enough to give up their planning period to cover my classes while I was working somewhere else. I know that they could have used the time elsewhere doing their own things, so I made sure that a note was given to them expressing my appreciation along with some candy.

5 Pennies - Day 246 Recovered

1. Took a picture for a couple at the zoo

                   It was so nice over Spring Break - the weather was truly amazing! So the one day I took my son to our favorite zoo about an hour from where we live. Its a great little zoo and we normally go in the summer time. However since it wasn't burning hot and newly opened for the season, we actually got to see some of the newer animals and babies. My son loved the alligators, giraffes, and flamingos, but his favorite were the baby monkeys! Anyway, there was a young couple that were leisurely walking through the exhibits and every once and a while would take a picture of each other - solo. After observing this a few times, I finally went up to them and asked if they would like me to take a picture of both of them. They were so thrilled because they rarely have a picture where they're both together. It was a really nice moment. The funny thing is that they smoothed each other's hair similar to the tigers taking care of their cubs in the exhibit :-)

2. Bought another staff member special candy

                 So I overheard another staff member talking about how they are looking forward to the summer time because he and his wife will be visiting Sweden. Wow! He has been really nice recently by buying all of the other staff members ice cream. So I figured that he deserved someone being nice back to him. I was at the supermarket and it hit me - "Go to the candy isle and get 'Swedish Fish." These funny little things crack me up.

3. Sent my Angel a card

                   I don't have much contact with my Angel client, but I do hope that she is doing ok this Easter Season. Sent her a card letting her know that I was thinking only good thoughts for her. Its a great program through the local Breast Cancer Awareness division, where you become a writer to someone who is going through various treatments. Anyway, happy spring!

4. Let another car turn in front

                     I was finishing up at the mall and my son and I were getting ready to go home. We were coming out of the parking area when I noticed that there was another car trying to make a left turn, but couldn't because she couldn't see if the other lane was free. So I paused in front of her and waited till I saw the free lane, quickly I waved her across. It was just a few minutes of my time to help her  - who knows how long she was sitting there.

5. Helped and talked to an elderly neighbor

                    This afternoon I was giving my dog a good long walk around the neighborhood. On days that are nice outside I tend to walk him at least 1.5 miles - he takes a brief nap afterwards, but then is ready for another. Anyway, I noticed that up from my house an elderly lady was pacing on the sidewalk. She seemed to be upset so when I approached her I asked if she needed anything. She was upset that the other neighbor did something to her sidewalk and it made her lawn looked ruin. I didn't even noticed the sidewalk, but quickly pointed out that her flower bed around her door was extremely pretty. She smiled and thanked me for the the compliment. I guess the sidewalk didn't mean that much after seeing something good.

Here's a cool song from Mercy Me-

The Generous Mr. Lovewell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCgLiZY5FQ8

5 Pennies - Day 245 Recovered

1. Made cupcakes for son's Easter class party

                  So my son had the day off from school today and wanted to go back to his preschool from last year because his former teacher invited him to their class' Easter Party. So last night Sean and I went and made chocolate cupcakes. I dyed the frosting green and he decorated each of them with jelly beans. He really likes to cook because there is so much math involved. I made an extra one for him as his dessert for eating a good dinner and helping me. The least that I could do for this class since his former teacher invited him.

2. Made a special dessert for birthday party

                  So one of my mom's friends turned 50 today and had a family/friend birthday party at her house. I was still in the cooking mood from my son's cupcakes, so I decided to try something new. Since it is the season of spring I made these things that I call "Bird's nests." Basically it is cocoa rice crispy treats molded in a cupcake holder with bird eggs candies inside put together by fluff. They were quickly consumed by the guests!

3. Donated Easter Eggs to hide

                   So my son was invited this weekend to an Easter Egg hunt at a friend's church. Prior to going we dipped some eggs and filled up some plastic ones so that there were enough of eggs to hide & find. We ended up donated a dozen of painted eggs (with green, purple, and pink fingers) and 40 plastic eggs. Thank goodness that we did this - there were 75 kids there!!!

4. Made cookies for the Easter party

                   In addition to donating eggs, my son and I quickly made those pre-cut out frozen cookies. He choose to bake the ones that had the baby chick coming out of the egg since we were going to an egg party. Like OCD mother, like OCD son :-)

5. Wrote a 'Get Well' card to another teacher

                   Recently the French teacher had back surgery and so I just wanted to wish her speedy health and a Happy Easter!

5 Pennies - Day 244 Recovered

1. Made Easter treats for students

             My band students have been working so hard lately. Yes they may drive me crazy, but overall they are a good bunch of kids. Anyway, we recently went to an important regional Large Band festival. My students were excited about being there and performing, but I was concerned about the comments from the judges. The kids did so well in their performance! The judges gave the kids an accurate read of both positive comments and things to work on to improve. Overall, the band received the highest score and an invite to the State Festival! Its the first time the band has achieved this and you can tell that by talking to any of the band students - they are just so excited! Anyway I wanted to do something nice for them to show my appreciation, so I made up over 250 plastic Easter eggs filled with candy. The running jokes of the day were, "You guys 'crack' me up!"; "I think that you guys are 'egg'-straudinary!"; and "You did such an 'egg-cellent' job!" My students know that I love puns and have a silly humor sometimes. Really, the kids were amazing! And really - I'm so proud of them!

2. Wrote a 'Sympathy' card to another teacher

              This particular teacher is a fantastically hard science teacher. She is fair and firm, but really wants the best from her students and will not except anything less. I keep telling my students that yes she is hard, but she will make you so prepared for high school science! Anyway, recently her grandmother passed away and I just wanted to write a sympathy card saying that I was thinking good thoughts about her and her family.

3. Bought a special breakfast for team teachers

                At our last team meeting, we sort of had a celebratory meeting in that the entire music department did so well at the regional festivals. In addition, the team leader of our group was nominated and recently became a finalist for the county's teacher of the year. Lots of things to celebrate with out professional success. So I bought a whole bunch of different variety of foods for everyone else to enjoy. Knowing that I made other people happy and full was a nice moment.

4. Donated money from personal fundraiser

               So at the winter and spring holidays my family makes special candies, cookies, and such. This is a traditional and the recipes were passed down through my mother side of the family. While my mother makes homemade potato soap, my specialty is a particular candy called "Buckeyes," which essentially is a peanut butter ball dipped in chocolate. Anyway, I made a whole bunch and donated all of the proceeds to the Japan Red Cross Relief fund because it was right after they had their massive earthquake. This year I donated all of the proceeds to a local breast cancer awareness organization. I wish that I would have sold more though.

5. Pulled a prank on secretary

               Ok, so this may not seem so much as a penny, but please let me explain. Every so often this secretary and I pull pranks on each other, just for fun. She really is a sweet lady that has such a humorous side to her. Last year she sent me an 'Evil Leprechaun' in the mail to my house. It was a great surprise to receive :-) Anyway, I wanted to do something for her for Easter. So I bought a kitty pan and filled full of honey puff cereal to make it look like kitty litter. Then I bought a mixture of chocolate covered anything and through them haphazardly throughout the pan. It was a riot to look at. I topped it off with a kitty litter shovel. She laughed about it all day long :-)

5 Pennies - Day 243 Recovered

1. Complimented another person for losing weight at church

                So my son's Godfather at church has been on a fitness program since Thanksgiving this year. At first he was losing a lot of weight and felt really great about himself. Then he started to level off some and the frustration sort of started to seep in. However, he has continued to go to his morning training sessions and continued with his diet/portion control. The other day at church was the first time in several years that I noticed he had his shirt tucked in. He normally wears it our so it just drapes over him, but now that he had it tucked in you could really tell that he was losing weight. I just had to give him the compliment. He told me that he was starting to feel like giving up because he didn't see any difference this past month, but that I noticed really made him feel better about making healthier choices.

2. Cleaned up a snack mess

                 White powdered mini donuts are a miraculous thing. No matter how cautious or careful you are, somehow the sugar just goes everywhere. Anyway, a child was sitting at the snack table with my son eating one of these donuts when it decided to roll out of her hands and onto the floor. It seriously looked like a crime when FBI agents are finger-proofing a room. The child picked up the dropped donut and threw it away before heading to Sunday School, but the traces of the accident still remained. I easily got a broom and swept up the 'evidence.' When my OCD is a blessing.

3. Made a Cinnamon Coffee Cake for front office

             The administrators of my building seemed to be having a rough spring lately. The secretaries have been fielding constant calls about the closing of school during the Spring Break. There seems to be more sickness going around than normal and the Nurses just seem to be working harder. I just wanted to do something nice prior to Easter Break for the Front Office staff to let them know that they are very much appreciated.

4. Sent a Birthday card to another teacher

                I don't know about you, but I love getting cards in the mail - especially if it isn't about bills or owing money. I remember being a kid and always awaiting my birthday to received cards. It made me feel special. Still this 30 something loves receiving the 'love notes.' So another staff member will be celebrating her birthday over the Spring Break. I just felt that it would be nice to send her a card so that she knew that she was being thought of. Easy to do..

5. Wrote a 'Welcome Note' to another staff member

                The French teacher will be out for the next couple of weeks and in replacement we have a long term substitute. I remember being a LTS; actually it is how I got started in the school that 10 years down the road I am still a teacher of. For me it was very nerve racking because I didn't know the students or the routines. I actually started about this time too. By the time that I understood who was who and what was what it was just about the last day of school. At least this welcome note is a small way for me to say hi to this new staff member.

5 Pennies - Day 242 Recovered

1. Gave Secretaries and Nurses Flowers

             We have a really great front office staff that in some ways I believe they hide their superhero caps from me. Maybe they can't leap tall buildings in a single bound, but they work extremely hard every day to make our school a better place. Regardless if it is handling the phone calls of nasty parents, taking care of a kid that is throwing up, or the mounds of paperwork that is needed to be completed for daily business; these staff members are amazing and do their jobs so well. I just wanted to treat them with something special to let them know how much I appreciate having them at school. It is the beginning of Spring and the best part is when flowers are just first starting to bloom. Oh how I miss this during the Winter time. So each received a small bundle of flowers.

2. Bought a snack for a student

             So my Jazz Band students played at a special charity basket ball game the other night - which by the way was for Breast Cancer Awareness. In addition, my kids were really good about setting up, performing, and tearing down. The one didn't have a chance to get some money from his mom to buy some snacks. He has always been such a great student in my class and during this ensemble. So I reached into my pocket and gave him a few dollars. You would have thought that I handed him a winning lottery ticket! The sweetest thing is that when I gave him the money and after saying thank you, he asked if I wanted anything. He's such a good kid. The next thing I know is that he had a cupcake and icing all over his face. Although he is 13, it immediately reminded me of my 5 year old son :-)

3. Wrote another staff member a "Great Job" note

              It needed to be said. The main organizer of the charity basketball game needed the laud and admiration for all of his hard work. It was such a great event!

4. Attended a special student concert

              There is this special Saturday mornings music program that several of my band students have been attending for the past month or so. This past weekend was their showcase performance. Although I was tired from the extra performance that I have been giving myself, I knew that it was important to my students since they begged me to attend. It was a really nice event and my students were really happy to see me. I was also able to talk to several of their parents to learn more about this weekly activity. I am hoping to 'enlist' several other students for this activity next year.

5. Wrote 'Thank You' notes to other staff members

              Recently my band students went to a regional festival in where they performed three pieces and were critically assessed. We have been working on these three pieces for the past 1 1/2 months and the students were really eager to share their final product. Prior to this particular performance, I had my supervisor and another music teacher come in to evaluate and work with my students. Their comments really helped the students put the final touches on their songs before this important event. So much that the students performed at the highest level and were invited to perform at the State Festival. I just had to share my appreciation to these staff members for taking time out of their busy schedules to work with my students. I am so grateful for their expertise.

5 Pennies - Day 241 Recovered

1. Bought Easter Candy for the church

              As the Easter season approaches, the church that I attend have sent out help signals for bags of Easter Candy. The kind that is small enough to fit in one of those plastic egg shells. Sean loves Easter Egg hunting, but will be attending a friends church party instead of going to our regular church. Anyway, I know that this is a popular event and the downtown neighborhood kids all come out for it - both young and old. So while I was buying Easter Candy for Sean's other party, I picked up an extra bag for this need as well. Besides, who can resist bite size chocolates and jelly beans?

2. Held up music for another performer

            So we were right in the middle of performing a song during service today, when the music stand of the keyboardist decided not to cooperate. Needless to say she was using her hands to play and couldn't adjust the stand/music. So as the music was about to fall over I simply grabbed it, held it up, and kept singing - sort of like a balancing act. Like they say - the show must go on.

3. Got another child a snack

             So my son and this other child in the church were assigned 'jobs' after the service today. The children's educational group is doing a fundraiser where they are selling coloring sheets of chickens for $1. All the money will go to purchase real chickens to help feed the hungry in depleting countries. It was conversation time, which really means snack time for my son and the rest of the children in the service. So I got my son a few snacks as he continued to advertise and sell the chickens. When I gave him the small plate of a few snack pretzels and 1/2 cup of juice, his partner asked her mom for some snack too. Noticing that the other mother didn't hear, I simply went over and got her a small plate of pretzels and a cup of juice too. It was easy to do since they were collecting money to feed others.

4. Bought Pink Gloves for special activity

              So in the midst of doing grocery shopping I noticed this display stand of simple gardening gloves. Instantly I saw the pink ones and thought about this special activity that we are going to have later this week. It is a special Student/Staff Basketball game that all of the proceeds will sponsor the local Breast Cancer Awareness division. There will also be some silent auction items and raffles that will be taken place throughout the game. These simple pink gardening gloves were a perfect addition to this event.

5. Bought snacks for morning meeting

             Morning meetings are rough for everyone, but are more manageable for everyone when there is food involved. So as our Student Assessment Specialist carried on with the meeting and described plans for future exams, we were able to focus with having both mental and physical nourishment. Besides, who doesn't like a muffin?