Recovery

Ok, so me being OCD just can't let go the feeling of not being complete with the missing 5 pennies. Therefore, I have decided to redo the 5 pennies for around the next 100 days to catch up on those pennies that have become lost. I am calling them the 'Recovered Pennies'. Then I will resume in discussing the final days within 'Penny-Lane' of the 300's.

Yes, I'm a Beatle-nut.

Please enjoy!

5 Pennies - Day 319

1. Wrote a "Thank You" note to a teacher that helped me with important paperwork 

              So I recently was accepted to present twice at an important teacher conference next November. The biggest problem with this activity for me isn't the actual presentation, it is all of the logistical details - filling out paperwork for the trip, requesting money from the board of education to sponsor me on the trip, making flight plans & hotel reservations, etc. Luckily another teacher from my school was also accepted in presenting too. So we did our paperwork together. He was so helpful and knew who to ask questions & how to ask the questions. I'm so very grateful for all of his assistance - the least I could do was to write a thank you note.

2. Wrote  "Nice Job" note to another teacher who put together a special science activity

            The one science teacher had her students figure out how to make their own miniature hot air balloons. I was amazed at how much the kids learned, could speak about their project so intelligently, and how much joy this was bringing to their lives. Science was not my favorite subject in school - far from it. So to see my students enjoying their work so much, it was really great to see. I just had to write a nice job note to this particular teacher.

3. Gave an extra ink cartridge to another teacher

           Another teacher in my music department was out of ink and really needed to print off things for her up coming concerts. I had an extra ink cartridge that I knew that I wasn't going to use. Most importantly, it really did need to be used up - sometimes when ink sits around they start to leak. So I gave it to her - simple.

4. Gave money to an animal shelter activity

          Ok, as much as I complain about having a dog - I really must admit that I do like the furry substance. And yes, I am even working on loving the creature. He brings so much joy to my son - even when they are wrestling over toys. So yes, I'm a sucker when it comes to giving to animal shelters. This was something else easy to do today.

5. Picked up trash in the cafe after lunch

             If everyone helped with the trash after lunch - it would be much easier to keep clean. Besides, it is everyone's responsibility to keep our school clean - a part of being respectful and responsible.

5 Pennies - Day 318

1. Helped another teacher bring in refreshments for a student reward activity

            Little did I know that this teacher was starting her pregnancy and didn't tell anyone yet. Later on today she came to me and asked if I knew. I told her - knew what. Then she told me that she was pregnant but really hadn't told anyone and wanted to know why I helped her with the refreshments. I told her that I liked being nice to people. She gave me a funny look and then went the opposite direction. Crazy - right?

2. Complimented a student on her pretty dress
            This student rarely wears any dresses, so she just looked so pretty today. It was cute outside after lunch because I noticed that she noticed some of the boys noticing her. Aaaahhh, spring time in a middle school atmosphere!

3. Cleaned up Auditorium area after a previous nights concert
                   I moved the breakfast table back to the back of the auditorium because the morning attendance person really gets bothered when it is moved for a concert and not put back.

4. Cut out lamination materials for another teacher
                    We have the 8th grade award ceremony coming up in in the matter of days and these items were awards for her 8th grade ELA students. I just wanted to do something nice for her in advance.

6. Brought in newspapers for another teacher

             Its been awhile since I have done this, but still glad to do so.

7. Held the door open for a mom who was trying to carry a small child and dinner at the same time

             Yup, been there and done that. Sometimes with kids you begin to feel like a packed horse or a waitress - trying to carry and balance everything. This is both a literal & metaphorical statement.

5 Pennies - Day 317

1. Brought in breakfast for guidance department
            They really did a nice job with the 5th grade orientation from earlier this week. They have been working really hard lately on various projects- 5th grade orientation, 8th grade transition, state wide assessments, etc. I just wanted to let them know how much I appreciate all the work that they do. By the way, the breakfast was Blueberry Scones

2. Wrote "Thank you" notes to other staff members
                And included a piece of candy with each - just to say thank you for providing this extra opportunities for the students.                

                The art teacher for a field trip to the local museum
                The 7th grade team leader for planning a behavioral based field trip
                 The two social studies teachers for a Civil War Assembly

3. Watched students for another teacher as she attended the field trip
                The bus was running late back from the art field trip, so I just housed her kids that couldn't go on the field trip with my regular general music class. No big deal & it was easy to do.

4. Complimented another teachers outfit
                I really liked her shirt today. It was a bit outside her box - but it was really nice. Its always a risk when you buy new clothes, especially when they are not your normal type. I rarely get any clothes outside my box - which is solid one color with limited decorations. I do have a few shirts that have some stripes :-)

5. Wrote a "Good Luck" note to the orchestra teacher for tonight's concert & attended.
              The kids really did a nice and I was pleased with their performance. There was a guest violinist that performed with the kids. Such a great idea and the exposure for the students to have this opportunity. I should look into this for next year.

5 Pennies - Day 316

1. Wrote 2 "Thank You" notes to those staff members that covered my afternoon class.
               I had a special student activity this afternoon and two other staff members volunteered to cover my classes. I really appreciated their willingness to help me out at the last minute. So I wrote a simple thank you note and included a piece of candy to each.             

2. Wrote "Nice Job" notes to other staff members that have done extra student based activities
                Lets see here-

                    The Spanish teacher took her kids to the local Spanish Restaurant as a hands on Field trip
                    Two other teachers coordinated and implemented a successful student leadership activity day
                    Then there was the organization of the 5th grade orientation & visitation program

3. Helped clean up the cafeteria after the student leadership activity
                It wasn't a big mess, but tables needed to be moved back and wiped down. Easy to do.

4. Wrote a "Thinking of You" card to a staff member who is having some family health issue problems
               One of my close friends father is in the hospital. It makes me sad knowing that she is going through this hardship and doesn't want to talk about it much. So I decided that a simple thinking of you card would brighten her day.

5. Made my mother her favorite bread & bought her flowers to wish her luck at work tomorrow
                She has her annual State Regulation Evaluation. She has been working really long hours for the past 2 weeks trying to get everything ready. I know that she will do well - it's just the stress of it all. By the way, it was Banana Walnut Bread :-)

6. Helped a woman at the grocery store in reaching some food items
                *This is my favorite.
                 There was a woman who had her baby in one of those frontal sling carriers - FYI - I'm pretty sure that my son spent almost his first 6 months in one of those. I basically wore it constantly. I had 2 of them so that I always had one clean. Anyway, here was this woman trying to bend over, hold onto her baby, and also pick up a watermelon. I had to chuckle at the sight. Sort of like been there, done that type of thing. I just simply went over and picked up the water melon for her out of the bin. She was so grateful. I remember those days. 

5 Pennies - Day 315

1. Wrote 2 "Excellent Job" notes to the art teachers for putting together a wonderful student art show.
               Yes, I know that it showcased only student made artwork - but it was so wonderful to look at - to recognize the names of the students that I also teach. To see all of the hard work from the two art teachers. If you ever have the opportunity to go to an art gallery of student work, do so. It is amazing to see how talented some of the youth really are. Personally, I am a horrible artist - so to see this talent from such young people - I'm impressed.

2. Gave an ice cream gift card to a staff member for her daughter
                This particular staff member brought her daughter to the school dance Saturday night. She was so well behaved and really deserved something special.
               
3. Gave extra art supplies to the Art Department
               I had to buy color streamers for a project that i was doing with some of my students. We were talking about 'The Planets' from Gustav Holst. In particular we were talking about the movement about Jupiter. Even though the music isn't really about the orbital planets, but more about the Greek/Roman mythology - I let them wrap me up with colored streamers just like the bands on Jupiter - they loved it, especially when I exploded at the end. Anyway, I had a good amount left over that I knew that the art department could use for something.

4. Took back the cart of another customer
                    Just because.

5. Wrote a "Thinking of You" card to a church shut in
                  Haven't seen her in a while and just wanted to say hi.

6. Replaced the chairs that were used from a classroom for an evening dance.
               I noticed that some chairs weren't set back correctly after the dance sat night. So I just wanted to straighten things up properly for another teacher before they came into their classroom.

5 Pennies - Day 314

1. Sent pictures of art from another school to an art teacher to use in classroom
            I always like to share information with other teachers in my building that I think that they may be able to use within their classroom. The two art teachers in my building are amazing - really. They can find inspiration and themed units from anything.  So whenever I see student artwork, I just feel compelled to share with them.

2. Sent resources about Biblical women to the church's female student group leader
           She is starting a discussion group about famous female people from the Bible. I thought that this extra resource could help her organize and plan. My favorite Biblical female is - hands down - is Esther. Her courage to stand for her family while being so afraid, just the strength is awe inspiring. The name is very beautiful and only have taught one student with it :-)  - she played the clarinet. The first time I met her, she gave me that look when I said her name - like, "I know - its a weird name." Reading her expression I told her that I have always loved the name because the strength of the character. 


By the way, my son also likes to watch the Veggietale's reenactment of this story.

3. Sent a text to another woman from church who is traveling this weekend
              Just wanted to wish her safe travels.

4. Went to art teachers' and students' art show
              Several of my students were displaying their artwork at the event - one even won a first place prize in the category of sculptures :-) It's important as teachers to support each other's programs - especially in the area of Music & Fine Arts - because when finding is reduced we are normally the ones that are dismissed. If we don't stand together, we will surely fall separately.

5. Helped another band director set up for his outside concert
                   The local high school band played at a community park this evening and my Woodwind Ensemble students opened up for them. Thankfully, it was the last performance of the school year for them - yeah! It was a really pretty night - nice temp, slight breeze, no rain & good music. Everyone should take time to listen to an outside concert in the late spring/early summer months - at least once in their life. There's something magical about it all.