High School Musical?

I can't believe nine weeks of school will have gone by on November 13th. It's really flown by... luckily, it's in the good way.

Today was a slightly rough one. I woke up with a burdening sense of loneliness, and it was hard to shake off since it's been building over the past week. Being around my students didn't really help (though A gave me a really sweet note "I like you as my tchaer [sic] Miss F" with a picture of me having an appendage growing out of my head which is supposed to be my hair in a ponytail avec hairclip)and the overwhelming heat in the building was not fun.

I know I'm always more reflective around my birthday... and I think it's affected me more this year because I feel like it'll be a repeat of my first birthday in Boston. I don't want that to ever be repeated. It was miserable. Here at home, my family just aren't big birthday people... but I've been spoiled while at college and grad school, my friends and I are...

I'll deal. At least I get to go up to Beantown a week before to be with C and C for Veteran's Day weekend.

Trying to teach fact families is like pulling at each little hair on your head. It's kinda annoying. If a kid can't add, then they surely ain't gonna get what a fact family is. 8+8 is 16. Not 7. And definitely not 9. Kids, use your FINGERS TO COUNT if you need to! Please don't give me another doe-in-headlights look!

Best quote:
"What ocean do we live next to, I?"
"[without flinching] The ENCHANTED LAKE!"
I pretty much had to have every nerve in my body restrain myself from busting out with an avalanche of laughter.

Since the second week of school, R has had a special place in my heart. She's a humble, bright girl with so much potential. Her mom is single, raising two girls by herself... her mom is so kind and really cares. She's a humble woman herself. The day I left for DC, I saw them in the parking lot, and that image was ingrained on my heart. It was rainy, and they were getting into a really rundown car. That did it for me. I really want to do something anonymously for Christmas for them... but I don't know how without looking sketchy. The advice I've been given so far is to talk to Mrs. W... Ms. L said she'd talk to her first to scope it out since they're best buds. I don't want to play favorites with my students, but she's one of the few students who doesn't show up in high-brand name clothes and doesn't complain about not having money (she accepts circumstances and does not let her be defined by it). Maybe her situation hit too close to home. I'm just praying I have the resources and wisdom to know what to do next. It has to be something.

All right, I need to take a shower and get to bed... tomorrow night, Miss EB, Miss P, and I are having our "Get to Know Our Students through CINEMA!" sleepover tomorrow night. We're going to watch "High School Musical" and "March of the Penguins." It'll be pretty funny... hopefully I can stay up that long. I'm normally knocked out by 10pm.

- Miss Chelsea :)