Stuff, etc.

Today rolled along like any other Monday. It's the beginning of a new six weeks, so we've got some new things lined up in class. Starting a new novel is one of my fav things, and I think my classes are going to like our upcoming one. Plus, my sixth grade classes have started an impromptu research "project" of the effects of recess on school kids and their grades, behavior, etc. Have I mentioned how much I love my sixth graders this year? They are a serious group of go-getters. L.O.V.E them!! In other school news, one of my sixth graders lost his mom last week, and he was back at school today. He's one of those kids that the other kids kind of overlook a lot, but I was so proud of how good the other students were today and how careful they were to include him in things and to give him space (at the same time) when they thought he'd need it. Overall, kids can be by far more naturally good at these things than adults. It's heartbreaking, but I think this boy has a great group of peers around him that care about him. Not to exploit any private moments, but we gave our 6th graders and teachers one night's notice to bring a handful of quarters, a dollar, whatever they could spare to donate to the family to cover bills, etc. We took up a shocking amount of money from our students (and we're a low income school.) Last week the lower grade teachers who have one of the family's kids covered a meal, and the teachers at my campus will cover a meal for the family this week. I just wish we could help make this little guys life a little easier down the road. A meal seems so inconsequential when you consider what the family has lost. Anyway. It's sad.
This is Texas Public Schools Week, or some such nonsense, so I went to the cafeteria this a.m. to have a "Muffin For Mom." Couldn't they just celebrate TPSW by giving teachers a pay raise? I'm sorry...was that out loud?
Gym went okay tonight. Sophy's new coach makes them do push ups when they complain or grumble. She learned her lesson the hard way last week, but this week she was able to keep her mouth shut and work without sharing the contents of her thoughts. Haha. Poor child. That's a hard lesson to learn. Trust me. I know whereof I speak.
The rest of the week...hhhhmm. Wedding shower, parent conference (for MY child,) parent conference (for SOMEONE ELSE'S child,) Donuts For Dad, Biscuits for Grandparents, haircut appointment for the boys, pancakes at Strawns on Friday night, hhhmmm...anything else? Can't recall.
I'm looking forward to not doing much this weekend, if memory serves. Seems like I might be forgetting something, but for now, it feels good to forget whatever it is and pretend like I'll be home all weekend to do NOTHING! I hope I'm right about that!