Snow Days Cause Havoc!

Normally, school staff are just as excited about snow days as their students are. This time, I found myself hoping that the snow would melt.

We have had 5 days of very wintery weather.  The snow started Thursday at about noon.  As the snow continued to fall, heavily, I decided that I had better prepare.  In case we didn't have school on Friday, I would need to be prepared for Monday.  Monday would be my last day at my current school and I wanted it to be a smooth sail.  I pulled all my books for my lessons.  I made sure all the returned books were shelved.  I cleared off my desk so I could see what the heck was going on! Then, I went home and watched the snow fall.

Sure enough, school was cancelled for Friday. The snow was beautiful but we didn't get to enjoy it.  Kaden had a gymnastics meet in Tacoma.  Jim was supposed to take him and I was staying to get work done.  Since I had the day off, I decided to go also.  We were a little worried about the snow and the trip up was a little dicey for the first part.  We got there and enjoyed the meet.  All during the meet my sister was texting me and telling me about all the snow that was falling in Portland.  We had originally planned to stay the night and come home Saturday but we looked at the weather reports and decided it would be better to come home Friday night.  The trip back was slow but otherwise uneventful.

Saturday was fun.  The kids and Jim went sledding, I took the dog for a walk in the snow.  I read a ton of my book and we just hung out and watched the snow.  By the end of the day we had about 8 inches of snow.  Then the freezing rain started.  When we woke up on Sunday morning, we had 8 inches of snow, topped by 1/2" of ice.  Driving was treacherous.  there wound up being no school on Monday either.

Unfortunately, Monday was supposed to be my last day and was supposed to be the day I trained my replacement.  That wasn't going to work!  I ended up working Tuesday at my old school, they had a sub at my new school and my replacement was able to be with me for most of Tuesday afternoon.  I don't feel like I trained her well at all, but at lease she got to see how I do things. 

I Knew This Day Would Come

Today was not a good day.  I started telling kids about my leaving yesterday.  I told them about the opening at O (Tyler, it isn't really important what she died of), about the kids needing someone good to take care of them and their library (Yes Jane, they probably could get someone else) , I told them I would still be around training the new person (No, Suzy, I don't know who she is yet.), how I am keeping my Sun School job, and just how much I was going to miss them all (No Peter, I'm not leaving because I don't like you guys). I tried to walk them through what to expect in the next few days and weeks.  I ended each explanation with telling them how awesome they are and how much I have loved getting to know them and read to them and talk to them.  The first class was 6th graders.  I have worked with these kids since they were in first grade.  These kids were my son's classmates before he changed grades. I know these kids well.  I like these kids. I did very well until the very end when I said I would miss them and I started crying. It hit me that I won't see these guys go to middle school or have them come back and visit once they do (our elementary school is right next door to the middle school and kids come in the say hi all the time.).   I also thought, "Oh no, I have 8 classes today, if I cry with every one I'm going to be a mess!"

I pulled it together and didn't cry again.  Yesterday.  Today, a different story.  I started with the first class and almost lost it with every class (I had 9 classes today).  The worst was the staff though.

I knew that people at my current job would be sad that I was leaving.  I've been there awhile.  I like to think I'm pretty good at my job and that my co-workers appreciate that.  I get that they would be sad.  What I wasn't expecting was the anger.  Not everyone mind you. But some. One in particular.  He had me in tears at lunch. I left and cried it out in the bathroom.

I really am very excited to go to my new job but I'm going to miss these people an incredible amount. 

New Job, New Adventure!

I got the job!! 

Can I just tell you how excited I am?  I have been having a lot of conflicting emotions.  I LOVE the job I'm at and leaving makes me a little teary.  But ever since I found out that I'm actually going, I've been just excited and much less teary.

I am going to stay at my current job until they hire a replacement for me.  That should be two weeks or so.  So, I have some time to finish things up and say good bye.  I will be able to do my book clubs without making the kids read ridiculously fast.  I will be able to leave some really good instructions for my replacement.  I asked if I would be able to help train the new person and my new boss said we could work that out.

Last night my current boss sent an email to all the staff at my current school, telling them that I had accepted the other position.  But she sent it at 6:30 on a Friday evening so most people didn't see it.  Tonight I posted on Facebook that I was changing jobs and, wow! did I ever get some responses.  Most people are glad for me but sad to see me leave.  Some are just sad to see me go.  I'm not friends with everyone at school on Facebook so I'm sure I will have people finding out on Monday.  Could be interesting.

This week, I get to tell all my kids that I'm leaving.  I have 8 classes on Monday and 9 classes on Tuesday so I will tell all the kids in the school in two days.  I will need to work on some "verbiage" to use so that they know I'm not leaving because of them and how much I love and appreciate them. 

It is going to be a very emotional week.

Little Library

I went and visited my "new" library today while I interviewed. I spent some time looking around and pulling books to look at. 

Here's what I realized.  This library is small.  Like really small.  I'm guessing about 2/3 the floor space of my current library.  And that floor space is chopped up with free standing shelves.  I stood there forever and tried to figure out how/where I would put my reading rug.  I'm still not sure how I'm would do it but I have a few ideas.  I did decide that I would not change anything for the first week, which was my original plan (I have spent a lot of time thinking about what I would do if I got the job).  I think I'm going to need more time to decide. Plus, I don't want the kids to freak out.  The former library manager died.  She didn't quit or move to Texas, she died.  And the kids loved her.  I'm afraid that if I make too many changes, too quickly, it will seem disrespectful. And they might hate me!

At my library, I am going ahead with the book clubs that I had planned before this whole thing happened.  The kids were SO excited and I didn't want to disappoint them.  If I end up getting the job,  I'll just squeeze it in however I can.  The 4th graders are going to do Charlotte's Web, the 5th graders are doing The Westing Game, and 6th graders are doing A Wrinkle in Time.

So, I'm off to go and read two books in the next several days.  And plan a new library.  And keep the one I'm at running smoothly.  And prepare my chess club lesson for tomorrow.  And help my kids finish their homework and tuck them in.  Then edit/proofread a chapter of the book I promised I'd edit/proofread for a friend.  Then? I think I'll collapse.

The Beginning of a New Adventure

I'm might be changing jobs.  I'm very excited.  I'm scared to death. I'm excited to possibly go to a new job.  I'm sad to leave my current job.  All at the same time.  Best decision ever? Worst?  We shall see.

First, some history.  One of the schools in our school district has been deemed a failing school.  Test scores have fallen and morale is low.  Last spring the principal of that school decided to step down and return to the classroom.  The district decided it was time to make some major changes in hope of turning the school around.  The principal of our school, L was chosen to lead the new school.  We were very sad to see her go.  She was, and is, a great boss.  As part of this change, the call went out to staff of the whole school district, "We are making great changes at O Elementary.  If you want to come and help change the world, let us know."  A few people from our school, and staff from all over the district decided to help O be the best it can be.  I volunteered to go to O and take over the library there.  My principal said she would love to take me.  The district decided not to make any support staff changes as there was going to be so much change in other places.  So, I stayed in my current job, which, I might add, I love.

Fast forward to Christmas break.  The current Library Manager of O Elementary died suddenly and very unexpectedly.  This leaves an opening for the very position I volunteered to move to last spring.  Should I go?  Should I leave?  I have started so many new projects at my current job and I'm really happy now.  I decided that if they asked me to go, I would say no.

Then, they actually asked me. Well, not they exactly, but some people did.

The new district librarian said she thought it would be great for me to come. (Not that she has any say in who the principal ultimately picks)  My really good friend Mara, who had moved over this fall, really wanted me to come. But I could have said no to all of that, had they not played dirty.

The district librarian, Riva,  and I have been exchanging emails about new ideas we would like to implement at our schools and changes we would like to make if we had the time and permission.  Riva says, "Jill, L says the new person and I can make any changes we want.  We could build this library to be anything we want. We could pilot all those ideas we've been talking about.  We could really make a difference there!"

Well.

I said I would think about it.  I called my sister and asked her advice.  I called my dad and asked his advice.  I talked for a very long time with my husband. I even asked my kids' opinion. 

I have a lot of flaws in my life, but I am really good at my job.  I LOVE what I do.  I have a passion for books and kids and literacy for kids.  I think libraries play a huge role in academic achievement.  Even though I am not a licensed librarian, I have worked hard to make my current library part of the academic achievement of my students.  Increasing circulation of books.  Increasing the diversity of the collection.  Supporting the reading goals that are being taught in the classrooms.  Working hard at matching each kid with the perfect book. And, hopefully, inspiring a love of books.

My sister said, "You have been given skills and gifts and you need to use them to bless other people.  Go bless the kids at O."

My dad said, "You're good at your job? Maybe you should go out and prove it."

My husband said, "I'll support you no matter what you do. And either school you work at, kids win." (See why I married him?)

My kids said, "Yeah, whatever."

Not really, they said I should go for it.

So, I went and visited the new school (I had never been there), scoped out the library, ran into friends I knew who I didn't realize worked there.  And decided.  I would apply.

Now, I'm in limbo and on an emotional roller coaster.  They have to post the position and I'm not really talking about applying until it is officially posted and I've actually applied.  So, no one at my current job knows I'm thinking of leaving. But I do.  Every time some kid comes and talks to me I think about leaving them.  Some fellow staff member asks about my weekend and I think about all the friends I have there and I get sad.  Then, Reva emails me about some idea we could try and I get excited again.  The going is exciting.  The leaving is sad.

But either way, I may be embarking on a big new adventure. Follow along.

Positive Attitudes

Today I am grateful for positive attitudes.  We took C to a new therapist today and I was nervous.  She really, really doesn't like her current therapist (and hasn't liked a several of her previous therapists either).  I was worried that she wouldn't like this one either.  We have been told that this program is the program that can help C.  We had to get on a really long wait list to be admitted to the program.  What if she hates it?  What if she refuses to participate?  But she really liked the therapist and is excited about the program!  Yay! 

In another positive attitude story, I got a call from my father today.  My dad has been suffering from COPD for several years.  It is painful to listen to him breathe but he hasn't let it slow him down much.  The last week, though, has been much, much more difficult.  He went to the pulmonologist today and he was told he will now have to be on oxygen.  He will have to carry around an oxygen tank with him.  I was very disappointed by the news.  My dad?  He has a surprisingly good attitude.  "It wasn't what I wanted to hear, but it could have been so much worse and it wont be that bad." While it doesn't change the situation, his attitude makes it so much easier to for me to deal with the situation.

Thankful for positive attitudes.  A reminder to watch my own attitude!

Family

Today I am grateful for family.  It was a fun night at my sister's house.  A party that started as a small gathering that ended up expanding to include people we don't usually get together with.  All to celebrate the 95th birthday of our "Grandma Lois."  I put that in quotes because she isn't actually grandmother to most of us anymore.  Her daughter was my father's second wife.  They divorced but remained friends until her unexpected death a few years later.  Grandma Lois just remained a part of the family.   She enjoyed the party tonight in her honor.  There was lots of good food, great conversations, cousin bonding, and catching up. 

I am so lucky that I live in the same town with pretty much all my family.  We see each other often.  My father is involved in his grand children's lives.  I help out my dad when he needs it. My kids are friends with their cousins.  My sister and I make impromptu lunch and shopping dates.  I'm not sure what I would do if I could only see them a couple of times a year.

So, today, I am thankful for family.  The crazy and the great.