The present....

It’s 12:17AM…..I can’t sleep…..not even a wee bit tired……I had an adrenaline rush this evening around 8:00…..if I didn’t get spooked so easily, I would go to work!

The summer phase of Carpe Diem has been up and running for a week, now. Numbers are lower than expected, which is quite a shock to us since there were waiting lists in the spring.  But its ok….I am sure come fall, the numbers will pick back up again. I was reminded last week by two different people that numbers are just numbers. What matters the most is the children that are enrolled at the present time. 

It’s very easy to lose focus of what is in front of you. Just this past weekend, I was thinking…..4 weeks left of the summer phase….5 weeks until classes resume……8 weeks until Phase 2 begins…..

The funding is only guaranteed for 2 more years…..I need to keep focus on the present….I love what I do, too much, to rush this time!

So let’s focus on the present…..we have 3 sites running this summer. Each site has 4 classrooms….at 2 of the sites, we are working with children that will be entering kindergarten in the Fall. This is a great opportunity to help build their school readiness skills.  

Our staff is following a curriculum this summer and will continue to do so in the fall. Lesson plans are submitted weekly for review….just like a school ;)

Last week, the students at each site enjoyed a week long session with an artist and this week and next, the students will be going on field trips.

Math, literacy, and physical activity instruction takes place each day. Students continue to enjoy a healthy snack/breakfast and lunch.

Hmmm....I kinda like focusing on the present.....

Carpe Diem!

-Amy

All In a Year!

What a difference a year makes!

……Last year at this time, I was finishing up coursework for my principals certification. I was ready to move on from my current position as a first grade teacher….I was ready to take on the task of a building administrator…..but there were no openings to be found…..

……This summer, I am aware of at least 3 elementary principal openings…all within a 10 mile radius. Matter of fact, the rumor this weekend was that I am going to be the principal at one of the schools.

When I heard that news, I thought for a minute….Where were all these openings last year? But as soon as that thought crossed my mind, another thought came swirling past….I’m glad there weren’t!

I’m glad there weren’t openings last year because if there were, I probably wouldn’t be where I am at today….and as much as I want to help change the world, where I am today is one part that I do not want to change!

Carpe Diem!

-Amy

Flashbacks!

This past week, I had couple of flashbacks…..

-       I entered the room surrounded by white boards with dry erase markers of many different colors. I was there to create the specials schedule for Phase 2. I instantly remembered the time I spent creating the schedule for Phase 1. That schedule didn’t work out so well. As I began working on the schedule, I hoped that it would work out better than Phase 1’s schedule…I began to pace. But then I stopped. I realized that if it didn’t it would be ok…..we have learned to adjust quickly…..we have learned to be flexible….we have learned that there may be a need for Plan B or Plan C or Plan D….as of now, we have not needed a Plan E but I am sure the time will come!

-       Along with the specials schedule, came the class rosters and lesson plan format and emergency contact form. Made me think back to the beginning of the school year….our first faculty meetings….opening up that folder to find that class list and when my students would go to gym, etc. By May, I was always ready for the year to come to a close, but come August, I was always ready to begin, again. 

-       The quietness of the building made me think back to the August evenings I would spend in my classroom. I chose evenings because no one would be around and I could get so much more work done! The classroom preparation was one of my favorite times of year…..from the larger details of arranging the students desks to the smallest detail of  what I would use as a pointer……it all had to be just right….for it was where my students would spend the next nine months….where they would develop that love of learning…..

In about 7 weeks, teachers will be putting the final touches on their classrooms. But in the next 2 weeks, we will put the final touches on Phase 2 of Carpe Diem. On July 16^th, we will welcome approximately 140 students and engage them in Math and Literacy activities. We will nourish their bodies with a healthy snack and a balanced lunch. We will expand their minds through educational field trips. We will encourage them to do their best. We will prepare them for the upcoming school year. 

We will do a lot….and as we do….we will see a change…..

Carpe Diem!

-Amy