Back to School Time is Within Reach

Can’t sleep…..nothing is weighing on my mind…..I just simply cannot sleep.  I am beginning to wonder if I could get away with sleeping every other night.

Back to school time is within reach. I always post how much I love my job. However, I want to make it clear that I didn’t hate my job prior to coming to Mercyhurst. I mean who could hate hearing, “Miss Bauschard” 100 times a day…..who could hate tossing a beach ball up into the air the exact number of days we’ve been in school…..who could hate doing the Cha-Cha Slide during a mid morning break…..who could hate having students repeat directions and at the end somehow always get them to repeat, “and we will do this because Miss Bauschard is the best” -  I would get them every time.! Who could hate having the opportunity to introduce a chair to a student who never seemed to being to stay in it. I loved the job I had before….I loved teaching first grade…..I loved each of the 6 classes that came through my door. I never dreamed of leaving. However, as much as I loved what I did, there were reasons that made me realize it was time to move on. 

Back to school time is within reach. The few weeks leading up to the first day of school were always my favorite. I took much time in setting up my classroom from the décor, to desk arrangement, to a pointer that went right along with the theme– it had to be just right….I mean, I was going to be spending 40+ hours a week in that space! That was one part that I really missed this year…at one point I thought was seeing if anyone wanted a classroom decorator….eh, maybe next year! The anticipation of a brand new year – the curriculum may have stayed the same, but each year a brand new group of students walked through my door. Each year, I had to do things differently to meet their individual needs. Each year, as my students learned, I learned.

Back to school time is within reach.  We have had time to sleep in, pin new ideas on Pintrest,  soak our feet in the sand, read a book or two, and the list could go on. As teachers, let’s not get boggled down by the endless paperwork, phone calls, and “Debbie downers”. Let’s  keep the excitement of back to school time within reach for the entire year – by doing that, you may just change the world for a child or two or more!

Carpe Diem!

-Amy

Summer Phase!

Phase 1

Here's a look back at Phase 1!

5 Weeks

In the past, my life as consisted of 2 phases….SuMmEr VaCaTiOn and The School Year….

However, lately, that has all changed! My life has consisted of several 5 week phases. The summer phase of Carpe Diem Academy just ended and in 5 short weeks, the year long phase will begin!

As I look back, I can’t help but think of ALL the students did during the summer phase….

-       Made new friends

-       Some became familiar with a new school

-       Gained confidence in reading and math

-       Reviewed and built upon content from the previous school year

-       Ran the bases at Jerry Uht Park

-       Picked tomatoes at the Mercyhurst Farm

-       Took a tour of Wegmans

-       Learned new dance moves

-       Exercised

-       Focused on manners during lunch

Thanks to an amazing staff of teachers and future teachers (who, in my eyes, already are teachers), for all that they did to make the students enjoy coming to school during the summer! Their dedication, creativity, and enthusiasm made the students come back each day with a smile on their face and an eagerness to learn!

Great things are happening at the Carpe Diem Academy and I am looking forward to all that the 2012-2013 school year will bring!

Carpe Diem!

- Amy

What to buy?

It’s been awhile since I posted….I am not neglecting you….I simply just don’t know what to write about….. My ideas for writing often come when I am out at the sites…..but since all the sites are always calm, I have been working at the office a little more….this week I have stayed at the sites for longer time periods….I want to be out there more but I also don’t want to be an interruption to the staff and students…..so basically I am still trying to find that happy medium!

We have 6 days left of the Summer Phase…..it seems as if we were just beginning Phase 1….the saying holds true….”Time flies when you are having fun!”.  Someone asked if I was working this summer and my response was, “No….well, kinda.”….just doesn’t seem right to classify what I enjoy doing as work. I know I blog about this often, but I just can’t get over it! I love my job! (I also don’t want you to think that what I do is easy….that I sit in the sand and work on my flip-flop tan…..there are stressful times…but those times make me stronger…..there are crazy times...but those times make me think on my feet……but the majority are happy times....and thats what makes me love my job, so much!)

Anyway…..

I have spent quite a bit of time shopping! Since the spring was spent getting up and running, supply purchases were done week by week….sometimes day by day….however, I wanted the upcoming year to be different. I wanted the supplies to be purchased so I will be able to spend less time shopping and more time focusing on the curriculum and needs of the students, staff and the program, in general.

During my many shopping sprees, I came to the realization that it is much easier for me to swipe my own plastic than it is to swipe the plastic belonging to Carpe Diem. Perhaps I put a little too much thought (I am known to do that!) into what I was buying…..

……Does it really matter what color the i-pad cases are? Many would say no….but to me…I must say yes!......

……In my cart I had a variety of colors….blue…green….clear…pink.....but then I began to picture what I would hear (I want the clear one. I want the blue one. I’m a boy, I don’t want the pink one. I’m a girl, I don’t want the blue one.)……but then I began thinking that they will just have to be happy with the color they get……but then I began thinking a little more…..we only have the students for 3 hours a day….the less interruptions, the better….sooo….out went the pink and clear cases and I ordered additional blue and green cases!

It’s easy for me to swipe my own plastic because I know what I want/need.  The difficult part for shopping for Carpe Diem is that I want what will be the best for the students….what will engage them?….what will benefit them the most in their learning?

On a side note, I must say thank you to all that assisted me while I was shopping at BestBuy! They were patient, professional, patient, generous, patient, helpful, and patient....Seeing that I was there until 10:00 and the store closed at 9:00, I just had to repeat patient a few times! I highly recommend BestBuy for all of your shopping needs….and make sure you ask for the Belt-Buckle Buddies for any assistance that you may need!

Carpe Diem!

- Amy

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

Freedom (and structure)

It’s been a couple weeks since I posted….I haven’t forgotten about ya’ll, I have just been having a difficult time gathering my thoughts to write an entry that is worth reading. Perhaps it is due to the freedom that summer brings…..the freedom to walk in flip-flops, the freedom to sit at the beach and read a book, the freedom to sit  outside and have a drink with friends……we need that freedom, we certainly do…..……but behind the freedom is the structure that must continue.

In 3 short weeks, Day 1 of Phase 2 will have come to a close.  The curriculum has been written, field trips have been finalized, buses have been scheduled, positions have been filled, enrollment continues to increase, and the list could go on….

While we finalize the plans for Phase 2, we begin the process of planning Phase 3. It’s an ongoing process. I have a feeling that this is the last week of the slow and steady work pace that I have come accustomed to for the past 6 weeks. But that is ok….I am ready for the craziness to begin!!!! But in the meantime, I will take advantage of the freedom that remains!

Carpe Diem!

-Amy