Entry #10 - Nov. 9, 1998
"Everything seemed harder this week, and I know it's because
of anxiety about our principal's impending departure. It's like a whole
other layer of stress has been added and it's just filtering down on our
work."
Coming back after a week away was an uphill battle. I had a different sub
every day so there was no continuity. My room was a mess. Books were everywhere
and anywhere. My refrigerator was emptied except for the carrots which were
thrown around and my worms which were still safely in their container. One
of the subs left me a long note about how much she liked my books and comments
which reminded me of a book report about one of the titles. She said, "
I couldn't put this one down...." I found myself wishing she had put
the book down and paid a little more attention to the kids!
Everything seemed harder this week, and I know it's because of anxiety about
our principal's impending departure. It's like a whole other layer of stress
has been added and it's just filtering down on our work.
I find myself dividing tasks into two groups, things to finish before he
leaves and things to get in place so they can be done after he leaves. Like
the dedication of the mosaic mural: it's getting moved up so we can have
it before he leaves. He was really supportive of the whole thing, worked
with the kids putting up tiles on our Saturday work session etc. It wouldn't
seem complete to have our celebration without him.
Then there's the science fair judging, which takes place ten days after
he leaves. In the past he's funded lunch for the judges and given me use
of the conference room all day. I needed to nail all of that down now, so
that there aren't any surprises the day of the event. As I'm writing this
these details sound like little things, but when you add them to the larger
issues of political and economic uncertainty you can almost feel the rug
as it's being pulled out from under you.
We had a school council meeting and our Cluster Leader came to discuss the
selection process for our next principal. We reviewed our criteria and our
school profile and had a lot of unity as parents, teachers and community
members about who and what we want. The question is, will we get it and
if so when? We'll get to interview and vote, which I realize is a luxury
that many schools don't have, but we don't know when. In the meantime, we'll
be assigned an acting administrator and it could be anyone from a rookie
to someone who's been retired or marking time in a back room downtown. Doesn't
exactly inspire confidence or energy for the next period.
On a brighter note, I had a good meeting with the principals of our Cluster's
three middle schools. The proposal for a network of "Ask the Girls"
clubs was adopted. It took a long time to bring all the folks in charge
together; we've been trying to meet since September, but we got the green
light! Our plan is to start with pilot groups of girls at the middle level
in Year One and then branch out to the upper and lower grades in the next
two years. Because the USI (Urban Systemic Initiative) is sponsoring us,
we're getting great materials like K'nex and LINX to introduce as non-traditional
design and technology activities. We're also going to bring the girls together
on two Saturdays for Cluster-wide events, one in the winter and one in the
spring.
I'm excited about the possibilities of this network. We're hopeful that
the combination of talking and support with hands-on science and tech activities
will push the girls ahead in terms of course selection and career paths.
We also hope to get some solid documentation that we can use with the staff
and parents in terms of the needs and aspirations of our female population.
My group of girls started yesterday. We had a small turnout so we used it
as an opportunity to plan for a larger kick-off. One of my former members
came back and plans to return. It was great seeing her and her visit underscores
the need for our club at the high school level. A fifth grader came too.
Wow, she's going to be some leader when she grows up. Usually fifth graders
are kind of quiet at first. Not Veronica -- she jumped right in and added
her input. It was great!
I could write more about science fair madness and other topics, but my grades
are due in a week and a half and there's a pile of papers that are calling
my name...ugh.
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