Tuesday, April 13, 2010

BRAINS!

Ok, maybe the zombies did munch on my brains just a little.  I have been pretty much unplugged this week with work madness (report cards, conferences, basic skills recommendations, annual review, classroom budget... PAPERWOOOOOOOOOOORK!  Oh and setting up for our big ol' Earth Week next week - but at least that's fun!)  We are having meetings out the wazoo to keep us posted about the budget crisis that we are in.  Right now, because of the governor's cuts, the district is cutting 50 teachers.  If the budget doesn't pass on the 20th, that numbers shoots closer to 150 and those of us left (thank god I am not being cut) will have class sizes that skyrocket from where we are now (I have 22 first graders now).  We are fighting to save jobs and programs and... well... it's a whole soapbox that I will spare you but it means a whole lot of meetings.  Next week I may be similarly unplugged with all of the same Real Job things, but hopefully after that, I will get back to my irregularly unscheduled but relatively frequent postings. :D

More on this soon, but I have to give a HUGE shout out to a few people who have made this crazy time a little easier by bringing sunshine and rainbows and happiness with awards and I have won a few REALLY AMAZING bloggy contests recently.  I can't WAIT to tell you about them because they have made me smile like crazy!!!  Thanks for checking in, guys, and I promise I will catch up with your blogs as soon as I can! :)

20 comments:

Amie McCracken said...

That budget cut thing sucks. Period. I hope you make it through. (22 6-year-olds is a few too many already.)

Anne Gallagher said...

Take it slow, take care of yourself, take all the time you need. Good luck with the meetings. We'll be right here when you get back.

Hannah said...

sure sure...I know you sunflower pods are preparing for an invasion but I'm on to you. I'm preparing myself with flamethrowers and an army of Fox Mulders.

Christine Danek said...

Take one thing at a time you will get there.

Talli Roland said...

We'll be here!:) Glad to hear your brain is still functioning and the zombies didn't eat all of it.

Anonymous said...

The budget cuts are affecting my work also. It's really a scary time for teachers and human services etc. etc. I'm pretty much strong arming everyone I see to vote on the 18th!!

L. T. Host said...

:( Hang in there... thank goodness you aren't being cut but I know that's a two-edged sword since they'll now expect you do to do more with less.

Come back to us when you can, we all understand that Real Life thing gets in the way sometimes :)

Paul C said...

Earth Week is a great way to make vital connections on environmental themes.

Cynthia Reese said...

Amazing how non-teachers in government positions think teachers can do their job without money. AAARGH. My sympathies are with you!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

One foot in front of the other...

Stephanie Thornton said...

Cutting teachers is never a good thing. My classes next year will be big, but I'll still have a job. That's a very good thing.

I hope next week goes easier on you!

Shelley Sly said...

Hope you have a good week and hang in there in all of this craziness!

And I agree, 22 is a pretty big number for first grade. Wow.

Jemi Fraser said...

They're cutting teachers here too. It's crazy. The kids are suffering & nothing's done because it's all about money. *sigh*

Anonymous said...

Fight the good fight. We're also going through cuts and new legislation in education.

Disgruntled Bear said...

Love your blog! I just nominated you for a beautiful blogger award on mine. Take care!

Lola Sharp said...

Congrats on winning that gold coin!

Here in NJ they are cutting the budget severely.

As Shannon said above, one foot in front of the other.

Watch out for the zombies...don't forget this most important rule: DOUBLE tap.

Unknown said...

Lola.... I teach here in NJ! :)

Roxy said...

Boy, have I missed your blog, Lindsey. You bring the sunshine, writer-lady. Good luck with your busy schedule. I'd keel over if I did all you do.

Rebecca T. said...

Missed you :)

Also, I'm having another owl contest and I was gonna drop you an e-mail, but you don't have one linked that I could find, so I'm dropping you a line here, because I know how devastated you would be if you lost out on the chance to win one :P

Get through everything and see you when you get back!

Unknown said...

Hope things get calmer for you soon.
Bigger class sizes are NOT what our kids need to succeed. Classes are already overcrowded.

Fight the good fight, and I hope you can minimize the damage.