Both the Texas State Senate and the House have passed bills controlling the dates which Texas schools must start and end. The new law says that Texas schools cannot start before the Tuesday after Labor Day and must end by June 7th. (Starting the 2006-2007 school year.)
Most adults would happily agree to this plan. After all ... when they went to school that is how it was!! In fact, when I went to school in the 60's and 70's in Illinois ... we started after Labor Day and ended before Memorial Day ... and I got a pretty solid education. We even had 2 weeks at Christmas and all kinds of days off during the year ... Columbus Day .... Veteran's Day .... Lincoln's B-Day .... Washington's B-Day .... and a Spring Break around Easter time.
HOWEVER .... and this is a BIG POINT .... we were not required by the State to have 180 school days. In fact ... when I first came here to Texas to teach, the state only required 170 school days per year. In my 22 years of teaching the State has quietly and carefully increased the length of the school year .... WITHOUT increasing teacher's salaries accordingly. Teachers have effectively had 3 weeks added to their workyear (10 days of classes and 5 Inservice days). The length of the school year has increased and we have been backing up the start date to earlier and earlier in August. Where else do we get 3 extra weeks of school? ( I would prefer to go to school in August and not go to school in June rather than vice versa.) But now those 3 extra weeks will have to come from somewhere else ....
Parents will not even notice the negative effects of this new legislation until they start making plans for Thanksgiving. Under the new law ... schools have to fit all 180 school days and 7 teacher inservice days into the time between Labor Day and June 7. What that means is there will be no more days off during the school year. If families want to travel for Thanksgiving, they will need to travel ON Thanksgiving Day. Christmas Holidays will start Dec. 24th and end Jan. 2 .... no more 2 week Christmas breaks. Spring Break is totally canceled under this plan. (I'll bet we still have MLK Day, though!)
Does your church plan ski trips over Spring Break? Not any more. Does your family take a nice vacation over Christmas? Not any more. Will parents still try to do these things? YOU BET!! They will take kids out for a week here or a week there. Thanksgiving will be a week break, whether school is meeting or not. Schools' Average Daily Attendance (ADA) will suffer and that is one of the big criteria the State uses to send schools MONEY.
I personally am very glad that I have made the decision to leave Public Schools. I NEED those breaks during the year. Those are sanity breaks. I predict that with fewer days off during the school year, there will be more incidents of school violence .... but this time it will be the teachers causing the problems!!
Students need those breaks too.
It will be much better for me to watch from the sidelines as everyone tries to deal with the fallout of this new law.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Thursday, May 12, 2005
A Bit of Pride ....
I am very proud of a young man named Deron Williams. I am also very proud of a young man named Bracey Wright. Both of these gentlemen went to The Colony High School where I teach. I had Deron in class when he was a sophomore (Geometry). I did not have Bracey as a student.
Now .... if you are not familiar with NCAA Basketball, you probably don't recognize these two names. However .... they might become American household names soon! Kinda like Shaq ... or Magic ... or Michael Jordan! Both Deron and Bracey are going into the NBA this year.
Deron just finished his Junior year at University of Illinois .... Illinois did rather well in March Madness this year .... finishing 2nd overall ... and Deron was praised by many, including Sports Illustrated, as being the most complete basketball player in the NCAA .... he has it all.
Bracey just finished his Junior year at Indiana. Bracey was the star here at The Colony .... but injuries sidelined him a bit for Indiana. Still, he was a standout player for them .... standout enough to be able to go for the NBA draft this year!
Both Deron and Bracey were at TCHS today .... working out in the Big Gym. I went down to see them, but I couldn't get past the doorway to the gym. Coach Ryan ... head boys BB Coach here now ... was Asst. BB Coach when Deron and Bracey played here .... Coach Ryan stopped me at the door and explained that they were having an intense work-out with a couple friends of theirs and they didn't need to be disturbed. Basically he was being a "Bouncer" for them! He even had the TCHS cop in there (and he wears a gun!) I really just wanted to shake Deron's hand and tell him how proud I am of how well he has handled himself .... but I settled with leaving my new business card with Coach Ryan to give to him. I probably won't hear from him, but I tried.
When I had Deron in class he told me that his plan was to play for the NBA. He told me he was going to be the next Kobe Bryant .... (probably not a very good plan now, Deron) ... who at the time was new to the NBA just out of High School. I laughed at him .... but then he showed me online how the North Carolina Tar Heels were recruiting him already .... and he was just a sophomore at the time!!
He and Bracey went on to lead the TCHS Cougars to State their senior year ... with a Basketball team of only 8 players. This is a Texas 5-A school ... that means BIG. They finished 2nd that year ... at State. Deron and Bam (another starter on the team) invited me to their end-of-year Banquet ... and the Illinois Head Coach was the Guest Speaker. I felt pretty special, I must say. I was listed as the Favorite Teacher on the BB Program by 3 of the players (including Deron) and got invited to the Banquet. That was cool.
I just want to say ... I am really proud of these two young men.
Their Head Coach from high school .... Tommy Thomas .... told me once that they were two of the most naturally talented players he has ever seen. He coached them and advised them and guided them all through high school and beyond. These two young men could have gotten so full of themselves .... so conceited .... so self-righteous .... but they didn't. They both went to Big 10 Colleges. They both started on their respective teams their freshman year. They have both been featured in Sports Illustrated magazine.
Deron has been the one I have seen play the most. When Tom and I went shopping for a wide screen TV Deron was playing for Illinois on all the TV's in all the stores we went to. I sat and watched him play .... him and all his tattoos ... while Tom talked to the salesmen. I told everyone who would listen that I used to teach him!
I love going to our local sports bar and glancing up at one of the TV's and catching sight of Deron or Bracey playing.
Through it all ... Deron and Bracey seem to have kept very cool heads upon their shoulders. And now they will be going through the NBA draft. That is so COOL! And I am so proud!
Now .... if you are not familiar with NCAA Basketball, you probably don't recognize these two names. However .... they might become American household names soon! Kinda like Shaq ... or Magic ... or Michael Jordan! Both Deron and Bracey are going into the NBA this year.
Deron just finished his Junior year at University of Illinois .... Illinois did rather well in March Madness this year .... finishing 2nd overall ... and Deron was praised by many, including Sports Illustrated, as being the most complete basketball player in the NCAA .... he has it all.
Bracey just finished his Junior year at Indiana. Bracey was the star here at The Colony .... but injuries sidelined him a bit for Indiana. Still, he was a standout player for them .... standout enough to be able to go for the NBA draft this year!
Both Deron and Bracey were at TCHS today .... working out in the Big Gym. I went down to see them, but I couldn't get past the doorway to the gym. Coach Ryan ... head boys BB Coach here now ... was Asst. BB Coach when Deron and Bracey played here .... Coach Ryan stopped me at the door and explained that they were having an intense work-out with a couple friends of theirs and they didn't need to be disturbed. Basically he was being a "Bouncer" for them! He even had the TCHS cop in there (and he wears a gun!) I really just wanted to shake Deron's hand and tell him how proud I am of how well he has handled himself .... but I settled with leaving my new business card with Coach Ryan to give to him. I probably won't hear from him, but I tried.
When I had Deron in class he told me that his plan was to play for the NBA. He told me he was going to be the next Kobe Bryant .... (probably not a very good plan now, Deron) ... who at the time was new to the NBA just out of High School. I laughed at him .... but then he showed me online how the North Carolina Tar Heels were recruiting him already .... and he was just a sophomore at the time!!
He and Bracey went on to lead the TCHS Cougars to State their senior year ... with a Basketball team of only 8 players. This is a Texas 5-A school ... that means BIG. They finished 2nd that year ... at State. Deron and Bam (another starter on the team) invited me to their end-of-year Banquet ... and the Illinois Head Coach was the Guest Speaker. I felt pretty special, I must say. I was listed as the Favorite Teacher on the BB Program by 3 of the players (including Deron) and got invited to the Banquet. That was cool.
I just want to say ... I am really proud of these two young men.
Their Head Coach from high school .... Tommy Thomas .... told me once that they were two of the most naturally talented players he has ever seen. He coached them and advised them and guided them all through high school and beyond. These two young men could have gotten so full of themselves .... so conceited .... so self-righteous .... but they didn't. They both went to Big 10 Colleges. They both started on their respective teams their freshman year. They have both been featured in Sports Illustrated magazine.
Deron has been the one I have seen play the most. When Tom and I went shopping for a wide screen TV Deron was playing for Illinois on all the TV's in all the stores we went to. I sat and watched him play .... him and all his tattoos ... while Tom talked to the salesmen. I told everyone who would listen that I used to teach him!
I love going to our local sports bar and glancing up at one of the TV's and catching sight of Deron or Bracey playing.
Through it all ... Deron and Bracey seem to have kept very cool heads upon their shoulders. And now they will be going through the NBA draft. That is so COOL! And I am so proud!
5-13-05 .... Deron and Bracey were back here today practicing with DEREK HARPER. I guess he is giving them a few pointers. Derek graduated from the University of Illinois, too. Went NBA in 1993.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
NINE School Days Left ....
Actually 8.5 days and 20 minutes .... I'm still in 4th period
It took me 45 minutes to get to school yesterday and today ... and I only live 10 miles away. Normally it takes 20-30 minutes ... traffic is killer in the DFW metroplex area. They are building a new toll-road to replace the road I drive to work on every day .... another good reason to quit working in The Colony! I'd probably have to pay toll to get here and then home every day!
Day 2 of Referral's Threatened has gone well so far. A couple of students are one more documentation away from being sent out. I have to have 3 documented cases of classroom disruption before I can send a student ... so I am building my cases.
I gave a Quiz today over the 1st two sections in Chapter 12 ... four students in my 1st period put their name on the quiz ... scribbled some guesses ... and turned it in .... making below a 20 for each of them. My question is .... why do they even bother to come to school?? I have asked them ... they say "Because the law says we have to!" So ... we make them come, but we can't make them learn!! The old "lead a horse to water ...." business.
Okay ... I am home now .... and it is bed time!
It took me 45 minutes to get to school yesterday and today ... and I only live 10 miles away. Normally it takes 20-30 minutes ... traffic is killer in the DFW metroplex area. They are building a new toll-road to replace the road I drive to work on every day .... another good reason to quit working in The Colony! I'd probably have to pay toll to get here and then home every day!
Day 2 of Referral's Threatened has gone well so far. A couple of students are one more documentation away from being sent out. I have to have 3 documented cases of classroom disruption before I can send a student ... so I am building my cases.
I gave a Quiz today over the 1st two sections in Chapter 12 ... four students in my 1st period put their name on the quiz ... scribbled some guesses ... and turned it in .... making below a 20 for each of them. My question is .... why do they even bother to come to school?? I have asked them ... they say "Because the law says we have to!" So ... we make them come, but we can't make them learn!! The old "lead a horse to water ...." business.
Okay ... I am home now .... and it is bed time!
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
10 School Days Left ....
WOW!! Today went pretty well! I started each class by holding up a pile of referral forms, with names and numbers of the "usual suspects" already written on them .... and telling the students that I wanted my last few days as a public school teacher to be peaceful.
It's sad I had to resort to that .... but dang, they sure did behave today!
I realized that I only have 4 more days of actual teaching to do .... then a day of review on Chap. 12 ... then a day for the test .... then a day to go out and do the Sidewalk Art Project ( http://photos.yahoo.com/cincin21 )..... then a day for Exam review .... and 2 days of exams!
I started moving out of my room today. Cleared off one bulletin board ... and loaded 4 boxes with books and took them out to my car .... now I gotta figure out where to put them here at home. People pass me in the halls and ask me "How many more days?" .... they know I am counting down. I think some folks are a little jealous. I sure would be!!
It's sad I had to resort to that .... but dang, they sure did behave today!
I realized that I only have 4 more days of actual teaching to do .... then a day of review on Chap. 12 ... then a day for the test .... then a day to go out and do the Sidewalk Art Project ( http://photos.yahoo.com/cincin21 )..... then a day for Exam review .... and 2 days of exams!
I started moving out of my room today. Cleared off one bulletin board ... and loaded 4 boxes with books and took them out to my car .... now I gotta figure out where to put them here at home. People pass me in the halls and ask me "How many more days?" .... they know I am counting down. I think some folks are a little jealous. I sure would be!!
Monday, May 09, 2005
Eleven School Days Left ....
Ten and a half to be exact. However, my students seem to think school ended after TAKS testing was over. I say that, but yet they did really well on the Trigonometry Chapter I taught them last week. They love learning "NEW" stuff. Today they were asking for more Trig .... but we are on to Chapter 12 and Circles and all their parts. They won't find this stuff as interesting as they found Trig. 90 minutes classes are too long this time of year.
I always get in a bad mood towards the end of a school year. Too many kids waiting until NOW to try to save their grades and they have grades in the 30's and 40's and 50's. They want me to come in earlier and stay later ... and I refuse to do that. I am already coming in early as it is ... and have been ever since they started failing .... but now they feel the pressure.
I do hate being in a bad mood at the end of school. This is my last chance to see some of these darlings and what they will remember of me is my being a shrew the last couple of weeks. I need to keep that in mind. What I really need to do is write-up the trouble-makers and get them out of my class for awhile. I'll send them to the office and 15 minutes later, they will be back in my class .... but maybe my point will be made?? Yep .... I think that is what I need to do. I don't usually send students to the office .... but at this point, they tend to take advantage of that fact!!
So here is your warning ... Isis, Anthony, James, Erica S., Crystal, Glenice, Chris, Jose .... and anyone else who wants to talk while I am teaching .... and talk instead of doing classwork .... Fair Warning!!
I always get in a bad mood towards the end of a school year. Too many kids waiting until NOW to try to save their grades and they have grades in the 30's and 40's and 50's. They want me to come in earlier and stay later ... and I refuse to do that. I am already coming in early as it is ... and have been ever since they started failing .... but now they feel the pressure.
I do hate being in a bad mood at the end of school. This is my last chance to see some of these darlings and what they will remember of me is my being a shrew the last couple of weeks. I need to keep that in mind. What I really need to do is write-up the trouble-makers and get them out of my class for awhile. I'll send them to the office and 15 minutes later, they will be back in my class .... but maybe my point will be made?? Yep .... I think that is what I need to do. I don't usually send students to the office .... but at this point, they tend to take advantage of that fact!!
So here is your warning ... Isis, Anthony, James, Erica S., Crystal, Glenice, Chris, Jose .... and anyone else who wants to talk while I am teaching .... and talk instead of doing classwork .... Fair Warning!!
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Twelve School Days Left ....
Eleven and a half, to be precise!
Been awhile since I have posted on here. Sorry about that, to my faithful readers! But ... I have been CONTENT. I have even been a bit HAPPY. I did officially resign my job on Tuesday .... so no going back now!
The Texas Legislature is just getting more and more ridiculous and with each new bill or ammendment, I get happier and happier that I have decided to leave public education. My 15 year old son will still have 3 years left at Lewisville High School. But I will keep a close eye on him and his education ... and I have friends who work there and will also keep an eye on him. I have no doubt that my husband and I can homeschool him if we need to ... but for now, he is doing just fine where he is.
I am about to start my normal Sunday routine of grading papers. I will probably spend 6 or 7 hours today (Mother's Day) grading the Test I gave on Friday as well as all the make-up work, absent work, and Test and Quiz corrections from the past week. Then I will spend an hour or so putting all of those grades into the computer.
Only 2 more Sundays after today. Yeah!!
My evening tutoring business has been picking up quite a bit lately ... and that is surprising to me! But, I am glad! Pretty soon my whole income will depend on tutoring and teaching from from my home! Any positive business flow is good.
I don't have any rants to go off on today. I did get a nice response from one of my students on my "Education is Wasted on Our Youth" post .... and that reminded me that I needed to be posting in here ... 'cause people are reading.
Been awhile since I have posted on here. Sorry about that, to my faithful readers! But ... I have been CONTENT. I have even been a bit HAPPY. I did officially resign my job on Tuesday .... so no going back now!
The Texas Legislature is just getting more and more ridiculous and with each new bill or ammendment, I get happier and happier that I have decided to leave public education. My 15 year old son will still have 3 years left at Lewisville High School. But I will keep a close eye on him and his education ... and I have friends who work there and will also keep an eye on him. I have no doubt that my husband and I can homeschool him if we need to ... but for now, he is doing just fine where he is.
I am about to start my normal Sunday routine of grading papers. I will probably spend 6 or 7 hours today (Mother's Day) grading the Test I gave on Friday as well as all the make-up work, absent work, and Test and Quiz corrections from the past week. Then I will spend an hour or so putting all of those grades into the computer.
Only 2 more Sundays after today. Yeah!!
My evening tutoring business has been picking up quite a bit lately ... and that is surprising to me! But, I am glad! Pretty soon my whole income will depend on tutoring and teaching from from my home! Any positive business flow is good.
I don't have any rants to go off on today. I did get a nice response from one of my students on my "Education is Wasted on Our Youth" post .... and that reminded me that I needed to be posting in here ... 'cause people are reading.
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