MrsDoF's Dear Ones

Today the thermometer touched the number 80^o with the sun shining bright.  I worked in a room at a junior high where I can tell the kids have matured much over the past several months and are getting ready to be promoted to the high school.
Being one of the every-other weeks, and a Wednesday, this is community outing day.  I knew that when I took the job because the classroom routine gets tedious.

MMmmm, Bowling!  Although I can’t hang onto the ball since the surgeries on my hands, I am a really good cheerleader.  The B & B Center at the university easily makes accommodations like putting up the gutter protectors for the LD kids.

The most fun I had was the bus ride.  We had to pass over streets near ISU, and with the weather being great, well, the college students were outside working on the beginnings of a fine tan.

A lovely sight in the Spring—20 year old guys without shirts, and pretty girls walking along in sundresses.
I tells ya, at age 20, humans are beautiful.

There I was on a school bus with kids who are just getting started on the looking.  Some boys were watching sunbathers beside a kiddie pool.

While we were at a STOP sign, I could tell the girls across the aisle had great interest in the bag toss game happening in the yard of the fraternity house.

One boy mentioned to our college age student intern he “caught her lookin” whereby she straightened her back indignantly announcing she is engaged
and Not. looking. at. all.

I brought up a rather dry tone of voice and said
“Just because you are on a diet doesn’t mean you can’t read the menu”.

The other TA, the bus driver, and the Lead Teacher, all busted up laughing.  The poor intern found herself in the middle of an age sandwich, but she is learning to take it all in stride.
She should end up as one of the gooduns.

all done writing now supper to get ready

~~love and Huggs, Diane

The SubFinder computer system had no job openings last night before I went to bed.  I guess cold and ‘flu season is passing.  No phone calls at the crack of dawn, and the same blank screen when I logged in this morning.

I did the usual morning routine, then poured a second cup of tea.  Looked like I would have a day off.

The phone rang at 7:27^am, and my answer was responded to with the automated voice.

Yay!  the elementary school where my sons had attended—the school building closest to our house.  And I would be working in the Pre-K room, with the youngest students in our school system.

I was expected to be there at 8^am so that was the quickest shower I’ve had in a long time.  My school bag was all ready to go, so I stuffed it into my backpack.

I rode my bicycle to the school.  I wish I had a nickel for each time I’ve had my bike going that route in the last 22 years.  This time tho, I was going to an actual job.

The office assistant seemed amazed to see me.  She said there has never been a Substitute available in Pre-K before, usually they do without or split duties or something.

What a great day to be a TA Sub!  the class was going on a field trip to the fire station!  talk about some excited munchkins.  We had to make sure everybody went to the potty before we got on the bus.

It was a short ride, about a mile, but my main concern was there are no seatbelts on the big schoolbus.  I believe some folks are working to legalize that requirement.

The fire station was great.
We got to see the ladder truck, and the pumper truck, and each of the kids got to walk through the ambulance and pat the oxygen tank.  The teacher took a picture of each child sitting behind the steering wheel.

The living quarters are just little cubicles with a twin bed and night stand in each.  There are personal lockers in another room.  There are 3 refrigerators in the kitchen, one for each team of firefighters.
The tv room has NINE recliner chairs, and several kids said that getting to rock in the big chair was the most fun part of the whole trip.
The statue of the dalmatian dog received several caresses.

The radio calls was loud, and the phone rang often.

And everybody was disappointed there is only one floor at that fire station, so there is no pole to slide down like in the movies.

Back in the classroom, I set about doing TA work like spraying disinfectant on the tables, setting up snack, tying shoelaces, while the teacher did Circle Time, which was asking each child about the favorite part of the trip.

Her cell phone rang, and it was the regular TA.  She had her car towed to a repair shop and had a borrowed car and was on her way in.

We went outside for recess.  I was pushing the swings for a half hour.  Only one 4 year old of the bunch knows how to pump her legs on the swing to keep going.
And I learned that one of the girls had been in my care in the baby room when I worked at the daycare center.
Life does go on.

Then it was time to gather book bags and papers and be ready for the bus.
I had 7 names on my list, and they all got where they needed to be.

I was free to go.  They would be doing the same trip with the afternoon class, but my energy was gone by the time I put my bicycle in the garage.

Days like this is how a TA Sub earns the paycheck.

~~love and Huggs, Diane

For years, folks have often poked fun at my sensitivity (read that as active dislike) of perfumes, potpourri, air fresheners and their ilk.
Some have even hinted that it is annoying to be with me during certain situations because of my breathing problems.

Today I was on schedule to work 8^am to 12^noon as a TA one-on-one with a 6^th grade student.  I won’t say Sub because the position is newly created and nobody has been hired permanently.  Actually, since I am already Certified as an Educational Paraprofessional, I was the first TA they asked, but I like setting my own hours for being available as a substitute.

Anyway, the kid and I got through class hours 1 and 2 and 3, and managed pretty well, aka I didn’t nag and he didn’t sass.

Between 3^rd and 4^th hour, he refused to go straight from his locker to the classroom.  He walked down to the end of the hall and back twice.  I waited by the door of the room, and he was willing to enter just as the bell sounded.

I got about 10 steps inside, myself, and realized I had a problem.
Air Fresheners for smell, every inch of wall space was covered with posters, the Smart Board projector was on and glaring.

This was a Math class, yet no way would my ADD mind be able to concentrate.

My first priority was the air fresheners.  My throat was already beginning to close, my eyes to water.

I got back out into the hallway just as a Resource Teacher was coming in.  She realized there could be a medical problem as I slid down the locker and sat on the floor, gasping for breath.

As she knelt beside me, she reached for my bag, asking if I had an inhaler.
I shook my head, that I would be a okay, I got out of the room quick enough.
The air fresheners caused an allergic reaction.

Then the sneezes started.  It’s so embarassing to sneeze 12 times in a row, each one a bit louder than the last, especially when the hall is echoing.

I sat there for a couple minutes, then as I got to my feet, I told her I didn’t think I could go in there and sit.  She said someone else had turned off the air fresheners in the outlets, but yeah, the smell would still linger.

Since I was to be done by Noon anyway, she would cover the last 45 minutes.

I slowly made my way to the Nurse’s Office.  I mentioned to her that a public school building has standards for indoor air quality, and so I was not expecting this situation at all.  And this is one that a teacher maybe should comply.

I wiped my nose and upper lip with an alcohol swab, and waited a few minutes before trying to drive home.

Even outdoor air in the parking lot could not undo the effects.  I’m tired, and my ribs ache from forcing out sneezes.

My plans for a fun afternoon off have been altered.

I need a nap.

Diane