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Urghhh! I'm still at school- slow to get going...

I thought my head was going to explode today with all the collections and the questions that I didn't have the answers for...

The students were very cooperative when I told them that I couldn't think straight and helped by doing a bit of reading while I muddled through Purdy's, Regal, Sledgehockey, floor hockey and general housekeeping like attendance and who needed what to get them all started.
Thank-you to all parents and friends who supported the Purdy's PAC and the Camp Regal fundraisers we had very healthy returns. Merci.

By the way the Open House at Don Ross Secondary (May 13th) is from 6-8pm.

Homework is just the novel (I'll be glad when it's over!!) and to be perfectly honest some students aren't even bothering to read it and don't seem concerned.
I do not feel like fighting it as one of my mantras right now is all about choices students make and their need to face consequences of their choices - I think we all have to learn that lesson sometime and I would suugest learn it now rather than try it in grade eight. Hope you agree.

General Day
SRA reading lab/ reading time (novel or independent choice) as many students are now completed the mandatory level in the reading lab kit

Mae Palm visited and told the students about being in the torch relay for the Paralympics- she let them all hold the torch (everything was different for the Paralympics from the gloves and outfits the runners wore to the torches which were blue not white). She inspired the students by expalining how she learned to swim when she was 58 and at 70 years ols she is an ultra-marathoner and a world record holder for her age catergory in triasthlons and marathons worldwide- very cool :)

computer time- I had the students 'tune' into the Don Ross web site to become familiar with it and will follow this up with an assignment Monday

after snack, we had discussed the themes of identifying personal needs, making choices, empathy and kindness in Language Arts and Personal Planning (throughout this week) and began to watch the movie "Pay it Forward" about how passing on a favour to another (as oppose to repaying a person) can make a difference in your life and the lives of others.
I think the students enjoyed it - it was a bit long but we did some art throughout and for the most part the students seemed to watch. The boys thought it was too much of a tear jerker and a couple of us were in tears (always embarrassing for students (and teachers!) in class with their peers. The end was sad and reminded me how easy life can change when we step into help someone else only to find ourself in trouble. It's worth a watch if you haven't seen it or maybe just ask what your son or daughter thought about it.

Dance Lessons- hip, hop- we tried- the instructor goes too fast for me but the students seemed to be getting it although I'm not sure we're ready for a show or performance!!

finished the movie and ended the day with a quick look at next week...specifically
Monday 15- Lacrosse lessons 10-10:30am and Part 1 Drug and Alcohol Program 1-2pm
Tuesday 16- family groups in the am and Don Ross course selection 1-2pm
no school Friday BUT Paralympic Sledgehockey fieldtrip bus leaving at 10am to UBC (I have heard it will be a medal game)

Now I have to go home and start report cards for term 2 as next week is the last week. I knew I would have to hit the ground running in March but I'm having difficulty keeping up. Remember that clocks also go forward an hour this weekend- like I can afford to lose any more time !!!

Hope you have a realxing weekend- think of me and send some love- I'll need it
Mrs. J.