Ah...the weekend!

It is Saturday, blessed Saturday. The first day of the two-day weekend and a day that is just for me to do whatever I want. If you read my last blog, you'll see that I have just finished my first week as an employee of the Turlock Unified School District. As far as first weeks go, I think it has gone well. Each of my choirs has adapted to my strong, quick pace and, when I began enforcing the Tardy Essay yesterday, nobody had to write one.

For those of you who aren't students of mine, I will enlighten you about my tardy policy:

Students who arrive late to my class without an excused note must immediately write a five-paragraph essay. The first paragraph is an introduction. The second paragraph explains the reason for their tardy. Paragraph number three discusses the impact their tardy has on the educational process at Pitman High School, particularly the educational process in my classroom. The fourth paragraph addresses what their life will be like if they maintain this pattern of tardiness into adulthood. Finally, the fifth paragraph is a conclusion. I read the essay, keep a scanned copy for my records, then mail the essay home to their parents. Parents like this policy since it keeps them informed about tardies on an immediate basis and it amazes me how quickly students can move when they are motivated to not have to write that dumb essay! At Pitman, the students have seven minutes between classes with a one-minute warning bell, so I don't see how anyone can need to be late.

Anyway, back to my week. The kids at both Pitman High School and Turlock Junior High School are great! They're funny and friendly; they ask questions and seem to be engaged in what we are doing. I've added students to each ensemble and have lost just a few. I was worried but I'm not any longer. I recently heard someone say that they approach life, "like a duck...it's smooth on top but I'm pedaling like hell underneath." That's me!

I can't imagine that I will ever catch up with the five hundred gazillion things I have on my to-do list and if this 42-year OLD brain of mine ever learns the names of all these new kids, it will amaze me. But I have had an incredibly fulfilling, quite fun week in this new job and I'm happy that I took the leap to this new endeavor!

Monday, I got a call from the office that there was a delivery for me to pick up...when I got there, it was a lovely Anthurium Plant from Grace Lieberman. Don't you just love Grace; what an unexpected treat on my first, nervous new day. Here's what she wrote on the card:

"On your first day with new & hopefully talented kids - How lucky they are." I will love Grace forever for this sweet gesture of faith (I was going to love her forever even before this, anyway, I assure you)!

To my family, friends and current and former students, I say, "Thanks for your support." This change is a big one and I feel you right behind me. The first week has gone well; only 35 more to go...

P.S. JHS Vocal Music Students: I'm thinkin' about you and hoping for a great first week for you, too! Mrs. C is amazing and I'm so happy she's going to have the joy of you guys in her life...love her and learn all that she has to teach you, and...DON'T GET YOUR PANTIES IN A BIG FAT WAD! (Especially Kathleen)