Category Archives: the coffeepot’s on

>A Rough Day at School — Made Better

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It wasn’t a bad, bad day.
It wasn’t a terrible, horrible, no good very bad day.
It was just lousy. One lousy rotten piece of luck after another, each piled on the one previous, never letting up.
And there was a gentle snowfall, too – just enough to get the students bouncing off the (I wish they were padded sometimes) walls.

But through the clouds of my school day, a few rays of sunshine appeared. They didn’t stay long, but seeing them was enough for hope.

My wallet was empty. Empty!! I’d given La Petite and Amigo money for a movie and forgotten to refill it.
It was Starbucks day. One of my colleagues uses a strategically scheduled prep period to visit Starbucks. She takes all of our orders and collects the money and brings in, midday, a delectable and caffeinated treat.
But my wallet was empty.
She bought me a 16 oz. Pike Place blend anyway. I’ll pay her tomorrow. It’s like a hug with a little zip.

I rushed out the door, stopped in the bathroom to take off my turtleneck (flu shot clinic), reheated my Starbucks (see above), and zoomed down to the door where La Petite was waiting with the car.
She had French Fries from Wendy’s.
I forgot my purse.
But my wallet was empty, anyway. Did it matter? Yes. The flu shot consent forms were in it.
We had to come back to school.
But it gave daughter an extra minute or two to finish her Wendy’s sandwich, and we were close enough to school that it didn’t really put us behind.

On our way to the flu shot clinic downtown, we found a good parking space – with time on the meter!! We added a few coins in case there was a long line for the vaccine.
There was almost no line when we arrived.
The shots didn’t hurt – much. Public Health nurses are very good at this.
As we left, I noticed we were leaving 33 minutes on the meter for the next lucky person.

When we got home, I found an unexpected bonus in my purse: a slightly squashed snack size Almond Joy bar! The best thing about this? No one else in the house likes coconut; I didn’t have to share.

I think I can face school tomorrow after all. Just remind me to stop by the ATM to refill my wallet, okay?

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>In answer to the rhetorical question "How was your day?"

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>If I really described my workday in detail, it would be so jargon-filled that only small portions would be understandable by the greater public at large. Let’s try anyway.

It was benchmark day. With Title I and REACh funds, we formally benchmarked reading levels for each and every student in our school building. We’ll do it again in January and May. Today was my day to write sub plans, copy my word lists, and participate in benchmarking my class.
How’s that so far? Not bad, eh? Let’s go on.
My sub would need the multimedia cart to show a Safari piece for science. He’d also be teaching a make-words vocabulary activity and a personal narrative lesson in taking brainstorming sessions and focusing on one seed moment.
Meanwhile, I reviewed the differences in Rigby benchmarks vs. Fountas and Pinnell and how that would affect my levelled reading program in fiction and informational. We discussed formulas for calculating error rate, self-correct rate, WPM speed, fluency, comprehension rate, and instructional vs. independent levels. Then the bell rang, and we were on.

I pulled the benchmark kit out of the reading specialist’s office, organized my workspace in a corner of the instrumental music room, and called my first kiddo to read for me. Using the intermediate kit and the adaptive calculator for reading rate, I benched her, sent her back, then calculated the data I needed while she and the next student walked the halls. Error rates, meaning based or visual, all were important tools for planning instruction. That’s the heart of assessment, isn’t it? But I digress.

I finished the second student and then sent him out for recess. I was on my way to ask the Title I Reading teacher about comparing comprehension and fluency rates in an when the 6th grade teacher almost ran past me. “Georgia’s going to Starbucks. Do you want anything? Of course you do!”

I reached the Title teacher in her cubby within the library and asked her about satisfactory vs. excellent comprehension scores, extending rather than literal comprehension, and what counts and what doesn’t as additional information in the retell. Text to self connections and the less common text to text connections are the best options for extending the retell beyond the literal. Then she redirected me into the speech/ language room because the SLP (not the PSL) was going to Erbert and Gerberts to pick up lunch. Would I like anything? I’d brought a lunch, but this sounded better, and I could add up the cost without analyzing fluency, so I said yes, please, and I’ll take the avocado on top.

With lunch on the way, I was momentarily distracted by the library media specialist having trouble with the large Monovision monitor that attached to our computers. She and I troubleshooted (troubleshot?) and found out that we needed to reset the screen resolution and one other display option before it would work. Then we rebooted, observed, and shouted woo-hoo! so loudly that the kids coming back in from outside heard us and stared. I can just imagine: “There they go, bouncing around the computer monitors again. What is this, some kind of celebration dance?” If they only knew.

My day? Pretty good, all in all. Unique, to say the least. I can’t wait for tomorrow.

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>Coffee, of course.

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>Last year I chronicled my vacation in a journal of daily coffee consumption. I know some of you must be wondering, “Daisy! You went to Seattle, the birthplace of Starbucks! Did you not partake of the local fare? The local drinks? The coffee, of course!!”

Yes.

Yes, I did. In fact, I documented a few in pictures. I picked up a Big Train Choco Chip Latte from this place, conveniently located across the tracks from the first Amtrak station. It was delicious: a good omen for starting the trip.

On the train I had the option of picking up a plain cup of coffee any time I wished; Jose, the car attendant, kept the pot fresh all the time.


I brought my daily pick-me-up into the roomette with me, set it in the cupholder beside my seat, and read the morning paper (local to whichever stop we’d made last).


Then we arrived in Seattle. I sampled the hotel packets (Seattles Best brand). We visited Starbucks – the original location! I was nearly speechless. Husband took my picture, I think. I was too wrapped up in the history of this tiny store and its location to notice.

Each day we went somewhere else for breakfast. I had so many different kinds of coffees I lost track. I know there were at least a few we didn’t get to try. I guess that means I have to make another trip to Seattle some time. Darn.

You know me, though. I brought some home. A package from Starbucks, a package from Local Color (an awesome little shop with coffees, art, and fascinating people), and a couple of extras from the hotel room.

The thermos on the left is from Starbucks. It’s made from 40% recycled plastic. We bought the Amtrak mug at our last breakfast on the train. As if I didn’t have enough mugs…of course I brought a new one home from our trip!!

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>Hotels are good for Me Time because…

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>Hello, BlogHers! Procrastination and doubt did me in this year. I’m a mere 200 miles North of the conference, but I won’t be there. Instead, I’ll describe a hotel stay for an entirely different reason.

When La Petite came home from her college-led trip to Italy, Husband insisted I go pick her up. His reasoning was sound. “I need to be nearby in case the trainee on the satellite truck needs help, and I need to get ready for the window installation on Monday.” And the most important part of his argument: “You need to get out. You need a break.”

He was right. I’m usually a morning person, so picking up daughter at her campus (2 1/2 hours away from home) at 11 PM isn’t my usual task. But this time, the day after school let out for the summer, it was exactly what I needed.

I reserved a hotel room in a nearby town, which was no easy task due to weddings and graduations. I left home after supper, checked in around 8 PM, and relaxed. Truly relaxed. Me time? Totally. Absolutely.

A couch, a laptop, and the chance to watch a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game on my own without negotiating for the channel.

A refrigerator and microwave, just in case I needed them. I didn’t need them, but they were handy if I did.

Towels that I didn’t have to wash or fold. I don’t fold the towels cute like this at home, either.

Need I even mention it? The in-room coffeemaker is my favorite hotel toy.

Yes, I needed this. A little me time, a break from home, short road trip, and mother-daughter chat time full of stories from her trip. All was well with the world.

BlogHer buddies, enjoy the conference and each other. If you figure out the secret to the cute towel folding technique, let me know. As for the in-room coffeepots, be nice and share!

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>By train or by plane or by ferry? Anniversary trip plans continue

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>A while back I talked about plans for our anniversary. 25 years of marriage, people! We’re ready to celebrate. We thought we needed to stay within a day’s drive of our home. La Petite reminded us that she’ll be home taking care of the bunnies and working at her job, and she can handle immediate emergencies that might pop up. In the meantime, we can get on a plane and be home within a day.

So…we’re back to the first plan. We’re doing the research and seriously considering Seattle as our destination. We’d like to travel by train: specifically, Amtrak’s Empire Builder. We’d catch it in or near Wisconsin and travel Northwest across Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, and eventually Washington.

Seattle has brewpubs. It has coffee. And it’s a green, very green city. What’s not to like? We indulge Husband’s love for trains in our chosen mode of travel; we’ll indulge my eco-consciousness with the destination.

I stumbled across this hotel on Mother Nature Network. Of course I’m interested! My Midwestern frugal sensibilities, however, cringe just looking at the nightly rates. I’ll have to do a little more research and find out if there are deals available for common folk like us – or if these are ballpark rates for a big city like Seattle. The idea of staying at Seattle’s fir LEED certified hotel really appeals to me — and to Husband, too. “…a new echelon in sustainability” sounds incredibly attractive. It may be worth the price. These hotels are also eco-friendly and have great locations. I read and appreciated the parent company’s environmental statement as well. I don’t need fancy, really, but I’d like to spend my green where it’ll make the greenest impact.

Of course I want to visit Pike Place Market, the place where Starbucks Coffee was born! I enjoy local markets, whether farm or craft, wherever we go. We’ll put it on the plan.

The main goal, however, is to spend time together. Be a couple. Enjoy each other’s company: just us. Our offspring are wonderful people (teen and twenty-some that they are), but it’s time for a grown-up break. Our twenty-fifth gives us that opportunity. We’re thinking and planning now; we’ll be ready for action later.

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>Musings with the remote control in the morning

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>On watching morning television, a pastime not usually on my list:
Local news is full of layoffs. I feel lucky to have a secure job — for the moment. Husband has to cover these layoffs in his TV news job. Tough to handle. I think I’ll change the channel.
Morning television can be ridiculous sometimes. The hosts just randomly called someone, asked them to name the presidents on Mt. Rushmore. They could only get two. My fourth graders can answer that! I think I’ll change the channel.
Spring cleaning advice! Vinegar water solution and crumpled newspaper to clean a mirror or a window. That’s old news, people. The cleaning staff at my school use a vinegar-water mix to clean chalkboards. I associate the scent of vinegar with clean — or with Husband’s German potato salad. Change channels again.
International news is talking about head injuries and kids. Sad, but useful information. I’m on break; I want something less stressful. Change channels!
Weather!! “Very nice weekend.” Now we’re talking! It’ll still be cold here. I hope it warms up enough that I can dig in my garden. Ooh, these commercials are really bad. At least I can laugh at them.
Click. Click. Click. Click. All these channels – and nothing on! More coffee, maybe I’ll turn it off and browse the blogs.
That’s the answer. I’m on break. No guilt, just relaxation. Browsing the blogosphere, here I come!

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>March Madness in a Teacher’s Life

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>It might be March if I spend more time answering parent emails than I do correcting and recording papers.

It must be March if the kids are so over-energetic and unfocused that we jump at any opportunity for a field trip, no matter where and what it is.

It must be March if teachers are drinking coffee and tea at staff meetings after school — with full caffeine!

It must be March if there’s an argument between teachers, principals, and playground staff over who needs to hold kids in for recess — because the kids behaved badly for all!

It must be March when a few low-seniority teachers actually feel lucky to be headed for lay-off.

It must be March when the secretary makes an extra pot of coffee in the office and it’s gone by first morning recess.

It must be March when teachers actually want to take a sick day.

It must be March when you hear muttering in the lounge about inventing a Ritalin salt-lick.

It might be March when people on the calendar committee deny they had anything to do with scheduling the later-than-usual Spring Break.

It must be March when classroom teachers start looking at crisis intervention training as a necessity, not an option.

It must be March when the specialists close their doors and say, “I’m glad I’m not a regular classroom teacher!”

And finally, it must be March when teachers start to plan how to get even on April Fools Day!

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>Almost a Normal Saturday

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>A “normal” Saturday:
I get up first, start coffee, start schoolwork, start laundry, stay in pajamas as long as I can.
Amigo sets his alarm for 8:00 so he can listen to his favorite shows on NPR while relaxing in bed in his pajamas.
Husband might actually get up and get dressed — or he might stretch out with the newspaper and listen to Public Radio with Amigo.

This week was different. Amigo’s high school music festival was today, and he was scheduled to sing at (gasp) 8:00 AM. A teenager! Singing! For a festival adjudicator! At the ghastly, uncivilized hour of 8! AM! So this morning:

6:30 – I got up, fed rabbit, cleaned up, got dressed, warmed up on piano because I was accompanying Amigo’s solo.
7:00 – Husband got up, got dressed, got himself looking human, joined us in the strange Saturday morning routine.
7:00 – Amigo dragged himself out of bed, got dressed, got a little juice to drink, then joined me at the piano to warm up his young cambiata tenor voice. Yes, this young tenor had to reach a high F at the peak of the song “Shenandoah” at 8 AM.
7:25 – Grandma arrived, we piled into the minivan, headed for the festival held on the other side of town at my very own alma mater.
7:40 – We got lucky for parking. Husband dropped us off on a plowed sidewalk (Yippee!) directly in front of the school and then backed up into the handicapped parking stall and placed Amigo’s parking permit on the mirror. This was a concern; the high school is in an old neighborhood, and there is very little parking near the school itself.
7:47 – We found the room in which Amigo was to open the day, warmed him up again, let him hear the room’s acoustics and the difference in pianos, and then took off in search of a water fountain for a quick wetting of the whistle before his actual performance.
8:00 – He sang well. I know I’m his mom, so I’m biased, but he sang well. Whatever he earns in a rating, he did himself proud.
8:10 – We were back in the minivan and headed for breakfast at a local pancake place, Blueberry Hill. Amigo’s excitement spilled over literally in the form of a little pineapple juice on his pants and a bit of syrup on the table, but he didn’t mind. He gave Grandma a hard time about ordering only one pancake and decaf coffee (“Come on, Grandma, it’s a special occasion!”) but the food was all good and we enjoyed the mini-celebration.
8:55 – We were back in the minivan and on our way home, a USA Today in my hands for a special treat. Yes, I like reading a print newspaper. It’s a simple pleasure that I’ll miss if print newspapers ever go away – and I don’t believe this particular media will ever completely disappear.

And now, with the exception of the usual pajama attire, we’re all back at home doing laundry, schoolwork, cleaning the bunny cage, and listening to a little public radio.

Normal can handle a few glitches once in a while, especially in the form of a special performance and breakfast out with family.

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>What else can go wrong? No, don’t answer that.

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>I haven’t cooked all week, except for oatmeal, and that really doesn’t count. When I’m feeling sick, I know I have to feed the family, but I’m so tired I just want to collapse on the couch and nap instead of making meals. Our menu has looked something like this:
Monday – frozen pizza (with apple rhubarb crumble cake for dessert)
Tuesday – tuna casserole
Wednesday – Pizza Hut delivery
Thursday – toasted cheese with baked beans and canned fruit on the side
Friday – brats (under the broiler, the grill is buried in snow), a can of soup, and yogurt.

Breakfast was a little easier. Amigo isn’t fussy, for a teen. I threw oatmeal or toast at him each day and sent him off to school with a pocketful of cough drops so he wouldn’t feel left out of the cold (virus). Lunch? Leftover chicken soup on Monday and Tuesday, after the morning nap. The rest of the week, I tossed a PBJ and an orange in my lunch bag to eat at my desk while I caught up on plans and my gradebook.

In keeping with my neo-frugal outlook, I’ve made my own coffee many days and filled my mug from the office pot on others. I haven’t visited my favorite beverage kiosks once during the month of January. Oh, no, did I hear they’re closing stores? And it’s my fault for not providing stimulus? Never mind.

Friday, I thought I’d treat myself to a hazelnut at Jo to Go. Then I realized the temperature was a balmy 1 degree above zero. That matters, you see, because my minivan doesn’t like the cold weather. I can’t open the driver’s side window if the thermometer reads lower than 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Already a little down, I made myself a small batch of coffee while I was getting Amigo out the door. Then I realized I’d left my favorite insulated mug at school, and I felt mildly depressed. I filled my backup mug (of course I have a backup insulated travel mug, doesn’t everybody?) and headed out to school.

I sat down at my desk, checked email and reveled in the fact that there wasn’t much, and then started attacking the mess on my desk, when my neighbor teacher came in with a mocha latte from Starbucks! I burst out in a smile for the first time that morning, thanked her, and then told her about my forgotten mug which was still lost. She remembered seeing it in the library next to the computer printer. w00t! I zoomed down the hall to ask the library media specialist, and sure enough – there it was! Oh, the day was looking up now.

So for a short while, my desk sported three coffee cups. Yes, it did. Three.

And the day, although hopeful, did not improve. I remember muttering under my breath (to the same media specialist who’d found my mug earlier in the day) something about the desire to invent the Ritalin Salt Lick.
She didn’t let me hide under her desk, but she did laugh out loud and chase my kids into line so I could take them back to class. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: if I have a rough day, I don’t want to have it anywhere else.

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