Woo Hoooooo!!!

I got tenure......NO MORE PINK SLIPS for me!!!!  The past couple of months have been kinda un-nerving I guess you would say.  Yesterday I got a letter telling me I can stay at my position in my building, but it's only part time (for now)  It's only May, hopefully some more retirements will come through or someone leaves or someone on maternity takes a leave etc.  Today, I went to my mailbox and saw another letter from the superintendent congratulating me on my tenure effective June 30, 2011.  They're having a little reception on June 7, don't remember that in Stamford-maybe it was such a large district they didn't do stuff like that or that it was soooo long ago I have forgotten.  At any rate, I think it's real nice.  But the best part is no more pink slips!!!  Thank God!! I am one relieved lady right now!!  Hope you're having a good day too!!

Whirlwind couple of weeks

We have been so busy practicing for our "KINDERCOLORS" play and the big day finally arrived this past Friday.  My grade partner, who I think is the greatest person in the world has been putting this on for the last probably 10 years.  It is adorable.  We started off by singing some songs that she made up all about colors, then I get up and recite Brown Bear, while the kids tell me what they see, everyone has an animal on their headband.  Then we sang another color song and the kids turn their headbands around and they become crayons. After that each group of colors recites the color poems they have been practicing.  Kathy then gets up and recites The Crayon Box That Talked and the kids each have a part.  Finally, we end with "What a Wonderful World" in sign language, it was great, loved it. If some one gives me some pics from the actual show I will post them, I can't do it justice trying to explain it. But trust me it was adorable.  After, we went back to my room for a little celebration.  One of my mom's made the cutest cookies for each kid(see below)  In the meantime, Jack got his braces off....YAY!  I put up a pic from last year when he got them on and this year when he got them off, I can't believe how much older he looks :(  My kids are growing up way too fast.  And today was my youngest sisters graduation from college, yahooooo!  So much has been happening with the budget here that I haven't been posting much, don't want to bore anyone with the details, just hope I have good news soon, just keeping my fingers crossed.  Anyway, there's only 21 days left and after next week, we can actually do some things that are not in the darn pacing guide!!!  Maybe I can post some cute stuff again. Here's to a great week!!!  

Kindercolors



Crayon headbands



How cute are these????  A mom made them for all the kids to take home.....and they were YUMMY too!



Animal headbands

Jack on May 5, 2010 getting his braces



Jack on May 12, 2011 BRACES OFF!!!



Kerry graduates from Fairfield University May 22, 2011

Bronx Zoo or bust.........

Ok so we set off this morning for the Bronx Zoo.  I made it down to Fordham Rd in 45 minutes.  I was so pyched.  We get to the zoo exit and it is bumper to bumper.  Normally it would take 5 minutes from the exit to the parking lot.  IT TOOK AN HOUR AND A HALF!  We were ready to scream.  We get to the parking lot to find that it is full and so are all the other ones.  GRRRRRRR!  The Bronx Zoo was a bust!  I didn't want to drive all the way home, so I decided to take the kids to one of my favorite places, Manor Park. I have such awesome childhood memories there.  My parents used to take us a lot and we'd go for walks and climb on all the rocks.  It is such a cool place. 

I love this place!

Yes, they are practically wrestling on the rocks.....one word ~ DOPES! ;)

Climbing one of the "huts"



Hi Ry!





Danny just relaxing



The only one who will really pose for me now

Shore Club in the distance, cannot wait for the summer!

                         

Lacrosse has begun......

"Turn on the heat!"

Boy what a difference a day makes.  I know these are not the best pictures, but I just wanted to show how horrible the conditions were yesterday for Jack's first game.  It was 41 degrees, with pelting rain and wind.  John and Jack were absolutely freezing.  I think Jack's hands and lips were blue were a good hour or two after the game.  The good news is they won!  Onto today, what a nice day for Ryan's first game.  About 60, a little breezy, but the sun was out for the most part.  And we're 2 for 2, Ryan won his game too, woo hoo!

Jack wanting nothing to do with taking pictures.  Too cold!



Ryan #4



Getting talked to by the ref for spearing, still learning the game lol.



Great job Ryan!

 So excited for this week, it's SPRING BREAK!!  So glad we don't have to wake up and rush out the door.  I think we'll head into the city one day and the Bronx Zoo another day. Well, that's all for now, off to do some yardwork.  Hope you have a great Sunday!

School Happenings.....

Libby's Nan in Jolly ol' England

                           

Add caption



Well....there's been a lot going on at school, I didn't want to sit and complain for the whole month, maybe it was a blessing in disguise that I was super busy with the fundraiser.  Anyway, last night the town council voted to not give the BOE any extra money. This of course upset a lot of people but I think it may be ok. I don't know about any of your BOE's but ours seems to miraculously find money every year.  And if that happens I am going to scream, it will be for the most part a happy scream, but an aggravated one too. For the past month we have been wondering what was going to get cut, who was going to get cut etc. And I just think that is terrible to do to people.  In the meantime, I had the MYSTERY READERS come in.  This was awesome!!  The parents gave me 2 dates that they could come in, I chose one, sent out a calendar, they emailed me 5 clues about themselves, the last 2 being very obvious to their child.  Then I'd have that student go out and check out who the mystery reader was.  To see the looks on their faces when they realized it was their mom, dad or grandma was priceless.  The coolest one was when we skyped a little cuties grandma in England.  So, so cool.  Today, Alyssa Capucilli, the author of Biscuit came to school for a visit, and this is how we rounded off Literature Week.  The mystery reader was a great segue into this week, worked out perfectly. 

Winter Football League Champs!!

Jack #56

Have I ever mentioned that I like football???  Like??? I LOVE IT!!!  lol.  Jack played in a winter league and I was in my glory, I love watching my kids play.  His team went undefeated 6-0 and they won the championship.  He had a great season and great time.  I cannot wait for him to play in high school.

Awesome catch!

Way to go Jack!!!

This was the championship game, it was the day after the art auction.......I was a little tired and needed lots of salty things to eat if you know what I mean ;)

Murder Mystery at the Art Auction

Well, the last month has been CRAZY!!!  I was running a fundraiser at Danny's school.  It was a Murder Mystery/Art Auction.  We called it Murder Mystery at the Art Auction.  Each class was responsible for creating an art project that was auctioned off.  I LOVE doing this but it is a lot of work.  The projects were fabulous.  Each grade level had a theme and the mom went with it.  It was slim pickins getting people to do this though. And I ended up pitching in a lot more than I wanted to, however, the end result was great, we had a blast that night and we raised a little money for the school.  Below are some of the projects:

bowls-4th grade projects, framed art on left 5th grade and canvas print on right kindergarten

1st grade platters and 3rd grade inspiration stones

I love these, the mom uses clay, ribbons and driftwood.  So pretty!

Mixture of 5th, K and 2nd grade projects



Dancin' Queens