Nieces & Friends

I found this picture of two of my nieces the other day and can't resist posting it on my blog. It's just cute.

Booknapped!

I enjoy reading. It's probably my favorite hobby. As a teacher, I also like being able to provide books for my students. For 7 years, I've enjoyed being able to do that. This year, providing books for my students has become something I no longer enjoy. Why? My books have been booknapped. Several of my books have disappeared off my shelves this year. I have spent a lot of money to replace them, created a book list so I can record who's borrowing them, and purchased extra copies of certain books as well so more than one student can enjoy them. Little by little, as the booknapping somehow continues, I have tightened security and finally, yesterday when another book went missing, I snapped. That's it. I'm done. Students will no longer be allowed to have a book from me. Alternative choices will be made available.

Today as my students come into my room, this is what they will find...a little note from the books on the shelf. Books who miss their friends. They've taken a stand and so have I.

(I realize the note is next to impossible to read. Here is what it says: HELP! Our friends have been booknapped. Please don't take us too. We won't let you borrow us until our friends come home. WE MISS THEM!!)

Spirit Week@SJMS-White-Out Day

Huh? White-out day? What could that possibly mean? Well, if you were wondering, so were we here at SJMS...but we figured it out lickety split. If you roam our halls today, you'll see an awful lot of people wearing white.

Spirit Week@SJMS-80s Day

Nothing more need be said...here's a little sample of what I wore...

Spirit Week@SJMS-Disney Day

What Spirit Week would be complete without a Disney Day? I am glad I was able to find a shirt that is quintessentially Disney...
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!!!

Spirit Week@SJMS-Hero Day

Today is Hero Day...I've seen some great outfits...super heroes from Captain America to Superman. Capes adorn the backs of teachers and students alike. Perhaps some of the greatest representations of heroes come from those who dressed in camouflaged attire. My own father is a veteran and his military service to this country has always been something I appreciated very much.

I told my PTSA students that my heroes are my mom and dad. I mentioned that it might sound cliche but it's true. They love and support me unconditionally and encourage me and express their pride in what I do. I look up to them and love them more than I could ever express and though I've only scratched the surface in listing a couple of the things I love about my parents, I could list many more reasons they are my heroes.

Spirit Week@SJMS-Hawaiian Day

We're kicking off Spirit Week here at SJMS with Hawaiian Day. Part of our festivities this week include a mini-olympics and some great lessons for our teacher advisory time. I was unprepared for today until Saturday when a trip to Walmart ended in success. I found a Hawaiian shirt for $3. Awesome!