"Is it Christmas today?"
"Dooooo dooo dooooooooooooo dooooo dooooooooo"
"Ms. Magiera, I like your shirt."
"Me sees a flower."
"There's no school today?"
"I'm thankful for my tia, because she died. She died in my swimming pool, but then my dad tried to rescue her, but she still died."
"The dog black, he is boy?"
"A B C D E F G H I J K..."
"Ms. Magiera, I like your shoes."
"She put something in her mouth!"
"I see an exclamation point!"
"No school today?"
"He keeps touching me!"
"My mom went away to learn to be a better mom, because she smokes and she drinks."
"Sit criss-cross applesauce! You have to listen to the teacher!"
"Is there school tomorrow?"
"Ms. Magiera! Yesterday, I ate pizza!"
"Ms. Magiera, I like your necklace."
"I see a question mark!"
"We're on red! Stop talking! Look--red!"
"Put your shoe back on so Ms. Magiera doesn't take it again!"
"Stop all this noise! It's too noisy! Aghh why are they being so noisy?"
"Spinach gives you a healthy colon!"
Friday, December 18, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Looks like I'll have 25 students next year...
...if I have a job in the district next year!
Oldest school in Alum Rock District to close
SAN JOSE, CA (KGO) -- Parents in San Jose are reacting with anger and sadness to the decision by the Alum Rock School Board to increase class sizes and close the oldest school in the district.
This is not the only district in the state to have to close a school or make other cost cuts in order to grapple with a funding decline due to state budget cuts.
But when you've got a school like Pala Middle that has been around for 71 years, there's bound to be even more emotion. Thursday's decision to close it drew boos from the community. This morning the reality is setting in and it's drawing tears.
From tears to anger and disbelief, parents of Pala Middle School students say they're not sure about the future of their children's education when the school closes its doors next year.
"It's not right. I don't know where the kids are going to go," said parent Angel Gomez.
It's the end of an era of education in the East San Jose community. Opened in 1938, this is the oldest school in the Alum Rock School District.
Now, 480 students will be redirected to other nearby middle schools because budget cuts led to a board decision last night to close this one campus.
None of the protests from hundreds of students, teachers and parents could stop the decision, and teachers say it will hurt the continuity of working closely with students they get to know.
"I was actually hoping to work with them another year, and at this point I'm not going to have that opportunity. They're going to be dispersed throughout the district," said Pala Middle School teacher Michael Kretsch.
Teachers have been told they will not be laid off, although 60 to 70 positions will be eliminated through attrition or retirement. The district's three-year budget plan also includes increasing class sizes at all its other schools.
The ratio will go from 21 to 25 students next year, then to 31 per teacher after that.
"I'm not happy with the state, what it's been doing... that's where it all began," said Pala Middle School Principal Suzanne Burneikis.
Burneikis understands the steep decline in state funding is what prompted the Alum Rock district to go so far. But she's invested nearly three decades working for the district and is confident the staff there cares enough to educate with whatever resources remain.
"In June when we need to leave, I'm sure there will be tears, but we can hold our head up high knowing that we have given them the best possible education," said Burneikis.
The Alum Rock School District's first interim financial report suggests these budget cut actions will save $11.5 million. Next March, its second financial statement comes out and could lead to further reductions.
(Copyright ©2009 KGO-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
Oldest school in Alum Rock District to close
SAN JOSE, CA (KGO) -- Parents in San Jose are reacting with anger and sadness to the decision by the Alum Rock School Board to increase class sizes and close the oldest school in the district.
This is not the only district in the state to have to close a school or make other cost cuts in order to grapple with a funding decline due to state budget cuts.
But when you've got a school like Pala Middle that has been around for 71 years, there's bound to be even more emotion. Thursday's decision to close it drew boos from the community. This morning the reality is setting in and it's drawing tears.
From tears to anger and disbelief, parents of Pala Middle School students say they're not sure about the future of their children's education when the school closes its doors next year.
"It's not right. I don't know where the kids are going to go," said parent Angel Gomez.
It's the end of an era of education in the East San Jose community. Opened in 1938, this is the oldest school in the Alum Rock School District.
Now, 480 students will be redirected to other nearby middle schools because budget cuts led to a board decision last night to close this one campus.
None of the protests from hundreds of students, teachers and parents could stop the decision, and teachers say it will hurt the continuity of working closely with students they get to know.
"I was actually hoping to work with them another year, and at this point I'm not going to have that opportunity. They're going to be dispersed throughout the district," said Pala Middle School teacher Michael Kretsch.
Teachers have been told they will not be laid off, although 60 to 70 positions will be eliminated through attrition or retirement. The district's three-year budget plan also includes increasing class sizes at all its other schools.
The ratio will go from 21 to 25 students next year, then to 31 per teacher after that.
"I'm not happy with the state, what it's been doing... that's where it all began," said Pala Middle School Principal Suzanne Burneikis.
Burneikis understands the steep decline in state funding is what prompted the Alum Rock district to go so far. But she's invested nearly three decades working for the district and is confident the staff there cares enough to educate with whatever resources remain.
"In June when we need to leave, I'm sure there will be tears, but we can hold our head up high knowing that we have given them the best possible education," said Burneikis.
The Alum Rock School District's first interim financial report suggests these budget cut actions will save $11.5 million. Next March, its second financial statement comes out and could lead to further reductions.
(Copyright ©2009 KGO-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
I emailed my 1st grade teacher last week...
...and here is part of her email response to me:
Hi Alex,
Of course I remember you! You may not know this, but you were in my first class at Grove. I had taught two years in Houston and then moved back "home" to the suburbs. Anyway, your class has always held a special place in my heart because you guys were my rookie class in Northbrook. On top of that, I remember so clearly what a great group you all were. You in particular were a true gem. Adorable, hard working, smart, fun and a kind friend to your classmates. Oops. That kind of sounded like a report card. I still have a book of poems you made for me. The pages are torn and a little yellowed, but it always brightens my day and brings a smile to my face when I read it. I share it with my class every year when we study and write poetry. You are always an inspiration to my 7 year old friends.
Is it any wonder I loved first grade and my teacher that year?
Here's a photo of me, way back when...believe it or not, 1st grade was 15 years ago:
Hi Alex,
Of course I remember you! You may not know this, but you were in my first class at Grove. I had taught two years in Houston and then moved back "home" to the suburbs. Anyway, your class has always held a special place in my heart because you guys were my rookie class in Northbrook. On top of that, I remember so clearly what a great group you all were. You in particular were a true gem. Adorable, hard working, smart, fun and a kind friend to your classmates. Oops. That kind of sounded like a report card. I still have a book of poems you made for me. The pages are torn and a little yellowed, but it always brightens my day and brings a smile to my face when I read it. I share it with my class every year when we study and write poetry. You are always an inspiration to my 7 year old friends.
Is it any wonder I loved first grade and my teacher that year?
Here's a photo of me, way back when...believe it or not, 1st grade was 15 years ago:
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Quick notes...
...since it's been a while.
Well this week has been surprisingly great! Most of you probably know that my mom has been in the hospital for almost two weeks now, so I wasn't feeling so great the Monday after I found out...
(I found out on a Saturday).
Of course, that Monday, after I had a sub for three days, my principal had her formal observation of me.
So, this week, I had to meet with her to go over the observation.
My principal: So, Alex, how do you think your lesson went?
Me: Well, I thought it was alright. I don't think it was my best, but at the same time, it could have been worse.
My principal: Oh really?
Me: Yes?
My principal: Well, I thought it was great--really, I was very impressed.
SIGH OF RELIEF. My principal is happy=I am happy.
Then, today, my advisor from my university came...and YAY, another great observation.
Add to that the fact that we are hoping my mom will be home in a couple days, and I am feeling pretty good. Well, and I got 12 hours of sleep last night (6 P.M. to 6 A.M.--crazy).
Anyway...off to bed...
Well this week has been surprisingly great! Most of you probably know that my mom has been in the hospital for almost two weeks now, so I wasn't feeling so great the Monday after I found out...
(I found out on a Saturday).
Of course, that Monday, after I had a sub for three days, my principal had her formal observation of me.
So, this week, I had to meet with her to go over the observation.
My principal: So, Alex, how do you think your lesson went?
Me: Well, I thought it was alright. I don't think it was my best, but at the same time, it could have been worse.
My principal: Oh really?
Me: Yes?
My principal: Well, I thought it was great--really, I was very impressed.
SIGH OF RELIEF. My principal is happy=I am happy.
Then, today, my advisor from my university came...and YAY, another great observation.
Add to that the fact that we are hoping my mom will be home in a couple days, and I am feeling pretty good. Well, and I got 12 hours of sleep last night (6 P.M. to 6 A.M.--crazy).
Anyway...off to bed...
