What day is it?

Happy Hump Day, Grainiacs!  For me that means "hell" day is tomorrow and then Friday!  Whew, only..... this Friday the library is playing host to all the accelerated readers who met their 6 week goal.  How many met their goal, you ask?  Funny, you should ask!  A mere 203 kiddos!!!!!!  Ahhhhhhh......my sanctuary day.  Sniff sniff.  Black cat rat should be ecstatic this weekend...all that popcorn left all over the place.  You don't think those kids are going to sit quietly watching a movie they have probably already seen with a bag of popcorn in their hands.  No, I foresee popcorn popping all over the library.  Under chairs.  Behind the book shelves.  IN the book shelves.  Here is another funny thing: I was "cc"-d in an email telling the coach to send over the assistant coach to "help."  One other person???? Really??? 203 kids and 2 adults????  I feel the flu coming on.  Nah, I'm up for the challenge...you might not be hearing from me for a while!

Here's the update as of yesterday about our little 3rd grader:  the wreck involved 3 cars (still not sure of the cause of the wreck), "A" was sitting in the front seat and the airbag deployed.  This little girl IS tiny.  The airbag is what did the damage to her.  The doctors said they did everything medically they could do, now it is just wait and see.  Our principal is calling for prayer and a miracle for "A."  This just breaks my heart.

Have a safe Wednesday, Grainiacs.

Time of the Year

It's that time of the year when many Christians "give up" a certain something.  I'm Protestant which means my denomination's roots run very deep in the "do NOT" give something up.  Once you have it, keep it at all cost!  We do not like to be called cheap; you might say we are a bit of hoarders: MINE!  So to give something up at Lent goes beyond our bounds....although many Presbyterians are (re)claiming the ancient practice.  My Fb feed is filled with "giving up chocolate for Lent," "giving up Facebook for Lent, see you on the 'other' side," and so on.  I've always wondered about the practice.  Yes, I understand Jesus gave up His life for us so we are to "give" something up.  I grew up in a predominately Catholic community so many of my friends' comments went along these lines: 6 more weeks till I can eat chocolate; I can't wait till Easter comes and I can eat hamburgers again.  Now I am NOT criticizing my friends or their faith.  Please do not misread that.  I just always wondered why practice something when you don't really have a heart for it.  Many people give something up like smoking and stick to it.  I would challenge those who do that to give what you would spend on cigarettes and make a donation to the Lung Association or Cancer research (cancer sucks!) or a charity of their choosing.  Recently I have read and reread articles and blogs about 50 shades of violence against women.  One blogger challenged her readers to donate the price of going to the movies ($25.00 or more) to organizations for the betterment of women or women's advocacy programs.  Really put your money into something worthwhile. 

It is an overwhelming thought.  We can make a difference with our voices and our money.

Of course there are those who don't give something up but "add" something to their Lenten season.  This is the equivalent of -paying it forward-- another novel idea.  The practice of giving something up is very internal (or it could be if it isn't followed by giving away the money you would have spent on that giving something up thing....I'm confusing you, right?....it's early and Strawberry doesn't do early....hey maybe I could give up.....no, need to get up early for the job....hey, I could give up the job.....no, too many of us in college!).  If I give up chocolate and that's it, I'm not thinking of others and Jesus is all about thinking of others.  If I give up chocolate and donate what I'd spend on chocolate to a Boys and Girls Club or better yet, donate my time to that organization, what a difference I could make.  If I "add" volunteering at a Boys and Girls Club...either way, an organization benefits and Christ's mission continues.  Think about it; I know I am.  It is not too late to practice kindness and love and walking humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).

And if you are a praying a person, please keep a special little 3rd grader in your prayers.  Yesterday I heard one of my students was in a horrible car wreck on their way to school.  I was told in the morning she was on life support and it didn't look good.  I followed up to make sure the info was correct and the principal's assistant said she was in surgery and "it didn't look good."  My heart is breaking for this family.

Stay safe, Grainiacs.  I love you all.

My day in pictures, sort of

Welcome to my home away from home.  This is my amazing work place sans crazy kids!!!

Thursday is my h....e.... double hockey sticks....day.  I start the teaching with my handy dandy clothespin discipline chart.   You remember my fancy chart, right?

Kids, you do NOT want to get all the way down to the unhappy face.  Trust me, it isn't pretty.  It breaks my heart to think what will happen to you if you get down there.....so don't. do. anything. to. get. down. to. the. UN-......happy. face!!!!

I think I got their attention.....although....now.....they just laugh at me!  I'm the comic librarian.

IPADs charged and ready to entertain!

Oh....and I'm also the favorite librarian!  Movies...Tablets....computers...... Yep, going to the library has certainly changed since my days of elementary school!  Last week one of the classes earned their tablet time.  Speaking of technology, I'm soooooooo out of it.  A boy came by the library with a note from the teacher.  "Clickers for Mrs. Martinez."  

Okay,....uh.....what?????  I don't know what that is....or where to find them!

I don't know, Miss.  They are the things you use for games.

(I'm thinking a joy stick type handheld device.)

We don't find them and I go home and tell Boy about my day.  He is a computer genius and my go-to person.  He says they are the things you use to tally points....like on Who Wants to be a Millionaire.  The participant wants audience help and they use "a clicker" to cast their answer.

AHHHHHH, well now I know....but I still don't know where to find them.  I spend the morning searching in the "rat room" (remember there is still the black cat-sized rat!) gingerly opening boxes and unzipping bags.  Shazam!  There is a bag of clickers.  I call the teacher. She sends a student down and off go the 24 clickers to Ms. Mtz!  Success.

Okay, so what's the opposite of "shazam?"  That would be "oh damn!"  The teacher calls and says at least 6 of the clickers don't work and could she check out a different bag?  You mean there are more??? Somewhere???  in the rat room????

A librarian's work is never done.

Happy Monday, Grainiacs!

25 tickets, please!

Recently Rev. Hubby and I went to the movies.  Years ago when the children were little and we wanted to get away (run away, that is), we would head to the movies—a wonderful escape.  We could lose ourselves in rustic cabins or the Caribbean.  We were a spy couple or screwed up couple trying to revive our relationship.  Fast forward and our “date” nights have morphed into family time.  Don’t get me wrong, I love it.  All but one has flown the coop and these family times are precious to me.  Eighteen years ago, the family movie time was saving shoe boxes and filling them with hot dogs, popcorn, and M&Ms—the kid’s treat at the cinema.  We turned off the lights, sat on a plastic tablecloth on the floor and sang to Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast.  As they grew the movies matured (or didn’t) and the movie box was eaten off a plate and we sat on the couch.  Good times.  Sometimes we bring back movie night and sometimes we head to the movies.  Movies are a Strawberry family favorite.

Last week I used my “teacher planning time” to really plan out lessons and what would happen at each age group.  Having a "movie" time was a must.  For the Kinder through 3^rd grade, we reviewed my library rules (it is funny to ask them what are my 3 rules ((walk, whisper, read)) and hear what they come up with!—don’t talk, don’t touch the _____ , no eating—all good rules but I want them to remember the 3).  We also went over the clothespin discipline chart , and watched the movie: “Officer Buckle and Gloria,” a cute story about a policeman and his K-9 partner.  All the children sat quietly and watched the movie.  All hell broke loose when they went to check out their books.  I don’t quite know how to handle that!  If I break them into groups to check out books in 4’s, we don’t have time for the others.  Yesterday I gave them 15 minutes, set my timer, and said walk, whisper, and get your books.  Silly Strawberry!!!! A timer?  I might as well said "On your mark, get set, GO!!!!"

  How did our school librarians do it?  I guess we were scared to death of them because I don’t remember acting like this in my junior high library….I don’t even remember darkening the doors of my elementary library! How sad is that???

Blessings to you, dear Grainiacs, this wonderful Ash Wednesday.

 

As for me, hi ho hi ho!  Another day, another penny!

Short Week

Now where was I?  Oh yeah, sick.  My wonderful cold has now settled into my chest. I enjoyed a nice quiet President's Day and worked on church stuff but unfortunately not seminary stuff.  I did check my seminary email and received an email to my student account with graduation information.  Can you believe it?  I will be graduating this May!!!!  I am more than excited; I am ecstatic.  Now I just have to settle down and read and get my last 2 classes done.  Wish me luck!  You know how scattered I can get.

As far as my job, I got word that Friday is a short day due to early dismissal.  Monday off for President's Day and Friday early dismissal due to end of 6 week.  Can you say "Happy Strawberry?"  I foresee some seminary reading on Friday, though.  Time to get organized.

Enjoy your Tuesday, Grainiacs.

50 shades of "No, Gracias!"

My book will be called 50 Shades of Bugs.  I have now caught a different strain of sickness from this school and I have been down for the count for the past 2 days.  I'm moving slowly this morning and running late....so I'll blog later today.  Way later.

Today I get my partial crown professionally glued back on which means I'll be leaving school early.  Can anyone say "Whoo hoo, ready for the weekend and President's Day???!!!"

Till later, Grainiacs.

One Day....

One normal day, Please God!!!!  hahahaha

I have many educator friends and I do not wish to offend but please give this Strawberry one normal day!

Yesterday, my guardian angel principal pulled a devilish scheme.  But being the angel she is, she gave me a 20 minute heads up.  All UIL and cheerleader pictures for the yearbook would be taken today and although they usually (with the former principal) were taken in the cafeteria, this year they would have the pretty atrium background for the photo.  "Atrium" being right across from the LIBRARY!  All kids will organize in the library and then walk across the hall and out the door for the picture.  And by the way, don't let us interfere with your teaching!  HA

Guess which groups I was teaching during that time?  Yep, the younger ones.  

I began to feel a tail sprouting out my butt and horns pushing out the top of my head.... and by 3rd period I turned on my John Henry video which has lots of singing and music and well, it's John Henry after all, so lots of exaggeration!!!  And yes I did;-- I flipped off the lights with all those picture waiting kids standing around and turned that movie up real loud like (sorry, I've watched that movie at least 10 times and I have 10 more to go!). 

I would like to ask for a normal day, but I'm afraid I'm already seeing it!  I'll be interested to see if the volleyball team, etc show up today for pictures! I feel a John Henry sing along coming on.  (I mean really, how's a person to t.e.a.c.h.???)  Give a teacher a hug today!

Happy Hump Day, Grainiacs.

Ah HA!!!!

Last week I was caught off guard.  This past weekend I was sick and exhausted and couldn't get off the couch (so no house work, awww, gee, shucks).  On Sunday night I got a bit of energy and thanks to Pansy came up with a discipline chart to help make the day run a little smoother.  Now I'm not saying this is brilliant artwork, but the idea is very effective and some parents even use it for home discipline (check out Pinterest).  First up were my 2nd graders-- they loved it and enjoyed seeing their clothespin names move up to the smiley face.
  

cheap Sub chart! recycled cardboard from the water cooler packaging. Marker and a few colorful letters from another project. Viola!

Next up the kinder class-- yep, they weren't as concerned but delighted in the sticker at the end of the period.  Then my spanish-speaking first grader.  Their English is way better than my Spanish.  I love the way they all help each other.  I read to them in Spanish. They were so good and didn't even laugh at my pronunciations!  Let's just say they love correcting the teacher!  LOL  After lunch I had 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade.  I decided not to use the clothespin chart in the afternoon.  My 4th graders consist of 2 classes so it is larger than the others.  And did I mention the class is after lunch.  They are fed and wired!  Everything was going fine till I noticed some children were congregating in and near the "resource" room.  There is a laminating machine so my heart skipped a beat at the thought of one of them getting burned....so I did what comes naturally and I raised my voice as I screamed "Please get out of that room!!!"  

"Miss, Miss" (all female teachers are "Miss")... there is a rat. There's a rat and it is BIG!!!!"

"GET OUT OF THE ROOM!!!!!" yelled Brave Strawberry the super Librarian.  Sure enough, rat droppings in the room.  We called the custodian who confirmed that there IS a big rat (she told me it looks like a black cat.) Ummmm, can we say "kill the cat rat!"  Sorry, Rat Girl.  Trevor is one thing, but a rat the size of a cat running around the library??? Nope!  We cannot keep that one!

Needless to say, the 4th graders were distracted and talking in hyper-drive when the teacher came.  Of course we were still checking out their books thanks to the rat distraction.  In the meantime, the 5th graders were lined up and waiting at the library entrance.  One class will not come in until the librarian walks over to greet them. But not being such a super librarian, I told the 5th graders to come in and sit at the tables.  Yea, that was a mistake because  I was still checking out books for the 4th graders. I heard laughing (nothing wrong with that, but it continued to escalate) and before long yelling was coming from the other side of the library and then the words every teacher fears....."fight, fight, fight."  Oh heck no!  We are not having a fight on my watch.  Thankfully it was just wishful thinking on one of the boys' part.  No fighting.  The rest of the day went off without a hitch.  I'm scared to think that I have to start it all over again today.

Looking for volunteers....anybody????  h.e.l.p.

  

I'm still standing!

Grainiacs! That first day of work did NOT prepare me for an actual day.  Let's just say the kindergarteners 500/ Strawberry the Librarian negative (-) 989.  I'll back up.

I arrived at approved time to open up the library for parents and children.  The computer lab teacher came over to talk to me and get me ready for my....get this.....teaching time!!!!  Nobody AND I do mean NOBODY told me I was going to teach for 30 minutes non-stop!  What was I going to teach?  The computer lab teacher said "The parent sub didn't tell you yesterday?"  I wanted to say "Oh, you mean the really pissed off woman who was wondering why I got the job and she didn't?"  I smiled and said "No, she did not tell me; actually she told me the kids would come in and know what to do."  I really did smile sweetly...no gritted teeth showing (speaking of which, my crown popped off on Saturday! Isn't that the cherry on top???!!!).  LOL

So I had 15 minutes to prepare and after that I never got a breathing break till noon!  Every 30 minutes...continuously....a class showed up starting with the kinders. And you can see by the score that the kinders won at 8:30 so I was pretty much toast by noon.

Fast forward to the end of the day.  The principal came in to the library all smiles asking how my day went.  Poor smiling principal had no idea what was about to be said to her!  hahahaha  Oh! I didn't mention to you that while I am "teaching" (and I really do mean air-quotes) children pop in and out of the library ALL DAY LONG! checking in books/ checking out books.  Guess who gets to shelve all those 500 books a day that the kids keep checking out and checking in every 5 minutes?  ME!  I have no idea what is coming in and what is going out AND who is coming in.  My goal is to find the kid who keeps coming in with coco pops and leaving wet ones all over the library!  I'll find you coco-kid if it's the last thing I do!  Thankfully the principal understood my frustration and wrote to all the teachers saying that children are NOT allowed to come in to the library while I have classes.  Thank you, mrs. rodriguez....you are my guardian saint.

You'll get a kick out of this:  I had decided with my new job, I'll be more pro-active with my meal planning and house cleaning.  HA.... I caught whatever every sniffling, coughing, blowing their dirty little noses BUG each kid had!  I was down for the count all weekend long.  Thankfully, Hubby sympathized and let me lie (lay?-- I still don't have those figured out!) on the couch like a wet noodle.

For two days I listened to "Mrs. C. let us do it this way;" "this is how we always do it."  So, I am ready for today.  Today I'm implementing the Strawberry rules. Now in my best John Wayne voice "Well, there's a new librarian in town, buckaroos; deal with it!"

What a day!

Goodness! What a day!  The school was "benchmark" testing and every one and I do mean EVERY ONE was running around trying to get teachers/ parent volunteers/ substitute teachers/ booklets/ signage/ etc going.  While I quietly sat in the office waiting for someone to tell ME what to do.  I have to say many of us were surprised I was there that day.  ;)  When things started to quiet down I thought I could get in to see the library.  Nope! it was being used for testing!  HA....now I'm REALLY wondering why I was there.  Thankfully I brought my Kindle with my seminary reading (I mean, really, what kind of a librarian would I be if I didn't have something to read?).

The Principal's secretary took pity on me sitting there and gave me a tour in a nutshell....we didn't go to the older class wing....due to testing.  I finally wound up in the gym with the 2nd graders.  The asst. coach introduced me to all the 2nd graders and you should have seen the faces light up.  The coach told me that the children LOVE the library!  They left and the Kindergarteners came in.  I danced to Mickey Mouse exercise CD with them and then was called to the Principal's office.  The library was still in use so I upgraded to the teacher's lounge and sat and read.  The principal asked if I would help monitor the cafeteria and from 11 - 1, I got to meet all the children in the school.  They all read my visitor badge and you could hear all the "she's the new librarian."  Everyone wanted the new librarian to help them.  They are soooo cute.

By 2:30 or 3 I was in the library and in awe.  I wonder if I could take a few shots of the library sans kiddos and post.  Oh.My.Gosh.  It is HUGE and no wonder the children love it.  Computers everywhere.  Stuffed animals and gigantic trees and massive amounts of shelves filled with books and....and....and.....couches!.....like at  Barnes and Noble.....big, luscious....couches.  I'm in love. Really!  But I sat staring at the computer.  I tried the username and password I was given and nothing.  Hmmmmm  I cannot get into the program.  So I began to snoop....hoping there was some sort of paper or booklet or something to help.  Nope!  Finally another sub came in to laminate and I asked her if she knew anything.  Jackpot!  She was the January library sub.  Unfortunately our conversation didn't go as well as hoped.  Ever get the feeling you are stepping on someone's toes or entering into THEIR domain????  I got that feeling.  Fortunately I had too much to learn to really worry about it.  For some reason they were out and I was in.  I know it sounds harsh but hey! Her beef should not be with me but with administration.  let her take it up with them. 

At about 3:30, I saw little faces looking in the window and big people standing there too.  Seems Accelerated Reader is a big thing and parents and kids like to participate.  How could I NOT let them in?  Plus the "former" sub teacher/ parent was still there and I figured she could help.  At 4:30 I closed shop and headed home.  What a day!  Looking forward to today....if only my back would cooperate.  I think those Mickey Mouse exercises really got me!

Have a Mickey Mouse kind of day, Grainiacs.

I'm a big girl now

Years ago there was a commercial about a little girl transitioning from diapers to pull-ups.  The segment ended with a little voice singing "I'm a big girl now."  You could say Strawberry is a big girl now-- no, I'm not talking about my size....although..... 
 

Over Christmas break I heard about a permanent substitute teaching position.  I have been filling out online applications.  During my seminary studies I have been conversing with HR and the Principal of the school.  I got home from studies and during finals, continued to jump through the school system's hoops.  Losing a day and a half of my life going through training (which subs are also required to pay out of pocket), 1/2 day orientation with more paperwork, 3 hours of observations, countless telephone calls, an extensive fingerprinting procedure (which I had to pay for); did I mention all the while writing finals for my two classes???!!! Let me just say, Grainiacs, if you have children in the school system, they mean business!!!  I need this gig just to pay for all the out of pocket costs to get this job!

You are now reading the blog post from Librarian Strawberry!  Yep, my permanent sub position is at an elementary school in the library!  What a dream job.  And the students are taking their benchmark tests so I'll have the whole day to figure out what I'm doing.  The amazing part of all this is I got every thing I wanted to get done before I started working. I mailed out some seminary library books, took the baby kitty to the vet AND 30 minutes after my final final for this semester was submitted, I got a call from HR saying all my paperwork and fingerprinting was done and come in and sign more paperwork so I could start today!  I thank God that all these little ducks fell in a row.

So, I'm sitting here blogging in curlers, eating my oatmeal, drinking my coffee, and hoping I remember to put on my pants before I head out the door.

I'll keep you updated!

Librarian Strawberry, signing off, Grainiacs.  Have a blessed day!