Cleaning, awards, and time is a-flying...

Chilly start to the day around here, eh? Well, of course, if you don't live nearby, then you would not necessarily know-- but 39 degrees is brisk. I am glad we have our garden in, but I don't want to see the tomatoes shiver. Next week is predicted to be quite warm --80s every day-- so there we have it. I don't mind a cool start, but it's hard to figure out what to wear.

Actually, it's really hard to figure out what to wear. Not just the fluctuating temperatures, but "school professional" clothing and cleaning classrooms just don't jive. So, I manage. I'll well past the days when I used to wear suits and heels. 

Wrapping things up, tidying things away-- I tend to get it all done a bit ahead of time, and then I sit and wait to be released from captivity. This year, we who occupy the second floor will be tidying up and not "allowed" back to our classrooms until August (which is fine by me--I don't go in during the summer). There is a construction project underway: new ceiling tiles. That, to me, spells dust and detritus. I plan to drape rolled paper in front of the books to try to keep some of the mess out of the shelves. I should put away everything I can, and maybe take down a few posters-- I've been assured that I don't have to strip the room, but I understand that work is going to be done, and often, things go awry. 

That all said, it'll be good to get things squared away. Speaking of getting things done, I got that poetry collection review written and submitted yesterday. Probably it could have used one more go-through, but I think it's solid enough. I've been told by the kind editor of MicroLit Almanac that it will "go live" on Friday. I'm glad to have it done-- I hate kicking projects down the road, but life has a way of eating up available time, doesn't it? 

I woke up with the thought in my head that I have not secured small award gifts for my top students yet, and the assembly is next Friday. I should be getting that done, maybe today, even. I like to shine a light on those who have worked hard, and the little gifts I get them are always something I think they'd like-- no weird plaques or one-size-fits-no one dust collectors. Usually, it's something connected to what they like to do, or something we did in class that they liked. I must put my thinking cap on today. The students who excelled in Creative Writing should be easy enough, and the ones in the literature classes will be pretty easy as well. What do you do to award excellence in College Composition? I will have to jog my brain a bit for that one. And I have to create the certificates, because I do not like the cardboard-like preprinted ones. 

So, I guess I have a small task ahead today. At least it's one I like. And it'll be one more thing to check off the list of end-of-year things to do. We finished the book inventory yesterday, and next up will likely be the purchase orders for a few new things for next year. As my dad used to quip, "Tempus is fugit-ing..."

Have a good day,

C