I am at the airport. I’m typing this on the infamous iPad. I finally took it out of the box. Then I played around with it. I am now fully committed to it and plan to marry it.
I am flying out to see my twin and her family today!!!! (Except I just learned that our flight is delayed so this could become a long post. Not sure why I’m warning you because if you’re reading this, you already know I tend to be a little long winded.) Our birthday is tomorrow. We are celebrating the 19th anniversary of our 21st birthday. That’s all I’m saying about that.
I was hoping to meet up with some Texan bloggers while I’m out there, but the stars did not align. Instead, the world came crashing down because it was not meant to be. Sob. Hiccup. (A class gift of an iPad and/or saying goodbye to a super sweet class can’t bring me to tears, but a failed blogger meet up may require therapy.) The good thing is that I go to Texas at least once a year so we will try again. Meanwhile, Hadar is happy about this whole situation. I don’t understand why she feels this way. For example, Miss Squirrels is going to be seeing all the girls this week and I am perfectly fine with it. I wish them all the best. I am not hoping for flight delays, bad weather, mistaken identities, food poisoning, pink eye, head lice, or anything of that kind of nature. No way!
I went to school yesterday because I felt like that was the perfect way to start summer vacation.
I organized a little. Or a lot. I threw out a bunch of stuff. Like worksheets that were so pointless we never used them a mug or two, and some candy, and maybe a dead plant.
We are now not allowed back in until Monday, July 30, which happens to be the week before school starts. I don’t get it because the office and custodial staff will be there most of the summer. And an art program/summer camp/type of thing will be there, too. But heaven forbid I get a jump start on next year. I mean, who do I think I am? Pipe down there, sister, and don’t you dare be prepared for next year ahead of time. We demand stressed out teachers only. Period. You can also be a pull-your-hair-out or run-around-with-your-head-cut-off teacher, but that’s where we draw the line.
This is not a district thing. Other schools in our district let their teachers in.
To work.
For free.
The nerve.
Do you get to go in over the summer? We were having a big debate about it yesterday.
Because they even took our keys.
All of them.
Even the gate key (the one that helped me be a teeny tiny hero) and our bathroom key!!
Under no circumstances shall I use the bathroom this summer. I am sure they just want us to stay at risk of urinary tract infections whilst on vacation so that our bladders and kidneys and other organs are prepared for the new year. That preparation is okay. But not classroom or curriculum preparation. No siree Bob.
What’s your school policy? Are you with me?? Do you feel my pain???
I get to keep my building key and go in anytime I want to over the summer. I don't think I would like it AT ALL if someone took my key away and told me I couldn't come in. Who or what would it hurt if you kept your key and wanted to spend your time there working??? It doesn't make sense.
Connie:)
http://www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com
Happy early birthday lady!! We are allowed free reign as long as the school is open! Our school library is open every Tuesday over the summer so I could go every Tuesday if I pleased! I would be upset if I didn't have the freedom to go if I needed to! Ugh! Sorry 🙁
Nicole
Rowdy in Room 300
Happy Birthday tomorrow. I hope you and your family have a wonderful day.
We are allowed into our school all summer, but I once worked in a district, that didn't allow anyone in during the summer. Supposedly to save power, yeah I know, how lame is that. If a teacher showed up, somehow the keying system let the District office know and someone was dispatched to kick said teacher out.
Anywhoo have a great day and a wonderful day tomorrow.
Jill bubbalulu.blogspot.com
I do not know what I would do if I couldn't go in! We can keep our keys, or turn them. The only days we aren't allowed to work for free is district furlough days.
Laurie
Chickadee Jubilee
Happy Birthday early – to your sis too! LOVE that you opened your ipad – a beautiful thing. We get our keys taken, but we can get the secretary to let us in. If we work around the custodians floor cleaning schedule (and bring them food) things seem to go OK. Now the hubz on the other hand gets very mad when I clean there and not at home – blah. Have a safe trip.
jh
Totally feel your pain…..one of our custodians is a stinker and doesn't like it if we come in a week early!!!!! Seriously??? You own the school??? We have a brand new P and asst. P this new year so not sure how that will work…before I pouted and got my way!!
Since you can't make the Texas get together (which I am totally jealous about) pop over to Florida and join ours:) It's next weekend:) Can't wait:)
4th Grade Frolics
Happy early Birthday and have a safe flight to Texas!!
We are allowed to keep our keys, though we can't go back for about 3 weeks due to the cleaning and waxing of our floors. Our principal did tell us he didn't want to see our cars up there during the summer, but he knows we all will be.
I have no idea how you get everything done, only being allowed to go up there the week before school starts. Good luck!
Heather (heathernnance@yahoo.com)
Happy Birthday, enjoy your weekend:))
I am in the same predicament as you. No keys and I am not allowed back in until a week before school starts!! I like to take my time and get a few things set up early:( I guess my file cabinet makeover is on hold:'{
Aloha,
Corinna
Surfin' Through Second
You are so funny- your post made me smile! I do feel badly that you are not allowed in your classroom. I cannot imagine that! We are allowed in our classrooms all summer – even to the bathroom!! Our school doesn't end until June 25th and then summer school with start, so the school with be open. They will only close it for about a week to wax the floors. I guess you are required not to work too much on school stuff this summer – a good lessson for all!
I am right there with you! We aren't allowed in either! I am so jealous of all the other schools who are! We aren't even allowed in on the weekends during the school year!
Custodians, office, and summer school are all going on during the summer. I just don't understand why I can't be in my classroom too!
Maybe if I beg & bribe I can get in! 🙂
Enjoy your time in Texas and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Creating & Teaching
Happy Birthday! I always look forward to your post. Usually, our keys are taken the same way and you are right…it makes it VERY stressful! However, we are going to have a new principal this year and he has allowed us to keep our keys. However, we are not allowed back in the building until July 1st.
Happy Birthday!
I can't believe that there are teachers who actually have to TURN in their keys for the summer! I'm able to come and go as I please (as long as the floors aren't being done that week). I like to go in and get a lot done before everyone else comes back – too much gabbing then. 🙂
Although, I have tried not to go in too much – usually just when my kids are gone for a week to camp. My coteacher (and blogging buddy) does NOT go in at all (by choice). 🙂
Crystal
Happy Birthday!
Look at you on your iPad!
Stinks about the keys. I think the teachers I sub for get to keep theirs, because I'll see them once in awhile at the schools in the summer.
Journey of a Substitute Teacher
Our school takes us for every moment we are willing to give . . . hence, we keep our keys. They practically advertise the free AC to get us to come in periodically throughout the months of June and July :). It floors me that they lock you out, but enjoy it all you can my dear . . . let time slip away on that new iPad of yours 😉
Kelley Dolling
Teacher Idea Factory
I am with you! Our keys are confiscated and we are told not to come back until a week before school starts. I don't understand why principals wouldn't want teachers working and preparing for a new year? Wouldn't that mean better lessons and better ? The people in charge of schools really don't get it. But, I buy the secretary strawberry slushes from Sonic and she let's me in and even makes me hundreds and hundreds of copies!
I hope you'll check out my new blog!
http://Www.kindergartensmorgasboard.blogspot.com
Happy Birthday Funny Girl! We are able to come and go as we please. This summer it may be often, since there is training of some sort being offered almost every week, and planning meetings when there aren't trainings. Ugh…
learninginthelittleapple.blogspot.com
Happy Anniversary 😉 Unfortunately, we ARE allowed in our building, but only after the floors have been cleaned in our rooms. Which if my classroom is used for summer school means it's riiiiiiiight before school starts. Boo. So, the running around teacher with her head cut off is me. Usually, but not always. When I first started teaching, you couldn't keep me out of the building in the summer….but a few years later, I try to wait to the last minute…right after the floors have been cleaned. Enjoy your trip and birthday!
Haley
Following Optimism in 2nd Grade
Well… don't tell on me- I was supposed to turn in my keys and didn't.
I also can't go in until the end of July though. I get one paid day to work in my room (but will use probably 2 weeks to get it in tip top shape.
Have fun in Texas!!! I am so jealous- it is where I am from. Not getting to go home this summer is kind of bumming me out.
Every New Beginning
My blood pressure just went up reading this post! I would D.I.E. if I couldn't go up. They do our carpet but my room is one of the first they do because they know I like to get it ready early. Our head custodian will text me when they finish.
When they wax the floors they do chain the door shut so NO ONE will get in….not even our principal
My principal lives at the school and most teachers go up several, several times during the summer.
We all know the alarm code.
The sobbing you are hearing right now is me….in Texas…crying because I won't be seeing you at the Bloggy Meet-Up. =(
Enjoy and treasure your time with your twin and live it up since you'll be 21 (again)!
Heather
Heather's Heart
Have a safe trip! Our school is kind of like that too. They also act like we're totally putting them out when we ask to come in or turn in our receipt book (which takes two seconds and is on our required checkout checklist). But I digress. I haven't heard whether or not we'll be able to come in early. If I was a betting woman, Id say no…
Enjoy visiting your sister!
Bonnie
Living A Wonderful Life
We are supposed to turn in our keys on the last teacher work day, but I have seen some culprits stash those babies in their purses! I am afraid of going against "the man", so I turn mine in. I am very lucky though, I am allowed in the building all summer long, some of which I work with our reading coach preparing things for the new school year (and yes, my principal pays me, but I would do it for free). If I wanted to go in my room, I could, but I wouldn't be able to set up until the floor is waxed. The official day back is the Tuesday before school starts, but my boss is awesome and lets us come back a month before (as long as the floors are waxed). I know how you feel, though, my last school threatened to send you to the guillotine if you even breathed in the building during the summer!
Faithful in First
Have a safe trip to Texas! It osmalready extremely hot here. All of our keys are taken up and we can't goback util 2 weeks before the kids.
We were all stressed out this year because they took our keys for 4 days. We have so many new people and new team leaders (who get mini master keys that open all the doors on their hallway). They needed to sort out who had which key. We get them back anytime we go up to the school after this Tuesday.
We are allowed in the building any time in the summer except when it is our school's turn to have the floors waxes. All our halls are tile and they don't want us walking on them which we all find acceptable. That process usually has us kicked out for a week or so. The only hard part is that they keep the schedule a secret.
Most of us only go up in the mornings as we are inTexas and the air conditioning is not on unless the cleaning crews are there. We keep a stash of fans to use as needed. I can't imagine not being able to go up to school.
Oh my goodness. I would not do well where you are! We come and go as we please. Except for guessing when they will clean our rooms. Last year it was first of the summer and I had to rush to finish my office cleaning and filing to get everything put away. I'm in the middle of purging my file cabinet and I intend to put everything in my large walk-in closet out on the carpet for examination. I will work on it a couple days each week. They ask for our keys but my principal told to just keep mine. That way I can come and go through my outside door. Our rooms are not alarmed. If it would rain, I would tackle the outside playground closet, but it's too hot right now. Have a great celebration with your twin!
Have a fan.tab.u.lous birthday!!
District Policy is now set that all principals in our district must take our keys over the summer. This has been the routine for several years now… but I will admit I've "forgotten" to turn in my keys a few times. We are not supposed to go back until 2 days before school starts, but our principal lets us in as soon as he goes back. If we show up and can track down a custodian by screaming through the locked gate, he'll let us in. 😀
Be safe and enjoy your trip!
❤Dragonflies in First ❤
40! Yeah. I just want to share with you that when I turned 40, my world perspective changed. I was pretty much always okay, but after 40 I was more confident and happier about everything. I have a twin too, so I understand that whole connection. Flying into LA where he lives makes me feel jittery and more calm all at the same time. Have a wonderful birthday. xo
I can go in my room all I want, but we have less than no (is that negative?) curriculum cops. Nobody watches what we do, ever. Can't say what is worse sometimes.
Enjoy your time off love.
✰ Kimberley ✰
First in Maine
Happy Birthday!! My room has already been waxed and cleaned, so I've already started setting up for next school year. I can't imagine not being able to pop in whenever I have something to drop off!
muahahha!! I am an evil, evil person! Why am I happy about that?! Oh I know, because it's TOTALLY NOT FAIR FOR YOU TO MEET EVERYONE AND NOT ME! Anyway, happy 21st birthday! SHOTS!!! Oh, and if you are in dire need, and if things actually go as planned, you can come help me out in my classroom whenever you want 😉
We aren't really supposed to go in over the summer but we get to keep our keys so really we can go in whenever! I think I am supposed to call ahead to make sure they aren't waxing the floors maybe. But I'm planning on just stopping by whenever I feel like it.
I do know that our whole school is getting new carpeting this summer so there will be some time when I actually can't go in my room for that reason!
Marvelous Multiagers!
We can not get in until July 19th. School begins August 5th (I think). We have two weeks before school to get our rooms ready and we can work one day for $75- how nice!
I am new to blogging and have loved reading, I mean laughing through, your blog posts. I am becoming a follower today!
http://www.kindertrips.blogspot.com
I don't get not being allowed back to school. Teachers are grown ups. They should be able to decide how to spend their free time. It seems silly and counterproductive to keep teachers out of their rooms during the summer, except during cleaning weeks.
Happy, Happy Birthday! They just get better!
We are allowed into our building, but after this week, the air will be off. If it makes you feel better, working in your classroom in the 98 degree Mississippi heat is not really a good time.
Laura
Peace, Love, and First Grade
Okay. I just caught up on your last post and this one. I am without words as well! An iPad?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Our school doesn't do anything for teacher appreciation week or end of the year. We encourage families to donate to a "needy" family at Christmas that our school sponsors and buys gifts for instead of gifts for teachers or other students.
After saying that, can I say I'm jealous without sounding awful? Ha!
Honestly though, I'm so excited for you and your new iPad!
Now, about this anti-teachers in your school during the summer?! hWHAT (yes, pronounce the h please) is that?! I can't get in as much as I'd like to (read: as much as I should) because of floor waxing, and the contents of my classroom stacked in the hallway for deep cleaning, BUT! I have the option! And the key. And the option of using the bathroom if I happened to be near my school and needing to go.
We have to turn in our keys…BUT custodians/office staff can let us into our rooms at any time during the summer. The only time it's a "no-no" is when they are doing the hallways. Then, it's blocked off. With duct tape.
Oh, and we're not allowed back in our rooms until after the floors are done in there. About mid-July I go back since we start in early August. Like you, I don't like to be stressed out and have everything dump at once.
Good luck! Maybe you can get your policies to change. That's weird…everyone wants someone to work for free, right? (Shoot, even my kids come in with me…granted, they then get to eat popcorn and watch movies from the projector…a big treat….but well, it's just expected!).
Here's hoping you get things changed!!!!
I hope you have a happy birthday!! I am kind of in the same boat as you. My school usually has summer school & we can't get in until the 1st week of August. This year, we don't have summer school, but they are going to be waxing the floors, so they don't really let us go in that much either. It is frustrating especially when you want to organize & prepare for next year! Have a fun trip!!
Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels the need to return to school to organise and clean as soon as school finishes!
Shanyn
coffeekidsandcompulsivelists.blogspot.com.au
Happy Birthday to both of you- I am on 18th anniversary of my 21st…love how you put that!
I am a sad squirrel that times and days didn't work out- but one day!
We keep our keys and we get an email once the floors are done in the halls- can't go in until then
Stay safe-
Staci
☞Go NuTTY with ME!
misssquirrels@yahoo.com
Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day with your twin!
We are required to render 80 hours of service in school during summertime.
And when even after the 80 hours, we still can go there anytime we want.
The problem is, we only get our load for the next year one week before classes start. And we cannot even prepare anymore because there's always a one-week pre-opening seminar before school starts.
We get to keep our keys but during "sign out" time, we have to write our key codes on the sign out paper. My principal/superintendent (yes, it's one person with two positions) is pretty relaxed and doesn't care if we come and go as we please. However, the real boss of the school (the head custodian) chases us away with big brooms and dust mops-haha. (Summer school takes place in my classroom through the month of July so I have to scramble at the last minute because my floors need to be waxed/shampooed. It's such a soap opera every year–grrr! I just smile and do my job. 🙂
We get to keep our keys but during "sign out" time, we have to write our key codes on the sign out paper. My principal/superintendent (yes, it's one person with two positions) is pretty relaxed and doesn't care if we come and go as we please. However, the real boss of the school (the head custodian) chases us away with big brooms and dust mops-haha. (Summer school takes place in my classroom through the month of July so I have to scramble at the last minute because my floors need to be waxed/shampooed. It's such a soap opera every year–grrr! I just smile and do my job. 🙂
Lol! In years past we got maybe a 3-4 day head start on room prep, but this year we actually get to go in on Aug 1st! We have enrollment Aug 6-8 (we are heavily encouraged to "volunteer") and Aug 13-16 are professional development days (we get to see Debbie Diller!) and August 17th the new year starts! So actually I can't complain toooo much about prep. However, we did have to take EVERYTHING home for the summer so I am organizing it all at the house – I will be ready for next year in spite of them lol!
Glad you are enjoying the iPad! Have a great flight!
Jennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten
Unfortunately we are not allowed to go into our school during the summer… however the custodians and office staff are still there… so I do not see how this is fair. I feel that if we need to get into our classrooms to work that we should be able to. In fact I thought that this was nation-wide, until I started hearing teachers talk about being able to get into their classes during the summer. I want to know where they teach… I think I may need to get a job there!
We get to go in anytime we want to over the summer. I spent most of my summer there in fact. Some days I sort of wished they would have locked me out:) and I know my friends thought that. Haha
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
We have to hand our keys in and we are allowed back in about two weeks before school starts. Needless to say, I'm there everyday during that two week period! …and my house becomes a mess with school stuff in the meantime 🙂
❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
We are allowed to keep our keys & I can pretty much go in anytime if it doesn't interfere with the custodial staff.
Happy Birthday and have a fun time with your sister!
we have to give them our keys too…we BEG to let them let us back in the week before school starts so we can unpack and decorate and such…because you KNOW the WHOLE week preplanning week is JAMMED packed with meetings and such, so we NEVER have enough time to set up…and this year with EVERYONE having to pack up…well… they BETTER let us in the week before…PLUS, I'm gonna have to clean out all the dead cockroaches – ha!!
♥ Jen
The Teacher's Cauldron
We get to keep our keys and can go in anytime we want unless the floors are being waxed. I would die if I couldn't go in over the summer.
Robynn
BusyBees
Happy Birthday bloggy BFF. I think we should go to therapy together about not meeting which will solve the problem altogether. I mean that is in fact why this date was put out there. Can you send me an 8X10 glossy to tape to a chair? I am SO not kidding. Email me something or I will create my own and you do not want that.
Wait hold the phone…you can't email me a picture you are jetting across country with your ipad. I can't believe you are in Texas and we will not meet. 🙁
They took my keys for the first time. It was like they took my first born. We are banned until ??? We don't have a date. I may have brought my entire classroom home. Just saying…nobody puts baby in a corner. No that doesn't work there does it…too lazy to fix.
Well I hope you have a safe flight. Or had one. I am lost and confused due to sadness.
We only get locked out with chains on the doors while they are waxing our floors. They are supposed to start next week. I feel bad for everyone who gets their keys taken away. 🙁
Jennifer
Grade2Happenings
Well, I sure don't feel the pain of an ipad class gift!! The best thing I ever got was a 20.00 gift card to Barnes & Noble!
Our school is open a few weeks before school starts. We have to take all our our crud and stack it in and on our built-in storage shelves or take it home, so they can clean and wax the floors. My principal emails us over the summer to tell us when we can come in and deconstruct our towers of terror that we have stacked (mine reach to the ceiling and are probably a part of a hazardous work environment). I haven't even started building yet. We have three days left: three days to destroy my entire room. Waaah.
Buzzing with Ms. B
OH! And we're supposed to turn our keys in, too, but I have a sneaky extra key that I 'borrowed' one time and forgot to return.
We turn in our keys and are usually allowed to go back the week before. I'm hoping it's the same this year. My biggest beef is that they are closing our Teacher Center!!! We've been SO lucky to have a place to go and copy, laminate, and create for FREE! And they are taking it away because of budget cuts. Ugh! Luckily they are giving us 2 weeks…I just wonder how many teachers will be there for those 2 weeks. Talk about your cat fights…we'll probably see them!
As for your trip to Texas, I am in the same predicament with the Florida meet up. I will actually be in Destin, but the meet up is 7 hours away from there and will be an extra nights stay in a hotel…not sure if I can do it! Boo Hoo! =(
Laura
Kinder Kraziness
We keep our keys and are allowed in pretty much whenever we want. The only time they ask us not to go in is the week that our rooms are being cleaned. Luckily, they (usually) clean the K-1 building first, which means we are (usually) able to start setting up around the beginning of July. I'm saying "usually" because I don't wanna jinx it!
Teachin' First
Can't go to school until maybe Aug. 1. Not only did they take our keys, the district is changing the locks because they are putting new AC in the building. So all I have to look forward to is teaching summer school in a different building!
I forgot to say happy summer vacation on my previous comment. I am insanely jealous. I am in 'til the 22nd and I feel like I might lose my mind. But, no matter, I will lose myself in the happiness of your summertime!!! Happy Birthday to you both, I'm so happy you are getting to see your sister!
We can go into school…though I'm pretty sure I drive the custodians crazy with the number of times I stop by. I would probably have some kind of episode if we couldn't get in early. I can't believe they take your keys!! Crazy.
Glad you're using your iPad, you lucky girl!
I think what I'm more confused about is that you JUST got out of school yet you GO BACK the first week of August. Around here (and by that, I mean Louisiana) we get out the next to last week in May and don't go back until at least the middle of August. Maybe y'all have more breaks than we do or longer ones. Anyway, I do think it stinks that you can't go in your room. Like you said, heaven forbid teachers actually want to be prepared! I do hope you and your twin have a wonderful birthday tomorrow!
We don't have to turn in our keys. We are welcome to visit our classrooms, however, the furniture is piled up in a corner so they can clean the carpets so it's no use going in until they are finished.
Happy birthday to you and your sis. We have to turn in our keys and sign off that they've been turned in. We're allowed back in 2 weeks before school starts with no A/C which is unthinkable in August in Texas. I just try to get as much done as possible at home over the summer.
I hope you had a safe flight and Happy Birthday to you and your sis!
I can't believe they took your keys and you can't go back. That's crazy talk! We're allowed to keep our keys and can go back any time we want. Even in the middle of the night! I'm trying not to go in too many times. After all, it is SUMMER TIME!
I go up all summer long. The custodians think I'm crazy. We're not supposed to use the air conditioner, but who knows if the door is closed? In fact, I'm teaching another teacher how to knit once a week at school! I think maybe I need a life.
We used to have to turn our keys in…but we could go back anytime the custodians were there. Then we could check them out again the 1st of August (2 weeks before teachers have to come back). Now we get to just keep them all summer. Our principal is really good that way. We can get in so long as there is not construction or floor waxing/major cleaning going on in our rooms or halls. Last 2 summers they were replacing the floor and asbestos abatement…so no going back, we were lucky to be in our rooms the week before the first day of school. This summer it is air conditioning, but I think we will have access most days.
I can't believe you have bathroom keys!! Really? Is it that hard to just lock the students out or do you have amazingly fancy bathrooms where you might want to hide out and chill and students are always trying to get in and mess them up. They took the light switches out of our bathrooms (kids would turn them off and scare the bejeezus out of each other), but we don't need keys unless we want to be in charge of the lights.
Terri Izatt
PS Have a great birthday in Texas!
WOW! We don't even have keys! We can only go in if the building is open (AKA school days).
There is no AC in any classroom, which is fine for most of the year. (I'm in Massachusetts.) But in summer it is sweaty hot! If we go into school in the summer, it is usually on a cloudy, rainy day as early as possible.
I do almost all my prep at home and pile everything that is going to school in a corner of my living room or into the back of my minivan. When the building is open I drop my stuff off. 🙂
Hope you had a fabulous bday!
Stacey
I just love your re-runs!! Gosh you're good!!
A post to steal our hearts about being locked out of your school and then linking it to the post that you are a hero saving a boy locked in the bathroom. Well played Teeny! Well played! Have a fun trip as if that will be a problem!
The Polished Teacher
We get to go up all summer anytime we want. This summer will be hard. I have to pack everything because I'm getting new carpet which I sooooo needed but it is so hard to pack it all and I may have to bring some stuff home which my hubby won't be happy about!!!! I know that as soon as it's done I'll be up there resetting everything back up. Happy Birthday and welcome to Texas. Have a great vacation 🙂