From My Couch To A 5K... And Beyond!

Man, I totally missed all that!!!

Point taken, Steve. Thanks! :D I know you're right!

I need to whip my butt back into shape, though. I've been very naughty with too many Oreos today, but I'm done being a bad, bad girl. It's time to get back on it! I keep telling myself that school will help!

Thanks for the apple, Dee! I should have had that instead of the Oreos!
 
I tried to convince myself that Oreos are disgusting... they won. :(

At Meet the Teacher night I discovered that one of my new students is a Jehovah's Witness. Crap. The first thing she did was take out a pamphlet titled Jehovah's Witnesses and Their Education. She requested that I read it and make sure to follow through with his beliefs in my classroom. What?! I am at such a loss about what to do during the holiday season. I can still decorate, right?! I know he can't participate in any of the activities, but what am I supposed to do with him?! It's not like I can send him to another classroom, because we all do fun, holiday activities!

I also have an autistic child that I know is going to present some huge challenges. He's been known to hit and kick students and teachers, throw chairs, turn over desks, etc... I already have his mom's number on speed dial! I was hand picked to be his teacher last year by fellow teachers, admin, and his parents. I'm very flattered, but very scared!
 
Good luck on your first day tomorrow!!

Regarding the JW student...touchy territory. Most schools around here don't allow any religious hoildays to be celebrated or promoted (through activities, decorations, parties, etc.). Patriotic holidays (president's day, constitution day) are still ok around here. And things like "winter parties" still happen, but no mention of Christmas, Chanukah, etc.

It will be, legally, considered a violation of his rights if you do celebrate or promote (through decorations or activities) religious hoildays. Courts have upheld that sending the JW student out of the room or provide alternate activites to keep him busy while you are doing something else with other students is not ok. They have also upheld that religious/holiday songs in music class are a violation of the JW rights. You will need to restructure your teaching to adjust to this. I know it's difficult to want to restructure because of one student, but if his mom is that gung-ho she may take it to court. And you would lose, based on other court rulings. Because of court rulings, around here we also cannot have any evening activities or assign homework/give tests on Jewish High Holy Days, as those students would not be able to attend.

What courts have said is that it is okay to teach lessons/put up informative bulletin boards about holidays, as long as you are featuring many religions and can call it a cultural/historical/comparative religions study. Music classes/concerts can feature holiday songs as long as many holidays are covered. You cannot do it just with Christian holidays.

In regards to the autistic student, I am hoping he also recieves Special Ed. minutes. Rely on those teachers and resources to help you out. Some of the best things I know to do with autistic kids are to always warn them as to what is coming next (I keep a schedule on the board at all times, it has words and pictures, and we take things down as we do them) and have a consistant routine and procedures. Autistic kids thrive on sameness, and tend to dislike surprises. (If you need any advice on specific issues through the year that you aren't getting good responses on, I'm happy to help. I specialized in autism in college.)
 
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Oh dear... I hope your year doesn't end up too challenging. Sounds like AmbaLove knows what she's talking about!
 
I just created a college football pick 'em at Yahoo if you or anyone else reading this wants to join. A few of us did it last year and it was fun. Here's the link:
The Group #25162 and the password is kickoff. Make sure you make your picks each week within 5min of the first game's kickoff.

Go Wolverines!!
 
Hi hon. Looks like challenges ahead!

I have to say that I shake my head at the whole JW thing. I find it sad that school has become a place for "the lowest common denominator" in regards to religion and many other cultural occasions. I wish holidays of all varieties could be acknowledged in some way. We always tell kids that everyone is different and each is just as important in their own way, yet we confuse them by hiding some pretty important and interesting differences. Really Christmas in itself is so secularized that its seems to be hardly a Christian holiday at all now. Hanging a bit of tinsel and snow flakes seem to be a more fun time in winter than it is a statement of strong religious conviction.

Guess what....we are the same weight (I've gained a bit :(). Now I only have to grow a couple inches taller to catch up. LOL. Congrats!
 
bikinibound said:
I just created a college football pick 'em at Yahoo if you or anyone else reading this wants to join. A few of us did it last year and it was fun. Here's the link:
The Group #25162 and the password is kickoff. Make sure you make your picks each week within 5min of the first game's kickoff.

Go Wolverines!!
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Thanks for thinking of me!!! I'm obviously too late, but I appreciate it!!! Bo Blue! :)

I can't wait until it's time to cheer on my STEELERS!!!!

AmbaLove said:
Hey darlin'. I hope your first week went a hell of a lot better than mine.
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Hey! It has been crazy! I've been repeatedly flipped off, repeatedly told I'm hated, been kicked and hit... and that's all from the same kid!! Lol. I'm still alive and well, though! :)

lusciouslemon said:
Hi hon. Looks like challenges ahead!

I have to say that I shake my head at the whole JW thing. I find it sad that school has become a place for "the lowest common denominator" in regards to religion and many other cultural occasions. I wish holidays of all varieties could be acknowledged in some way. We always tell kids that everyone is different and each is just as important in their own way, yet we confuse them by hiding some pretty important and interesting differences. Really Christmas in itself is so secularized that its seems to be hardly a Christian holiday at all now. Hanging a bit of tinsel and snow flakes seem to be a more fun time in winter than it is a statement of strong religious conviction.

Guess what....we are the same weight (I've gained a bit :(). Now I only have to grow a couple inches taller to catch up. LOL. Congrats!
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I totally understand what you are saying, and I guess I was being a bit close minded about it. I think I was more worried about how it was going to inconvenience me. It seems we have it all worked out now, and it's not as big of a deal as I thought it was.

If you are 145, then you are lighted than me! I have put on a few pounds... :blush5: Not too many (only like 3/4), but they are there! Whoops! I am getting a bit too comfortable! It is a bit irritating, because I am ENJOYING the relaxing an occasional cheating, but at the same time, I miss my summer body!
 
daiseeangel said:
Hey! It has been crazy! I've been repeatedly flipped off, repeatedly told I'm hated, been kicked and hit... and that's all from the same kid!! Lol. I'm still alive and well, though! :)
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What grade do you teach? First grade, right? All this the first week, huh? I hope the kid settles into the year. For your sake as well as his.
 
daiseeangel said:
I totally understand what you are saying, and I guess I was being a bit close minded about it. I think I was more worried about how it was going to inconvenience me. It seems we have it all worked out now, and it's not as big of a deal as I thought it was.

If you are 145, then you are lighted than me! I have put on a few pounds... :blush5: Not too many (only like 3/4), but they are there! Whoops! I am getting a bit too comfortable! It is a bit irritating, because I am ENJOYING the relaxing an occasional cheating, but at the same time, I miss my summer body!
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I definitely don't think you're closed minded. I think there are many teachers that are a loss at how to deal with it...heck I can't even figure it out. You'll be fine.

Don't worry. I weighed myself today and I am at 146...oops. Gotta fit this!
 
Hi everyone!!! Thanks for stopping in! :)

It sucks, because this summer I had so many friends on here that I had all the time in the world to talk to, but now I never even have a chance to pop in! I miss you guys! :(

I must be honest and say that I have been cheating a bit! True, I have only gained like 3/4 pounds, but in my mind it looks and feels like more. I still fit all of my clothes (it's not that bad!), but my body is a bit "softer" than it was last month.

I am hanging in there! The child has special needs, so there isn't much I can do. His mom is verrrry supportive and will come up to the school at the drop of a hat (but I try to avoid that). He is challenging but very entertaining at the same time. As crazy as it sounds, I have enjoyed having him. I feel like it has made me a better teacher. I was really worried about how I would handle having him in my class (I knew he'd be mine since last year), but I have done really well. Much better than I had anticipated of myself. :) I was hand picked by his parents and admin to be his teacher, but I was really worried about it... I have held my own. :)
 
lusciouslemon said:
I find it sad that school has become a place for "the lowest common denominator" in regards to religion and many other cultural occasions. I wish holidays of all varieties could be acknowledged in some way.
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I can't help but comment on this. I see your point, acknowledge it, and agree somewhat. I also want to state that knowledge is power; public schools seem to withhold information, and I'm not certain if it's an accident or an agenda (I suspect the latter)--but if students learned early about the world's cultural richness, their minds would be so opened that they might start converting, denouncing, or annihilizing. And their parents wouldn't like that. You can disagree with me all you want, but while I personally like the idea, I've constantly dealt with New Age ideas begin stomped out with Old Traditional Customs and it ain't pretty. Nor is it pretty when you get into "preserving" customs and the idea of authenticity......uh oh. Forgeddabout it, nevermind.

I am hanging in there! The child has special needs, so there isn't much I can do. He is challenging but very entertaining at the same time. I feel like it has made me a better teacher. I was really worried about how I would handle having him in my class (I knew he'd be mine since last year), but I have done really well.
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Teaching children is an amazing profession that I look up to, and don't think I could ever do. Nor do I ever want kids, but my "sister in law" has taught special ed for 10 years and is one of the nicest women I know....I just am in awe of her. AND of you :beating: so you gained a few? So what, you'll lose it! Just don't get indolent like I did last summer and fall off completely. I put on some pounds from my vacation and need to get them off, but the lack of sleep is killing me! We'll lose them together :D
 
You're such a hero, Tyly! Teachers are exceptional people. You're obviously a great teacher if you were hand-picked to take the child with special needs into your class.

Keep focused - you'll get those pounds off!
 
Hey, we're probably the same weight right now (I'm at 148) and we both have the same goal. So, I'm with you and Valerie in shedding those pounds ASAP!
 
I'm totally with you on the no time to pop in thing. Yikes, hopefully we'll be in routine and settled down soon.
 
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