Non-Conventional PTA/PTO meetings Part I

Hey, Everyone. Making contact with the parents of ESL students sometimes never takes place. Most of these parents work non-conventional hours (2^nd or 3^rd shift) and sleep during the day.  Something I found to be very effective with parent contact was having a Parent-Teacher day on a Saturday. What a Saturday???? Yep! Most parents were home on Saturdays, and believe it or not, MANY came and will come for you. I know Saturdays are precious to us teachers, but if you really want to meet those parents and establish a relationship with them, you will do it.

Start planning your meeting immediately during your summer pre-planning session. If communicating in a different language is a barrier start investigating someone your friends or colleagues may know that can interpret for you. Be sure you offer refreshments too. You would be surprised what stores and/or restaurants in your community might donate food. I will publish a part II next week.

Sandal Time!

I’ve always liked and enjoyed wearing sandals, and now with Carter and Ammon I like them even more. They come in such cute styles for children, and for all you parents out there they have the advantage of (are you guessing with my flow here?…..) dum, dum, dum, NO LACES! Yiiiiipeeee! Grab a baby, grab a pair of sandals, fasten those suckers up, and you’re ready to go. Happy Spring time, Happy Saturday, and Happy Sandal Time folks!

…caffeine! Woo hoo! It started as a mere child. I would have a cup several times a year especially in the winter. I didn’t need a cup of coffee in the mornings when I started my teaching career in 1989. I would have some nice apple juice or milk for breakfast. I did notice that towards the end of my 20s that I had begun to have coffee more frequently many times all year around at several different times of the day. However, my hot beverage of choice for the mornings was still hot tea. When I was at the ripe old age of 37, I began having coffee every morning. I remember my age well because I had just built a new house in Varnell. Well, my instant coffee gave way to fresh brewed automatic, then the fresh brewed automatic had to have a timer on it because it had to automatically drip by the time I got out of bed, then I started adding decaffeinated in the winter evenings, breakfast blend smoothe turned to 100% Colombian bold!!…oh, for heaven’s sake, when will this downward spiral end!!!  LOL

Before I end, I do have to say that I am more of a wussy latte drinker than a real die-hard, coffee, aficionado. I have to have sweeteners and cream (Peppermint Mocha is my all-time favorite at this writing).  Whatever drink gets you going on this blessed Friday morning, enjoy!

Dogwood winter is here. Most of us from the Southeast understand exactly what it is: if the dogwoods are blooming it is a guarantee that we will have cold weather. I’ve seen it every year during my life. 

Wednesday April 6, 2011 7:15 a.m. 33°

Now, here is something else my Nanny Caylor shared with me about the dogwoods. Please feel free to add your input to this…. The color of the dogwood flower will help predict our next winter’s snows. For example if the petals are bright white then we will have a colder winter with snow. If the petals are more ivory colored, then we will have a mild winter without snow.  Have any of you ever heard this?  Enjoy the beauty of the dogwoods you all!

The milestone of 500 views happened over the weekend. I believe it was 584 views at my last check a few minutes ago. Thank you all for joining me! Several of you have told me that you enjoy the blog, and I appreciate that. I love sharing memories about my family. Oral family history isn’t passed on much any longer. I will never forget sharing some Whitfield county history with some of my students in Dalton several years ago. I simply began to share some things one day, and the students sat riveted to my story. I couldn’t believe how they listened. When I finished, a student asked me, “How do you know all that? I simply said, “My grandmother told me.” The students honestly thought it was cool.

Maybe one day we can celebrate 5,000 or 5 million views (a person can dream can’t they)! Take care and God bless you all. Haven

Man I wish I could get up in the morning whistling! My Granddaddy could. He absolutely loved to wake up and start the new day. I love starting the new day as well, but my sleepy head takes a few minutes to acclimate to being awake. In about 5 minutes, I am more ready to “take on the day” (especially after a big ol’ cup of coffee!  Woo hoo!) I love and enjoy Sundays like my Granddaddy did too. I loved worshiping with him and my Nanny after spending a great Saturday night with them.  In the Episcopal church in “The Prayers of the People” we often pray for the saints (our family members) who came before us. Every time I hear that prayer I think of my Granddaddy (Troy Caylor…September 10, 1917-March 29,1979 ) who was such a wonderful, Christian example to me. I truly thank God for his love that he showered upon me and all his grandchildren. You people who have a grandfather, give him a call or pay him a visit today, and tell him you love him. Enjoy your Sunday!

Carter and Ammon are in such a good mood this morning. It’s a wonder! Carter was up at 1:00 am then 5:00 am coughing. After some medicine, he went back to sleep around 6:00am. Ammon had difficulties going to bed last night as well. However, in the end we all got to sleep until 8:00 am. It was a miracle! They feel great!

We just got through singing and dancing “Hold Still” right after breakfast and while I was washing dishes. We are now getting ready to get out and about! We hope and pray everyone has a great weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc7s_vxY20c&feature=related

What a wet month! Did we set a record? I think the most striking nature scene this past week has been the Red Bud trees with their purple-red buds contrasted against the grey skies. I also saw Paper-white Narcissi growing in a cow pasture today, and I couldn’t help but smile and wonder if the cows appreciated their beauty as much as I did.