Stress with a side of dust.... and 17 days left!

• My new Principal has been appointed... I have no words. (since I like to try to live by the golden rule) nuff said.
  
• My entire building is hanging in the balance of "will I still be here next year, or am I being transferred" due to the previous bullet. It is nothing short of one big 'ol ball of tension throughout... I hate every second of time between bd. meetings... the not knowing is the most horrific part of this moment in time.
  
• During a "retirement party committee" meeting that i am involved in, the conversation turned to talk of our esteemed completely hated Governor... as it always seems to go that way. It is nothing short of a really sad state of affairs in this politically corrupt state. He is dead set on the absolute decimation of public education. In the end this will be a state charter schools and a playground for the rich... but I digress.... We are currently planning a group retirement party for 9 employees. That doesn't include the people who are being layed off or transferred due to their positions being eliminated. It's a rough party to plan, with too many chiefs, and not enough funds... due to the horrific economic state most people are facing.(we are currently arguing over the price of the party) I'm almost sorry I volunteered to plan this as it is nothing but sad and defeating. There is nothing to really celebrate in these retirements. 
  
• I started last week.. the ominous task of breaking down my classroom. I didn't think it would be this hard, or dirty! I am literally on the verge of hyperventilating when giving my "stuff" away. More-so because I know so much of it will end up being trashed. (the majority of it is old, but really awesome curriculum's that we are not supposed to be using) but the thought of books going into the garbage makes me want to throw-up. And handing off my favorite stuff makes me cringe. I didn't think it would be so hard. I have had to downsize my "teaching" toolbox to a single 3 shelf bookcase  (yeah... so not happening) and it is hard for my book-loving brain to handle. They don't make curriculum's like they used to. I have a hard time letting the good (but, old) stuff go. And seriously, as I empty book shelves and give stuff away... it is multiplying in the extreme. My classroom has never looked so disheveled. I am at a loss, I am dirty, covered in dust... wishing it all would just be over. And done... to the point that I actually cried yesterday. It's just too much... not what I thought it would be like. Sorry... I know I'm just whining now.... but really, I didn't think the breakdown of it would be this hard, this stressful. My class room is a complete and utter MESS... just look at the photos... I can't stand the chaos of it. I think it has more to do with the overwhelming changes that are going on across the board... It wouldn't have been so hard if all the other stuff was staying the same. The unknown is a scary thing... really really scary.... the rumor's are constantly flying, and the results won't be known until June 29th... that is a long time for new rumor's to continue and new worries to be brought up. 
  

Sadly... that is the pile of books to be discarded. :( 

I'm still trying to get approval to donate them.

• Other than all that... things are really pretty busy, and normal at the same time. I really can't believe there are only 12 full days and 5 half days left. It kinda crept up on me, and I feel like there is still so much to do.
  
   
• I'm still unsure of what I will be doing this summer. I applied as usual to the Sp Ed summer program that I have taught for the last 7 years, but due to funding, the program has suffered severe cuts and I'm unsure if I will be in or not. The days and hours were changed and the amount of students attending was cut in half. I have to wait until the 11th to find out... that doesn't leave much time to find another job if I don't make the cut... fingers crossed. One positive cut... NO MONDAYS. I will so love the idea of an extra day off all summer. Since I still work every Saturday, the extra day will give me a "real" weekend for the first time in 4 years!
  
• I am so looking forward to the holiday weekend coming up... I have been so crazy busy that I feel like I haven't been home for more than sleeping in about 3 weeks. My house has really suffered, I need a maid, and a cook, a massage wouldn't hurt either!

~Enjoy the last two days of the week!