We are nowhere close to being in a routine or being in a groove--transition and instability abound. I'm at Gregory Elementary (the RSD doesn't have any middle school designations right now, so elementary schools are kindergarten through 8th grade) and right now we are teaching 6th through 8th grades. We're housed on the 2nd floor of Douglas High School and hearing that we will move to modular units at our Gentilly site "soon." ("Soon" is a wildly flexible term here in NOLA, as things seem to move even more slowly than the typical Southern slow, and when I say anything about the very real operational chaos of various institutions in my new home city the locals say, with a substantial amount of glee, "Welcome to New Orleans!")
More transition--apparently many families didn't know that school started yesterday. So I had six 8th graders in my all-day section yesterday. Four of those were on my roster of seventeen. We start "changing classes" today (which is a great relief to those of us who aren't prepared to deal with self-contained classrooms!) and hopefully we'll see many more of those children's faces!
I've been blogging in my mind but not recording anything, and it's been a tumultuous 2 weeks. Elements include moving, drinking hurricanes, loss of power at my house, living in the church office (thanks and love to Redeemer NOLA!), doing without a stove, teacher in-service, gorgeous food, finding a gym 3 blocks away from my house (YAY), and of course lots of coffee. I've almost run through my supply of Greyfriars.
I hope to back-blog soon, but classroom planning takes precedence of course.
Posted by mike at September 5, 2007 08:04 AMGood to hear how you're doing. Keep us posted.
Posted by: stelmodad at September 5, 2007 08:16 AMHe lives! Thanks for the post.
Posted by: alli at September 5, 2007 09:02 AMthanks for the update.
you make me wanna visit.
Mike,
So good to hear about your new life. I hope things aren't too crazy.
May God be near you.
Bea
Posted by: Bea Ludt at September 5, 2007 11:31 AMDo we have your address? If not, email it when you get a chance (that is, if you are living at your house and not the church). Thanks for the update! -b
Posted by: wbt at September 5, 2007 01:37 PMGlad to hear that things are going well. Where did you move to, there? I have a friend whose sone just moved there. I am not sure if he is at redeemer or not but I can get you his info.
Posted by: elizabeth stacey at September 5, 2007 09:38 PM