It being Women's History Month, in our Admin Meeting this morning we were asked to consider (and share) a woman celebrity that we admired - and a non-related woman that had influenced us.  I was low on coffee, at that point, and felt stumped, especially to even name a celebrity.  

After a hot minute, however, I began to think about all of the women who have impacted my career as a teacher and educational leader - and there are so many of you.  In fact, as I start to name you, I realize that there are so many, I would not want to miss recognizing one.  

You have nurtured, 

you have supported, 

you have cajoled, 

you have convinced, 

you have led, 

you have collaborated, 

you have spoken truth, 

you have left fingerprints, 

you have believed, 

you have shared, 

you have cried, 

you have made mistakes, 

you have admitted ignorance, 

you have changed your mind, 

you have lifted yourself up, 

you have lifted others like me, 

you have been my teacher.  

You have been an important part of my journey - and I'm thankful for all you have shared with me.  Yes, you!  :)

Energized!

The rain this afternoon had me predicting that there would be a low turnout for our rising sixth grade orientation...turns out, I was wrong.  This evening almost 350 students and parents came to school to learn a little more about sixth grade, talk to some current students, and get a tour of the building.  When I walked into the auditorium and saw just how packed it was, I got energized!  The team handed me the microphone and the evening just flew by. I am so lucky to love the school that I work in! 

My Goal - Slow your Roll

Eight Grade lunch is my daily touchstone...if I make it through that grade level's lunch relatively unscathed, I'll likely make it through the day.  Hmm - what's my rubric, you might ask?  Well, a 4 is no trash on the floor or on the tables, moderated indoor voices, seated until called, and respond to requests for attention.  Often failure is measured in the number of apologies that I have to make to the staff (custodial and support) that are helping monitor lunches.  

In December, we dismissed the bad behavior as pre-winter vacation crazy - everyone knows that this is real.  

In January, we anticipated the new year reset meeting, hoping that clarity around expectations would improve the cafeteria outcomes.  

In February, I despaired...could it be that this group would never demonstrate the maturity the we expect?  Seriously, even the Seventh Graders were better behaved at lunch.  

Recently, I realized our mistake.  Typically, our eighth graders eat in under 10 minutes - and during the lovely weather, this means they are headed outside for some fresh air for the last 25 minutes of lunch.  But during this cold and inclement weather, we haven't been taking anyone outside...so we need lunch to take the full 35 minutes - and students to be able to eat in the cafeteria as they would in a restaurant.  A week ago I put the hammer down and threatened assigned seating by homeroom for all students.  That, along with some coaching of the adults to slow things down at lunch, has proven effective.  

Without the anticipation of getting in and out of the cafeteria fast, the eighth graders have relaxed a little, picked up some games, and eased up on the energy.  They are still loud (ok, it is a school cafeteria).  But, there is less trash on the table and floor, and more giggles and chit chat among friends.  Our chess players are still deeply engaged - and our uno tables are having a blast.  Today I had to ask the Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese Pizza game table to quiet down just a little - their screams of victory were drawing a lot of attention!  

I'm attributing their success to maturity - finally making its slow way through the eighth grade class.  As of today, I am hopeful that we will make it to June.  

March, Even the Name Sounds Grim

I have to admit, I have come to anticipate the month of March with trepidation.  In recent years, March has presented a series of challenges... the loss of a friend, the Covid Pandemic, and last year, a slip on the stairs for my mom leading to multiple surgeries and a year of recovery.  These challenges have impacted my usual optimistic outlook.  

So, today, I'm giving March the side-eye.  What does it have in store this year?  Certainly I'm not trusting today's spring-like weather.  I've seen the snowflake on the weather app for this upcoming week.  

Perhaps returning to regular writing with you, fellow slicers, will encourage me to focus on the small successes and many joys that can refill my cup...

...like seeing the bright, hardy, green leaves of future daffodils poking through the snirt this morning.  

Spring IS just around the corner.  

Strength and Fragility

We are fragile beings - nothing drives this point home more than watching my mom struggle with multiple significant health issues.  

My mother is a small-town girl from the country.  New Yorker - but, she'll tell you, not from the city, from up North where ancient mountains dominate the horizon and streams and rivers abound.  She is the Army General's wife - raising five kids all over the globe, moving them, educating them - and then sending them out into the world, all while being married to the Army.  She is the person who was home when we moved every few years.  Even now, when I think of home, it's where my mom is. She is, without a doubt, the strongest person I know.    

Seeing her in the hospital bed, wearing an interested face and making small talk the way you are supposed to when there are visitors, is inspiring.  When the visitors go there is a glimpse of the stress and strain this fall and subsequent hospitalization is having on her.  There is a tremble to her chin, and a wobble to her fingers.  Her broken bones aren't hurting her yet - the pain meds are strong.  And, I'm glad that she hasn't asked for a mirror, as the bruising is terrible.  Her voice shakes a little with acknowledgement when she conveys to me that the doctor reported "This will be a long road to recovery." 

So, I was not surprised when she said this evening, "Well, if I'm going to be here for a while I need to get into some routines.  Ellen, please get my face wipes and my cold cream.  Let's start there."  

As the shift change occurs, the nurse pops in to say goodbye and the General's wife returns, graciously thanking her for the help over the last few days and wishing her a relaxing few days off.    

Why We Do What We Do!

This morning, tired and stressed, I subbed in for one of the admin team covering cafeteria duty.  This is the best part of the morning (I said, sarcastically) - before the school day starts, when students come into the cafeteria and pretend they are going to eat breakfast, and then don't.  

Getting from Door 1 - where they enter the building to the cafeteria door can sometimes be way more fun than it should be.  So, this morning found me, somewhat grumpily, standing in the hallway welcoming students into the cafeteria for breakfast.  

As the first bell began to ring, one of our seventh graders, autistic, hyper-focused, and often incensed by the behavior of other students, walked up to me.  Squinting through his glasses, hat pulled low and fists curled in agitation, Adam glared at me and then said, "Congratulations, Ms. E. Smith, on being Principal of the Year." 

"Thank you, Adam," I responded, "You are the best."  He grinned and moved on into his day.  And, so did I.  

Self-care for Ladies of a Certain Age

 Last Wednesday, sitting in the hospital while my mom was undergoing a second surgery to immobilize her broken pelvis, I began to feel lightheaded and slightly nauseous.  I was terrified that, like my brother the day before, I was coming down with the norovirus.  Literally, terrified.  I left my sisters and headed home anticipating the nasty symptoms would descend on me swiftly.  

Fortunately, nothing.  I was tired, exhausted really, and napped off and on till dinner.  My mom, always upbeat, noted the next day that I likely just had a sinking spell.  "Not surprising," she said, "ladies of a certain age always have sinking spells."

Yesterday, back at the hospital for a long stretch, I again felt lightheaded and dizzy.   In the afternoon, my husband mentioned he often felt incredibly stressed during hospital visits. When he added, "I get lightheaded and feel uncomfortable," I realized that the symptoms I was experiencing were likely stress and anxiety-related.  

So, at least I know what's going on and what to do.  Taking care of one's self is never easy to prioritize, and during times of great stress it's even harder.  But, the walk I took in the evening yesterday was something that I can do again, and my plan to spend time with friends and family can help as well.