First Day of School '12

It is that time of year again!  And, now our baby is a 1st grader!

That is a million dollar smile.

 With our girls!!

 Another million dollar smile.  Our girls really have the most beautiful smiles in the world!  Hannah doesn't even start school for 2 more weeks!

Having this smile makes going to school myself so much easier!  Plus, Alyssa is going to love her teacher, Mrs. Sengstock! Have I ever mentioned we LOVE her school?!?!? ;)

Bring it on 2012-2013...It is going to be such a great school year for all of us! 

Not the best week ever...

It is amazing how a single event can change everything.  With just a few words everything can change.  And, then, there are those moments you will never forget...Monday was one of them. 

I know our district has been in financial distress.  We have failed the last two levies and the upcoming one is not looking good.  Housing values are going down, people are unemployed, and the state is making cuts.  Money is running out.  Painful cuts have to be made and it isn't going to be easy.  I knew the district was going to have to lay off several teachers, but we didn't know who or what programs would be on the chopping block.  We had been told for months that programs would be safe this time around, so I had confidence I would escape for at least one more school year...just enough to finish my intervention license and slide into another position in the district.  Sunday we had a meeting and were told 32 teachers would have to be let go for next school year and that the cuts would be made the following day.  I was really upset know that our schools, the community and the students (including our girls who will be starting school here soon) were going to suffer.  You can't maintain an 'Excellent with Distinction' rating and  continue to make deep cuts to the heart and soul of the district.  But, because of previous conversations I had had with higher-ups in the district, I though I would be ok...this time.

Monday was a hard day for everyone.  The general morale in the building was the lowest I have ever seen as a teacher.  Working in a school, we are more like family than co-workers so it is hard to see people go.  I was ok until after lunch.  Then I got a text from a friend who said she had a meeting with her principal after school...that only meant one thing.  I managed to make it through the rest of my classes and was straightening up my classroom when my principal and assistant principal walked in.

They didn't even have to say anything. I knew...RIF.

Reduction in Force.

My heart just sank and I started to cry.  They tried to make me feel better and encourage me by telling me how much I have done for the school and the FCS program, how much the students love me and how much they will miss working with me...but that just made it harder to hear.  

Not just because I don't know what we will do in the Fall, but because a job that a countless number of people prayed about for years was just pulled right out from under me...  

 

A job that I actually loved...

         A job that I feel is vitally important to my students...  

                  That I have poured my heart and soul into and leave my girls everyday to go do... 

But, none of that really matters because there is nothing I can do to change it. I was on the list.

I am heartbroken, but I somehow I have to find a way to focus on this school year.  I still have students who need me everyday and are looking to me for support.   We just started a new term and I promised them we were going to have fun!  

As for us, I don't think it has fully sank in and I'm still trying to wrap my head around the situation so I can process the whole thing.  I have NO idea what I will do.  There no jobs in FCS and I am not done with my Intervention license yet.  I do have 6 months to find something else though.  I am hopeful, but in reality, I may not be starting school anywhere in the Fall.  How weird.  It will be the first Fall since I was 5 years old that that won't happen.  At the same time, there is a strange peace I feel about the situation.  A peace that can only come from Jesus.

When this happened, I really felt like the Lord told me that it was ok to mourn, but not to dwell on it...that He needed me somewhere else.  I know He has a plan and will provide something for us.  It may not be what we want or expect, but it will be what we need. One good thing is that we have have been overwhelmed by the support we have gotten from our friends and family.  It has truly been a blessing to see that there are so many people who love and care for us, who will walk through this time with us.  Tesia and Brian gave us the scripture below to read and it really speaks to the situation.

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
   may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary
   and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices
   and accept your burnt offerings.
May he give you the desire of your heart
   and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy over your victory
   and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the LORD grant all your requests.

Now this I know:
   The LORD gives victory to his anointed.

He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
   with the victorious power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
   but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall,
   but we rise up and stand firm.
LORD, give victory to the king!
   Answer us when we call!

                                                 ~Psalm 20 

We are just trying to rest in the joy of His salvation right now.   I know it is going to get a lot harder before it gets better, but we want to come out of this situation closer to Jesus. Everything around us may crumble or fade, but He can never be taken from us.

Please pray for us as we navigate through this time :)

Another Door Closed

So, Dan got a the call yesterday that he did not get the Westerville North job we had been hoping for.  They said he was a 'great candidate with a lot to offer', but the decided to go a different route.  I hate when people say that...it is almost worse than just saying,  'you suck and we didn't like you at all'.  Seriously, what does that even mean?  Did they go with someone who is not a great candidate...or has nothing to offer?? 

Oh well.  Thankfully, he does have a job.  It is frustrating though.  He said the interview went really well and they said they liked his lessons and experiences with IEP students.  Among other things, the job would have been more secure.  Not to mention it would be a significant raise  so  he could quit Home Depot.

But, our desires are not always God's plan!  And our timing is definitely NOT His timing! We know this from experience.  I interview in Gahanna three miserable, disappointing times [with several recommendations and personal connections within the district] before I was offered job the job at South.   But you know what, it was worth the wait.  I enjoy teaching now and get to work with a great staff.  If I had gotten one of the other jobs...I never would have taken this this one.  It is out of our control.  God has His own PERFECT timing.  I know He is  preparing Dan for that perfect job (hopefully in Gahanna ;), it is just hard to remember that in the moment.  No one likes to be rejected.

When God closes one door, he opens another.  We are just going to keep saying that over and over...

The Waiting Game

Dan had an interview at Westerville North HS today!!  It was for a job that wasn't  posted, that he did not apply for.  They just remembered him from interviewing last year - that has to be a good sign.  He said it went really well and that he 'nailed it'!  He got to show off his portfolio and they loved one of the lessons he had in there.  They also liked that he has modified lessons for students and seemed impressed with his other experiences as well.  He said he felt comfortable and was able to joke around and be himself.  I have a good feeling about this.  While it is not Gahanna, it is a big step in the right direction.  A decision will be made sometime in the next week.  So, now we pray...and wait. 

Wait to see if they call.  Wait to see if they don't call.  

Waiting really is the hardest part...

A Failed Attempt

The levy failed last night...by about 500 votes.  As you can imagine, today was not a good day at school.  It wasn't that anyone was angry, but there was a sense of disbelief and a overwhelming  feeling of concern.  The last time the community didn't support a levy was  15 years ago, in 1995!!  I am a little frustrated so excuse me while I step on my soap box.

The economy is bad, home values are sinking, people are out of work...I have heard all the excuses and it doesn't make it any easier to swallow.  I know the issues we are facing as a community and a nation. I am not living in a bubble.  You can give me all the excuses you want, but it all boils down to what we value.  Apparently, that is not education.

I am not just saying this because I am a teacher.  I am saying this as a worried mom and a community member.  A school is not like any other business.  You can't just produce less or skimp on quality.  We are expected to provide the exact same a better service, to a growing population.  You can't do that when the funding is continually being reduced.  It is a domino effect:  You cut funding, school performance drops.  Parents get angry and refuse to support the schools, so the school has to make more cuts resulting in even lower performance.  The real victims are the students.  They miss out on education, experiences and opportunities that prepare them for success in the future.  And so the cycle repeats itself.  That is the slippery slope we are teetering on the edge of.  

Gahanna has played their cards right and been very fiscally responsible.  Our last levy was supposed to last us 3 years...that was 4 years ago.  Rather than build a new high school, which is desperately needed, we have come up with an innovative solution that costs a fraction of the cost.  Not to mention we have consistently maintained an 'excellent' rating for as long as I can remember.  But, the school is not exempt from inflation and with home values down, that means less revenue coming in to start with.  We had no choice but to ask for another levy.

As a result of the failing levy, our district will have to cut $2.5 million from our budget for next year.  My job is safe for the fall, but I don't know if it will survive the next cut.  If it fails again in the fall, we will have to eliminate another $16 million.  That is more than just 'cutting back' or eliminating 'fluff'.  That will cut right to the essence of what make our school, and community, great - the people.  The real problem is that once you start cutting and reducing it is virtually impossible to recover.  This is scary.  Not just for my job, but also for the girls.  It makes me sad to think they may not be able to have the same opportunities that I did at school because of a few hundred dollars a year.  Is it really worth it?!?!?   

No. 

If you can't afford it, skip one 'out-to-eat' meal a month [it's better for you anyway :)] .  Hold off on upgrading your cell phone.  Buy less alcohol or stop smoking [this is definitely better for you!!].  Do whatever it takes, but don't put our childrens' future in jeopardy.  I know the additional taxes would have put a strain on us, but I am more than willing to make those sacrifices. 

*Sigh*

Now that I have probably offended at least half of my readers, I will get off my soapbox...don't be mad at me :) 

PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE support your local schools! 

By the way, these are my opinions and not necessarily that of the school district's! :)

Starting a Revolution

Holy cow....my head is spinning.  I am so fired up right now.  But in a good great way!  It is all because of Jamie Oliver.  If you have not watched his new show on ABC, Food Revolution, you HAVE to.  It is on Friday nights at 9 pm and you can watch all the episodes online.   I just found out about it and literally watched all the episodes, back to back, online.

This show reminded me of why I wanted to be a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher.  I wanted to inspire my students, among other things, to be healthy and empower them to actually do it.  Yet, every time I tell people what I teach I always get the same head nodding, eye contact avoiding, 'I don't know what that is...but I am going to pretend I do' look.  I can tell they are trying to figure out exactly what it is, so I graciously help them by re-wording my title and say, "It is basically, 'Home Ec'..."  The problem, is that it's not.  And, I have, unwittingly, actually become 'Home Ec-y'.  I got caught up in daily grind and forgot that I wanted to inspire and empower my students.  My mission used to be to prove that my content is important...maybe even more important the the core academics. Ha!  Yeah, right! Don't even get me started on  that.  Well...it is my mission again.

The statistics don't lie.  Our children are the first generation to have a lower life expectancy than us, their parents...that is just stupid - and it's 100% preventable!  Why are we so complacent about this?

The most disturbing part was about school lunches.  As a parent, it is unsettling.  As a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, it's not ok.  And as Americans, we have to take control of our lives [and our childrens'] and embrace this revolution.  I don't know exactly what yet, but I am going to do something at my school to start a food revolution.  And you better believe I'm going to start with the menu at our house...

“Right now, in time, is a moment where we’re all confused about how brilliant we are and how technically advanced we are.  That is fighting with what once made our countries great - which is families, community, being together and something honestly as simple as putting a few ingredients together and sitting your family, your friends […] down at the table and breaking bread…”

                                                            - Jamie Oliver

 Are you going to be a part of the Revolution???  Watch the show and sign the petition here.

I Just Can't Shake It...

I love teaching what I teach because, not only do I get to teach them valuable life skills, I get to have fun with them and build relationships with my students that go beyond the classroom.  Usually hey teach me a thing or two in the process.  Last week I had a conversation with a girl that really got to me and I can't seem to shake it...

While they are working in class I like to float from table to table and become a part of their conversations.  This particular days was after having a sub for my personal day on Hannah's birthday.  My student's were asking me about my day of with Hannah, so I was telling them about her day.  Then, out of the blue, a very sweet 6th grade girl said, "I used to have a 2 year old sister..."

Not at all prepared for the answer I asked, "What do you mean 'You used to...'?"  Her response almost brought me to tears right in the middle of class.  She told me very quietly, "I used to, but she died in a car accident when she was 2.  I was only in 1st grade."  Oh. My. Gosh...    

I couldn't say anything.  My heart stopped and I was overwhelmed with sorrow for this girl and her family.  She seemed as though her heart had healed and was doing fine.  But, in that moment, it wasn't her sister or her family.  For a split second, it was mine.  It was Hannah. Aly. Dan and I.  The scenario played in my mind like a bad movie you can't block out even if you cover your eyes and plug your ears.    I don't know what I would do if I lost one of them...  

Being that Good Friday is tomorrow, it helps put The Cross into perspective.  God sent his precious baby boy into a broken world knowing he was going to be hated, persecuted, beaten and crucified....knowing full well there will always be people who don't understand or appreciate the sacrifice.  I don't even know that I always do.  I do know that I wouldn't do that for anything or anyone!   So, how much more must God love me [and you] to watch and allow Jesus to suffer through that?!?!?  Thankfully, he did! Because when Jesus rose three days later...it changed our standing in eternity forever.    

I know I probably sound really emotional this morning...I am not pregnant (I know some of you were probably thinking that ;).  I think it's just because it's a reminder of how unpredictable life can be.  We aren't guaranteed anymore days and that each one, really is a blessing.  I really need to start living more in 'today' and - not thinking about what might or will happen in the future - and enjoying the little things.  Easier said than done for me.  I am a worrier and a planner.  With all that said, the girls and I are going to go play in the beautiful weather we are having!!  Don't take anyone for granted...give your loved ones a kiss this morning and let them know how much they mean to you!!

Pray...REALLY, REALLY hard!!

It is the time of year again where we check ODE job postings, daily (or hourly ;), looking for teaching jobs to open up.  Thankfully, because I got the job I have been wanting for over last 5 years last Spring, we are only looking for a job for Dan...Social Studies, preferably high school.  For those of you who aren't in education (or Ohio), Social Studies positions are rare.  And when one does open, if it doesn't get filled internally, there are literally 700-1,000 applicants for the position!  Almost 100% of the time they end up choosing someone who is also a coach...Dan is not a coach.  

There hadn't been any openings yet, but in the last few days two have posted!  One at Bexley HS and one at the HS in MY district where we graduated (teaching together in this district is our long-term goal because of the community and ministry opportunities!).  The one in my district was internal until today, but I decided it couldn't hurt if I emailed the HR guy and the HS principal.  I didn't expect to get a response at all and if I did, I expected it to be something like "we will take a look at his resume and call if we are interested".  To my surprise, the HR guy emailed me the same day!  He told me that the list for the position was a 'mile long and growing', but he would be willing to sit down and talk with Dan for a screening interview.  My district is a long shot, especially if the levy doesn't pass in May.  Not to mention, a screening interview doesn't really mean much...but it is more than probably 800 applicants will get... 

So if you could be praying that Dan will really knock their socks off next Tuesday to get a 'real' interview with the principal, that would be AWESOME!  Also, pray that Bexley will call him to set up an interview as well.  I guess, really just for the job search over the next few months in general! 

Unlike before, he has a teaching job currently so if he doesn't get a new one we will survive.  However, a new job means more time in the community, less stress and a pay raise.  Is it possible that I want this more than he does...