
Today I went to set up my classroom at school. I got to haul in baskets, tubs, and and a crate of stuff I had at home over the summer. I really like the extreme makeover that happened in our hallway.

Some of my former students were hired to work at the school this summer. The girls painted a gorgeous mural in the middle of the hall.

R.M. did a fine job with the
Inchelium Hornet painted nicely in our school colors.

I decided to "go green" this year with water bottles. I have a water cooler in my classroom for two reasons. Students don't have access to a drinking fountain and the water is not very tasty in the faucet because of old pipes. We used to go through lots of cups in a year. I decided we will start the year with everyone having their own water bottle. It makes such a difference when students stay hydrated!

I found my older Mohammad Ali READ poster I have had for many years. I think my students will enjoy seeing him a few years younger and also reading this book with a teddy bear. He is a hero to many.

As I left to go home
waaaaaaaay too late I noticed that this hallway will wake me up and brighten my days this school year. This deserted, quiet hall will be filled with activity and noise on Tuesday. Change always happens in any institution. My friend and principal decided in August to take early retirement after a scary car accident the day of graduation in June. My teaching partner will now be principal for most of the day, but will teach science in our middle school hall in the afternoon. I think the transition will work well for the students since they have already built relationships with their new principal. Tuesday will be here before we know it.