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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Clopening with sugar and flour AND CAFFEINE

Clopening: the process of closing one school year and opening another simultaneously. 

I know it's coming. Every year. Same time.
And honestly, I've found no way to prepare for it.
I brace yourself.
I make sure I have access to LOTS and LOTS of CAFFEINE.
I go without sleep.
I become grumpy and tired and at times can be mistaken as Miss Viola Swamp.
My To-Do list is so long that all the unifix cubes in the classroom would not be enough to measure the length of the paper.
I break out in hives.
The hours at work are longer than usual.
Then I begin to tackle the mound of tasks at hand.

For those in year-round schools, this is an extremely challenging and difficult  part of a school year.  About three weeks prior to the end of the current school year, IT begins. While continuing the learning process with fun-filled activities with my current group of students, I am at the same time preparing for a new group of students.  The new list of students is in hand while trying to complete report cards, profile cards, and cumulative folders for the current group.

Finally after three weeks. I begin to see the end of my To-Do list.  The cumulative folders folders are all updated.  Report cards are stuffed in brown clasp envelopes ready to go home on the last day of school. All profile cards are checked off for each student.  And all signatures are on my End of the Year check off sheet.

I take a deep breath.  A smile begins to emerge on my face.  My family can now tolerate me because I am now the "real me" again.  I pat myself on the back and say, "Great job, Girl! You did it."

It's over...

Until next year.

During  Clopening, I had "Meet the Teacher" night.  I was able to meet most of my new students and their parents.  I have always given my parents the "Flour and Sugar" poem.  Each year I get a little more creative than the year before.  This year, I came up with this:

                          
 





I used this cartridge


  Presentation and first impressions are important to me. 



After one more day of Back to School Nuts and Bolts orientation for the new school year, I will be tracked out for three weeks. Yay~  Time to enjoy the goodness of SUMMER~

Wait!
Wait!
Before you leave, hop on over to Hello Mrs. Sykes and enter her one year Bloggiversary Giveaway. Jenn so kindly asked me to join her as well as tons of other great bloggers. I'm totally honored and excited. The giveaway items are unbelievable. Don't miss it.


 


12 comments:

  1. I find that clopening requires some wine and laughter to diffuse the tension... ;) Thanks for agreeing to join my giveaway!! I'm the one who is honored.

    ~Jen

    ReplyDelete
  2. Whew. Not sure how you do this! I have a hard enough time getting things ready again with plenty of time off! I can't imagine finishing up one year (stressful time of year) while working on having a parent night for the next class!

    You are amazing :)

    Other than clopening, how do you like year round school? :)

    Jenny
    Luckeyfrog's Lilypad

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Overall Jenny, I love year round school. 9 weeks on then 2 1/2 weeks off- I love this because I get a vacation in every season of the year and burn out is minimal.

      Also, working with a SUPER group of teachers makes the "pain" worthwhile because we are there for each other and help each other get through it.

      Delete
  3. Happy Friday,

    Just stopped by to say that I'm glad I found your blog! And, The Versatile Blogger and The One Lovely Blog [AWARDS] are yours. Come visit my blog to accept them!

    P.S. my sincere apologies if you've already been nominated, but that means your blog is being well-stalked by other teachers!! :)

    Your follower & fellow blogger,

    Antonia @ forkin 4th

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the awards Antonia~ I will definitely head over to claim them. Super excited.

      Delete
  4. Don't you just love your cricut?
    I just found your blog and I am your newest follower.
    :)
    Tamera
    http://myheartbelongsinfirst.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I LOVE, LOVE my cricut. I want an Expression 2. Welcome to Field of Poppies~

      Delete
  5. Didn't realize you lived in NC til I followed your TPT store.
    I teach first in Lexington, NC.
    I added you to my NC blog roll.
    :)
    Tamera

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love NC ~Thanks for adding me to your NC blog roll.

      Delete
  6. Hi! I’m one of your newest followers! I nominated you for two awards. Stop by my blog to pick them up!
    Patti
    pattib203@yahoo.com
    Primary Pizzazz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YAY~ Thanks for the awards. Welcome to Field of Poppies~ I hope you love it here.

      Delete

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