Lots to say about work. Hooo boy, what a week! It was my first week back at work after spring break and after our road trip. My kids, however, were on spring break since theirs is different from mine.

As busy as work seemed last week, it felt good to be at work again. I think having separation and time away from work made me appreciate it more. I did not work during spring break, and the first day was hard because I did not feel as prepared as I usually do. I started a new unit in Spanish II (City and Country) and a new literary piece in Spanish III Honors (Quevedo).

It was a harder than usual week because a. many students did not want to be back at school, b. new material in both levels, and c. I was still in re-entry mode. On Friday, however, I felt good about both levels: Spanish II started their new unit, where they will debate a city versus country and learn simple future (a new tense), and Spanish III honors students learned about Francisco de Quevedo, his life, his work, and his rivalry with Góngora. They also unpacked and analyzed one of his sonnets (“Ah de la vida..”).

Teacher Contracts+Tenure. Teachers’ names who are coming back next year were placed on board agenda this past week. Usually, if the district is not planning to renew your contract, you will know in January or March, the latest. It’ll be good to get a new contract with an increased salary step (public school employee salary guide). With that raise, I plan on increasing my 403b contributions to the full $23,500 yearly contribution allowed.

Additionally, next year I will be tenured!!! It takes four years and one day in NJ to receive tenure. I earned tenure in my other district but the clock was reset once I jumped ship in November of 2021.

Lastly, on work. We had a Bring Your Child to Work Day! Overall, it was an exhausting day, but we had so much fun. My daughter and son distributed treats to my students, roamed around the school, did a scavenger hunt, played games, and had a great time. L even got a manicure from one of my students! They both passed out around 7PM.

A YMCA camp disaster. On Tuesday, T had an important day at work, I was at school, the kids are on their spring break, so we signed them up for YMCA camp. T went to drop them off, the place was entirely dead! No notice, no email, no text. Infuriating. T was running around trying to see who can take the kids for the day, finally, our neighbor next door (R and her boy are great friends) took them till 3PM when I picked them up. GRRR. I wondered what we would have done if S wasn’t available, was away, at work, etc. I probably would have had to take a day off in spite of already being AT work.

SELF

Friend’s birthday. On Friday night we celebrated our dear sister-friend’s birthday at a steak house. It was a nice, albeit very expensive, restaurant. I dressed up and put on heavier makeup. I even curled my hair! We broke the check up and it was about $132 per person- it’s a lot. It was great to see my three sister-friends together. I gave my friend a monstera plant wind chime to hang in her garden.

My own birthday is next week, so I have bought some pre-birthday gifts for myself. A planner and water color set. A planner is called One.Focus and apparently it is designed for “for ADHD, Time Management, Focus, and Goal Setting – Mindfulness and Anxiety Relief for Neurodivergent Adults & Productivity Support.” (from product description). I get easily overwhelmed and anxious so I purchased it to see if it could help me manage anxiety in addition to exercise and medication. What I liked about this planner is that every day there is a “pile-on” page, sort of a “brain dump” page. So you dump your thoughts first, then plan your day, outlining ONE of each: one priority, one habit, one connection, one action, one emotion, etc. I will probably use it along with my monthly 2025-2026 planner that’s more long term.

The water color set is very basic and has been already appropriated by my kids. I want to dabble in water color for a bit even if what I produce is hideous. Who cares?..

More on the self front. There was a tooth filling that was accomplished on Monday, as well as a mammogram and an ultrasound on Thursday. Not pleasant but necessary.

Oh, and lastly, T and I worked on our jigsaw puzzle. It made me think of Melissa (hi!) and it’s 1000 pieces, an impressionist kind of painting, but it’s so enjoyable!

And that’s a wrap!

How was your week?

If you are wondering what the picture on the front is: L put together and laid out her outfit the night before to go to my school for BYCTW day.