The start of another school year in many districts

Day 79, "Every picture has a story"

I would be remiss if I did not write about the first day of school.  For 38 years I pretty much welcomed my new students today.  One year I welcomed my teachers as I was the Director of Education at the North Dakota School for the Deaf.  So one can guess that the memories flood my mind this morning.  This picture is the area at Highland Junior that I spent 100's of hours at but when that was happening it was a nice grassy area where I practiced with my boys and then my girls soccer teams.  Since, as you can see, it has been taken over by the HS and turned into tennis courts which is not a bad thing.  Anyway this day, this picture floods my mind this morning:

• My very first day of teaching in 1969.  According to the veterans my 4th grade class was a "hum dinger" and their insight proved to be true.  There was Loren, another Loren, Cheryl, Jim, Dianna and more.  From personal attacks to going to the bathroom in class to writing a Mother's Day card and signing the wrong name.  I saw it ALL.
• My very first day in St. Paul which was 3 weeks into the school year in 1977.  I knew not a soul and my 9th grade students were great kids but they had to test the new guy!  My first day, the students 16th day and I knew NOTHING.  I did not even know what texts they should be using.
• The first day of my last year which was in the fall of 2006.  I was in the same room as my co-worker who had written a note to our supervisor saying I should be fired!!!  The note came to me as my co-worker sent an e-mail to me having NO idea her "fired" note was attached to the bottom.  An interesting story to say the least.  That last year, with so much happening, went down as maybe the most difficult one of all.  It would not be good to write about some of the things that happened!
• My first day of school in 2004.  I had been assigned part time to the itinerant team but for some reason our supervisor had forgot to tell me!  So there I was expected to attend home school meetings and itinerant team meetings which often were at the same time.  INTERESTING
• My first day of school as I tried to settle in as the Director of Education which was the fall of 1976.  I was fresh out of graduate school with NO administrator experience.  I was in charge of about 20 teachers, 2 nurses, several night watch people and about 12 dorm people.  It happened that our student population was at an all time high, 130+ and our buildings were OK with about 100 students.  I survived but not sure how.  Actually I do know how, it was by working at school way way too many hours at the expense of home life for sure. 
• Enough of "FIRST" days.  

Terry and I were not so true to the "spirit" of Labor Day but certainly were true to the name.  We labored most of the day.  I finished cutting in the living room and then rolled the first coat of paint on the walls.  Terry cleared out the back entry and painted much of the woodwork.  As I glance at the living room this morning, before the sun comes up, I think there is NO need for a second coat.  I am kind of a dreamer for sure.  Actually we think the room is going to look very nice when all is said and done.  Mostly done but not so said.  More painting today and then I need to get the chalk on those stairs.  After that it is attack the kitchen windows.  Not sure where those fun wood projects come in this summer.  

We are supposed to have rain much of the day.  As I retrieved the newspaper this morning it was a light drizzly but before the day ends we could have an inch or more, at least that is what they say.

My breakfast, I ate a bit too much but my FP was over the top good so I will call it a day in terms of blogging and get on with some work.  

How about that new living/dining room now.  Not a crack or paint spill anyplace.  Oh, I know it is too dark to see this morning.  Maybe coat 2 later this morning.