We end the school year next Tuesday. Tomorrow is a 1/2 day of finals. 5th period, 6th period and 7th. We are done at noon. At 2 is the graduation practice in the gym. Then we will all jump on a bus and head to Reliant Stadium for our first ever high school graduation on Saturday afternoon. Very exciting. I will be reading the names of the students who are graduating from our White House.
It is a real honor to be asked to read the names. I am a bit nervous though. Although I know a good handful of the kids very well, there are over 150 names to read. So I might be a nervous wreck about it as we get to tomorrow afternoon. But, I go last. The White House is last - alphabetically. So by then, everyone will probably be less critical. But, any parent that is there is going to hope their child's name is said exactly correct. I got a call today from one Mom who was adamant that I eliminate one of her child's last names and get his middle name right. I could sense her stress about it.
But, I do remember college football games where the announcer would say, "#40 Doooz" on the tackle. And butcher my name D-U-E-Z. Pronounced Do-ez. And I remember my family saying they would all turn to the press box and yell my name correctly. Pretty funny.
The end of the school year has been trying. We are heading for a lot of change next fall. We have some rather severe budget problems in our district. They are forecasting a $23 Million dollar budget deficit. So major cuts are coming. And I am quite sure that major leadership is about to change at our school in one way or another. So people are anxious.
I have been trying to enjoy the last few days with my kids. Today was the last day with my students in a regular class period without the final exam. Plus, for their finals I have a handful of kids who are exempting the test in each class. So it was the last chance to be with the whole class. I put together a video for each class period that was about 20 minutes in length for each class. It was a lot of fun to see the kids look back at all we did. All the projects, presentations, and fun we had. It was a great year.
But, like I said it is a transitional time. Next year we could have a very different school. Less teachers, less principals, less counselors (more kids by the way - our area is growing rapidly) and less planning periods for teachers. (we currently have 5 periods of teaching on a 7 period schedule, next year looks like 6 periods of teaching). So people are a little worried about the future.
I am anxious to spend more time with Aidan. And not have school hanging over my head each night. So that will be great. Today we went to a preschool here in Kingwood and were very impressed. It is called
Kindercare. It's been around since 1996, opens at 6 am (which is when we need it opened - we have to be at school at about 6:45), it's on the way to work for us, and the best part long term - they provide rides to elementary school each day (since elementary starts later in the morning).
The place was clean, comfortable, and the kids were all napping when we stopped in. They nap from noon to 2. That's exactly how long he naps now. So he'd be used to it. We both know he is ready to learn more and be around more kids his age. On June 5th they have an open house, so we are going to take Aidan to see if he likes it. I think he is going to be very excited. I am.
I think Norma is concerned that he is getting too big, too quickly. And she is probably right. Little dude is just amazing. He says loads more every day and most of it is hysterical. But, it is very exciting to see him becoming a big boy.
These were pictures that we included in our videos for our students at the very end:
