Things
at my work do not "wind down" with the end of the school year.  In fact, they get busier and busier the closer we get to that beloved last ring of the dismissal bell.

(this is not me!)

First, I make sure ALL students take these:

Grades 2 & 3 take two tests (2 sessions each), grades 4-10 have three tests (2 or 3 sessions each.)

Doesn't sound too bad, until you start multiplying everything by hundreds of students!  Fortunately, I have some fantastic teachers that do most of the administering of tests.  I just have to keep track of it all (I make the State Department of Education happy when I do this well), make sure the accommodations happen for those students who need them, and of course provide opportunities for students to make up the tests if they were absent on test days.   

Public Service Message to parents everywhere: Please, don't take your kids on vacation during state-mandated testing windows.  It creates unnecessary complications.  Thank you.

Next, I coordinate the return of thousands of these:

(at least it seems like thousands, I should count sometime. Not!)

Today I was reminded that I need to print off one of these

for each of the elementary students to take home next week 

and make an additional copy for each student's file. 

(someone else files them, thank goodness!)

The students and teachers no sooner vacate the building, than I start to fill teacher requests for:

and more

And whatever else they need for the coming year!

 And guess what?  

I might be really tired,

and my brain may feel like mush by this time of the year; 

but, overall, I really love my job.  

Being in a place that is having such positive effects 

in the lives of children

 gives me a brighter outlook on tomorrow.

Kudos to all teachers who care and who put forth the effort to make a difference!  I hope you all have a wonderful summer.  You deserve it.   

Empty Nests

Do you know that as baby eagles mature, the parent eagles begin stirring up the nest, making it uncomfortable for the eagle babies so they are more eager to leave the nest and try their own wings?
We now find our nest virtually empty, but I don't remember stirring up the nest. All six of the children are gone, off pursuing their own dreams. There is the occasional visitor - Ashley is here this week dog-sitting while I go to girls camp and next week Shelby will come home for a two-week break from college. But, these are temporary visits. For the most part, the days of children living at home under our roof and our regular on-site influence are over.
Our nest became empty a little earlier than originally anticipated. Our youngest daughter is attending a performing arts high school 300 miles away from home. Not yet 16, she has left the nest about 3 years ahead of schedule. Yes, I will miss her, terribly. However, I choose to focus on the opportunities she will have to do the what she loves, instead of all that will be missing without her around. She has been taught well and proven herself capable and mature enough to take this step. I applaud her courage to do it and pray for her success. I am confident she is going to do great!
It's sobering to see my children move on. But it's also exciting to watch them decide to jump out of the nest and try their own wings. Have I taught them everything they need to know? Probably not, but they will learn and I am certain they will fly! Even eagles don't fly perfectly the first time they decide to jump out of the nest - but give them a little time and they soar! I expect nothing less from my kids!