I called in sick today and got a sub, effectively giving myself a 5-day weekend. This might seem excessive, but I need to start packing and getting my life in order, and we are leaving to camp in Big Sur tomorrow so.... yes. Don't judge me.

However, I woke up this morning actually sick! Oh, the cruel irony. I am both congested and have a runny nose. Not fair.

I have to say, I'm none to disappointed to be leaving my district when I read emails like this:

"I have attached a copy of the contract for the New Permanent Superintendent for [our district]. It includes the amount of money she can make. Be sure to read all sections regarding compensation. I adds up to more than $192,000 (4 to 5 times that of a teacher salary) the FIRST YEAR with a $10,000. raise for each of two years following this amount. The board can add to this compensation any time they want to. Additional compensation will be given for any out-of-district travel, meals while she is away, and other out-of-pocket expenses with no cap.

This is only days following the board meeting where the district, including the same board that hired her and negotiated her sticker price, was glum-faced about the possible cuts our district face. Their discussion included all of the following:

No sports
No music
No art
No clubs

Class sizes of 40 to 50 for grades 4 through 12

Class sizes of 32 for grades K through 3

A negotiated 173-day calendar down from 182 which would be a 5% to 10% cut in pay for unit members"

No sports, music, clubs, or art? Class size of 50? 50? I can barely fit the 33 desks that are in my classroom as it is. All this so our superindenant can make $200,000? Absurd.

pina coladas

I forgot to blog about my birthday!

It was definitely better than "Point Break - Live!"

Brian took me to Costanoa, where we stayed in a tent cabin, ate lots of organic food, explored Pescadero, visited a lighthouse, and hiked around on the beach a lot.

It was super.

This morning I actually pulled the, "Because I'm the teacher and I said so," card.

It is SO time for school to be out.

i am a rockstar

Things I am looking forward to in Campbell:
Third Friday ArtWalks
Recycle Bookstore
Los Gatos Trail
Live music at Orchard Valley
Big Band & BBQ
Sunday AM Farmer's Market
S'mores Donuts at Psycho Donuts
Sundown Cinema on First Fridays
Oktoberfest
Classes at the Community Center

Things I am going to miss about Davis/Sac:
UCC
....yeah, that's about it...

do not fear

I am overwhelmed with the amount of things going on right now.

This weekend, Brian and I signed the lease for our new apartment in Campbell! We will be living 2.2 miles from my school and 4.5 miles from his and a 5 minute walk from awesome downtown Campbell at Avalon Campbell. It's slightly more money than I was wanting to pay for rent (I am the financial guru), but it is right on the Los Gatos Creek Trail which means lots of nature and running and biking, plus it's so close to our schools and has a great downtown scene and some incredible churches, so I conceded. I get what I want most of the time, so it was time for Brian to have his way. :)

So on top of lease signing and setting up utilities and merging our bank accounts (yikes!) and packing up my room in the house (I move in 4 weeks!), I also need to finish BTSA for my Professional Presentation this Wednesday (gag me), wrap up the teaching year (only 12 school days left holycrap!), deal with end-of-the-soccer-season business, and, OH YEAH, plan my wedding!

I am also having two showers this weekend, which just seems so extravegant that it's embarassing. My students (with the help of some co-workers) are throwing me a shower after school on Friday and then my mom and the b-maids are throwing the "official" shower on Sunday at the Tower Cafe. I am excited but also a little nervous, as I don't know how I feel about all this fuss over just me. I guess I should get used to it, what with a whole wedding coming up (77 days!) but... it still seems strange. This is what happens when you have to share a birthday with your sibling every single year of your life!

I intended to get a lot of work done this evening, but ended up having to call the cops because my neighbor was wasted and fighting with some other wasted guys in his backyard while his kids played in the street, so I ended up babysitting while the police and his wife did damage control. Needless to say, the move could not come at a better time.

when its good its good its so good

I've never had to write a letter of resignation before. Hopefully this one is OK. It kind of made me cry.

May 1, 2009
Dear Princpal,

It is now with mixed feelings that I write this letter. While I am truly excited to be moving into a new phase of my life with my soon-to-be-husband, I am also truly heartbroken to be leaving my colleagues and friends at Our High School. This has been a difficult decision, but in the end Brian and I know that it is in both of our best interests to make the move back to the Bay Area now, when we have both been blessed with job offers in the same district.

I cannot begin to thank you for giving me the opportunity to flex my teaching muscles here at Our School. I am amazed to look back and see how much I have grown in the last two years, and that was not without your encouragement along the way. I always felt welcomed and supported and comfortable taking risks in my classroom and trying new things. Thank you for the genuine care and interest you take in your teachers and you willingness to back them up. I always knew I could go to you if I needed support and as a new teacher that was especially comforting.

Thank you for believing in me enough to allow me to teach in the freshmen academy after only one year in the classroom. It was a completely transformative experience and not only changed the way I interacted with my students on a day-to-day basis, but also how I viewed the parent-teacher communication piece as well. This was a far more challenging year than last year, but doubly rewarding. I am truly sorry that I am leaving a hole in the freshmen academy team, but am also confident that you will find a solid, student-centered teacher to take on the terribly important task of training our ninth graders to be successful in high school. They need and deserve the very best you can find.

Thank you again for every opportunity, every encouragement, every kind word in passing. I am a better teacher for having taught for you and with colleagues who I now consider friends. Good luck next year, and for many years to come. You are doing excellent work.

Sincerely,
Megan Rose Garcia