Highlights of the Weeks for Eloy

Xochimilco: 

Xochicalco: 

Teotihuacan: 

Just in case you still didn't know, my trip to Mexico was great and one of the best trips I've had. We went to Chapultepec and Xochimilco in Mexico City. We also visited the Aztec ruins of Xochicalco and Teotihuacan. I hope you enjoy of last week for me.

We did a lot of fun things this week. With Profe. Laura, we learned about fractions and how to use them in real-life problems. In science we learned how to make a model without knowing all the information about the object. With Mrs Kathleen, we learned how to have a growth mind set. We also used our carpet and all-time class rules this week. Another thing we did was haikus and normal poetry. I hope Marshall and Griffin feel better. This was a very productive week.

Highlights of the Week for Mara

We finished the folder and got to know our teachers pretty well.  We wrote poems and shared them with the class. We wrote about rocks, pencils, and animals. We finished our anchor charts about carpet rules, what a reading workshop look like, what a writing workshop looks like and the growth mindset. We started the hopes and dreams poster too.  I'd like to read more about the Growth Mindset; we should learn more about it.

Strike Over! School Resumes!

People celebrating the results of the vote

Wahoo!!! We approved the contract by a large majority!  We are back to school and on track for the next 3 years!

96% approval by SAEOPs (secretaries, etc.)
87% approval by Paraeducators (instructional assistants, etc.)
83% approval by Certificated (teachers, etc.)

Highlights of the first week of school for Ms. Kathleen

Welcome Spanish 5th Graders!

Our Classroom

It was great to start school!  I was so excited to see all the 5th graders in my classroom.  It was a whirlwind two days where we spent the bulk of the time on routines, routines, and more routines.  Everyone were troopers and amiably practiced with good humor.  We found time to check out some books from the classroom library and write in our new journals.

We also started a conversation about the strike.  I heard some thoughtful comments and insightful questions.  Sadly, we ran out of time.  I hope to continue this conversation next week and via responses to journals.

I hope all goes well this weekend with the vote.  I am eager to come back to school next week.

Strike Over! Er, Suspended that is.

Thank You!

Super duper news!  The strike is over.  Thanks to the support of the families, unions, all the honking drivers, and the Seattle community.

I learned so much.
I learned there are lots of questions in room of 2,000+ colleagues and it takes a loooong time to respond to everything.
I learned it is awesome to be in a room of 2,000+ colleagues who are in complete agreement.

I learned that it is extremely difficult to be patient when there is debate from different sides about an issue.
I learned that being patient while there is debate from different sides about an issue result in great help in deciding on that issue.

I learned when one is part of a large group negotiation, I cannot expect everything will benefit me.
I learned that when I stand up for others, others stand up for me.

I learned that picketing all days makes my body ache in places I didn't know exist.
I learned reaching out and talking to everyone (staff, parents, kids, community, strangers) makes the time on the picket line speed by.

I learned we have talented singers (Thank You, Mrs. O), dancers (Michiko Sensei, my oh my!!), and cheerleaders (all you kids and families) at McDonald International.
I learned the McDonald International Community Rocks!!!

Highlights and reflections of the week for Ms. Kathleen

Day of Service (cleaning up I-5) 

lunch donated by families

Bachi the picketing dog

It was a hard week.  It was the first half week of the strike and it was a terrible bummer.  I was disappointed the negotiating teams could not come to an agreement before school and I was disappointed that I did not get to teach the first week of school.  I missed the kids, the families, and the energy of a school in action.  

It was a great week.  I was the recipient of some incredibly goodwill and generosity from families and supporters.  It was wonderful to talk to all the families who stopped by and/or who joined us on the picket line.  It was a treat to chat with fellow teachers as we walk back and forth, back and forth, along Latona.  I think we planned a social studies unit while clocking serious miles (someone brought a pedometer and recorded 10 miles)!  Bacchi the picket dog kissed me...wetly and vigorously.  Ann the 5 month infant joined us on our community service day and supervised trash pick up by I-5.  I saw people at their best this week.

I truly wished it did not come to this.  I belong in the classroom, along with all of the students.   But, civil disobedience is hard.  It is hard to do what is right, to be unselfish, and to stand up for others.  I don’t agree with all the issues on the table from the union nor do I benefit from every issue.  However, I DO believe in reducing caseload of our service staff so that people like Nurse Alison can be at McDonald more than 2 days a week serving a school of 470 kids, I DO believe in paying people like Ms. Nancy and Ms. Jane all the overtime they are due, I DO believe we should set up special teams that would make sure everyone in the school is treated fairly – adults and kids.  

To pressure the decision makers to address all these issues, I am choosing to strike.  Civil disobedience is hard, but it is the right thing to do.