In the Lou

Half-days for three days of the first week of school makes for a low stress week.

SLPS made the advanced call today.

I think this can be summarized as “AWESOME”

SLPS Announces Early Release Day for Wednesday, August 22

St. Louis - Superintendent Diana Bourisaw announced today that students in all St. Louis Public Schools will be released early on Wednesday, August 22, due to excessive heat.

The dismissal time for schools will vary, depending upon each school’s start time.

Start Time	Dismissal Time
7:20 a.m.	10:50 a.m.
8:15 a.m.	11:45 a.m.
9:10 a.m.	12:40 p.m.

“The district is monitoring weather conditions daily,” said Bourisaw. “Future decisions in connection with heat will be made on an as-needed basis. SLPS is prepared to implement shortened school days, when necessary, to address the safety of our students, administrators, faculty and staff.”

Sixty-nine percent of SLPS buildings are equipped with air-conditioning. Additional fans have been sent to all elementary schools without central cooling. In addition, all schools have been provided with bottled water. The district will take necessary actions to ensure that the conditions in the schools continue to be conducive to learning and instruction.

Last Sunday, the St. Louis Post Dispatch ran an article on the front page of the paper listing the hardships that new teachers face. If you want to read something that paints a picture worthy of being labeled part of Picasso’s Blue Period, just click here.

I’m not necessarily inclined to say that teaching is easy work, but I think that the article fails to really highlight the real reason teaching can be challenging. (more…)

At the time I started writing this post, it was 12:14 am. Today is the day that school starts again. (Not for kids, just for teachers.)

I could and should be sleeping. Instead, I’m here, finally confronting my talkative inner-self who I’ve been avoiding for the past two weeks since getting back from my summer job overseas.

Today is the beginning of year two of my two-year Teach For America commitment. A year and a half ago, the idea of committing to something for two years seemed a veritable eternity. I remember hesitating before finally checking the box and signing my contract with TFA. Based on my “adult” experiences up to that point, I was used to the notion that I needed to be free to pick up and go on the moments notice. Now, one more year is just a relatively insignificant idea to me. (more…)