Christmas break

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Home : 2003 : January : 2

Christmas break
By Carolyn

I think I know what everybody might be thinking of, and that is while we have "conquered" the first semester, we still have that much school time to go. I think there is also the realization for those of us who have taught
before that this is the more challenging semester. It seems that you have to work that much harder to get kids to stay on track. Behavior problems seem to escalate as the second semester rolls on. I hope it doesn't happen to me, but during last year's second semester, especially during the last month or two, I had things happen that didn't happen during the first semester: theft, fighting.

The kids just get so tired and tense and ready to get out of school, especially after Easter.

There is also the winter blues, something which we all have to recognize. For those of us who get out of bed at 6:15 or earlier, it is still as dark as night. People who live in the northern climates have to struggle with severe cold and weather conditions, which doesn't help their mood. I have come to recognize that I feel my worst in February and try to find ways to overcome this so that I do not sink into dispair.

Even though we might like our jobs, we enjoy our time with our families and pursuing our own activities more. If you went away on a vacation, you are still basking in the glow of the fun and time away from reality. I went to Las Vegas for Christmas break. How much farther from reality can you get? I made sure, though, that I returned home on Sunday, so that I would get myself accustomed to being in the routine and familiar and not just throw myself back into school.

I am ready, almost, to return to work tomorrow. We have an in-service day without the kids. The only thing I hesitate to do is correct the tests which I gave before we left for break. I checked my calendar and I don't have to have my report cards ready until Thursday! Yes!

Hope everybody enjoyed their time off.