First day of being a Nanny

Yup, I'm trying something new.....Working every Tues until the end of June as a nanny, or babysitter, for 18 month old twins for 4 hrs. I like the word "nanny" since it sounds a tad more sophisticated, esp at my age. They got up when I arrived, about 7:30 ish, and we busy from the start. Breakfast w/ Sesame Street, trains, marbles, coloring, then outside w/ bikes, bubbles and just exploring. The mom even increased my hourly to accommodate what I'd be getting paid if I'd sub 1/2 day. She's very nice...a preschool teacher working 1/2 day herself.

So, with cash in hand, I spent the afternoon with a good friend....lunch at Panera's then walked the mall. Still have $$ in the pocket for the next rainy day :)

BTW, the kids are adorable....sweet, gentle, kind to each other...this might be the best day of my week!

District said YES

Thankfully, my town voted YES to the school budget...agreeing on a slight tax increase to keep our school's programs and activities intact. Even though, we'll lose about 50 teacher and aide positions....and I still won't get a full-time job...but at least I feel better. Teachers still have to renegotiate their contract this June...and that will be interesting to see how it plays out.

I start Tues with a new weekly job...babysitting 18 month old twins once a week until end of June. Mom's a teacher and works part-time. I know the substitute gravy train will dry up the closer to the end of June it gets. And, who knows where this little job may lead....forever the optimist I am!

Vote YES!

Today is the big state-wide vote for school budgets. Despite the fact that our governor has made incredible cuts across the board to districts, despite the fact that a radio station is promoting "NO" voting, .....all this so that our kids of NJ will bear the brunt of the fallout? Why? Yes, our taxes will go up. Yes, our teachers are not paid nearly enough for all they put up with on a daily basis. Yes, they have summer "off". Yes, the NJEA is powerful and strong.

Regardless, we need to pass our budgets to say YES to teachers, students, and to our future! Schools will be a scary place if not...imagine.....large class sizes, no aides, no extra help, no library, extracurricular.....on and on.

Can't wait to read the papers tomorrow :)

The "Floater"

No, it isn't what you might see in the corner of your eye. The floater is the common name referred to the CST substitute....the one delegated to go from room to room, filling in for the teacher who has a Child Study Team (CST)meeting to attend. This time of year is IEP review...Individual Education Plan for those "not in the know." I actually am getting to like the constant change of classes and students, and I'm getting to know more of the students I hadn't known before...not a bad thing! Sometimes it involves lunch duty, which also isn't bad UNLESS it is a nasty cold day and you're not prepared for the weather. Has happened to me more than once...one would think I would have learned my lesson by now :) Regardless, the day flies by and I'm getting paid for hanging out with kids all day.....not bad!

Half day better than NO day!

Yes, getting paid for working 1/2 day is far better than not working at all, right? I mean, staying home, sleeping in, eating left over Easter chocolate...that would have been my day. Instead, its a Thurs., work till 12ish, then home to nap, do laudry, take the dog for a walk, and ......oh yeah, eat Easter chocolate!

Yes, 2 of the districts I work in have 1/2 opportunities. Doesn't happen often, so I use it to my advantage. And there's always an advantage if you look hard enough!!!

Tomorrow, a full day. At this particular school, I call it my "Marathon Day." I love the school, but its usually a tad crazy, short prep periods (at least I get a prep at this school). And its a Friday, so the weekend follows. Also, I think its Jean Day! If you were jeans, you pay $$ which goes to charity. Fair deal....be comfortable all day for a great cause.

Easter Break

Here it is, Easter Break, and one of my districts is off all week, but another is back to work Thurs and Fri, and I am subbing! Yay, best of both worlds! Enjoying the beautiful weather, and by week's end, the cooler weather comes back, w/ rain, too. Anyway, I've checked out Craigslist, which does have different jobs offered. Found a tutoring one that looks like a potential summer job! Keeping my fingers crossed on that!