Another Auld Lang Syne

A nod to one of my favorite (and misunderstood) singer/songwriters, Dan Fogelberg for the title of this post, from his song, "Same Old Lang Syne." September 1st has always felt like new year's day to me, even more so since I became a teacher. Hating summer and hot weather, September 1, although it can still be hot for a few more weeks, gets me closer to that beautiful 6 week period from mid-September to end of October with the cool weather and changing leaves. As a teacher, it means that we're heading back to school, and even though I've never gotten used to leaving home before 7:30 in the morning, I can't beat how it feels to be with a group of kids.

Today was a perfect September 1. The weather no higher than 70 degrees, high sun, deep blue sky. Oh, the pleasure of putting on a light, hooded jacket! I did a little shopping, hoped to buy something or two new to wear, but I settled on just a pair of shoes, Then to Kensico Dam park to review a book of strategies for inclusion classroom students that I read last year. Looked like I highlighted good points last year, since they made a lot of sense to what I tried during the school year.

Tomorrow is the district-wide gathering to hear a welcome by the superintendant, the new Board of Ed president, and introductions of newly hired faculty, as well as the usually rousing speech by the head of the teacher's union, then back to our own schools and the agenda there. I can't believe it's starting again. I could have made better use of the two months off, but I accomplished some things. Re-charging the chief among them.