Progress shows itself in funny ways

Stopped by Ida B. today with Greg, wanting his advice on improving the layout of the room. Our timing was impeccable, the cafeteria was actually unlocked. Planning didn't progress far (the layout has already been set for now) but I did get a key to the room, worn smooth and kept shiny by years of use. Stamped K-1.

I kind of like that.

Kitchen One.

So, I missed the boat, the planning of the room has to wait for covert, completable-in-a-weekend-operations. We'll do it in stages (with the principal's blessing as we go, of course). Right now the room feels like a weird apartment we just got for really, really cheap. Peeling paint and chicken coop frosted windows (do they open?). Get your stuff in there, move it around until it fits or move it out. Smile a lot.

All sorts of questions now pop in and out of priority:

• Will Feng Shui help?
• What blackboard?
• What do I do for lunch?
• Why are there two microwaves and five small rolling carts?

Other thoughts:

• These floors are awesome for rollerskates (just waxed linoleum) but better watch the water and get those rubber mats in quick.
• I want peg boards.

ok, it is really happening, really it is. really.

(an old floor in the bathroom of a rundown theatre in the Mission)

SFUSD new teacher orientation ("the new teacher project"-doesn't that sound so happy?) starts this Monday,and I still haven't heard from human resources yet.

And I have the principal of the year fighting for me...since April.

And she is a good fighter.

We know this will all happen, but it is amazing to experience how clogged/confused/bogged down the system is. Coming from a restaurant where now means NOW, it is hard to picture how things get done. Don't get me wrong, this is not a complaint as much as an observation at yet another complex and broken system. I'm just ready to get on the roller coaster ride, I've paid admission (CTE Credential), waited in line (application process within this budget period) and now would really like to belt up.

This morning the principal was explaining the next steps in this process to me - even she has been given additional procedures. In our conversation we started discussing how I will be able to coordinate with the school lunch people, since my classroom is the cafeteria. I've moved some items in, but there are still piles of various things that might be SNS's (Student Nutritional Services) or other teacher's from a pot luck, or just hand me downs.

We don't know is the answer.

So many regulations have been added to SNS, because they didn't comply with Federal requirements last year (and haven't gotten their reimbursements from the government - since MAY = $1.5 million a month) that we have no idea whether the person that has been handling this job at the high school will still even want to be there.

Let the ride begin.