Friday, June 27, 2014

Five for Friday...Big Changes



I'm joining  Doodle Bugs Teaching for her weekly linky party Five for Friday.

I realized school was out and I never had posted any pictures of our remodeled school except for my classroom. So here is a little reminder of what it used to look like. Before, the school was made up up four separate buildings all built in different decades (1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s). The original 1920s building was in terrible shape but we needed the classrooms. 
Here is the 1960s main building. This building was completely renovated inside and a library was added to the front of the building.

This is what the front of the building looks like now.




The building on the left is the 1920s original schoolhouse and the one on the right is the 1950s cafeteria originally and then our library. Both of these building were torn down. 
Here is a picture of the new construction that joined the main building and the renovated gym.




 The last building was built in the 1940s by the WPA. It was a gym, they left the shell of the building and converted it to classrooms. 
This what they did with the gym. It is the section on the right. They enclosed the front of the building to help preserve the sandstone. They moved the Spencer sign down inside the building and it is lit up at night.
Considering they were trying mesh sandstone with a light orangey colored brick, I think they did an outstanding job.
Obviously they inside of the building was a huge change also. Here are a few pictures. I took the pictures at the end of the year after the students were gone. 
The library. Normally there are stuffed animals and books displayed on the to of the shelves.


The computer lab. 

Two decorative tiles, the first is at the main entrance. 


This is what my principal calls the "long gray mile" that leads to the old gym building. 

This a picture going towards the main building.

I won't show pictures of my classroom, but needless to say it is the same color scheme throughout. When you're inside the building, it is hard to know if you are in the old section or the new section. They really did a great job.
So I don't have a picture for this one, but I am changing grade levels, schools and school districts next year. Yikes!!! I've been at my school for 20 years, it's the only school I have ever taught at. This is a big change for me. I will miss my kids and all of the parents I have gotten to know over the years. Delaney is what prompted my move. She is in a different district and their calendar is the normal school calendar of basically 9 months on and 3 off. My district was on sort of a year around schedule so I was reporting back July 30 and Delaney was out until Aug. 19. She got out May 23 and I was still working until June 9. I didn't feel like that was a good situation with her going into middle school. Next year I will be teaching 3rd grade science and social studies at the grade school where Delaney just "graduated".  Right now I am feeling nervous, scared, a little sad and a lot excited. It will be strange to be the new kid on the block. It will be interesting, the principal gave me a couple of books that use picture books as the  base for  inquiry science projects. I think I get to pick and choose the projects I want to do. For social studies, it is all Oklahoma History which I have always loved teaching so that's cool.


I spent Monday and Tuesday packing up 20 years of my life (that sounds rather dramatic). It was kind of weird because I didn't find out I definitely had the job until all of the teachers had left for the summer so it was just me and the custodians.

Wednesday I got to go to my new school and take some of my books and stuff. The school is older and hasn't been remodeled, but it always seemed full of life anytime I was there last year. The principal said I could paint the walls and cabinets if I wanted. I know I am going to paint the cabinets, I don't know if I will have time for the walls. Here are a few pictures.

It has six windows, I love that! I love to open the shades and turn off the lights if it is bright enough.

Sorry the picture is blurry, it is the only one that shows the two cabinets that I plan to paint.  

I do have a Smart Board! The school is pretty up to date with technology. ; )

Have a great weekend!



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17 comments:

  1. Congrats on your new job!! Good luck and have fun getting ready!
    Alyce

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    1. Thanks Alyce! It should be interesting, but the most important thing is Delaney and I will be on the same schedule. : ) The bad thing about it is I won't be able to share much school "stuff" with my first grade buddies! :(

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  2. What does the paw print represent on the front of the school, I also noticed it inside. You have a great looking school.
    Paula from Paula’s Place and iSURF Maths

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    1. Thanks, I agree, the school did turn out beautiful. Our mascot is a jaguar, it is supposed to be a jaguar paw print.

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  3. I bet packing up was a a hard job... Good luck in your new school!
    Growing Little Learners

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    1. It was tough because there was some emotion caught up in it all. Plus since I was changing grade levels I had to decide what of my first grade stuff I wanted to leave behind and I wanted to take...just in case I end up in first again.

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  4. Your old school looks beautiful, and non doubt you'll create beautiful things at your new school and new grade level!
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

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    1. Thanks Tammy! You are always such a positive person1 I really appreciate that about you! : )

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  5. How exciting and the good part is you don't have to worry about the whole common core fiasco of our state since science and soc studies wasn't adopted yet! It's always fun to have a new start!
    Best wishes!
    Tammy

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    1. Thanks Tammy! Yes I am glad that went by the wayside, I think it will make my first year a little easier. I never thought I would want to teach third grade, but I am kind of excited!

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  6. So exciting for you - and yes, it must have been hard to go thru everything. Can't wait to hear about your new adventures!
    Sara

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    1. Thanks Sara, it will definitely be a big change, I think it will be a positive change! : D

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  7. Congrats on the move! I can't wait to see what you do with your new room!

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    1. Thanks Nicole! I think I have my work cut out for me. there doesn't seem to be as much storage in the new room, but maybe I won't need as much with third grade. Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. Ever since I saw and talked to you on that Wednesday at the school, I have been so motivated for the upcoming year. I had no clue that you had been hired yet, so it was such a delightful surprise. I have loved getting to know you and Delaney this past year, and I was just telling my mom and husband how sad I was that you wanted to teach at my school, but my principle had not seemed interested in the fact. I was actually depressed for the first half of the summer because the only other teacher that I actually looked up to had chosen to move to a new district for next year. I love every second I get to talk to you. I have a little bit of anxiety since this was my first year, but with you coming over I feel a little more confident. You are quickly growing as one of my FAVORITE people. I look up to you so much as a veteran teacher, because I feel like Ive still got so much to learn about this career. Since keeping track of your blog and getting to know you, another first year teacher friend and I have also decided to start a blog to get some much needed feedback as we are still trying to completely find "OURSELVES" as teachers (But, of course still trying to figure this whole blog thing out. haha). I am looking forward to working with you next year. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
    P.S. You'll do WONDERFUL in third grade (& you will be closer to ME in the building ! ! !)

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