Stabby-stabby? I've been getting a lot of those in my eyeballs and face due to my sinuses objecting to the cold, the weather systems roaring through and I suspect forced air heat. I'm looking forward to NM (two days!) cause the weather there always suceeds in drying this kind of irritation up. Risk of nosebleeds at first, but no pain.

Gifts as involuntary obligations in the workplace (I'm not counting bonuses or anything on the corporate dime) are kind of not right. Gifts as geniune appreciation originating in the mind of the giver? Just fine.

One of my students was confronted by 9 teachers today

Dude. I'd've dropped out right then. Even if there was no good reason for the worry.

(Also, the hub wonders if your principal is related to his corporate-overlordish district manager.)

what age kids?

b/c if that is at highschool, I would have seriously mouthed off by the 9th teacher and then I would have raised hell to my parents who may have just taken it upon themselves to tell the school to stfu - in their much nicer non-potty mouthed way.

I got to see the bully kid in mac's class in action today - totally non-minding, totally non-respectful of teachers or parents, totally thinks he is being cute when he disobeys. Also saw the mother. There may have been glaring on my part.

ION - My job tonight is to finish the Christmas cards. I want to deplete my stash. I've got out or ready to send out 21 so far, I know I have at least that many more to go.

what age kids?

This is a fair point, and one I didn't think of -- probably because in secondary grades, I knew that 9 teachers were aware of my existence, but in early years I was much more focused on relationships with two or three a year. If that makes sense.

the hub wonders if your principal is related to his corporate-overlordish district manager.

Does his dm look like a piece of carrot cake? The principal really does. (as several of my students have pointed out) A couple of my parents think the principal more resembles a Q-tip.

The Dictator claims to be very concerned about the students and drop outs (says he'll call them personally, visit them at home, etc); however, he all but forced one of my gay students to leave the school. He even told my student that he asked for harassment by the 'jocks' because he had a rainbow button on his backpack and was "too open".

I can't wait to see what the principal does when he finds out about the transgendered student who wants to start operations shortly after graduation and plans to be living as a woman during his Senior year. Actually, this student is scheduled to start initial hormone therapy within the next 6 months. Principal is probably going to have apoplexy on that one!

I teach at a high school.

This students problem was these teachers deliberately sought him out on campus and he felt very uncomfortable by their "overwhelming concern." He went so far to say it felt a little like harassment.

Man, I was a goody-two shoes, and when I thought a teacher had crossed a line in high school, I walked out. If I'd actually had an attitude (beyond hippy-dippy, very polite anti-authoritarianism I grew up in) I can't imagine what the effect the sort of thing Gadget_Girl is describing would have had.

We are losing about 1/4 to 1/3 of our teachers every year because of the administrative issues. The student morale is getting so bad. It is a sad and depressing place to work.

Yikes, this doesn't sound like my son's HS at all. You need to move! Seriously, our principal and teachers rock.

Thanks for all the anniversary wishes. Now if only DH would come home so I could see him.

How is your DH, anyway? Loving parenthood? Still pondering whether or not pancakes make a sound? Does he still have his lovely art-boy sideburns or has he moved on to more fatherly facial hair?

He is well, thanks, and loving parenthood. He's an utterly devoted dad. But no more sideburns, tho' they were fun while they lasted.

Egad it is RAINING! I wanted to go look at Xmas lights tonight, but maybe that's not such a good plan. Pout.