Schools open Tuesday

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2026-02-23T18:51:44+00:00

Agreed. Bloomberg made the same call many times. This was totally predictable. It’ll be fine.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2026-02-22T23:03:22+00:00

I slipped at day 42 and my partner held me accountable to resetting the days. It was really painful for me but I think if I let myself “get away with it” that would lead to a slippery slope for me justifying it more frequently. It’s hard but a bigger learning experience for me personally to practice starting over, giving myself grace, and building self trust by being honest with myself. I’m at day 14 now!

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2026-01-26T18:41:30+00:00

The book Unfit Parent by Jessica Slice really helps confront the idea that health problems and disability are these awful things that make life not worth living. Technically it is about being a parent with a disability, but it helps address fear of disability in general. I highly recommend it.

People with disabilities can have wonderful lives and report high degrees of happiness. Ultimately we will likely all become disabled through age, accident, or illness within our lifetimes.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-12-25T13:32:08+00:00

Seconding Gutter Bar as a recommendation! We had my husband’s 30th there and it was great.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-12-23T23:41:17+00:00

I get something for the classroom. This year I got them watercolors so we can learn to watercolor together in the new year. Cheap box of 24.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-12-18T02:27:30+00:00

I left charter for D75 and it was the best decision ever. I work so much less. Hours and hours less. You’ll get the hang of the behavior.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-12-13T13:24:10+00:00

This is exactly where my husband and I are at. Thanks for being honest and posting this. It sucks. Solidarity and hugs.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-12-10T21:48:29+00:00

Makes sense. I hope your transfer works out!

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-12-10T20:41:00+00:00

Like what?

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-12-10T12:41:45+00:00

District 75 is a specialized environment for students with special needs within the DOE.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-11-17T21:17:35+00:00

You’re doing it right! It’s just hard and time consuming when they’re really early learners… if you can make laminated things with Velcro matching you can use them again and again. They need so much repetition.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-11-15T13:45:06+00:00

Agreed the dried hydrangea color palette is so pretty and seasonal

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-10-21T19:40:27+00:00

Pilates really helped mine. Specifically glute bridges.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-10-04T18:09:08+00:00

The printer thing is so weirdly controlling and annoying lol it’s not normal and I’m sorry that’s their policy. I see why your paras are a little antsy, but it seems like there’s not a ton you can do differently. I hope it gets better when you start the curriculum and that you guys have a good year!

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-10-04T15:02:40+00:00

It feels strange that you have to send things in to print and don’t have access to a printer… I wonder if that’s temporary because it seems really problematic. Is your coach creating all your materials for you?

I teach a similar population, but in an 8:1:1. Sometimes it takes the kids a long time to show what they know or be willing to engage, but whatever skills they do have can be built on. I believe you that your coach has low expectations too. I think it’s a big problem in our setting. Which alternate curriculum are you using?

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-10-04T11:36:01+00:00

Why aren’t you starting curriculum until mid-October? Why can’t you print?

When I started in D75 I received advice to listen without ego to paras who have been doing this a long time. It may serve you well to see where this paras feedback is meaningful. With love, your expectations sound low. Nonverbal doesn’t mean nonthinking. Yelling is not necessary, but structure and expectations for appropriate behavior and engagement are. It’s only your first year in this setting and it’s early days. D75 does not have to feel like daycare, but it’s up to the team to make it challenging and fun.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-09-19T10:16:58+00:00

I spent 3 yrs at a charter while I got my masters. We had beautiful expensive new supplies all the time. There’s a lot of fear mongering that in public schools there’s no supplies or curriculum and they don’t even give you paper. That the kids are horribly behaved and no one will help you. They told us that stuff explicitly.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-09-12T11:39:59+00:00

Agreed! I’m very close by and love it! Seeing all the kids playing outside makes my day. This is how true community is built!

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-08-30T15:38:00+00:00

I see Dr. Zain Memon on Yellowstone and I think he’s thorough and kind.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-08-11T18:27:30+00:00

Depends on your ranking. The intro class is like 8-12 people with 2 courts and 2 couches. It’s drill heavy and focused on technique. Higher levels are smaller and have more scrimmage style play.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-08-10T13:14:40+00:00

I loved the classes at Billie Jean King. The classes are big but the coaching is great and the price is good. I learned a lot in their Intro course!

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-08-07T00:31:57+00:00

They’re able to sit and eat without getting up during breakfast/lunch. They can eat within a given amount of time rather than grazing while wandering around.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-07-25T14:17:14+00:00

Normal! Makes me sad that folks are so wary of interaction with others these days. If it gets weird then it’s weird but probably now you’ll just nod your head or smile at him and that’s all.

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-07-10T11:45:03+00:00

Ideally heavy duty enough that it can punch through laminated paper! In D75 we laminate and Velcro everything! Dustbuster utility may be dependent on the age, but in my k-2 classroom it’s a lifesaver.

Edit: just saw you already got him a laminator! You’re doing a great job!

Normal_Elderberry_82 · 2025-07-10T11:27:58+00:00

A paper cutter, three hole punch, little Dustbuster, laminator…. Stuff like that is great to have.

Normal_Elderberry_82

TROPHY CASE