my last play

ahh…it’s friday!  the first two weeks of school have been busy as are most first weeks.  before school & after school staff meetings and parent orientation, have been a big part of that busyness.  oh yea, i also have to plan lessons to teach :)  we have goal-setting conferences for our seventh and eighth graders in early october, so we begin now preparing the students for those conferences next week.  the student and a parent are required to come for the conference and meet together.  we have found it to be a valuable time; it’s a stretch for many kids to think of setting goals and working toward them. 

but, i also have begun the work of this year’s eighth grade play.  on wednesday the fifth i held tryouts.  i was able to cast all twenty-five students who auditioned.  we now have practice every wednesday and friday afterschool until play week.  occasional tuesday morning (7:15!) practices make up for the fridays we have off between now and then.   my schedule is dictated by the play for the next couple months; a feeling i am not really enjoying so much anymore!  this year we are producing jack and the magic beans on november 15 & 16.  it’s a fun play, not near as serious as my last two!  so, i have put in my notice as play director.  this will be the last play i direct.  i have given them plenty of time to find someone new!  it’s time for me to be home a little more.  for both ty and i the fall is insanity.  this is an element of that craziness that can be removed.  of course, i had someone tell me yesterday that off all the classes i’ve directed, next year’s eighth graders are the most talented as a whole class.  they said i would have a lot of fun with the kids.  a few years ago that would have been enough to convince me to change my mind.  not now. 

don’t laugh…but i’m feeling old!  i can’t keep up this pace anymore.  nor do i want to.  i like being home with my husband.  last night we had a picnic dinner at the beach (holland state park).  it was a beautiful night…sunny and crisp.  we watched the boats go in and out of the channel.  i’d like more time for evenings like those! 

time to head off for another day of school!  i’m glad it’s friday and the weekend’s a comin’!