11

Eleven days of school remain and I am happy to say that I've survived the worst part.   To recap what's happened at school so far:

BOGO Book fair has been closed out.  I'm proud to say we did about $1000 more in sales than last year.

SuperBookatarian's niece nailed her Boards Night.  For the record, she told everyone that "Miss Laurie isn't old!"  She was referring to the stereotype that only old ladies knit & followed that up with the now-famous line of how I am NOT old!

Yearbooks were distributed.  The office staff graciously offered to help sell them as parents were stopping by the office to inquire about them.  We've had several thousand dollars in sales so far.  YAY!

The David Catrow visit was a huge success---the kids loved him & he generously donated all of his drawings for us to raffle off at Fall Festival!  The owl drawing he did will be framed & hung in the main hallway of our school as it's our mascot.

The Book Festival was rained out but moved inside the library instead.  Sunshine didn't want to meet Jane O'Connor up close but was too cute during the fashion show.  I could tell how nervous she was but once she started walking she spun around, whipped off her wrap & threw it over her shoulder, and did a curtsy in front of J. O'C at the end.  She never fails to amaze me!

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week went a little awry.  My one day's worth of responsibilities somehow turned into 5.  The Sweet Treat Giveaway was over in about 45 minutes & 3 of our great teachers won prizes (a $50 gas card, $75 to Lowe's & $100 to Walmart).  Tuesday's breakfast wasn't horrible but I have this thing about being at school at 7.  Still, the teachers loved the breakfast & we had so many donations of food that we rescheduled Thursday's events to Casual Day & a coffee break.  Publix donated so many cakes that we served them w/ coffee (from the new Keurig we bought for the lounge) & drinks.

Wednesday's luncheon (you know, that one day that was my responsibility?!) went well but not without bumps in the road.  Ones that weren't my fault.

We had been contacted by a  national sandwich company (no, not that one.  Or that one) who was interested in catering our Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week back in March.  Since I have a need to plan things months in advanced, I contacted them & started planning.  A couple weeks prior, their assistant manager & I exchanged several emails as well as phone calls to plan the day.  3 Veggie Delight box lunches, 35 Ham Classics & 42 Turkey Classics were ordered.  I was thrilled to find out that our drinks (3 gallons of sweet tea, 3 gallons of unsweetened tea & 2 gallons of lemonade) were included.  And they sent cups, napkins & ice.

I realize that ice isn't terribly important in the grand scheme of things but it saves me trips to the cafeteria to fill up our ice bucket.

So, lunch was supposed to be delivered by 10 last Wednesday as our first lunch shift starts at 10:15am.  When they hadn't shown up by 10:10 am, I made my first phone call.   Oh, we thought it was tomorrow.

I KNEW I should have called the day before to verify.  I KNEW IT!

I was told it would be about 20 minutes (for 80 sandwiches & delivery???) but it would be there.

I spent the next hour apologizing and taking notes on which teachers would need to have their lunches delivered to their rooms.

And I kept apologizing.   Inconvenience me, whatever.  Inconvenience teachers on their lunches?  Not.Cool.

After 45 minutes I called back because really, 20 minutes had come & gone.  "Megan" at this establishment made a very poor choice when she told me that "someone" had called the day before to reschedule.

Megan, all I have to say to you is this:  Liar, liar, pants on fire.

I corrected Megan on her bigfatlie & told her that no, "someone" didn't call as I was the person with their manager on this luncheon & I know that I didn't call to reschedule so clearly she was lying to me.

Lunch finally arrived an hour & a half late.  Everyone assured me it was fine. And it was delicious & how much they appreciated all that the PTA did for them.

Their delivery person forgot our receipt which I will need for my audit & also forgot to let their assistant manager know to fax one so I need to either email their asst. manager or go by their location to get one.  Know this Megan, I am coming for you.

Thursday wound up being Coffee Break where the teachers got their Keurig as well as an amazing assortment of cakes & pastries courtesy of Publix.

Friday was the "Big Finale" where we gave away a present to each faculty & staff member (approximately 75 people).   Prizes from restaurant gift cards to a Charbroil grill were given out.  We had 2 moms who secured all the donations & purchases.  I'm in awe of them as I hate asking for donations.  So not my thing.

Sunshine's drama production was on Saturday.  Her costume came together really well & her makeup came out great (kudos, Mom for your mad character makeup skills!) & most importantly, SHE rocked her part as Bloody Mary the pirate.  And yes, we enrolled her for another year of drama!

Mother's Day cards were mailed in time to arrive on Saturday only I mixed up the cards for my mom & Hunter's.  Their cards from Sunshine were fine as they are called different things (my mom is Memere & Hunter's is Grandma) & well, Sunshine wrote their names on the cards.  Hunter filled out his mom's card but didn't write on the envelope.  That's my story & I'm sticking to it.

My sweet family gave me a Sephora gift card as well as bringing me Starbuck's for breakfast, fixing me a nice dinner with dessert & sweet cards.  I love my little family so!

Last night was our big PTA meeting.   When you dissolve your PTA you have to do several things in order to appease the state PTA.  We had done everything we needed to do thus far & in the official letter notifying State of our intent, we asked that if they were going to attend the meeting, that they inform us prior to the meeting.

So, our PTA President was a little taken aback when she received a phone call from our District Deputy at 4pm letting her know that he was very sorry he wouldn't be able to attend as the local council was having their annual banquet that evening.  I've been to that banquet.  We didn't miss much.

Please don't think I'm down on the PTA, they do a lot of good for children across the country.  The problem I do have is they're not doing much for our school and the money we give to them in the way of dues would be better used by our school.

So while we knew the Deputy Director wouldn't be attending, the nagging doubt that someone from another county could be there representing him.  Luckily, no one showed.

At the meeting, we had several people who spoke up during the discussion phase supporting us & our decision to make the change.  A member of our School Council gave us his support as did one of our 5th grade teachers.

There was one person who spoke up in dissent.   She was succinct & to the point in her comment.

That person was my child!!

How many 9 year olds do you know who would raise their hand to participate in a discussion at a meeting in a room full of adults?

Seriously, only Sunshine!

She stated that she knew the PTA wanted to switch over to a PTO & frankly, she didn't like it.  Thankyouverymuch.

So today I find myself as the first President-elect of the newly formed SuperAwesomeSchool PTO, effective 1 August.  

We're about 80% done with our incorporation process.  We have an EIN number, we have someone working on our 501(c)(3) status, we've got preliminary paperwork from our bank for the new account and we have start up money set aside.  As soon as the 501(c)(3) paperwork has been filed with the Georgia Secretary of State we'll be good to go.

And then the fun begins for next year!

Eleven more days. . .