First Day of School

Friday was the first day of school.  Why Friday?  It's because the Florida legislature said that August 10 is the earliest day public schools are allowed to start, so this year it was a Friday.  Counties set their own calendars, so not everyone started on Friday;  many waited until at least Monday.  Everyone has to have 180 student attendance days, so start time, end time, and days off may vary, but all students have to go to school the same amount.  The Friday start was a bit confusing for sure, but it was awesome to get a weekend so fast!  The other advantage I found was that it took a lot of pressure off me to have everything perfectly ready since we would immediately have 2 days to take care of any other last-minute details.

Rachel started high school and found the first day "boring", but this week will definitely pick up, especially with band practice after school at least 2 days.

Hannah likes her new 5th grade teachers and loved her new position as "Officer" in the Safety Patrol.  She, and the other two officers get to raise and lower the flag each day and check in with various areas to see if anyone is absent and where fill-in is needed.

Justin doesn't start his classes until August 21, so he spent a good part of the day sleeping.  Steve said to let him enjoy it;  he has enough time to have to get up early and work for the rest of his life......

My niece started kindergarten and her sister started preschool.  My nephew starting kindergarten is in another county and starts Monday.  His brothers will be in school 5 days a week at two other schools starting soon.  Apparently, the tears are flowing freely.  We'll all get used to it in time, but the years go fast, so enjoy!

My Oviedo nephews started 2nd and 3rd grades, so I am excited to hear reports from them as well.

My older niece and nephew are still in high school, although my senior nephew plans to accelerate his graduation and get to working.  My other niece graduated two years before Justin and now is the proud mommy of a 6 month old boy.  I don't see these nieces and nephew as often, but by all reports are doing well.

What is your school calendar like?  What are the pros and cons for your family?  Comment below, and subscribe above to be alerted to the latest posts and comments from The Vulnerable Mom.

Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Blessings!
Jenny

Pinterest Picks: Back to School

This is a really useful "how-to" guide 
especially for older students.  Being able to 
easily retrieve and put away supplies will keep 
your child from missing valuable instructions 
while they dig in their backpack.   

I like this idea for both Mom 
(or Dad!) and a child that are 
used to being together all day 
and may experience some 
separation anxiety.

This is adorable!  It would take a lot of 
dedication to finish out the handprints on the 
back (a new twist from what I've seen before), 
but what a neat idea!  BTW, here's a shoutout 
to my nephew, Rowan, class of  2033!

Create a quiet reading nook in your home to 
provide both a quiet calming area and a place 
to encourage daily reading.  Pillows and 
bookshelves , seating, and tents all help to 
create a cozy escape that promote a 
lifelong love of reading.

Showing off your child's work is easy with this 
colorful display using frames and clothespins.

A child's drawings give clues to his 
or her developmental level.  The 
artwork does pile up after a while, 
though, and can get faded or torn. 
This idea allows multiple pieces 
to be saved and displayed at once.

This article explains how important 
self-control is in a classroom where 
the students outnumber the teacher 
many times over.  Kindergarten is 
different from preschool, it explains, 
and there are multiple strategies to 
help your child continue to develop 
this this very important skill.

     

I have to admit that I have WAY 

more stuff saved than could possibly 

fit in one box (please, don't laugh-

it is organized, although I need to catch up).  

This is a great idea, though, and nothing is 

saying that you can't have more than one box!

 

   

    

We don't all have a mudroom, but most of us 
can find a place to create a command center 
to better organize our homes.  Remember, it 
doesn't all have to be in one place.  A hook 
in the bedroom for the backpack still gets it 
off the floor and easy to find.  

An art cart/homework station gives you mobility and allows you to create multipurpose areas in your home.

I love the drawers featured in 
this post.  Being able to find the 
right tools during homework time 
will make your afternoons and 
evenings go much more smoothly!  

Don't forget your ABC's! 
We all could use a little caffeine
to jumpstart those hectic, early
mornings before school!

Mornings, ugh!  The worst part besides
homework of back to school.  Maybe some
of these ideas will help you get back in
the routine more quickly and easily!

A simple way to corral all of your
school supplies in one place and
use individual supplies as needed.

   

Getting Ready For Back to School - Are You Ready?

Getting Ready For Back to School

I know that many of you have a whole month left before school starts.  LUCKY!!  Here in Florida, the legislature decided that the school was allowed to start on August 10th each year, but not before.  So, guess when our county starts?  You guessed it, Friday, August 10, 2018.  At least it will be a short week! :-)

I have a love/hate relationship with back to school.  In reality, I love it, always have, always will.  I have a weird thing for office and school supplies.  I guess that's why I became an elementary school teacher.  I do like the structure.  I just hate the pressure and the extreme schedule.  I hate grades.

I quit working after I went back for a month after my first child and realized that I personally couldn't give 100% to both and wasn't happy with that.  It was a bit boring at first, but I guarantee that didn't last for long.  Still, I found ways to fulfill my teaching bug and have always kept up with what's going on in education, especially the county my husband and I and now my kids have grown up in. 

So, for those of you that don't think running around to store after store in search of door-busting back to school deals, here are some options that you can get delivered right to your home. 

Elmer's Disappearing Purple Washable Gluesticks - 12 ct.

Elmer's Washable Disappearing Purple School Glue, 6 Giant Sticks (1 pkg)

Elmer's 4 oz Liquid School Glue - 12 bottles

Elmer's 4 oz Liquid School Glue - 3 bottles

EXPO Black Dry Erase Markers, 8 Count Pack, Chisel Tip (Low-Odor)

Expo Low Odor Dry Erase Markers, Chisel Tip, Assorted Colors, 8 ct

EXPO Magnetic Dry Erase Markers with Eraser, Chisel Tip, Black, 4-Count

Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Markers - 8 ct. 

Crayola 8ct Washable Tropical Colors Conical Tip

Crayola Crayons (24 Count), Crayola Colored Pencils in Assorted Colors (12 Count), Crayola (10ct) Classic Fine Line Markers, and Crayola (10ct) Classic Broad Line Markers Holiday Bundle

 

 

Crayola 8 ct. Crayons - Pack of 12

Crayola 16 ct. Classic Color Crayons - 2 pk
Crayola crayons (24 count) - 2 pack

Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens, Medium Point, Black, 4 Count


BIC BU3 Grip Retractable Ball Pen, Medium Point (1.0 mm), Assorted Colors, 18-Count
BIC Round Stic Xtra Life Ballpoint Pen, Medium Point (1.0mm), Blue, 60-Count
BIC Round Stic Xtra Life Ballpoint Pen, Medium Point (1.0mm), Red, 10-Count

Mead Loose Leaf Paper, Filler Paper, Wide Ruled, 200 Sheets, 10-1/2" x 8", 3 Hole Punched, 1 Pack

Five Star Loose Leaf Paper, 3 Hole Punched, Reinforced Filler Paper, Wide Ruled, 10-1/2" x 8", 100 Sheets/Pack

Five Star Loose Leaf Paper, 3 Hole Punched, Reinforced Filler Paper, College Ruled, 11" x 8-1/2", 100 Sheets/Pack, 4 Pack

Ticonderoga Wood-Cased My First Pencils, 2 HB Soft, Pre-Sharpened, With Eraser, Includes Bonus Sharpener, Yellow, 4 Count (33309)

Dixon Ticonderoga Wood-Cased #2 HB Pencils, Box of 96, Yellow

AmazonBasics Pre-sharpened Wood Cased #2 HB Pencils, 30 Pack

Pre-sharpened pencils, Pencils Sharpened with eraser top, #2 HB pencil, 144/box.

TOPS 1-Subject Notebooks, Spiral, 8" x 10-1/2", Wide Rule, Color Assortment May Vary, 70 Sheets, 3 Pack
Mead Spiral Notebooks, 1 Subject, College Ruled Paper, 70 Sheets, 10-1/2" x 7-1/2", Assorted Colors, 6 Pack
TOPS 1-Subject Notebooks, Spiral, 8" x 10-1/2", College Rule, Color Assortment May Vary, 70 Sheets, 6 Pack
Five Star Spiral Notebook, 1 Subject, Graph Ruled Paper, 100 Sheets, 11" x 8-1/2" (4 Pack Bundle, 13 Color Selected For You)
Emraw 5 Subject Notebook Spiral with 180 Sheets of College Ruled White Paper - Set Includes: Red, Black, Purple, & Blue Covers (Random 3 Pack)
Five Star Spiral Notebook, 3 Subject, College Ruled Paper, 150 Sheets, 11" x 8-1/2", Color Selected For You