open house

       Yesterday and today were Open House days at NHCS.  Last night was the upper school (5th-8th) and tonight was the lower school, so both nights, I didn't get home until way later than usual.  I don't mind being there late because I love my team and my school is incredible, but coming home late just means lots more to do and less time to do it. For example, I packed my lunch this morning instead of having my ten minutes of breakfast eating/facebook browsing that I like.
         Despite this, Open House was great.  Well, tonight was great. Yesterday we had a meet and greet for our Course Coaching parents, but neither of my parents showed up. I ended up staying an hour later and just talking with Danielle.  She really annoys me most of the time, but one on one she's not that bad. She is trying, she just lacks a lot of social/leadership skills.
        Tonight, though, was great.  First, Ms. Moulton went through how things work in class, what the behavior rules are like, etc. I introduced myself and explained what City Year is since most parents don't really understand what the difference between me and Ms. Moulton is. Then afterwards, it was just time to eat lots of good food from everyone's cultures (lots of our students are first generation Americans).  Parents could ask questions, look at their students work, and just socialize. I'm really awkward at introducing myself, but it seemed to go okay. It was so nice to meet the parents of everyone and see how they interact around their parents. Seventeen of the 20 students had parents there, which was awesome. The parents that didn't come I would have guessed would be absent, so there was no surprise there. At the end of the night, Ms. Moulton drove me home since she lives in JP.  It was so nice to not have to take the hour plus commute home. It literally took fifteen minutes.  The joys of public transportation.
           Last, every time I think I've heard all of Boston's little quirks, something new surprises me and reminds me I'm a newbie.  Today, we were doing Writer's Workshop and one kid was writing about going grocery shopping with his mom.  He drew a picture of what I would call a grocery cart and then wrote about riding in the carriage. WHAT?! Apparently, grocery carts are called carriages. You learn something new every day, my friends.

            Currently, I'm watching 'You've Got Mail' thanks to Karen Stefanski who shares my obsession with this movie. Our favorite quote from the movie is as follows, which is perfect for the weather we're experiencing here and the fact that it was open house tonight.


"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address"