The Parent Portal was clear - Amphi Schools WILL be open on Thursday, May 3rd.
I was thrilled. I miss the little ones hugging me and asking for shoelace-tying-help and begging for stickers. I miss making silly Dr. Seuss sounds in the kindergarten classrooms. I miss wondering why no one wants to eat the jicama at lunchtime.
I am worried about the tomato plant whose olla ball must be sadly empty. I wonder how the kids with working parents are faring at home, not (I hope) alone. The Spring Carnival has been rescheduled from Friday to next week; I hope the volunteers can join me. This walk out has been a logistical nightmare all around.
Legislators were in session through the night (the photo of my friend, Rep. Daniel Hernandez Jr, nodding out at 2 am has disappeared from my Facebook feed, otherwise I'd include it right here). when Noah Karvelis, the #RedForEd activist, was refused the opportunity to speak, Dr. Randy Freise, my representative, read his words into the record. Teachers filled the gallery, all day and all night. It was a sea of red, watching as (they hoped) a budget was passed.
The Amphi Parent Portal told me that school would be in session tomorrow when I checked before bed. I made a mental note to feel bad about not ordering a Welcome Back cake for Prince, and to stop at the donut store for treats on my way down Oracle to the school in the morning. I had my book picked out, my stickers at the ready, and my heart was filled with joy.
I slept like a rock until I awoke with a start at 5:15am. Tossing and turning was useless. I got up, ready to spend the morning with my young friends. I turned on my phone, checked my messages, and decided to look, one more time, at the Parent Portal. Just to be sure. I was so hopeful.
Amphi Schools will be closed today, Thursday, May 3rd.
Sigh. The only good news is that I have another opportunity to buy a cake. The budget, being passed in pieces, answers few of the #RedForEd demands. It places an increased tax burden on districts not in Maricopa County, where the Phoenix Republicans live. It excludes support staff. It doesn't replace the money lost over the past 10 years. It's inexplicable to the lay person, if my Facebook news feed is any indication of community sentiment. I know, for sure, that my perusal of the plan has left me more confused than ever.
As of 1:30 Thursday afternoon, there's no update on plans for tomorrow.
I'm putting off ordering the cake.
And now it's 2:05pm and the Portal tells me that Back to School! ALL Amphitheater Schools Will Be OPEN on Friday, May 4.
Wondering what I'll do with a sheet cake if they change their minds again.
Take the cake to a women's shelter. I hosted a funeral luncheon yesterday at church. Had 3 platters of very lovely sandwiches left over so called the women's shelter that our church supports and delivered those sandwiches. They were thrilled to get such "fancy food."
ReplyDeleteI opted to forgo the cake and brought my smile instead 😍
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Are schools in Maricopa county going to benefit from increased taxes in TUSD? This really pisses me off. Phoenix Republicans should pay their share.
ReplyDeleteYoutube has Giro d'Italia highlights playing. They're starting the race in Israel, which is kind of interesting.
Hard to say.. The details are sketchy and the burden shifting will, no doubt, be litigated.
DeleteWatching cyclists sounds like a great antidote.
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I am so proud of all my Amphi friends for sticking up for kids - they are brave and unselfish. Both certified and classified as well as all the administrators that wanted to be marching along side their teachers because they are teachers, too. This has been a long time coming and the reasons for the march part of why I left the state of Az. Suzi, your smile, your dedication to being there for teachers and kids, your goodies, crafts, pilates and voice for education and what is right, is part of what makes our schools great! Thank you for all you do!
ReplyDeleteBack at ya! Tanya. Without your encouragement....... we’ll, you know..... you believed we could accomplish great things if we just kept at it, and you were right. SOglad to have you in my life.
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