The School Year Begins 2008 – 2009

2008-2009 School Year

Tomorrow begins a new school year for many of us.  I know some of you are excited, some of you are apprehensive, some of you are dreading every passing moment that brings you to the inevitable and some of you could care less.  As I mentally prepare myself for tomorrow and run through my mind if I have everything I need to greet a new group of students – academically and personally – I can not help but think about former students and where they are now. I am not going to go over 19 previous classes – I do have to be at work tomorrow morning – however – I would like to say a little something about the former students who are still here in Manteca Unified. Seniors at Sierra:  You are the last class I had the privilege of teaching at Lathrop where I began my teaching career.  This group of students was a fun class to have and a smart class.  I hope that you will make a lot of wonderful memories throughout your senior year as you work your way toward that diploma. Juniors at Sierra:  You were the FIRST graduating class at Veritas- a small graduating class – but the first class.  It was such a great experience to break in a new school with all of you.  It will be exciting to see you graduate in 2010!  Sophmores at Sierra and Lathrop High:   I think I will always remember this group as having way too much drama and not enough boys to balance things out.  So many tears through your 7th & 8th grade years.  You kept me busy and constantly in need of daily updates on what was going on and why everyone was crying.  Not to mention the kleenex supply I went through.  We should have made it into a reality show.     BUT – you were also a good group of students with a lot of intelligence and insight into so many things.  I hope your sophmore year brings you less drama and more enjoyment.  Those who are attending Lathrop High – you will be the first graduating class – serve your school well! Freshman at Sierra and Lathrop High: A very unique, quirky and very fun group of students.  (For details – see my blog about my homeroom.)  You are the LARGEST graduating class from Veritas to date.  You rock!   You are a group of students with so much potential – I have had a sneak preview at your STAR scores - and I have seen what you are capable of doing.  So go in to the high schools and show those teachers what you are capable of doing.  I want to see you ALL get that high school diploma.  Class of 2012! Tomorrow morning as many of you are sitting in your new classes and meeting new teachers, I will also be meeting new students a beginning a new class.  As usual, I will take my deep-first-day-of-school-breath and hold on to that until the last student steps off campus on the last day of school.  Good thing I have 19 years of experience when it comes to holding my breath.