SOUTH BRONX SCHOOL: My First Day ATR De-Briefing, Travelogue , and Other Mundane Stuff

Friday, December 4, 2015

My First Day ATR De-Briefing, Travelogue , and Other Mundane Stuff

I didn't sleep very well last night. Got up a lot, thought I had not slept when in fact I had, and made a few trips to the bathroom. I hope that was due to the copious amounts of water I had consumed before bed and not to any underlying prostate issues.

I had awoken for the final time about 5:45 AM (In fact my usual time. My son has to catch his bus at 7 AM) and instead of dilly dallying around in bed I got up, woke my son in a most obnoxious way (banging on his door with my wedding ring) and popped in the shower.

I then shaved, using Edge shaving gel and a Gillete Fusion razor. I had a bout a week's worth of beard to get rid of and was sad that for the first time in 30 months I no longer can go a week or two without shaving.

I had my clothes all laid out for me, but there was a hitch. I couldn't find a black sock to the pair I had planned to wear. I looked all over and it did not help that I had yet to put in my contacts and the room was still dark but for a little light on the nightstand (I HATE light in the morning!). Eventually I found the AWOL sock and had completed getting myself clothed.

I had printed out some lesson plans last night and bought some supplies at Staples (Sorry! There is no other place to go around here!). I needed something to carry all this stuff. I did not have a briefcase nor a backpack. What was I to do?

My son came through. He offered me his Yankees Draw String Bag that he got at Draw String Bag Night at the Stadium a few years ago. I would enter the school in style.

I finished all I had to do and said goodbye to my wife and son as well as Sparkles. I was off.

I didn't have to be at school until 8:15 which gave me plenty of time. I whizzed through White Plains and got onto the Bronx River Parkway. My destination was Mount Vernon and Gramatan Bagels.

There was a reason for Gramatan Bagels. I wanted a whole wheat bagel with Nova spread. They really pile it on the bagel there and it was close enough that I could take my time. relax, eat, drink my coffee and read the paper.

At about 7:45 I decided it was time to get going. The school is right over the line from Mount Vernon and I figured I would be there by eight. I went down Gramatan Ave, turned right onto Linclon, then to 1st Ave and down until I got to 241st St and then down a bit. Was there before 8. The best part, are you ready for this??? There was plenty, an overabundance of street parking! I had no problem finding a spot.

I got out of car and took a deep breath. I adjusted the pleats on my skirt (Gotcha! Only joking). I took a deep breath and walked towards the school then up the steps where I was greeted by the school safety agent who was very nice. I signed in and went up to the office.

I checked in with the payroll secretary and she gave me my time card and I punched in. She then asked me to wait outside for the AP.

I was sitting there praying that the AP would forget about me and not see me until noon. But it didn't happen. It was just a ten minute wait.

The payroll secretary escorted me to her office and she was very gracious and kind. She said have a seat while she figured out my schedule. Oh, oh! What was I to get?

Three classes for the day, two periods each class, going in and supporting the classroom teacher.

I had a 1st grade class, then prep, then 2nd grade, then lunch, and finally, 1st grade again. The teachers were quite friendly towards me and did not take it as I was intruding on their space. In each class I assisted with scoring some tests and working one on one with a few students. I soon realized how much I had missed this.

The day ended and I went upstairs to punch out. On the way to the office I met the principal and thanked her as she welcomed me to the school.

It was not that bad a day.

Oh, before I forget, there is another ATR at the school. We got to talking during our prep in the teacher's lounge and I asked him if he knows or has heard of Portelos.

He looked at me, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Who is that?"

14 comments:

FidgetyTeach said...

For me, it has to be an everything bagel with plain creamed cheese and the lox separately placed on the top...Glad to hear you had a good first day back!

Chaz said...

You do not have to punch in and out unless all teachers are doing that.

Welcome back and stay out of trouble.

Anonymous said...

Sorry Chaz you don't know the rules. If you are instructed to punch in by a supervisor you must follow the direction or you're insubordinate. If you believe there is a violation of the contract you speak to the chapter leader and he can assist you in filing a grievance. Also, just a style note- on your blog you continually place quotation marks before the period. Sorry, wrong. Get it right or don't write.

Mary said...

It sounds like you had a perfect day!!!

James Eterno said...

Chaz is right about punching in and out. ATRS are supposed to do what other teachers do in terms of checking in. However, if all else is well, and you don't want to make an issue out of it, it's not the end of the world.

James Eterno said...

And welcome back.

Anonymous said...

Anon (:35

Stop giving advice that is wrong!!!

You don't punch in. No teacher punches in and that is part of the contract!

Jonathan said...

Glad you landed in a well-run place. I mean, right, the best part of teaching? Teaching.

And yeah, ask the CL to speak to the principal about punching in. Sounds like the P might be reasonable, and if not, all you've done is quietly ask through an intermediary - next steps, if any, up to you.

Jonathan

Pete Zucker said...

I'm trying not to sweat the small stuff. Besides, I was anxious enough Friday morning.

NYCDOEnuts said...

Welcome back!!!
Screw the card!!
Teaching is bliss!!!

Anonymous said...

It's great to have you back in the field of teaching.

Take it one step at time. At the moment there maybe some contractual issues but don't confront them. First and foremost get acclimated as an ATR and then and when you feel that the needs meet the demands you take action. Timing is everything. So pace yourself and get to know the staff and the chapter leader at each school. Learn their school culture and be careful not to overstep your boundaries with the staff especially with administration. Just some simple advice that will make your school year more tolerable.

Otherwise, it's good to know that you had a pleasant day back. Welcome back!

Anonymous said...

Maybe the teacher advising punching in works in a school where the teachers are suckered/intimidated into punching in. By the way, these are usually newer schools with newer, pre-tenured who do have reason to fear. They'll do anything management says, especially wirks six periods.

Anonymous said...

I always punch in. Admin's lie about time and without the punchcard you have no way of proving they are lying. But, admins know that falsifying an employee's time card carries a stiff penalty. While they'll try and play he-said-she-said on a minute here and there, they won't falsify your card. I punch the clock with glee just to take that away from them. They are trifling and sad people.

Anonymous said...

Welcome Back-seems like you are in a nice school. Hey, no big deal to punch in. If you are on time and don't leave early, then you have nothing to worry about. Why start off pulling "Union Stuff", it only pisses off the Principal and gives the wrong impression about you. The last thing that you want is to be viewed as someone who comes in new and immediately causes tension. Good luck and Happy Holidays to you and your family.