Having a Hard time...sort of

We are about to start the third week of school and I am completely stressed out. Usually the amount of stuff on my calendar right now, doesn't happen until about Feb. We have a new principal this year who is bound and determined to get our school out of the red. If you don't know what that is...our district/state categorizes schools into the red (failing), yellow (getting better), green (good), and blue (fabulous). We have only been open for 2 years and started in the red so the saying "we can only go up from here" really does mean us. We have made great gains in our test scores, but that is not the only thing we are. We are an arts school. The district has yet to made a statement in out favor and is bound and determined to watch us fail. Anyway...we have a new principal who wants to have each foot in both sides. The art side to keep that going, and the district side to prove that we know what we are doing. Due to that...we have assessments every two weeks, running records every two weeks, data teams every week, learning communities every other week, monthly sped meetings, intervention meetings once a month, justifications needed for subs, field trips, and to be able to go to the bathroom. UGH!!! I have a new team mate this year which has been FABULOUS! She and I are like long lost sisters. We help each other, cover for each other...etc. It is amazing what can be done when you have a partner that supports you rather than digs the whole and pushes you in. (long story). In the last three weeks it has been amazing, but the new requirements that we have from this new P is stressing me out and putting my normally undercontrol OCD at a flipping out pace. Binders, dividers, sorting, centers, DRA, running records, etc are in my head at all times. I have meetings every day of the week, duty once a week, a para who is helpful but driving me crazy, and children who are fabulous but the most talkative group I have ever had! When is it going to slow down?

As I am writing this, my husband is peaking over my shoulder telling me to stop complaining. This is the happiest that I have been in a while! It is so true. I am loving this school year. I love knowing what is expected of me and when instead of being a mind reader and failing miserably.

So to add to all this stress...My hubby and I decided to get a dog...CRAZY!!!!!
The puppies were born Friday and we will get our little addition the first week in November. I am excited and hopeful that things settle down by then.

I also wanted to say a special thanks for all the blogs I follow for helping me with ideas and motivating me!