music, therapy, and me

For those of you not in the "School-Based Therapist" know, ESY stands for "Extended School Year" and means that I have to work summer school whether I want to or not. Today is the last day of our ESY session, and I am more than ready. After tomorrow's  "progress note" day, we have 12 days before we have to report back to start the regular school year. I have one medical appointment, but that is the only obligation that I have for break. Other than that, I plan on working on my library and that is about it other than my usual self-care stuff. I have three groups today because there is an all-school movie during the last group time. Someone walked into my room yesterday to actually test the temperature and to tell me that there was someone else showing up to evaluate the computer system that controls the temperature. They interrupted a group session, but I am happy that someone is actually acting like they are doing something. Only three groups to run in...

Ugh. Summer. I'm hot and I don't feel good and I spent all night shivering (I know, silly to think about due to the first part of this sentence) and it is the last Monday of our extended school year (ESY) so I have to go and I really don't want to, but I'm going anyway. I am looking forward into a week of kids being able to go outside because the weather is supposed to cooperate - depending on where you look for forecast information. In fact, the forecast that I am looking at right now (which is my favorite at the moment) says that we will not break out of the 80's (Fahrenheit) all week! These lower temperatures and the ability to go outside and run off some energy may make for less cranky students and a less cranky therapist. We shall see. Here's what I have to look forward to this week: Saying goodbye to intern #27 as she finishes up her time with me and moves on to bigger and better things. Constant questions from teachers about the fall schedule -...

Today is a day off from work. During our Extended School Year, we have school from Monday through Thursday, and we have Fridays off. During the summer, I have the luxury of three day weekends - something I really enjoy. During the rest of the year, I have one day weekends, so three days is a mini-break every week. I love this schedule and would love to have it all the time (I've tried to figure it all out, and it doesn't work for our contracts...). Anyway, today is a day away from work, but it is not a day of rest. Today is the day that everything has to happen. I have a new washer and dryer set coming sometime between 8:30 and 10:30, the new cat sitter comes to check us out at 11:00, and I have lots of laundry to do (because of the need for the new washer and dryer) as well as about seventeen errands to do as well. Everything happens today. I've spent this past week getting back into the routine of working. I arrived early every day (not good for me or my morning rou...

It's Monday Morning again, and I am dragging myself to the middle week of the second summer session. Only two more weeks until our next big break, and then no big breaks until AMTA Conference and Thanksgiving. I can make it through these next two weeks. I can. Our Extended School Year (ESY) consists of several students who need educational services during months when their school districts do not provide those services. It also means that several of our students are not present. With the nature of our school, - approximately 50% are day students and consistent and the other 50% are residents and less consistent - we have lots of new students who haven't met our folks missing from ESY. It will be challenging to fit the old folks into what will feel like new classrooms. (Believe me, I've done this 22 times now. It is never easy.) I have more difficulties during the summer months with the Monday morning phenomenon than I do during the school year. I think this is due to th...