Release Time

I know I wrote earlier about early release days, but now I am going to give an update on some of the things I've done during the extra time since.

Some days are lucky and I get to work with a cool teacher on a fun project.  Probably my favorite job I've done to date is inventory for science boxes.  This may not sound very fun, but compared to the other things I've had to do, this was glorious.  Many elementary schools get science kits that come in big boxes to go along with the lessons.  These boxes usually contain classroom experiments and extra supportive materials for science units.  Instead of having to buy a ton of supplies for a school to only use part of, the district puts them into kits and the get shipped to the different schools to share.  My job was to organize and count all of the supplies and return them to the correct boxes of the kit.  The students had just finished a geology unit focusing on the Grand Canyon.  I separated  rocks and different testing materials for each of the boxes.  I really enjoyed this because I'm fairly good at organization and had fun checking the different objects off the master check list.

Other days are not so fun.  Several times I've been stuck in the library checking the call numbers on the books to make sure they were shelved in the correct place.  This is probably the most tedious job out there!  I also have been sent to computer labs to disinfect the keyboards and restart computers.  I've also been stuck at a photo copier for hours making copy after copy.  Trust me, the copy machine smell gets to you after a few hours.  Another day I spent the two hours sorting the state proficiency exam.  I could tell when I arrived with several other subs and a few of the schools office assistance that this was a fairly large plan.  I could also tell that the office ladies had done this task for many years and they had a system down.  Unfortunately their system broke apart when they opened the test packets and found that the state had not alphabetized them by last name like they usually do but had organized them by homeroom.  So each of us had to search several test packets for the correct name that the assistant principal called out.  It was slow tedious work.  In the two hours we managed to get through only one of the four different tests we needed to organize.

Today has brought a new low in the annoyance of early release.  For the first time in five months I can't find a place to help.  Usually I just return to the main office where the office manager will point me to who needs help.  Today I couldn't find her because she takes her lunch during the time I need to start helping.  I haven't been able to find her or anyone else that needs help.  I don't mind getting paid to not do anything, but I really feel that it's in the best interest of everyone to help the school that's paying me.  I just really wish I could be more helpful.