The Week That Was

Well, students, we have made it through the first week of school, and I have a few comments.

1. Yes, some of the schedules are still in error, but please understand that Guidance is working around the clock to help you.

2. I am in awe of all of you--despite some of the challenges of this past week, you have all been kind, patient, mature. I love my students.

3. I am already overwhelmed, between rec letters that need to be composed, to the 114 essays and 98 essay tests I need to grade. So please be patient with me, too! I am slogging though the workload on this beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Welcome back to Boone, my dear ones. This year is going to be GREAT.

The Eve Before School

Dear Students,

Tonight, August 15, 2010, is the Eve Before School for educators in OCPS. While you have another week to relax (or frantically start/finish summer reading, work in the sweltering heat, clean your room, or prep for a new school year) I have a week of meetings, meetings, and more meetings!

I really feel that this is going to be a good year for all of us. OPTIMISM NOW. This is my last year teaching sophomores--I think--and I want to go out with a bang; Project XMas and The Writing Center will both be active and ready for those of you interested in service learning/community service hours; we have tons of cool new things to learn.

This blog is a tool to help you see what we're doing in class each day, and to keep track of Authors of the Day (for sophys) and other Boone-related details. Please check this at least a couple of times per week to stay on top of things, and definitely use it if you are absent. I update at least every other day, and try to post in advance when I can.

Much love to all of you, Boone Braves. 2010-2011 will be amazing.

~Ms. Hilley

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Word of the Day: pedantic

Holiday of the Day: International Pancake Day, Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday)

Gifted English II: Post-it note quiz on Othello, Act I, followed by a review of the content vocabulary for Act I for tomorrow's quiz (two in a row!) and a Lupercal group meeting for Friday's project. I will be collecting the Julius Caesar papers until 3 p.m. and need you to upload it to www.turnitin.com. If you can't recall your password, or need your account updated, you can e-mail me your paper as a Word attachment (double spaced) to my e-mail address either here or through the BHS website and I can do it for you. Or find me today and I'll take care of it for you!

APees: For the first half of the period, two scenes from Young Frankenstein (HILARIOUS) and for the second half, Keats. You will never look at a pot the same way again. "Ode on a Grecian Urn" rocks the free world. Happy, happy boughs indeed!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Today is International Nutella Appreciation Day, a day dear to my heart. I love the stuff, although it is probably the single worst thing I could possibly eat.

Gifted English II: Julius Caesar memorizations due today!!!

APees: Frankenstein check-reading test, followed by more "West Wind" madness. If we have time.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! The first decade of the 21st century is almost behind us. Please make good choices and celebrate safely and legally.

Are you making new resolutions? I read today (not sure where) that many sociologists consider January 21 to be the most depressing day of the entire year--the nexus of Christmas or other winter holiday credit card debts coming due, resolutions failing miserably three weeks into the year, and the uncomfortable knowledge that it's months until Spring Break send many people into an abyss of shame and despair.

But this need not be your fate! Look at all the amazing things we have to look forward to:

*Two consecutive three-day weekends in January (for you, not me)--Dr. King Day, followed by semester tests, followed by a teacher workday. You are out of school on the 18th AND the 22nd!

*The beginning of the third quarter, and new, rich opportunities for knowledge!

*Another three-day weekend in February!

*Groundhog Day!

*For my sophys: A chance to select your courses for next year!

*For my seniors: The inevitable knowledge that This Is The Last Semester of High School (for most of you--I am always surprised by the few who self-select failure as a preferable option to entering Le Real World, delusionally thinking that college is Too Hard. Tip: It isn't.)

*Another opportunity to come into the zany world of room 313 where you will learn some stuff, and I guarantee laugh at least once or twice.

So c'mon back, y'all. We got stuff to do. Peace out!