I have not had to pack up my classroom in maybe two of the last ten years. The upside of this is that I now start early. Way back in May, when we learned we’d lose 20 teachers due to the opening of the new middle school, I started the process, packing my personal books and materials. We were told someone else would take care of the classroom libraries.
I was fortunate to learn that I would stay in my job. Last week, we learned the rooms we’d move to with the reorganization of our school. I felt good. Then, we got the news I’d expected: no one was going to pack our classroom libraries, we’d have to do it ourselves. I was in a good place and had it all packed up by the second last day of school.
The packing all took place early in the morning because, with COVID teaching, someone else was in my room. I didn’t want to impinge on her plan time, so I got to work early and tried to leave shortly after she arrived. We always chatted a bit when she was there. That’s how I learned that she’d applied for a job in another building. That’s how I found out she got it. That’s why I made an appointment with my principal to ask about looping up with my 6th graders.
Because I’d been on the scheduling committee, I knew that my job next year would be 2 periods of SUMMA ELA and the rest regular. I was OK with this, but got thinking. I find that, sometimes, when you have to do two things, it is easier of they are two distinctly different things. The teacher in my room, I knew, would be teaching 7th and 8th SUMMA ELA. My wheels began turning when she told me she’d applied for the other job.
I’d also been thinking about relationships. I didn’t have real closure with the students I’d taught last year, who’s end of the school year was hijacked by COVID. It took a lot longer to get to know this year’s crew of 6th graders and I wanted a chance to get to know some of them better.
In the meeting, I explained all this to my principal.
I figured I had a 50/50 chance.
I got the word yesterday, as I was checking out, that I would, indeed, get to loop with these two classes. I was ecstatic.
I would even get to stay in my room, where everything was packed and labeled “Move to A8”. I tracked down the custodian to find out what to do with the boxes. He is a new custodian this year and just terrific.
“Have I got an end of the year surprise for you, ” I joked as I entered his office.
He laughed when I told him about my predicament. I offered to put as many as I could into the empty cupboards.
“That’s not necessary,” he replied. “Just change the label to read ‘Keep in D4′”.
I was relieved at his suggestion.
“Should I do all the boxes, or just the ones on top?” I asked.
“How many are there?” he asked with a perplexed look.
“Fifty-one.” I replied sheepishly. “I have an extensive personal library.”
He laughed again.
Despite this unexpected task, I smiled as I changed the label on all fifty-one.
booksandbassets 
Glad your request was grated. Good for you, taking the chance. 51 boxes! That’s a lot, but I get it. I have a lot of books, too.
Congrats on asking and receiving! I love how you worked parceled out this work getting it done early in the morning. And now for my burning question. What is SUMMA? I
SUMMA is a program for gifted middle schoolers.
Your post shows so well all the tasks teachers go through, down to lableing 51 boxes! Now it is time to REST!! COngrats on your job next year. Lucky students!!
How wonderful for you. Now you can enjoy your summer without wondering where you will be next year and what you will be teaching. A good custodian is definitely someone worth having. Have a great and relaxing summer.
Congratulations! Sounds like an interesting opportunity. I’d like to loop up with my students too, but I doubt it will be a possibility. I’m sure the custodian is glad not to move all those boxes.