Spring Time in Jordan Valley

To answer my last blog Yes it has stopped snowing for the most part.  (We did have a light dusting on Friday)  The high desert is green, the birds are singing and all is good with the weather in Jordan Valley.

We are on our final count down of the school year.  About three weeks left of school.  Just like when you were in school everyone is excited for the summer.  Especially when it is in the 70's outside and no snow clouds in site. Some of the things that have been going on and are yet to come are:

      Prom:  Do you remember your high school prom?  I never went to mine but since high school I have attended 27 proms.  The excitment was lost long ago but it is interesting to see how things have changed over the years here in Jordan Valley.  When I first came here 27 years ago we had about 90 students in grades 9-12.  Now we have 36.  We have always alllowed all grades to attend because of our small size.  Most students bring dates from out of town and now because of our small girl population we allow boys to bring more than one out of town date.    This year my junior class was responsible for choosing the decorations, purchasing the decorations, building the prom, and hosting the event.  We worked all year in the concession stand to pay for prom so money was not an issue.  We decided to have the event in the old gym but because of our small student body we create a small space by using daming plastic, bailing twine, and wooden post.  The theme this year was Island Getaway.  With a class of 6 boys and 1 girl I was worried what the boys would pick out for decorations.  The first thing they wanted was a blow up cooler that was a palm tree.  I thought oh my this could end up tacky.  My wonderful class for the most part stayed away from the tacky and created a wonderful Prom.  We had palm tree and tourches that were purchased in a kit with pages of instructions.  (Yes at first the boys wanted to use REAL tourches. but when I reminded them that the walls were daming plastic they understood that fire and plastic may not work well together) They spent a week putting the event together as I cooked them dinner.  Not an easy task for a single person.  The night of prom my students were so excited and proud of what they accomplished.  This is one of those moments as a teacher that melts your heart.  When students are proud of their accomplishments that is the icing on the cake.The day of Prom I went to town to get food for the event.  We went with all kinds of fruit, lots to drink, chease, meat and crackers.  I told the boys that I would be at the school in the afternoon cutting up the fruit and if they needed me they could stop by.  Well about 1 pm the first wave stopped to get a snack so I stopped to cook them some hambugers.  Then about 3 pm the second wave arrived to ask how to tie a bow tie.  How am I to know.  Thanks to the internet we figured it out.  At 4 pm the dates and the boys came by so I could meet them.  I thought this was cute.  I did not even ask but all six of the boys came by, they did have a snack of course.  At 6 we had pictures. All the students were dressed so nice.  The boys looked dapper and the girls were stunning.  Purple the the popular color this year for some reason.  Before the dance started all the students must take a breathlizer test.  Once they do this then they can not leave. Most schools are so big that they do not take this step but being small we are able to make sure that students do not come to school events under the influence.  The kids had a wonderful time and I did too.

    Senior Projects:  The state of Oregon requires students to present a project based on their career choice. Our students must to a research project on an issue assoicated with their career, a job shadow, and a community project that is linked to their career.  At the end of the year they give a speech and poweroint presentation of their project and their future plans.  They seniors have 52 minutes a day all year long to work on this project.  Today they are making their presentations and some of them just started working on the project seriously.  They did the main pieces along the way but they also have a bunch of reflection questions they must answer.  This is what has been put off.  Since Monday they have been running around like a chicken with this head cut off.  I wish I could take away the stress but it is part of life so all I can is listen and let them know they are more ready then they know.  There is a part of me that does want to tell them you have had all year to do this but what good would that do.  As a senior I do give them a long rope to hang themselves but I will not let them fail.  For many the project is a postive learning experience if they can live through it. 

   Rodeo:  The Jordan Valley Big Loop Rodeo is the third weekend in May.  In the olden days school was out this weekend.  This year we will be going to school for another week after rodeo.  My class has decided to sell Chirizos and legal weeks during the rodeo dance which is held at the high school.  I did tell my boss and my students that I am nervous exposing my students to people that may be drinking too much.  My boss said did not understand my concern because according to her all the students have seen their parents drink too much.  I do know that in a small town their is more gossip then most but I don't think that all my students are exposed to parents that have had to much to drink.  Even if they have I do not make it a habit to cook Chirizos for people that have had to much to drink.  Anyways I am going to help my students make some extra money and hope for the best and plan for the worse.  What else can a teacher do.

     End of the year activities:  Field Day, Awards Deserts, Town Clean Up, Last Minute Field Trips, Graduation, 8th Grade Graduation, FFA Banquet, and of course the Town Dinner After Graduation.  All these activities are wonder gathering events for the town but it can be a tad much.  I feel sorry for my parents that have students in grade school, middle school and high school.  Of course it would not be the end of the year with out these activities. 

     Ranch Life:  In the middle of all these school activities the ranch work still needs to get done.  This time of year the ranchers are busy branding their new babies so they can turn the cows out onto the range.  They put them on the range for the summer so they can harvest the hay fields that the cows are on during the winter.  Many of our ranching students love the brandings.  It is a "fun" time for many.  Since they were babies they have help their dads and grandads with the branding activities.  The roping, the branding, the giving of shots, and of course the making of Rocky Mountain Oysters.  Many of the girls also enjoy branding time.  Some are stuck in the house with their mothers cooking up a storm but many are right alongside the men getting the branding done.  All the fun is done duirng the school day so this time of year attandance goes down.  I tell my students that it is a family decision but I do expect them to get their homework done.  I do not complain or tell them that school is more important like some of our younger teachers.  This does not do any good.  All it does it put the student in a spot between the teacher and their parents.  Parents always win and most of the time this is fine with me.

  As you can see life in Jordan Valley this time of year is busy.  The days are long and I am sore at night but at least I have a good reason for being sore.  I am finishing my 27th year teaching here in Jordan Valley, a frontier school in the high desert of Oregon.  My family at times thinks I am crazy to live in a place with none of the modern conviences of the city such as a grocey store, a movie house, or a doctor office.  The city is only 60 miles away which takes only an hour to drive since there is no traffic. Jordan Valley may be in a time worp but I do not lock my car or my house,  crime is minimal, I am queen of my classroom, the students do have respect for teachers, and there is a feeling of calm around.  Of course no place is perfect but my mom once told me that no matter where you live always find the beauty.  When she married she left the greeness of Oregon for the browns of Barstow.  She told me that she found the sunrises and sunsets the most beautiful things she had ever seen.

Will it stop snowing????Ever

A few months ago in the winter we were so glad that we did not have snow. It was very cold, below 0 but now snow. Well this luck has not lasted.....

I guess the weather gods heard the rancher's prayers and decided to give us some water the problem is that the temp has not gone up enough so for the last two weeks we have had nothing but snow. Not winter snow but spring snow. Otherwise known as pain in the behind snow. It snows in the morning just as you are getting to leave for work. Enough that it slows everybody down and the buses run late.


Then as my students and I watch, it is a blizard until about the end of second hour, which is 9 am for those of you who have been out of school for a while. Then it starts to heat up and we have to worry about sluch and mud. Lots of mud. Mud from the ground and mud from the gravel that they put on the road in the morning.

I love the snow because the world is so peaceful in the snow but I am ready for spring. Maybe it will come in time for Spring Break next week.

Jordan Valley Headlines

Once again today we have snow. Yesterday it was in the high fifties and last night a storm came in and by morining we had a layer of ice with 3 or so inches on tope. Good things I only have to drive 4 blocks to school.

Baskeball is over. Both the boys and the girls made it to the district tournment. The girls got 3rd and the boys got second. The boys made it to the second round of the state playoffs but lost to Hood River.

This Thrusday is the end of the second nine weeks. For some reason it is the hardest nine weeks for the kids. Maybe because we do not have many breaks. Grades tend to go down but then they usually come up before the end of the semester. Since semester grades are the only ones that go on transcrips this is a good thing for students.

My juniors and I are starting to plan prom. Our budget is $1,000. The music will cost $300 so we have $700 for decorations, crowns, and food. This should be enough. With only about 45 students the space we have to decorate is not much. Since we only have 6 girls in the high school most of the students find dates from out of town. We even let them bring more than one date.

Most of the ranchers are in the middle of breeding season. I do not think I would like a job that requires me to go out in the field covered with snow to see if any claves have been born. It the cold the calves can freeze kinda quickly so you need to keep an eye on things. I am glad I am a teacher.

We went on a field trip last week to Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario. The kids went to defferent classes on what the college has to offer. The next day when I talked to the students there were more comments about funny clothes that people were wearing. We are so sheltered. Hopefully these little trips will intorduce my students to the human race. I do worry that some will not be able to make it awary form here.

For the first time in years I had to supend a sutudent because he swore at me. He has already apologied and I apologied back.

Best news of the month: Baby Brooklyn has arrived. Like her mom was she is a little on the small side but she looks perfect in every way

Things I Have Learned From Living in Jordan Valley

I am on my 26th year of teaching in my wonderful small town of Jordan Valley. I must say that time has flown. I am not sure it was in my plans 26 years ago to stay here to long but I have really come to love this little slow pace western town. I thought I would take some time and share with you what I have learned living here.


1. No spurs in the classroom. It scratches the floor finish and they can be considered a deadly weapon if two students get in a fight.


2. According to my students it would take them most of the day to ride their horses to school. Even tho on the old time western shows it only took them a couple minutes. To help students out we do have one bus route and students are paid milege to drive to the bus stop or to school.


3. Sports are the social events of the town. Eveyone seems to come to the games but not just to watch the students but to get caught up on community events. Basketball games are usually a "sold out" event.


4. We do have religon here. For a town of less than 500 we have a methodist church, a morman church, a catholic church and two "christian" churches. This does not mean that eveyone is in church on sunday but if they want to attend they have lots of places to choose from.


5. You live in a glass house. Everyone seems to know everything or at least they think so. I was warned in college that small town teachers live in glass houses but I think everyone in the community is in a glass house.


6. Students do more good things then all the bad things that make the newspaper. By in large all students are wonderful young people. They do make stupid mistakes but I have never met a students that was truly mean. I am amazed how willing they are to run errands for me and how respectful they can be.


7. Parents play a BIG role in education. Parents that talk with the children not just about school but about life are helping their children. I have found that Parents approval is a very important motivator. If a child thinks that a parent will "kill them" if they do not do something it seems to work as a motivator. So does Parents just asking how things are going.

8. Don't go to the bar in town for drinks. You might run into some of those gossip people or some of your students.

9. Children always want a snow day. (like today it has been snowing since school started) However we have only had 2 snow days in the 26 years I have been teaching here. If the bus can run then we have school. I asked one of my students what if you were stucked here tonight. That did not go over very well.

10. We live in a zoo. Although Deer are the most common wild animal around. We do get warning of couger, coyote, skunk, rattle snakes and other animals in town from time to time. They are great to look at from inside but they will come after you if you go into their space. They will also eat your flowers.

11. The hour drive to "the valley" (Nampa or Boise Idaho) is not fun in the snow but when the weather is nice it is not that bad. There is no traffic so you can drive the speed limit. Don't go over since we have the deadlist highway in Oregon and speeding tickets are expensive. Do you really need to "go to the valley" only if you want food, entertainment, or a doctor. There are some people that do not leave Jordan Valley.

12. Do not leave Jordan Valley with less than 1/4 a tank of gas. The next gas station is 40 miles one way and 35 miles other way. Of course this gas is expensive!

13. When the chips are down people come out of the wood work to help you out. When I have had my surgries over the years all types of people cook food, offer rides, pick up my mail or what ever I need.

14. Cattle are rasied as business. The rancher students claim that cows are not very smart so it is easy to raise them as a crop. But they are cute when they are born.

15. Real cowboys were Wranglers not Levis. Something about the inseem is better on Wranglers and will not rub in the saddle. I act like I know what they are talking about but I really do not. I can guess that it would hurt if jeans have a inseam that rubs.

16. At our school we really do not have big problems. With only 36 students in 7-12 we do not have a large share of major happenings. I think it has been a couple years ago since I gave a student detention and back then it was for back talking. Our students are exposed to the drug world but we do not have a lot of issues at school. We have had a graduation rate of 100% for most of my 26 years here. Maybe this is because students get a lot of individual attention, but the students and parents also play a BIG role in this.

17. I have learned to enjoy the small stuff. The beautiful sunrises or sunsets. The clamness of a snow fall. The blackness of the country at night with no lights. The smile of a childs face when they finalize they are right. The excitment in Baylor and Johonna's viedos. Just to name a few.

18. The excitment in a student's voice is priceless when they tell me of the girl or boy that they like spending time with. Young love is so special.

19. The appriciation of my students when I bring them treats from Costoc. Poppy Seed Muffins and Sunny D or Orange Juice are their favorite. When I do this I have a lot of students that tell me they love me.

20. I have learned that no matter when you live each and every day is special. You can find beauty in each and every day. I learn something new each day and it is usually something about myself. Life is so wonderful and each and every day I am thankful just for being alive.

Turkey Trots

Every year on the last day before Thanksgiving break we have a school competition called Turkey Trots. The students come up with a variety of events and we have are little red neck Turkey Trots. The students win points that count toward the class of the year. It also means that the kids get out of the last class of the day!!

The morning started with a wonderful sunrise. You never know will God will let you see the beauty of what he creted. When I got to school Iasked my first period class, the seniors, if they were excited. You can tell my Meagan's reaction that she was not excited.

Following are pictures are of the different events. I am amazed what students will do. The picture below shows the quick change basketball shot. One boy from each class runs down the court changes into the clothes that are in the sleeping bag and takes the ball and runs down to the other end of the court and makes a basket. The first to do all of this is the winner. The sleeping bags are provided so the boys will change inside the bag, over the years the boys have become braver. I do not think any of then used the sleeping bags. The few girls in the school did not mind. The winner was the freshman class.The next event was the sling shot. The picture shows my Junior class. Some one from the class sits on the schooter and two others use a sheet to sling him down the gym floor. My junior class won this event. Our smallest sat on the schooter and two others flung him down the court.

The event below is the bat drill race. A team of four is used for this event. One at a time someone runs down the court to the bat, spins around 3 thimes and then runs back and tags the next person in line. This is Blane showing his skills. My juniors won this event as well.

We do have some events that turn my stomach and the whip cream chug is one of them. A team of four stands in a circle and chugs from the whip cream can. The the whistle blows they pass the can to their team mate. Since my Junior boys have huge empty stomachs they won this event.This year we had a new event. It was called Beauty Contest. One boy from each class was dressed up into a dress, makeup, hair and accessories. They only had four mintues to complet the dressing process. Then each boy walked the runway posed. A group of parents were the judges. The first picture below is Tyrell the junior rep and then the next picture is Quin the senior. The freshman won and Tyrell was second.The next event was the potato catch. One team member threw a potato and a second team member caught it in a garbage sack. Once again the Junior Class won.This is another one of those events that turns my stomach. Some one lays on the floor with a cup in their mouth. The next team member stands on a chair and trys to drop an egg into the cup. Each class has 3 eggs and who ever gets the most egg stuff in their cup wins. The freshman class won this event.A turky trot is not complete without the eatting ice cream with no hand as you lay on the floor. This is Ty and Blaine two of my empty stomach juniors. The of course won this event. Pushing a penny across the floor with your nose. This is senior James. This was done right after the ice cream event and once again the Juniors won.

The last event of the day is the booty scoot. The entire class sits on the floor and connects legs. Then the scoot acroos the floor. The is a picture of the entire senior class (minus one) as they get ready to start this event. Yes we have only 8 students in the senior class. The junior class won this event. At the end of the race Ty said "I have the world's worse wedge"

You may have figured out that my juniors were the big winners. They are in first place for the class of the year which is their goal. The next event is the can food drive. To make things more exciting the class that brings the most food gets to hit thier advisor in the face with a cream pie. Don't worry becasue of my asthma the boss did not think I should take part, so if my class wins they will get to hit Mr. Usable in the face. I will be sure and let you know which class wins.

What is a Chucker?

In response to my recent blog Michelle asked what a chucker is. From what the kids tell me it is a bird about the size of a chicken. I guess it does not taste like chicken. According to James it is more tender and juicy. Below is a picture. Even tho I have lived in Jordan Valley for 26 years I have never eaten a Chucker. (That I know of)

Story of the Day

The kids were talking about the 'good" Chicken Noodle Soup they had for lunch. One of my students said that his mom made the best Chucker Noodle Soup for dinner. He said that it was the best soup he had the only problem is that every once in awhile he would come across a bb.

Jett Becomes a Rancher

A couple months ago one of my 8th grade students was celebrating his birthday. I asked him what he wanted for his birthday and he told me he wanted to start a heard of cows but he needed someone to sell him or give him some cows. Since I did not have any extra in my inventory I told him to ask his dad. He said that he alrady had ask and his dad told him no because he was too young.

After talking about it for a while he decided to ask his grandfather. He was so scared because he figured his grandfather would say no too. A couple days later Jett came to class all excited. When I asked him what was up he said that his grandfather had give him 4 cows. In today's maket that is a lot of money. He was so exccited and told me all about his black cows. I told him congraluations you are a Rancher now and he replied Ya I guess so.

As a teacher it is times like this that are priceless. I had the honor to teach Jett's parents and now it is his turn. It is exciting to watch them grow and get excited about life. Will Jett be a Rancher in the future? I have no idea but he has a great start for an 8th grader.

Is it Winter???

The time has come when it is dark when I leave for school. I have to be at work at 7:45am and I leave my house at 7:40 am. Thank goodness there is no traffic in Jordan Valley. For the last couple weeks it has been dark until about half way through first period. The kids are complaining that it is too early in the year to be driving in the dark. Most of them have to drive more than I do to school and I do agree. I tell them it will be a little better when the time changes in a week or so. This morning it was 19 when I started my car and for a high it is to be in the 50's. Sounds like November not October. At least it is wonderful sunny not just warm.

One of my students tell me it is going to be a hard winter because the horses and cows are getting their winter coats in already. I do not mind the snow but I really do not like to drive long distances in it.

Last week was the end of the grading period and this week the kids are really crabby. They are tired of each other and can not wait until the weekend. The last football and volleyball games are this weekend. I think that this is why the kids are crabby. They have been spending too much time together.

Deer hunting season is over. Bit now is the start of Elk season. According to the 7th graders it is not cold enough for the elks to be around here so you have to travel to the top of the mountain. Sounds like fun but I am not planning on going with them. I will stay where it is warm.

Jordan Valley Homecomming

This past week was homecomming. The longest week of the school year for the teachers. Instead of working all day, I have to cook dinner for my students, and then work until 8:00 pm on the float. It does sound worse then it really is. I find that it allows me to see my class in a different light. I get to see them as just regular kids not only students. This year I realized how much food 5 boys and 1 girl can eat. That saying about growing boys does fit my class of juniors.

During the school day the students dress in different outfits. Monday was PJ day, Tuesday was hillibilly day, Wednesday was pair day and Thrusday was spirit day. I do not remember doing this in high school but it is a big deal here. The winners of the days get $10.00 cash and the class that dresses the most get points for the class of the year. This year my group had 100% dress up each and every day.

The week started with cold and wet weather. So much for building a float outside. My group had a good idea but the big question was will it work. We spent the week working on the parts and pieces and then Friday morning right before the parade we put the float together. Dispite all of our hard work we got second place. This is the best that we have ever done. I am very proud of them.

The kids lost the football and the volleyball game but they did put up a fight.

What's Up in Jordan Valley

The mornings are getting colder and darker. A sure sign to the end of summer.

On my way to work this morning I saw a mother deer and her fawn down the block from my house. I stop and just watched them for a few minutes. The mother just looked at me as the fawn ran around trying the get the mother's attention. It must be getting colder in the mountains or hunting season. I think the deer know that they can not be shot in town even during hunting season.

The ranchers are bringing their cows home. During the summer months they let their cattle go onto BLM land so they can harvest their hay crop which is usually closer to the ranchers homes. Now that they have all the hay harvested it is time to bring the cows back home. This means more cows on the road so be aware when driving in south eastern Oregon. Hit a cow in open range and it can be expensive. (Not as expensive as Lizzy's German Cows Tho)

This week must be Air Force training time. Every day we have fighter jets flying low between the school and the little mountain(hill) in back of the school. The planes are so low that the kids can get a good look at them. When they hear the first one comming they all run to the windows. Usually they miss the first one but they are in position to see the next two that are following close by. I guess our country side is great to teach the pilots how to drop into canyons and then pull up. The kids are so impressed. One said yesterday these planes are better than the ones on the computer games. Today one of my Juniors was in the bathroom and he said I thought it was Pearl Harbor all over again. Like he was around when Pearl Harbor was attacked.

The high school and the middle school are getting into the swing of sports. They have a couple games under their belt and they are off and running. The football is undefeated and are starting to get swelled heads. My juniors bet me $500 that they will win their game this weekend. (they are playing a team that has not won a game in years) I had to turn them down not because they did not have the money but I do not have $500 to throw away. One of our middle school players is out for the season with a torn ACL. The team does not think they will win any more games. They do not have faith in themselves.

A group of my middle school students were in a 4 wheeler accident this past weekend. It was dark and they were trying to rope a deer but they ran into the ditch. No major injuries but they did learn a lesson. If you are going to rope a deer do it in the daylight.

Does Baylor look like baby Johonna???

You all know that I am a picture buff and now that Baylor is starting to look like a little human I decided to see if he looks anything like Johonna did when she was little. Take a look.

JohonnaBaylor Baylor
Johonna Baylor Johonna

Lessons of School

We have been in school for 3 weeks and it is already time for progress reports. What student is failing in the first 3 weeks. Well we had some close but no one had any F's but we did have a few with D's. You would think that in a small school that students would know what homework is. I had a student tell me "In grade school we corrected our papers so if I did not have it done then I just socred it like I did a good job on it" Well not in high school. I am not a big giver of homework we usually have time in class to get everything done but some teachers do give a fair share. Of course my freshman student did not understand the purpose. Well, I told him, sometimes you need to take work home. His father is a rancher and I reminded him that his father's is not always done in a 8-5 day.

Today our seniors took the ASVAB. When an Army representive is here to give the test the students get all nervous. I told them yesterday that we use the test to help determine what type of career is a fit for them. One of the girls said "Are they going to use our scores to draft us" I told her that only the boys have to sign up for the draft unless congress makes some major changes.

We had our first football and volleyball games last week. I have no idea if we won or not because I was busy with my class running the concession stand. I was so proud of how hard my kids worked. (Yes I did tell them) We were busy making hambugers, chirizos, popcorn, and other concession stand food. One thing we did learn, when you spill the popcorn oil on the floor it is very slick. We were slipping and sliding all over the place but we did make $200.00.

This year we have 13 middle school students. I love teaching middle school students. They are a little scared and they do not act like they know it all. At least with computers. They are very good playing games but not typing. They have had years to learn to type wrong and now it is my job to change them. What a task. I have them right after lunch so sometimes they are a little hyped up on some kind of surger and they always have to go to the bathroom during class. It is just the way it is.

Jordan Valley News

Deer Flies will byte. I had no idea

The girls won their firt volleyball game. This year all the girls in the school are playing. There are 8 girls on the team.

It has been hot in Jordan Valley. This entire week my class room has been in the 80's at the start of the school day. This is with the air conditioner running all night.

Yesterday we had lighting and 3 fires. Soon after the fires started the rain came and put out the fires.

The students are tired that for two weeks they have had to go to school Mon-Friday instead of Mon-TH. What would they do if they went to school in the city where they always go to school 5 days a week.

Is she anything like Michelle?

On my last trip to Portland I was visting with Michelle and her family and Luke asked me: "Is Jo like Michelle was when she was little?" I am not sure what I said but I have been thinking about this over the last couple of weeks. When Michelle was young I spent a lot of time with her. She would come to Granny's house just to hang out, swim in the little pool, and anything else we could think of. One main similarity is that Granny and I loved just watching Michelle being Michelle. I have noticed on my visits that Poppa and Grammy also love to watch Jo and the simple silly things that she does.

It is clear that both these little girls are the apple of their mother's eyes. They both seem to like to cuddle and give lots of kisses and hugs.

Granny would do her nails every day and Michelle like to have her nails done as well. You can see in this picture that Granny finds something funny.

Michelle liked to look at pictures of herself. Before the iphone days we kept pictures in a photo album.

Michelle loved to look at books. She was not picky on who should read the books to her whoever was available would be drafted for the task.

I think that Jo is like Michelle was when she was young. Only time will tell if Johonna will be the wonderful mother, wife, and all around great gal that her mother is!!

Where Have I Been

I really have not been doing anything special. It was summer break and I do not have regular access to the internet. I know not a good excuse but let me catch you up.

My big events for the summer were two trips to Portland. The first was to see my brother, his wife and son and everyone else. We do keep in touch online but is it nice to have a hug.

My sister Nancy hosted a dinner and baby shower for her daughters.

Here are the five "Ellis" kids on the right. And below are all the grandkids (missing Meagan and Trish) and great grand kids.

The pregos.

Below is little Johonna showing her doll the cake. Johonna is into frosting.




My second trip was to meet my Great Newphew Baylor Blitz. It has been a long time since I have held a day old baby. His head is so small and perfect I gave him my nickname of BB. I am sure it will not last. On the right is me and little Baylor.

Below is the new family. Luke Baylor, Johonna and Michelle Middlebrooks.

Here is Johonna holding her brother Baylor. Right after this picture Johonna pushed Baylor on to the pillow when her mother asked what surprises Aunt Laurie brought.

Now for Jordan Valley:

School has started again in Jordan Valley. This is day 3 with students and we already have a lice breakout. The student response to this news was Ohhhh. Kept them away from us. I must agree with them.

The students think that summer was too short. I was shocked that they did not miss me at all. I am not sure that I really missed them. I do have many that kept in touch during the summer through texting. Maybe this is why I did not miss them.

Before school started we have a major fire about 10 miles out of town. The school grounds were full of US Forest Fire crews. (eventho we do not have trees) One of my students was telling me today that they lost 3 cows that were not able to get out of the way of the fire. So sad!!

The fair and rodeo in Boise are keeping the students up to late. After pratice they head out to the city to enjoy the events. When I asked them why the response was "Girls" That is a teenage boys mind for ya.

Good news is that cattle prices are way up!! To some of my seniors that plan to take over their family ranches next year this means lots of money. At least until the cattle prices go back down then they will give the ranches back to their parents and look for gold somewhere else.

After 3 short days the students are already complaining about hot lunch. Tacos, Spaghetti, and today Hot Dogs are not what they are hungry for. One girl said today I am glad I have peanut butter and jelly for lunch. I am just glad that I always go home for lunch.

This year we have more students. We have 13 in the middle school, 6 in the freshmen class, 4 in the sophomore (they have one girl now. Homecoming is looking hopeful for a princess) 6 juniors, and 8 seniors. Grand total 37 up from 26 last year.

Little things sometimes mean the most.

As many of you know I was never able to have children because of my early onset of Polycistic Ovaries. I must admit at first it really did not sink in because I was not married and I did not want to raise a child by myself. (I think being a single parent would be the hardest job in the world) Since I cannot have children maybe this is why I love teaching children. I have said before in this blog how much I enjoy my job but I do not know if I would be a good teacaher and parent. Today some students were stroking my ego and I realize that the little things I do sometimes seems like a very big thing to a student. (Jordan Valley Student Body pictured to the right)

For Example:

I try to greet every student as they enter my class. A good morning or good afternoon always brings a smile to their face. Asking them how their day is going or how was lunch also are good conservation starters. At the end of class I always tell my studentsto have a good rest of the day. I call them dear and sweetie and I always tell them to drive carefully if I know they are going somewhere.

I have been know to give my students Nike stuff. (Thank you Michelle!)I found some Nike lanyards that I had at the house and I brought them to school. The kids loved them. By the end of the day most of the students had USB drives and keys on a new black Nike lanyard. Of course if they wanted one they had to set a school goal and meet it!

I have also been known to by treats. This week it was strawberries. It is true that young kids will eat fruit. All you have to do is give it to them.

When I was in town on Monday a student asked if I could pick up a bag of dog food. No big deal since I was going anyways. You would think that I saved her dogs lives. She told me that I do to much for the kids and her dogs. I never really gave it much thought in this town it is comman to pick things up for neighbors.

Today was really something special. About 20 years or so a go one of my former students was serving in Operation Desert Storm. As a typing assignment I had my students type letters and prepare care packages for this student. As a daughter of a career marine I realized how nice it is for them to get letters from home. This morning the son of this past student told me that his dad saved every one of the letters that my class wrote. I was so surprised that he saved the letters. I never really thought that such a small task would be so special.

Now of course I sound like a real hero in these stories which I do not mean to do. I feel like I am just doing little things but sometimes they really make someone feel special. I tell my students that when you give you get back much more than you give. I have found this not only with my students but with all of you wonderful neices and newphews. A babysitter book here and there, or maybe a quilt or cross stich. Or maybe a trip to the beach or a movie. These seem such a little jester but the looks of surprise of your faces are priceless!!!

Thank you all for the love and respect that you have given me over the years. I am so blessed to call you family!!

Count your Blessings

I have always known that I had a wonderful childhood. I did not have to worry where we were going to live, if there was going to be any food in the house, or if I was loved by my parents. Being a teaching for 26 years I have seen a lot of different family situations. Some good, some surprising, and many different from how my family life was. I tell the kids that when we are born we do not come with an instruction book so parents are on their own triying to figure out how to raise their children. I try to not judge a parents situation however something happen yesterday that made me stop and count my blessings.

I have a student that is a senior. His parents are divorce and for most of his life he lived he lived with his mother in Bosie. Last year he moved to Jordan Valley to live with his dad and grandfather. Like many teenagers his father and him have had some disagreements over the years. Yesterday this student came to class early. I could tell that he was not himself. He told me that the night before he had an argument with his father about his ripped pants. (I had told him that if he brought me the pants the next day I would fix them for him) According to my students the argument got bad fast because his father was drunk. I guess the father took a swnig at my student who was able to move out of the way. Fearful of what he might do my student left and went to a freinds house. My student and I called his mother to explain what happen and she decided that she did not want her son to go back to his father's home. With only five weeks of school left what is there to do?? After a few minutes of calling around we found a place for my student to stay at for the remainedr of the school. Thank goodness our little town has a big heart.

This Easter I am reminded how lucky I was and am . There never was a time that I did not feel love from my parents. Loosing my father at the age of 18 was not a joy but I knew he loved me. Now I live in a community where I could ask for help for anything. I feel love and acceptance from my family. I am blessed, truley very blessed thanks to all of you!!

Teaching Moment of the Day

During the last hour of school it is my prep. I am to use the time to work on class stuff but a lot of times I have students that ask to work in my room. I am not joking myself I know that they just want to see if the computers will let them use facebook. Today I was working on my computer when I heard a strange noise. I turned to my student Dustin and ask what he was doing. He said: "I am blowing the cheese out of my switch blade" My response was: "Oh ok" I guess I have been teaching in a small school too long. It does not concern me when a student has a switch blade or pocket knife in their pocket. Of course usually they do not need to clean the cheese off of their knives. Most of the time I never know they have them. And yes, in case you were wondering we do have students that usually have some type of gun in their car especially duirng hunting season.

Jordan Valley Updates (yes again)

1. Guess what? It is snowing. I am sittingin my classroom and it the is last period of the day and it is a mini blizzard out side. We did have a few days of good weather (rain and some sun) but now the snow is back. Just in case I thought it was going to stop, it is perdicted to snow tomorrow. 2. Be glad you are not the middle school students they have a track meet today! 3. The seniors and some juniors are on a biology trip. This year they went to San Francisco. I hope they find lots of fish, birds, and plants to study since they have to keep a log on these items. 4. Some ranches have been turning out their cattle. This means that they move the cows form their home ranches to range land. The range could be write down the street or many miles away. This morining I had a student that was late. I asked "Why are you late" His reply was "We had to move cows" Does this mean that they need to pack for them and call a moving van? No not really. They may call a semi truck or if it is close by they just turn the cows loose on the road and move them down the road to their new home. 5. For my birthday one of my students made a bunch of cupcakes that said "Happy 50 Birthday Miss Ellis We Love You" Not only was I surprised by the juster but I was also surprised that we had enough cupcakes for the entire school. The students told me that she did cupcakes instead of a cake because she knows that I am diabetic and that I would not eat a big piece of cake. She was right. I guess these students know me way to well. 6. Not much else going on, and yes it is still snowing! Love to you all!!!