So, now that I am back from Orlando, I spent the rest of the school week trying to make up for my absence.  Visiting classrooms, completing student recommendation forms for their high schools of choice, interviewing for the openings I forsee for next school year, and compiling data for two days of meetings outside of the school building that will start this upcoming week.

Yes, again I will start the week out of the school building looking at the student achievement data we have collected since the start of the year and discussing the concept of using data in leadership.  I can’t wait to have this discussion with our facilitator because I am all about data – I think it should be the sole driving force of any leadership decision within a school setting.  The data we collect is for me an in-depth look at what is going on in the classrooms when I am not there.  Clearly I cannot be in every classroom all the time, although I try to pop in throughout the day in one place or another, be it in the classroom or even the lunch room.  Data, for me, is the critical key to quantifying and guiding steady school improvement.

So, just as I settle into my home this weekend, I try to relax after what was a busy week and what will be an even busier week ahead.  Two of the five days will be spent out of the building, late evening meetings followed by early morning conferences, and report card parent conferences to end the week.  I will most definitely chisel out some time to head to the gym at least four times this week, not including today’s visit.  That will be the balance needed to handle all of this hustle and bustle on my agenda for this week.

This weekend was relaxing with Saturday spent walking around the tidal basin and checking out the cherry blossom trees that are bound to burst in all of their glory.  A few hours into our walk, LC and I made our way back here to Cheverly where I barbecued some marinated chicken wings while he prepared a salad of fresh spinach leaves, strawberries he marinated in balsamic vinegar, and some freshly crumpled blue cheese.  A light dinner put a cap on the evening and we ended up going to bed early.  I think the three hour walk around downtown pooped us out!  I did spend two hours at the gym prior to the walk, so at least I have an excuse. Yes, that’s right…its an excuse.

Sunday morning we made pumpkin waffles, complete with some bacon and eggs.  A hearty breakfast set LC up with the energy he needs to teach two classes today, one spin class this morning and a kickboxing class this afternoon.  Me?  I need the energy to carry my body over to Tysons Corner to do some final shopping for the bedroom makeover I am in the process of preparing.  I have already chosen the new paint color, and a new lighting fixture, but now I need to find a rug and new series of sheets to complete the changes.  Once finished, I will hang the new artwork and photos on the wall and the room will be done…yay!  Special thanks to Restoration Hardware for the great color I chose…a color that will remain a secret unless you have been here and seen it, or until you see the “reveal” here on my blog some time in the near future.  Suspense, eh?

Once the weather warms up, the outdoor construction will take place.  Yes, more work.  Argh…when will it end?  I suppose when I stop asking for it to be done!

New walkway, flower beds that line the walk to the front door, a new light post and large house numbers to make the house “pop” along with the new house color!  Yes, its happening this Spring…and I can’t wait!  So many things are happening at home and at school – how can I contain my excitement?