School's about to start, with a number of challenges that will make things even more interesting than normal.  Last year set the bar, I think, for a disorganized, dysfunctional disaster.  It shouldn't be THAT bad this time around!  But still, kids don't have their schedules yet, six teachers still need to be hired, and the district's replacement for Zangle is not fully up and running.  It should be, as Steussy put it, a "bumpy" start to the year.

We're also adding another 100 or so additional students this year, on top of last year's 200 (?) added students.  For whatever reason, the district - knowing about this increase months in advance - again hasn't taken the steps needed to accomodate these additional students in a a timely manner.  Quite disturbing......  The School of International Studies - designed for 500 kids, gradually increasing to about 550 over the years - will now have some 850 students.  The "small school" idea lives on, but not as fully as before. 

The good news is that IS remains an outstanding school with an extraordinary staff.  Most of us have been around a long time, know what we're doing, like our kids and like one another.  The student body is comprised of really nice kids who generally take good care of one another and get along well with the staff.  So we'll muddle through the BS that this new year brings, and it'll be all good. 

Here's wishing us all a great 2013/2014!