Beneath the Northern Lights: Christmas break!

Working in hospitals for the last 15 years, I did not have the luxury of having much, if any time off during the holidays so to say I am excited is an understatement. I have big plans for these 2 weeks but you will have to wait and see. In the meantime I thought I would share a bit about my new job. I am in the Mat-Su borough school district. I am currently at only 1 school, Machetanz, but maybe adding another after Christmas. Machetanz is named after a very famous Alaskan artist. It is the newest school in the district and very nice. I am now a "musk-ox" I was informed that this is a real animal here in Alaska and as soon as spring comes I am going to the musk ox farm in Palmer and check them out for myself. I definitely hit the jackpot on this one. I have a great room with lots of equipment and supplies which is often unheard of in school therapy. Everyone is very supportive of therapy and I heard "we are soo happy you are here" at least 15 times the first day alone. My case load is very manageable and all the kids are adorable and love therapy...most of the time :) I was able to jump in and start treating kids on my 2nd day. I forgot how much I loved working with them. My week consisted of having paper snowball fights, making snowflakes and drawing elves and Christmas trees. I did lose at a few games of connect four but my shoe tying and buttoning skills are impeccable! I attended 2 Christmas concerts, one for the kindergarten-2nd grade and then 3rd through 5th grade. I had horrible flashbacks when the fifth grades pulled out their recorders!

They basically never cancel school here. One of the students told me "there is no such thing as cold, only bad gear" We even had a fire drill and had to go outside in -10 degrees. We were informed a few minutes ahead of time so we could put our coats on and we were only out there for a few minutes but I was frozen but the kids didn't see to be phased at all. I definitely need to toughen up. They go outside for recess everyday unless it is -5 or high winds.

Speaking of high winds sometimes the teachers have to form human chains and pass the kids like a water brigade line to get them on the school bus so they don't blow away. Seriously! On the last day before Christmas break they all got to wear their pajamas and had parties all afternoon. Santa even made an appearance this week!