It seems impossible, but my first six years here, I had no air conditioning. We did have fans positioned all around the house that pushed the hot air around and helped a little. Our little cottage in Cortez had windows on all sides to catch any breezes that happened by. The windows also lured any mosquitoes and sand gnats that could muscle their way around and through the screens. But we thrived anyway. When we moved to our new house that had central air, I rationed it, only using it at night.
Of course, that was good conditioning for teaching at Southeast High School that had windows on one side only and an exhaust fan that was supposed to pull air into the classroom. The fan didn't do much good, so the fans of Cortez were employed again. Sometimes they were so clattery that we had to shout to hear each other. Each class period had at least one student technician who adjusted the jalousie windows to just the right angle to draw in the most air. I thought it helped them feel better, so I was always willing to let them have a go. The worst time of day was just after lunch when it was the hottest, and we were all the sleepiest. I had to walk around the room to keep myself awake. It was in the afternoon that the gnats were the worst also, especially after PE when clouds of them would follow the sweaty bodies to Room 104. Unfortunately, the sewer system was malfunctioning most of the time, so those gnats carried bacteria. I went to the doctor so many times with pink eye that he finally gave me several bottles of the medicine to keep in my fridge.
As I reread the above paragraphs I realize that the narrative sounds like something from another century -- and I guess it was, 1964-74. I am sure that some of you have similar tales to tell. What would you think about writing them down and putting them all in a book about teaching school in Manatee County in the mid to late 20th Century? There are lots of tales to tell about the teachers' strike, the diseases like encephalitis and meningitis that occurred in students. Some of the teaching techniques were weird also. Do you remember that a group of junior high kids who couldn't read were transported to the vocational school in the afternoons to practice crawling? Yes, it happened. Also, there was colored reading. We could tell some tales. Please type something up, or long hand it, and send it to me. I will see about getting it in some kind of order for publishing. I'll let the MCREA Board decide how to go from there.
I am so sorry that I missed the Dollars for Scholars Auction. I heard it was a great success with many people offering items and lots of competition vying for them. More than $300 was taken in for our Scholarship Fund.
Our MCREA Scholarship winners this year are the following:
Danielle Guida who received $1000 as a renewal of her first award. She also received $1000
from FREA.
Taylor Trent, Lakewood Ranch H.S., SCF $1000
Jalyn Brown, Manatee H.S., Harvard $1000 (Elaine Brown's granddaughter)
Megan Grooms, Manatee H.S., SCF $1000
Kayley Alsina, SCF Collegiate School, USF, $1000
We have now distributed 575 books to elementary schools in Manatee County. In the latest distributions, Carolyn Brown took 50 to Palmetto Elementary. Last week, Nancy Erwin took 50 to Bayshore Elementary and I took 50 to Seabreeze Elementary. In all places, the principals were very appreciative of the books and planned to hand them out to kids who might not have any books at home. Assistant Principal Deborah Cook at Seabreeze wrote a thank you email that got home before I did. Each of those books has a book plate pasted in it that gives MCREA credit for donating the book. Not only do we add reading to a kid's agenda, we also get publicity for doing it.
Some of you asked about the time frame for getting a business card published in our handbook. Elaine Waldron must hear from you by the September meeting if your card is to be included.
The MCREA New Member Reception will be at the DeSoto Mall meeting site on August 16, at 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. The cost for members for the continental breakfast is $10. New prospective members will be our guests. Think about those colleagues who retired when you did and have not joined us and those you know who are retiring this year. Invite them to attend and come along too. I read in the paper this morning that Sears will remain open, so you can shop after the event too. If you haven't been to the Mall lately, it is looking much better, repainted, cleaned, ready for trade. Also, security is everywhere.
Please pay your dues as soon as possible. Send your check for $55 (covers FREA dues too) to Treasurer Judy Bodmer, 5111 134th Terrace East, Parrish, FL 34219. For information, email Judy at judybodmer@gmail.com
Pastor Dexter McDowell has requested that we ask members for help with students in a summer camp he is running at his church at 650 27th St. East in Bradenton. He plans to tutor students in the mornings and offer enrichment in the afternoons. His phone number is 941-228-4978. You can also call Kathy Williams at 941-704-2936. The camp's mission is to address the learning growth of under served children in the community.
Christine Olson contacted Phyllis Omilak to request that we inform our members of her program that insures immediate notification of a serious accident or the death of a loved one. To register your information so it will be used to notify family members in case of the previous situations, email www.toinformfamiliesfirst.org. Go to "Tiff's Initiative to register.
The Primary Election takes place on August 28. School board races are on the ballot. Although the candidates must be from a certain district in order to run, voters may vote for anyone in any district. If you would like a ballot mailed to you, call the Manatee County Elections Office, or order one on line at their website. There are many confusing and lumped up amendments to the Florida Constitution on the ballot. You may want to consider them at your leisure before voting. Having a ballot at home ahead of time really helps.
Here are some photos that Judy Bodmer sent me which were taken at the FREA Conference in May.
Perhaps you may want to go to the conference next year. Remember to bring your western dance hall costume or cowboy get up or even your big red bow. I don't know what was going on. You will have to ask the participants. Seriously, I have attended a couple of conferences and they were a lot of fun as well as being informative about FREA and its work for us.
Have a great summer.
Ellen
