On the Way to Africa!

After weighing our suitcases at the Salt Lake airport, we had to do some rearranging...We're ready to go! Diane, marketing and media; Alice, literacy; Marilynn, IOM founder; Kathy, mathematics.

Jane, world traveler/travel specialist, met us in Minneapolis (What a nice airport - all the amenities of a mall!) Notice Jane is a fellow chocolate-lover!

Getting Ready for the Trip to Kenya

Hundreds of details must be attended to before leaving on a trip to Africa. First, I got my shots. I am now filled with antibodies for Yellow Fever, Tetnus, Typhoid Fever, Hepatitis, and Polio. Thanks, Joe!I must remember to take my passport, the official proof of immunization, and the malaria pills I'll take daily. I practiced packing my one and only suitcase to make sure I could squeeze in all my necessities plus the Marilyn Burns math-teaching books I'm taking. Did I mention that it cannot weigh over 50 pounds? Yikes! When I weighed the loaded suitcase on the doggie scale at the veterinarian's office, it weighed 49.5 pounds.

My carry-on holds my laptop, ipod, travel documents, digital camera, handy neck pillow, and reading material.

Takin' Care of Business!

We are having many incentive activities throughout the school year for students who have kept their grades up and have been good citizens of our school community. It's called "Takin' Care of Business" and we use the old BTO song by the same name as our theme.

Our Superintendent, Mr. McHale, pitched the program to our students during lunch. Notice the teachers dressed as professionals who take care of "bid-ness". That's me on the left of Mr. McHale.

For our first Incentive Activity, we spent 7th hour playing games on the football field and beachball volleyball in the gym.

Forrest offers Mr. Hopcia a high-five.Kickball is a perennial favorite.

Clark Family Reunion

The annual Clark Family Reunion was held over the Labor Day weekend at the incomparable Pine Creek Ranch.

Stu drove over to Swan Valley from Bismarck, and we were uniformly delighted to see him!Stu drove the Audi, but it broke so he traded it for a Truck! (I will miss the Audi) Notice the shiny rims!

We have a tipi ceremony every year... This is Jenny's family showing their vision book.

Ken and his faithful pal, Buster.

I love a clean car!

Although I love a clean car, mine is often unclean due to the fact that our driveway is part gravel, part dust... And my parking space at school is dust and more dust.

Therefore, I wash "The Swede" every Saturday.

I wish Stu was around to attend to the wheels and rims - they are NOT my favorite.

OOOOh, look at the clouds reflected in the shiny car (I love shiny!)

My "helpers" were not helpful...

Day One of the 2007 - 2008 School Year

The summer is over and students return to school - some happy; others less so.
Here is my 2nd hour math class - the only one I remembered to photograph!

Our students spend lunch recess on the football field chatting, chillin', playing touch football, or simply hanging out under the beautiful August sky.

It's hard to imagine a more picturesque place for recess! 7th grade girls are eager to get back to the classroom!

Getting ready for school!

Preparing the classroom for the start of a new school year is always a bit daunting. You can see Albert peering over one of the covered computers.
During the summer, school supplies arrive which need to be inventoried and tucked away. But soon everything is organized and ready for day one, arguably the most important day of the school year.