Blue sky days with temperatures finally in the 40s, coaxes me out for a run and makes me feel that spring may be just a few weeks away. Last year, in contrast to this year's severe diet of 19-degree nights, snow-covered lawns and icy-slick sidewalks, the high and low for the day was 74 and 36. It's not even 74 in my house right now.
But, such are the Wisconsin extremes during March Spring Break when classes are excused for the week, though the college offices do remain open. I remember when I worked as a member of the support staff, I looked forward to the week as a little extra time to get some work done without the interruptions of a typical school day. "This would be nice place to work," we would say, "if not for the instructors."
Instructors and students have various strategies for the mid-semester week off. Some schedule vacations with family or friends. Spring Break hijinks are not nearly as common as you might guess. Most students don't have the extra money, or freedom, to make a gulf coast break. When instructors travel, we are more likely to go to grandmother's house than to the Grand Caymans.
Instead, students spend the time getting extra hours at work, or logging in time with family who now look vaguely familiar. The semester is half over, and the second half is usually packed with the larger papers and projects. Instructors, especially new instructors who have been just keeping their heads above water, use the week to catch up on grading, lesson plans, emails, and the ever-present team projects. Sleep is also a treasure.
This past week, I've spent a lot of home time, attended a Literacy Green Bay benefit, completed a painting project that has been long promised, attended a couple school meetings, cleared out emails, and even spent the afternoon yesterday receiving a plenary indulgence for watching the announcement of the new pope from Rome and receiving his televised blessing. Lord knows, I need as many indulgences as I can gather. The break is a time to take deep breath and get reading for the final eight week push: "Habemus the Rest of the School Year."
But, such are the Wisconsin extremes during March Spring Break when classes are excused for the week, though the college offices do remain open. I remember when I worked as a member of the support staff, I looked forward to the week as a little extra time to get some work done without the interruptions of a typical school day. "This would be nice place to work," we would say, "if not for the instructors."
Instructors and students have various strategies for the mid-semester week off. Some schedule vacations with family or friends. Spring Break hijinks are not nearly as common as you might guess. Most students don't have the extra money, or freedom, to make a gulf coast break. When instructors travel, we are more likely to go to grandmother's house than to the Grand Caymans.
Instead, students spend the time getting extra hours at work, or logging in time with family who now look vaguely familiar. The semester is half over, and the second half is usually packed with the larger papers and projects. Instructors, especially new instructors who have been just keeping their heads above water, use the week to catch up on grading, lesson plans, emails, and the ever-present team projects. Sleep is also a treasure.
This past week, I've spent a lot of home time, attended a Literacy Green Bay benefit, completed a painting project that has been long promised, attended a couple school meetings, cleared out emails, and even spent the afternoon yesterday receiving a plenary indulgence for watching the announcement of the new pope from Rome and receiving his televised blessing. Lord knows, I need as many indulgences as I can gather. The break is a time to take deep breath and get reading for the final eight week push: "Habemus the Rest of the School Year."
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