Kiddos

Someone posted the question, "Ms. Velin, did you forget about us?" a little bit ago, so I'm responding with a resounding NO! I will never, ever forget about my Rialto kids, no matter what new school or city I teach in. I check our blog about once a week, so if you are reading this, do post something. There are many of us who still check this on and off, and I for one, love to hear how you all are.

An update...it's about time.

My dear, awesome students,
It is now September 5 and the new school year has begun. You are (hopefully) in college now, and I am at an arts school in Orange County. I'm not gonna lie - this is the most amazing school I have ever seen. But at the same time, I miss all of you and really, really hope that in your most boring moments, you click on our blog to see what's new, and find yourself updating us on your life. That is why this is still up and that is why I still check it.
So, if you're reading this and have a minute, please tell us how you are, what you are thinking, and of course, any "secret" you would like to get off your chest. I know you have one or two, and if you've never tried it, confession anonymously is a wonderful thing!

Justice Prevails!

It is now July and I should have posted this last month, for one week after I resigned from Rialto, I was hired by an amazing charter high school in Orange County. In my interview I even told them the entire book fiasco and my "issues" with the principal and subsequent assistant superintendent, and they STILL hired me!!!!! I feel like I am in heaven...and can't believe I get to work for such open, outside of the box people. So kids, the lesson for today is, justice does prevail sometimes, and so does standing up for what you believe in. Yeah truth!

Beat the System

Well kids,
Yesterday I submitted my letter of resignation literally moments before they were going to fire me. Little did they know that I had the 411 on their plan!
Why were they going to fire me, you ask? (I mean, aside from the obvious book controversy) Because a group of my darling AP boys, who will herein remain unnamed, decided to ignore my "if your mom can watch it, so can we" guidelines, and made a grossly inappropriate final movie. Well, someone else (do any of you know who this person was?) ran up to administration and told them about these boys' little film, and the next thing you know, somehow I am getting fired. Just? I think not.
But if we have learned anything this year, it's that the world is not fair and somehow we need to live a life we believe in regardless. Well, I am living that life, and if it means getting fired, so be it. And of course, you all also realize that the book is really why I'm getting fired; they just couldn't use that as the reason because of the principal's signature.
Anyway, I promised I'd keep you updated on this blog, so here's the first one. And like I've been telling you guys, you only live once, so take the situations life hands you and make the best of them. When one door closes, another opens somewhere, even if you can't see it right away.
Ok, so now it's your turn. Keep us updated, too, will ya?

Graduation

Ok, so tomorrow most of you are gonna graduate. What now? What are you excited about? Fearful of? Ready for? What are your plans? If you read this, please, please post something. We all want to know and stay connected, and I think this is the only way.
Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS! You DID it!

Carpe Diem

Ok, so let's ditch the emo confessions for a minute, and tell us all how you have embodied the philosophy of carpe diem. How are you going to change yourself and improve your life? Go for it...I dare you.

Not this too.

Alright everyone, we're starting this up again. In a momentary fit of weakness I closed down the other blog, but there is no reason we should allow ourselves to be silenced here. They may have taken our books away, but they haven't taken our voices.
Write on, my comrades in truth!