Dad on Duty #120
The first few days of the new school year are done. I have complied a lot of stuff to talk about, but in the interest of your attention span, I will compress the volumes of material into a one (maybe …
Category: Dad on Duty
Prelude to the New Year
As I prepare to publish my first blog of the year in the next few days, it seems appropriate to restate what this forum is, and is not, about. Since I first started this writing adventure seven years ago, it …
Dad on Duty #119
The art teacher decided to create a school-wide project that she called the “Community of Cooper”. It would include a self-portrait by every student and staff member. She asked me to participate as well. Called me out by name in …
Dad on Duty #118 – a look back on this year
So I’ve been thinking a lot about this past year, my first year at Cooper. I realized there were some lessons here, at least for me. And maybe….if I share them with you….there are some things here that might …
Dad On Duty #117
Here I am, at the end of a physically and emotionally exhausting day, sitting beside a teacher, on the exam table in the school nurse’s office, while the nurse combs through our hair looking for lice. How the &*#^ did …
Dad On Duty #116
So I kinda made a fool of myself the other day. I pretty much stopped the operations of the school, over a suspicion I had, that turned out to be unfounded. But as I’ve contemplated the event over a few …
Dad on Duty #115
This time of year, it’s all about special events. Field days, festivals and off campus trips are the dominant subjects for the next two months, in many ways. It’s a funny place to be right now; it’s been a LONG …
Dad on Duty #114
Head down, into the firefight. A mantra, I told myself for so many years. Push into it. It will be rough. But you are trained and prepared for this. Head down, and go into the firefight. It’s surprising and a …
Dad on Duty #113
She sits alone at recess, against the fence on the playground, arms crossed, frowning. She has been an emotional hot mess all day. Upset at the littlest things, difficult to redirect. I have talked with her several times. I see …
Dad on Duty #112
So today is Valentine’s party day here at school (and actual Valentine’s Day!). While I realize this is a totally fabricated holiday, I think it has some real value; making us stop and focus on, and talk about, love, for …