Please don't be too jealous of my co-workers super comfy-cozy office chair!
I knew that a water pipe had broken yesterday, but I did not know that my space was impacted. I did know that it was bad, and that students were cancelled, and staff was asked to help with the mess. I did not know that the ceiling directly above my desk had collapsed and flooded my space. I was surprised to find this out when I arrived, and yet I was optimistic.
As I pulled soaking wet items off the shelves, and opened flooded file drawers, I realized how much personal stuff I had lost. A morning staff meeting informed me that anything employees had spent personal money on would not be covered by the districts insurance. Still, I remained optimistic. It could be so much worse. I could have lost everything. It could have been an entire classroom, and student's personal belongings. With that being said, let me inform you that it was so.much.worse. Our entire school library is destroyed. Our cafeteria needs significant repair work, and several special educators are out of an office as well until things are brought under control.
This is not all about me, and I know that. Unfortunately, I can't help but be frustrated and upset by everything. This year has been incredibly challenging for a variety of reasons. Walking into work on a Monday morning and discovering that I have lost a huge dollar amount of personal supplies and materials that I have collected over the years was very upsetting. Being told through multiple channels that I can't have help to replace these items is even worse.
Donorschoose.org, here I come.
I want to thank all of my friends who have been so supportive today of my frustrations! It means more to me than you will ever know! This of course includes a wonderful community of blogging SLPs. You guys rock!
On a positive note, school is cancelled tomorrow for all staff and students while professional cleaners come in. This means that I get to spend the day with my Bug! He turns TWO tomorrow!! {GASP} I cannot believe it! I am off to make cupcakes and to try to come up with something fun to do with my brand new two year old in the morning!
~Rae
I was assigned a building several years ago where I worried about this very thing happening. Every time there was a hard rain the ceiling above the windows would leak. Quickly learned to never keep anything on the counter. Linguisystems is good about replacing items lost through disaster so if any of your materials were bought from them, they may be able to help you out.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I did contact Linguisystems, and they said they couldn't replace since it was not a natural disaster:( Bummer. I understand that they can't just give products away, but it is still stinky! I hope your current place is dry!
DeleteTry not to worry too much about your "things" as things can always be replaced. (Although I do know how hard that is, especially when it's a favorite material!) Enjoy spending time with your "Bug!" I hope he has a great birthday! :) My son just turned 3 in September and I still can't believe he's not still a baby!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie! I can't believe how time flies now that I have a child! It is pretty amazing! We did have a good day together, thank you:)
DeleteOh Rae-that is terrible! As I was reading your post, things just seemed to get worse. I've had this happen in my basement after my husband and I were married and some of our wedding gifts were ruined. I hope things get better for you this week. Lots of dry prayers coming your way!
ReplyDeleteNicole
allisonspeechpeeps.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for your comment Nicole! Losing wedding gifts would be awful as well! I am so sorry that happened to you guys! I appreciate you taking the time to write!
DeletePraying for you as well.
ReplyDeleteMiss Thrifty SLP
Thank you! All of you are so wonderful!
DeleteWe are here for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really appreciate your support!
DeleteI cannot even imagine what you are going through! That is just awful. My cousin's house was ruined because of Hurricane Sandy's flooding. But, at least she received insurance money. It is just horrible!
ReplyDeletePlease feel free to email with any requests of materials from my TPT store. I will send you anything and everything that you want.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Denise-Polley
speechlanguagepirates@gmail.com
Good luck with the clean up and rebuilding!
Your poor cousin! I can't imagine losing my house, even with all the insurance money in the world! Thank you so much for your offer! All of you are so wonderful and giving. :)
DeleteThat is awful! I feel so bad for you. This happened to a friend of mine who teaches first grade. She lost everything too, but she was able to get money from the district somehow to replace everything.
ReplyDeleteI would be happy to send you anything I have in my TpT store too, just email and let me know if there is anything you could use that could help replace something you lost. You can have my whole store if you want!
www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/jennifer-shamberger
speechuniverse@gmail.com
Thank you so much for commenting! You guys are so generous, and amazing! I love being a part of this community! Thank you.
DeleteI am so sorry to hear of this! How upsetting to enter a workweek like this. I envy your strength and optimism, as it is likely what you need to work through this. I understand how upsetting it is to lose your personal belongings...I can't image having to continually hear the message that it's your loss, and not the districts problem. How infuriating.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with everything and stay strong :)
Rae
Mindful Rambles
Hi Rae! So sorry to hear about this! Especially knowing how much of our own personal money we all spend on therapy materials. I too would like to extend the offer to send you anything you want from my store: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teach-Speech-365
ReplyDeleteEmail me at teachspeech365@gmail.com when and if I have something you can use!
I am so sorry for you - how frustrating! I wish I had a TPT store so I could help too! About 10 years ago, our school "flooded" (up through the sewer) and since my room is on the lower level, I lost everything that was not 1 foot or higher up off the floor. The fact that materials were lost is one thing, the smell that lingered was a whole other situation. I'm glad you have professional cleaners coming in!
ReplyDelete