I was at work today in my non-air conditioned classroom. It was the third of three Professional Development days, prescribed by the Board. This was the most useful of the three as we were given the day to co-plan with colleagues, set up classrooms and get materials ready for next week.
My school was built in 1914 and I am pretty sure that much of what is still in the school is original. There is definitely NOT any air conditioning or even air FLOW for that matter! I have just finished my third day, after being absent on leave for 8 months, and already have the scratch in my throat which causes incessant throat clearing as well as a metallic taste in my mouth and a runny nose.
It is not a concern though – the air quality has been checked (after a call to the union from me) and there are only “acceptable levels of asbestos and black mold in the classroom”. I am not sure what quantity of mouse poop is considered acceptable by the people in the newly renovated, rodent-free Board office, but we may be flying just under the radar on that one, too!
Since I knew I would be on the floor, climbing to reach shelves in my walk-in storage closet and moving dusty boxes from room to room, I wore my favorite, worn in, most comfortable jeans. They are torn at the knee (on purpose) and I LOVE them. They are soft and worn and totally comfortable.
However, I knew there was a problem when I suddenly felt a breeze in my stagnant, non-circulation classroom… AND behind me! It couldn’t be air conditioning and it was certainly not the non-existent HEPA filters that the government have assured the public are in every classroom in Ontario.
It was a newly ripped vent that expanded as I bent down to pick up a box from the floor of my closet! Oops!
I am very sad to say that these jeans may have seen their last day today.
I will have to start softening up / breaking in another pair.
Shouldn’t be hard to stretch them out with the ass from that photo on the job!
Lesson Learned? The softer your denim, the less it holds in.
Life with Clark and Coco 