Opening Ceremonies

We all gathered at the big performance hall in town for what the District calls "Opening Ceremonies." Teachers and aides and administrators talking at the tops of their voices over the traditional coffee and danish before sitting for an hour and listening to inspirational speeches by everyone from a rising sixth grader to the Superintendant (the sixth grader's was by far the best). Then we returned to our buildings to discuss why none of our supplies have been ordered and the web site is not exactly up and running and the bus schedule should be exceptionally chaotic tomorrow. Then we were released to our classroom. My grade level colleagues all seemed frazzled, including the two who have been doing this for 20 years. I assume that I, too, seemed frazzled, even though I would describe myself as numb. Like a person who has just learned of a horrible tragedy and cannot cry. I cannot seem to get myself to freak out about tomorrow. Logically it may seem like freaking out is not the best idea, but emotionally I know it would do me good. Better to get it over with, because at some point I have to wake up and realize it ain't July any more.