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When I was teaching in enclosed lots in the East Bay, I used to see lots of condoms in the gutters, and sometimes needles. At the preschool, I always had to warn the kids not to touch anything on our way to the garden site, a practice which changed as the neighborhood actually improved by our presence outside the school’s gates and in the garden itself.

Happy New Year!!! I hope you are well.

At Outside School we make a habit of hiking on the last day of school or camp for the week. On one such hike we stopped in a field to stay out from under trees due to high winds.

I recently launched a project I’ve been working on for many years, Bandana Bear! I have two items available, a limited edition set with a Bandana Bear stuffy, a game, and a book, and a separate calendar:

It’s the second week of the school year, but no one is enrolled, yet! I’m working on getting some set and event medic gigs, and working at the track to spend my time and earn some income.

I am so proud of myself. Last month, I decided to become Level 1 Venomous Certified from Save the Snakes as an added benefit to my teaching, and freelance EMT and set and event medic work.

Did you know that if you work for a company that has Flexible Savings Accounts I can provide my employer ID number when you’ve enrolled in Outside School so you can access those tax savings? Apparently I’ve been remiss in letting y’all know about that.

I’ve been immersed in reptilia, lately. Not that I mind!

I feel like a proud parent! My student has been involved in a public safety issue for awhile now, and he wound up in the paper!

Spring is here, the air is clear, warmth penetrates our bones.

This morning, my student was explaining that they had gone down to LA for the weekend. Upon hearing the news that they may stop at a hotel on the way back, they protested and demanded they get back that same day so they wouldn’t miss any Outside School.

I guess it’s been awhile since I’ve mentioned all the things that make me up- not everybody knows me as well as I know me. ;) Outside School is my life’s work, my contribution to society and the Earth.

I’m finally starting to wake up to the world again. Still proceeding cautiously through life, I’m doing everything I can to remain as physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy as possible.

Last month, my husband and I visited the area around Calaveras Big Trees, where my family spent a lot of time camping when I was a child, and our friends now have a trailer in a private campground. They love visiting, hanging out and looking at the trees, saying they feel so relaxed there, and completely away from the normal stressors of everyday life.

So untrue! We spend about an hour a week volunteering in the park (we’re committed to at least 40 hours per calendar year), and I ❤️ badges!

“‘…I’ll bet they don’t know what’s going to happen to them today.’ ‘No, nor you either,’ Billy remarked philosophically, ‘nor me, nor anyone.’

Hooray! It’s the first week of the school year!

Happy 5th. Birthday*, Outside School!!! 🥳 🍰 🥂 💞

We just wrapped up our fifth summer camp at Alvarado Park, and already I’m looking forward to seeing the kids again next year!

Lisa Sigurgeirson Maxx and I have been following each other on social media for years. So when she asked me to be on her podcast, of course I answered that I would! 

Today we’re celebrating the last day of the school year by having our families join us for pizza. I can’t believe another school year has passed already!