Dear friends,
     My how 34 years  have flown by.  It really does not seem that long ago that I was walking into my first assignment; a 7th grade classrtoom in Bath Co. Virginia.  I have had a wonderful career full of much success, laughs and yes even a few tears.  I would not  change one moment of it.  My greatest joys have come when previous students stop by to see me  and they share their plans for the future.  A few have even shared that they plan to teach....all becasue of me.  It is then that I truly understand  the power  and influence of a teacher. The only profession in the world that touches the future for generation to come.

Hi all,
    Wanted to give you an update.  I am doing well.  I started my Hyperbaric Ox Chamber treatments this week.  They were not bad at all.  The only problem is that it a big chunk out of my day.  I leave my house at 10 and do not get back until 1:30 or later.  I feel my school email account will be closed soon, so I wanted to give you my home email and address.  Please feel to email or write any time!  I would love to hear from you.
     I stay busy crafting for next year's craft show and playing with Bella and Stogie.  Bella is Austin's dog who we are keeping while he is in training.  Austin is doing fine and will graduate in mid April.  Then he heads to Georgia for Air borne school.  Not crazy about him jumping out of airplanes but he has always been my dare devil.
     I miss you all, but I know Miss Terrell is taking great care of the class.
I will post on the class web page from now on with updates.  Love, Mrs.J
gpalva@comcast.net
8352 Devil's Den Lane
Mechanicsville, 23111

Dear Parents, just wanted to bring you up to speed.  A week ago I started spiking high fevers.  Went to my doctor and  flu and pneumonia were ruled out.  I then thought it was a bladder infection.  After a week I was no better, so Gene took me to the E.R. Sunday night.  I was found to have an abscess at the site of my radiation burn.  I had surgery Monday to remove the infection and it was determined to be a staph infection. Because the wound is where I had radiation, it will be a very long and slow healing process.  I came home from the hospital Thursday and will be on IV antibiotics for 2 weeks.  I will be doing this myself so wish me luck...nurse I am not! I will also need to go daily (maybe for months) to Retreat Hospital for wound care along with  spending time in a hyperbaric chamber.  Due to the amount of time it will take each day, I felt it best to retire.
 This is not how I thought I would spend my last year, but I feel I need to get myself better. It was a very hard decision.  I love my class and already miss them so much.  Thank you all for the prayers and support you have given me this year.  I could not have asked for a better group of parents and students to end my career with.  This is not good-bye.  I will be around.  Love, Mrs. Jones

Jan. Update

 

Well, I had hoped 2013 would be better than 2012 for me but, so far, that has not happened.  I am so discouraged that I have had to miss several days since school reopened in Jan.  Something that totally caught me off guard was sever 2^nd degree burn caused by my radiation treatments.  That happened mid Dec. It was a very slow and painful healing process.  Then when I finally came back, I started having very high fever spikes. Ugh!  Started antibiotics 2 days ago and am feeling much better. My plan is to be back Monday.  I have missed my class so much!  Mrs. Pool said they have been working hard.

 

Here are some things we are working on:

• Reading-starting 3 new trade books
• Having a marble celebration-Lego/craft time
• Mid year assessments (Reading and Spelling)
• Mid year benchmarks
• Math-fractions
• Social Studies-  heading into the Revolution War