Back-to-School Buzz

Dear Lois,

Saw Vicki at the Y. She was just exiting the steam room. We had a chat, and yes, talked about Francine.

Tomorrow is Francine's first Back-to-School Night and our gal is a little bit nervous. Of course she wants everything to go smooth as silk.

Vicki reported Francine stayed in her kitchens until 6 PM tonight organizing her pantry and setting out ingredients for the kids to make her famous coffee cake to serve to the parents.

Tomorrow morning, she's heading out to the flower mart (yes, in DOWNTOWN) to pick up fresh-cut flowers for her floral arranging unit in Home Ec IV. Their arrangements will adorn the auditorium stage for the PTA meeting and each table in her classroom will feature a student's arrangement. I can't wait to pop in her room to see what's she's done. She's really going all out. I can't wait to see what she'll wear!

Washington Heights is so fortunate to have our favorite home economics teacher back on their illustrious staff.

Take care,
Evelyn

Back to School Dos & Don'ts

Francine, we are almost at the month anniversary marker, so can we laugh about the don'ts yet?
Sure hope we can, doll. If we "don't" have a sense of humor in our occupations, we will not last for very long, my longtime and very dear gal pal!
Do's:
1. Arrive on time, early for that matter. This gives us plenty of time to get our coffee in the teacher's lounge, have a nice chat, and stroll to our classrooms in a leisurely manner and look forward to our fruitful day ahead.

2. Accessorize smartly. Jewelry, such as bangles, are a no-no. They get in the way of our typing, writings notes and signing passes, and all the wonderful duties of a home economics teacher.

3. Set the tone at the very beginning of the school year. First, firm, fair, and then friendly.

4. Friday Get-togethers. The end of the week is a joyous time. Why not celebrate two "Jobs Well Done" by a visit to the local sewing/arts & crafts store and a coffee shop afterwards!

5. Menu plan. Wake up a wee bit later on Saturday (Sleeping in for us now means 7 AM). Get out your favorite cookbooks and steno pad, and plan your menus for the school week. Make your grocery list, shop early (market, butchers, pharmacy) because Jack will be home from golf around 2 PM.

Don'ts

1. Wear anything colored cream. Oh, my dear Francine. The wool blend suit was gorgeous indeed. But after first period, you knew your dry cleaning bills were going to skyrocket after going back to the classroom. Navy blue, burgundy, forest green, chocolate brown, are perhaps better color choices.

2. Put off for tomorrow what can be done today. Francine, take advantage of your preparation period. Leave your nights and weekends free to fuss over and pamper Jack. He won't tell you he feels neglected, but the dig about the tuna casserole speaks volumes.

3. Make the tuna casserole again for quite a long time (See #2).

Cocktails Poolside (Before Back to Work)

Vicki, dear, I am sorry that we were cut off on the telephone earlier today. I imagine that one of the bellhops brought you a phone poolside because you probably had a long distance phone call from Lou. Is he still in the midwest? The poor fellow must be dying from the oppressive humidity.

I am trying to relax. I just visited your place in the desert (virtually.) It looks like a very luxurious and relaxing spot. I hope you and the gals are getting a lot of fresh air and rest. I know that you will be refreshed and ready to run your annual "Business Workshop" for those lucky devils at "our" school, (my new school), Washington Heights High next week.

Jack has promised me a dinner and dance at the club on Saturday night. I am just finishing up a new dress that I started last month. I have got to get up to speed with my sewing now that I am going back into the classroom. I truly can't wait.

I do think also that Jack is going to appreciate me just a tad bit more when he finds that I am not home every minute of the day and so available.

Well, doll, think about me during your next cocktail poolside, Yours truly, Francine