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Hard Times
The veneer of wealth in this town is showing thin worn spots this winter. Signs in windows downtown vie for attention with hand lettered signs screaming 50% Off in ever larger lettering. Lots of people looking, but not too many carrying bags or parcels out of the stores, even with the discounts. The streets are an utter mess with only the main streets kinda-sorta plowed. The side streets are treacherous. Everything is slippery and if traffic wasn’t slow enough before, now it takes a half hour to get from one end of town to the other. The town doesn’t have the money to cope with this much snow removal this soon. Winter arrived just a little early and we have a long way to go yet. I have never seen the streets in such poor condition. It’s another reminder that things are kind of bleak out there.
In the face of these reminders, the lad was hoping to find a job during his winter break, but not counting on it. Not much luck so far. The places where he’s worked before regretfully told him that not only aren’t they hiring, they are also letting people go. Some of these places may not be in business by the time summer arrives. He’s growing a little desperate.
Over the weekend, he spoke with one of his roommates from school who has already been gainfully employed at his local public schools. He suggested the lad check with our school district and inquire about substitute teaching. Something he hadn’t considered. Today he stopped by the school to check out the possibilities. Surprisingly, they practically pounced on him, had him fill out an application while they hovered, waiting for him to hand it back. He was told they’d probably call him as soon as school is back in session. He has the required two years of college under his belt and good references right within the school system. That is sufficient for substitute teaching. At $50 a day, that’s a fair haul for a college kid if he can get two or three days a week for the winter break. Especially when there is little else to be had. We shall see.
I have to admit that I was a little skeptical at the idea, initially. And now I am surprised. I hope it works out. It may be about the last place in town that’s hiring anyone for anything.
When I was a senior in high school I worked there after classes. As a janitor. Pushing that compound up and down the halls and around the gym.
I got teased, but hey, $1.65/hour (minimum wage back then) wasn’t bad.
Good for the Lad! Not only is that work enriching, but it will give him some excellent credentials for down the road. This news gives cheer to my withered heart!
It seems to me that the high school student body would be one of their best untapped employment resources, especially janitorial stuff. I’ve never seen that here. It would be a really good idea, though.
Pablo, he’s pretty excited about the substitute teaching gig. Keeping fingers and toes crossed that they really do call him. The people in the administration office said that he was only the second college student to inquire and they LOVE it when the kids come in over winter break. They relate especially well to the students and the kids really enjoy the younger substitute teachers. It is an excellent opportunity.
For some reason, I had thought the school required an Associates Degree at minimum for substituting. It surprised me that just completing two years of college satisfied the requirements. Live and learn. As I said...keeping fingers and toes crossed.
Great idea!! --my older son did this when he first graduated from college--was looking for jobs (you know the American Dream--gold nameplate on his door, private parking spot and VP of a fortune 500 company) and when it did not materialize within a week of graduation, someone suggested he do substitute teach for a while til something showed up. He did it - usually got gym classes or something fairly non-threatening (to the kids!!), easy money and could have worked more than he wanted (it was the calls from the substitute coordinator at 5AM that he did not like!) AND on top of that got put into the town pension system!! For years after he did it, he was getting statements of some sort. Finally he cashed it out or something--got a huge amount of money - LOL - maybe $20!)- but was one of those things that showed how much money is wasted in this town!! Anyway, it worked, put money in his pocket until he moved to DC (I think he did it for about 6-7 months).
LOL Cyn, you just reminded me that I have money sitting in one here. I worked for the school for a while here in our city.
Kate, did you re-coupe? Sorry it wasn’t the wild and crazy night I had planned on lol. Sigh, we are getting old! But then again........ me up til midnight (not in bed with a book in my hand) is a wild and crazy night LOL.
so ok, a week ago yesterday we had 24+ inches of snow, yesterday we had maybe 4” left in some places, green grass in many others. Today we have about 5” of new snow (started around 8:45AM). ENOUGH. But, I went to the library yesterday and between what I got there and my secret stash here, I am all set.................Happy New year to you and yours!!
Our snow never quite melted enough for grass to show. We got about 6” yesterday. Enough to require shoveling, of course. And it’s cold. Down to about -2° last night. Never rose above 13° today. Which is better than yesterday. I’m glad it was a holiday and no one had to go anywhere. I sat by the fire and read books. 