Summer school is over and so is summer.... I am writing to you on this, the first day of my summer break, August 16, with 12 days until we return for the Fall semester and 5 weeks before the official end of summer.

I like the autumn better than the summer. I like to wear pants, not shorts. I like to wear sport coats and blazers without sweating. I like when the leaves change and you can see the breath come out of people's mouths when they are talking on the subway platforms in the Bronx.

This year, I am looking forward to teaching 4 different courses! It sounds like a lot, but let me explain: English 9A, Non-Fiction is one course; English 9B, Fiction is another. You see, that's already diverse. I am also teaching (or preparing to teach) a non-core English that I hope will become like an honors course. Some of my students sometimes comment that they think my English courses are too "easy". Keep in mind that about 15%-25% of the students pass each term, so I'm not sure what they think is so easy. Nevertheless, I am hopefully creating something more exciting and interesting for the kids; (so let me know what you think we should study, because I'm done guessing!). I am also playing The Stock Market Game. I hope the kids find it as interesting as I do.

So, welcome back to school y'all! I hope you'll stop by and say 'hi' as often as you can. Have a great rest of the summer, and a great rest!

Best,
Mr Rankin