So Long GOGO - Hello Summer!

It's official, my final day at GOGO was on June 26th. You think with all this extra time on my hands I would have posted sooner! You think after almost 27 years of working there I would have been sad.....but I wasn't - actually I was quite relieved. Ever since Flight Center bought our company a year and 1/2 ago things continuously changed - and always for the benefit of the stock holders and not the employees. Everything from the 401K employee match benefit, to the paid time off policy, to less insurance coverage for a higher premium, a new computer system with no training, and 2 days prior to my departure and entire new phone system allowing phone calls to be monitored and impossible to receive an incoming personal phone calls, and the topper was the announcement of a downsizing our office space which requires a move to another office building. The day prior to my final day they emailed over my separation package documents. I found an error on my accrued vacation time - by 2 weeks! We were able to keep 2 years of vacation time (which should have totaled 8 weeks.) However, each month they kept banking more hours into my benefits package so I had a total of 10 weeks..........they agreed to pay the entire 10 weeks! In addition I received a very generous total of 35 weeks gross pay. Net pay is close to a full year - as insurance and 401K will not be deducted. In addition, I qualified for the stimulus COBRA insurance which will only be 100.00 more than I was currently paying and I qualified for unemployment. My insurance through the school district kicks in September 1st - so since August payment for COBRA isn't due until August 30th - I most likely will only need to pay one month of the COBRA rate. Things worked out so well, I definitely made the right decision on not taking another position and leaving on the terms of position elimination! No regrets at all! However, I do feel sorry for the few employees that remain - most told me to put on my running shoes and keep running and not to look back. I have kept in touch with a few coworkers and they are miserable. I have actually been doing some "side work" at home for the team leader for some extra money. I've been asked to come in for a few hours next week to work some reports for a little extra cash also.

Summer is flying by - as you can see from the countdown clock above the posts showing how many more days until school starts up again. Ryan has been in football camp along with strength and speed training all summer long. It starts very early in the morning, so we've been getting up earlier than we had to when school was in.

I took Ryan and one of his friends to Raging Waves in Yorkville. I have free passes and thought we'd take advantage of them. It turned out to be a great time - they had a lot of fun.






Tomorrow Bill is off and we are planning another water park visit - we were thinking Great America but we aren't up for the long ride.

This past week I've been doing a lot of running around, renewing drivers license, getting service done on the car, luncheon with a friend, bike ride, cleaning windows, deep cleaning, and I purchased a Netbook. It only weighs 2 lbs and I got a pink snap on cover - it's a fun new toy - and the best part is it was 1/2 off at my favorite store - TARGET!!!!


Hope to post again soon - - Lisa

Middle School Graduate

WE made it through Middle School - YES, I mean "WE"! It seems like just yesterday that Ryan was having such a diffifult time transition into Middle School and now it's over. Listening to his fellow classmates speak at the recognition ceremony was such an eye opener. When looking back at their middle school "careers" many mentioned all the fears and anxieties they had going into 6th grade. Unfortunately, the kids didn't share those feelings with each other at the time and Ryan would have benefited knowing he wasn't alone.

What a growing experience middle school was for Ryan. Remember that timid immature boy, who for months needed to be led through the front doors of the school by myself, Bill and even the Assisitant Principal? That boy who had tears rolling down his checks as he left the house each morning. That boy who could not walk to school because his legs were too weak from fear. That boy who would vomit every single morning from all the anxiety he was feeling........ And now.......that boy, he was holding back tears because he was sad that he was leaving the school he had grown to love. WE too learned something, Ryan may need to be pushed; but in the end he just may surprise us!




Now he's off to a brand new high school - a school that will only have Freshman and Sophomores. An opportunity to participate in activities that are usually only available to Juniors and Seniors. Leaving the oldest and smallest middle school in the district to the newest and largest school in the district. As I watched Ryan "graduate" on Friday, surprisingly, I was not sad, not scared, but proud and content. Thinking back to when he graduated preschool, kindergarten and then left grammar school, I was very sad and full of uncertianty and fear. (I even got a job at his elementary school to make sure he was well taken care of!!!) So, in the end, middle school was not only a growing experience for Ryan, it was a growing experience for me too! I know, without a doubt, Ryan will do just fine in High School. I am grateful to feel that sense of confidence because it puts my mind at ease!

Speaking of school - - BIG NEWS!!!! I will be working at Brookdale full time beginning August 19th! GOGO will be a part of my past! After trying to get official word of when my position would be elimiated I had finally received a response that as of July 1 the PLAN was not to have any support in the branches. The day I received the email was the EXACT day I had my review with the principal at school. I explained the situation and his exact words were: DO I WANT YOU HERE FULL TIME - ABSOLUTELY. CAN I MAKE IT HAPPEN - WELL, I DON'T KNOW!?!?!?! The district is restructuring the special education program and making deep cuts. Instead of laying off any personnel, they are shifting aides from schools that have too many aides to schools that will need aides. So, for two LONG weeks we waited.....and waited....and waited. On Monday, there was an email that stated the district was retaining all TA's BUT you would not know your assigned school until summer. Of course, I always assume the worst. I'd only be part time and I'd be at some other school. On Tuesday, the principal came down to ask me to come into his office, as he needed to speak with me. His face, along with the head of the student service department had a "serious" and "sad" look on their faces. When I went into his office he said: LISA, I'VE SENT SEVERAL EMAIL'S, MADE MANY PHONE CALLS AND ALL I CAN SAY IS.........YOU ARE COMING BACK TO BROOKDALE FULL TIME!!! Full time means full benefits!!! Actually, better benefits than GOGO and much cheaper. What a relief!

So, now I wait again.........and for those who know me........I don't like to wait!!!! GOGO is now playing a "game". When asking about my separation package and when my final day of employment would be - I was informed that they are now looking into a remote possibilty of a position created for myself! NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!! I believe they wish to wait and have me resign, so I am not eligible for the separation package or the stimulus COBRA package. I guess I can play the game for a little while.........as school doesn't start for a couple months........but I was hoping to have some of the summer off. I'm sure everything will work out in the end................

Speaking of summer, Ryan begins his "high school football career" on Monday! GO MUSTANGS! He will have football camp along with strength and speed training 4 days a week all summer long! It's a early morning start, so no sleeping in this summer! It's good preparation for the early morning start for high school!

That's all for now..........................more updates to follow!

FOURTH QUARTER ALREADY?

It's already the end of April and were in the final quarter of the school year......and in about 6 weeks Ryan will be officially a HIGH SCHOOLER! Although our school district does not have a graduation ceremony for 8th grade, they do have a "celebration" of sorts. Ryan's will take place on June 5th.

Since my last post, Ryan has joined the Track and Field team. His "specialties" are the 100 yard dash, discus and shot put, as you can see from the above photo. We also just enrolled him into the summer football camp for his new high school.

Speaking of school, this time of the year is so chaotic! We have so many projects going on and will be entertaining the parents with poetry this up coming week. We have also compiled recipes for a cookbook we will be using as a Mother's Day gift. On top of the regular curriculum and our field trip to Naper Settlement, I've been working into the wee hours of the morning to make these projects "extra special" !

Training has begun at GOGO for our new system. Unfortunately, it takes place in New Jersey. Once again, I have told them I WILL NOT TRAVEL. Apparently, this "new" company feels that everyone enjoys to travel and your job should be your first priority.....NOT.... I have mentioned several times my family and teaching position takes priority, and traveling is not an option. My "work-life" ends at 7:00pm and no amount of money will interfere with MY time.

My evaluation from the school should be within the next 2 weeks. (the union contract states it has to be done prior to May 8th) At which time I will mention to the principal the possibility of returning there full time in the fall - in order to receive the union benefits . I am hoping by mid -summer that I will know my options with GOGO and make a decision base on what is going on at that time. After turning down several offers of Future Team Leader, Area Accountant, ticketing agent and most recently Sales Consultant - I'm not quite sure what would be left! Then we have uncertainty with the school district as there will be budget cuts , due to the fact that Illinois is the state with the least funding for schools and is 3 months/15 million dollars behind in payment to the district! The superintendent is trying to change the special education program AND our union contract is up at the end of this school year and in the bargaining stages right now. So, I'm trying to be patient......because good things come to those who WAIT!!!!

Here's Ryan's Easter "basket" from this year -
We also just celebrated my Mom's birthday!




Hope to update soon!

Lisa