Today

My sister was born 42 years ago today. She is the best and craziest sister I could have ever asked for.

My mom passed away today at 10 o'clock this morning. She was our everything.

I held her left hand, and my sister held her right, as she took her last breath.

I am the luckiest person to have been raised by this warrior woman.

With all my love and all my light,
Xoxo

The Latest

I'm sorry to say that I won't be returning to school on Tuesday. My mom won't be leaving the ICU so we are sitting bedside until her time comes. That could be hours, or days, or weeks. I hope you all know how much I wish I could be teaching you right now. But life has decided it has other plans.

I would expect you to finish up your College Projects and draft/practice your TED Talks. We will utilize the wonders of technology if we need to, so rest assured that I'll "see" your projects and your talks one way or the other.

I still believe the Universe has my back and that one can only appreciate the true beauty of this world when they can juxtapose it with all the ugly. I still believe in love and light, and I am doing my best everyday to be the woman I was raised to be.

Any positive thoughts for this difficult time would be most appreciated. And, if you're lucky enough to be able to, go hug your mom for me.

Xoxo

Update

Day 16 in hospital.
Day 7 in ICU.
I wish I could say things are improving and that I'll see you Monday. As of now, I can't.

I miss you terribly and wish I could be forcing you to dance right about now.

Xoxo

Thank You

Never have I felt more love. To those of you who appeared in the video and those of you who emailed and/or texted...gratitude as large as this Lone Star State. Your kindness is appreciated and valued. Forty feels...well, like a gift.

Day 5 in ICU but some glimmers of hope.

I strive to find the rainbow in these clouds. I will. Maya (and my mama) taught me well.

Fingers crossed and tons of love,
Beltran

A Gallon of Truth Tea

I've received such kind emails from some very intuitive students who are wishing me and my family well. But, because of my inability to share my deepest hurt, some emails I've received are full of excitement and joy about my "fun" trip to Texas.

The truth is my mom was admitted to the hospital on May 11th with what was thought to be pneumonia. On Tuesday, May 17th, the news was not pneumonia but cancer. Again. My mom first battled cancer when she was 50, again at 52, and again in 2008 when I was pregnant with Thing 1. She survived it all.

I planned on flying out as y'all know but on Friday night (the 20th) my mom went into respiratory failure. My sister called me from the ICU with this news and the advanced stage 4 of her cancer.

I arrived in Texas Saturday as early as I could and have been sitting bedside with my mom since. My sister and I eat here, sleep here, and with the exception of a shower at our mom's house, basically live at the hospital.

Today is my mom's 4th day in critical condition in the ICU.

So there it is. My current reality which is basically a nightmare.

I don't know when I'll be back. I just know that I can trust you to do right by me. I know I've earned that.

All my love.
Xoxo

Hello

Periods 2, 4, and 6: You received a wonderful report from Mr. W. Thank you for that. Please keep up the good work. (I'm sure Periods 3 & 7 did great too...but that sub doesn't have my number.)

I miss my normal with y'all - dancing, dropping anecdotes, that horrible Applebottom song. I hope to see you soon. 

For the rest of the week, College Project it up. 

Xoxo

A Post From Texas

I hope your day is going well. Thank you to the kind lovelies who've reached out. I appreciate it.

You know the plan for the week, but I wanted to share some exciting PLHS News. See below.

Xoxo

College Application ADVICE & INTERVIEW TIPS

                             

Important for Juniors (Sophomores welcome too!):  The San Diego Princeton & Harvard Clubs are hosting a free College Application Advising session, including Mock College Interviews on May 24 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm in the Point Loma High School Library. This is for ALL college applicants, not just those schools.

Every participating student will have the opportunity to discuss: SAT/ACT prep, college applications, essays, and college interviews with an alumnus of Princeton, Harvard, Stanford or Yale. Students should bring a resume and/or personal statement (essay) for review during the interview process. Valuable tips and feedback will be provided following each one-on-one session.

Sunday Info - Please Read

I hope you're having a beautiful Sunday with those you love. I wanted to post a quick update/reminder for class this week...

Periods 3 & 7, please help the sub (whoever they are) with Safe Driving Curriculum. There's a tote bag behind my desk that has the flash drive with the video. There's no laptop so if someone could get one from Mr. Medina  and help the sub THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

I'm so sorry I have to depend so much on y'all. I just can't  be there right now.

For Tuesday, I'll  need the same help from lovelies in periods 2, 4 & 6

A million thanks.

Xoxo

Friday Round Up - Tons of Info You'll Need for Next Week *UPDATED

***I'm at the airport now waiting for my flight. I will not be in Monday either. Please do your best for me. A million thanks. **


Since I'll be out Tuesday through Thursday of next week, I wanted to give you the lowdown on what you're expected to do.  Obviously, you have my email so use it if you need anything.

Monday (Block 1,3,7) - I'll be here!

Tuesday (Block 2, 4, 6) - Substitute will be Mr. Weise 

Wednesday (Block 1, 3, 7) - I don't know who the sub will be

Thursday (Block 2, 4, 6) - Substitute will be Mr. Weise again

Monday and Tuesday, you will be doing The Safe Driving Curriculum.  That's mandated by the school and pretty much means you'll be watching a short video then filling out a feedback form.  Please take it seriously.  After that is finished, you should work on either your College Project or your TED talk.

On Wednesday and Thursday, you're expected to work on the College Project (and all that means.) Try to get it done.  You can access the Scholarship and College Templates below as well as the "Preparing for Senior Year" worksheet.  

What else?  I guess if none of the laptops work, bring your own.  Be respectful of the classroom and of me even though I won't be around.  The less I have to worry about on the school front will help me as I navigate my life front.  When I am ready I will likely share more about what's been going on.  Your kindness while I am in Texas will be most appreciated.

Happy Weekend, lovelies.
xoxo

Documents:

Scholarship Template

College Template

Preparing for Senior Year page 1, page 2, page 3

The Gold Some of You Missed

Today was not a day to miss and I'm sorry for those of you who did.  I went over The Ultimate Guide to Scholarships compliments of an amazing Pointer alum.  You must see someone who was in class to get what you missed - and hope they are willing to share the 4 pages of absolute insider info.

As for tomorrow, I should be in.  Monday is still tentative but I will definitely be out Tuesday through Thursday of next week.  Thank you for those of you who have sent me kind emails.  It's much appreciated.

In my absence I will fully expect you to behave exceptionally.  I will be in no mood to deal with negative substitute reports.  So thank you in advance.  If you have questions or concerns, please just email me.

I'll see you tomorrow to usher in a beautiful day.
xoxo

Wednesday

Thank you to the amazing lovelies who emailed me from their "professional" accounts and even snapped pictures of their binders and Insight Questions. I very much appreciate that. I hope APUSH went well for those of you who took it, and I hope the substitute's report sings your praises.

I will be back in class tomorrow with some info to share on the next bits of your College Project. Please have any and all work (and those binders) you drafted on those UC prompts.

Xoxo

TED Talk Finals Info *UPDATED*

**UPDATED:  Thanks to TA Superstar MB, here's a helpful link for your TED Talk preparation.

First off, if you're taking APUSH tomorrow, good luck.  You've got this!!!  I won't be in tomorrow, so please treat the substitute with respect as a favor to me.  You're expected to work on the UC Insight Questions.  Those are hyperlinked on Monday's blog post.  Check it out.

Today I went over the TED Talk final.

• Presentations will occur Monday 6/13 - Thursday 6/16 PLUS your FINALS DAY.
• You MUST be present to receive Finals Credit (day of and for other presenters).
• Scripts must be shared via google drive by Sunday, June 12th at midnight.
• Sign up sheets will be posted on Monday 6/6 at lunch. (Indicate with a * if you want a CLOSED AUDIENCE).
• You should plan on dressing in a professional manner.  Think of the TED Talk speakers you’ve seen...it’s not black tie but it’s more than yoga pants/sweats.
• Speaking time should not exceed 10-15 minutes.
• The only way to “fail” is to not try.
• Your DELIVERY is key.  
  No matter what you have to say, HOW you say it matters.  
  Memorizing? Mind palaces? Notecards?
  Reading from a screen? Visuals?
  Where and how will you stand? Will you rearrange the room?
  Will you have props?

And here's the funny TED Talk I showed in class.

I'll see y'all on Thursday.
xoxo

Writing from the Dungeon

Y'all are Healthy Kid Surveying it up and I am posting from the back of what has got to be the strangest room on campus.  Feels like a cave...At any rate, thanks for the effort.

Tomorrow we will be reviewing the guidelines and expectations for the TED Talk final.  There's a lot of information...

And on Wednesday, for those of you who like to plan ahead, we will be working on the UC personal statements.  There are some Insight Questions so if you want to take a peek, feel free.  I would recommend answering them all to see which ones fit the best.

If you are not applying to a UC, then please have your own Personal Statement question(s) on Wednesday.

Oh, and since the laptops in my room are complete and utter uggggghhhhh, if you have your own laptop, feel free to bring it.  We can always lock it up in my office if necessary.

Hoping your Monday is full of love and light,
xoxo

Monday's Plan

A little change in schedule, lovelies.  We have to complete a Healthy Kids Survey ASAP so instead of dealing with our classroom laptops, we will be meeting in the LOWER COMPUTER LAB (underneath the Library) on Monday - all periods.

You'll login to the survey and get it done so we can move on to other things the rest of the week.

If you have any questions, just email me.

xoxo

Love and Light

Life is a pretty magical thing, isn't it?  Especially when you pay attention, open your eyes, open your heart.  Thank you to those of you who reached out to me last night and even post-test today with gratitude.  You have no idea what that means to me as a teacher and as a person.

I 'll see y'all tomorrow.

xoxo

Lenny Says You Got This

I'd wish you luck tomorrow but you know you don't need it.  What you need is a sense of confidence and belief in your abilities - of which you have many.

Pro Tips?

• Color tonight and rock out to a great playlist in the morning.
• Eat protein and avoid bread/sugars.
• Have a couple of good blue pens, pencils and a watch that works.
• MC is all about TONE.
• Synthesis is a conversation between you and that hot celebrity crush.
• Analysis is a bridge of what purpose does the device/tool/strategy serve.
• Argument is your thinking supported by books, news, quality info.  Avoid the personal please.

My boo Lenny wishes you well.  As do I.  xoxo

"Wanna talk about the important factors to consider before building a monument?"  YES, PLEASE.

AP Exam Testing Rooms

Hi y'all...Sorry I won't get to see periods 2, 4 and 6 tomorrow but you'll rock it on Wednesday.  Stay calm and remember what you have been taught.

Thanks for being in good spirits on this beautiful Monday...let me know if you have any questions/concerns about the test.

As for TESTING LOCATIONS, see below from Brandl:

Students last name A through K- report to the Library

Students last name L through Medina- report to Room 1053

Students last name Mendoza through Reynolds, B. report to Room 655

Students last name Reynolds, R. through Storniolo report to Room 654

Students last name Sudborough through Z report to Room 604

If you have any questions, see me or Brandl ASAP.

We're on block schedule tomorrow so I will see you periods 3 & 7.  

xoxo

Create Something 2.0

I laughed.

I smiled.

I cried.

I shook my head.

I sat in awe (for good and bad reasons) but mostly, I was impressed.

Thank you sincerely for earrings, videos, Outback Adventures, word searches, paintings, spoken word and much, much more.

And, thanks to DT from period 6, here's a gem that might very well be of use to you.  Thank you, North Star.

Finally, sincerest gratitude to the lovelies who gifted me in ways great and small this past week.  I wish I could name you all but we know how those Tall Poppies/Chizzlers can get.  Just know that it means the world.

Happy Weekend.
xoxo

Thursday Update

Hi there...where have I been?  Not much to say as the true colors of all the charges are seeping through.  A quick reminder/update, though:  CREATE SOMETHING 2.0 due tomorrow.  Presentations will be like SAS - volunteer! 

There is BLOCK SCHEDULE next week for 2 days:

Tuesday 5/10: Periods 1, 3, 7
Wednesday 5/11 AP LANGUAGE TEST DAY:  Periods 2, 4, 6

And finally, your AP Test Prep Books (from the library) are due back the day of the exam.  Otherwise they will be considered overdue.

See you tomorrow.
xoxo

Last MC Practice Was Today (yay!!)

Hope the last practice MC helped you...We'll be spending time this week prepping for the test (ooh la la).  Don't give up or in now!!

Here's the cheat sheet on devices.  But don't worry too much about them all - focus on a few and know them like the back of your hand.

Also, I handed out another Cheat Sheet in class so see me if you want one.

xoxo