This afternoon's faculty meeting was devoted to explaining the party that's planned for the return of the superintendent of the school next Monday. He was diagnosed with cancer late last winter and has spent the spring and summer in Maine getting radiation and chemotherapy and is now cleared to return to Taiwan.

The board of directors are showing up, all 600 students will be each receiving a rose, they'll be giving Tom cards and decorating his office. It's a big deal. But teachers are not the best learners. They are like herding cats so getting everybody to understand their roles for next Monday was a bit comical. Where are the cupcakes and do I have to eat one if I don't like cupcakes? If the kids are wearing their school t-shirts do I get to wear mine too, even if it's out of dress code? What if I want a rose and where are the cupcakes?

Actually, I'm exaggerating. This faculty is relatively attentive. The where-are-we-supposed-to-be-when part of any celebration is tricky and this is no different. One amusing note is that the two principals, who are both helping to plan the party, won't be on campus on Monday. They'll be at a conference and will miss all the fun. But they assure us it will all go off without a hitch. They guarantee no rain, which is no gamble at all since it won't rain here again until spring.