"This roster says 39. Can that be right??" "They won't all show up." "That's what you said last year, and they DID! They did all show up!"

Here is how I am adjusting to my class-sizes of 39, 37, and 33, respectively:

1. Add more desks. Since there is no more room IN my classroom, I will request that these desks be taken directly to the roof outside my classroom, where I will teach through open windows.

2. Purchase a megaphone. EDIT: Demand that the school supply a megaphone.

3. Instead of giving personal attention to every student, I will have them elect representatives who will come to me with concerns only after all other resources have been exhausted.

...

Aside from that little setback, it was a good day. Tomorrow perhaps I will have working lights and a fully-equipped classroom, and it will be a better day. If someone (do we even have a guidance counselor anymore? I have no idea) doesn't whittle my class sizes down by Friday, I'm kicking 15 out from each class and sending them to the front office indefinitely.

And if the school adminstration doesn't already think I'm a pistol, they certainly will by the end of this month...