Super sub!
DEAR HELOISE >> I’m a SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, and I absolutely love it! Here are some hints that have helped me:
• I limit myself to two campuses in the district. The kids need to see a familiar face, and the staff, administrators and other teachers get to know me.
• The substitute coordinator (usually the principal’s secretary) knows what jobs are available; all I do is ask!
• Punctuality is key; following the lesson plan to the letter is critical (although with kids, things happen!). When I go into a new class, I have to be strict at first (then I soften up quickly); and wearing the school’s colors shows my spirit! The dress code is usually business casual.
I pack a “survival kit”: water bottle, adhesive strips, facial tissues, lots of pencils, cash for lunch and, with the school’s permission, a big bag of hard candies (one to a customer!). Passing a background check was necessary, but now my phone rings every day for a substitute job!
— S.L. in San Antonio
DEAR READERS >> Here are some hints for Halloween handouts:
“We stopped giving out candy a long time ago. We get popcorn, fruit snacks, hot cocoa mix and sometimes animal crackers. The kids and teens love the choices. We are now known as the ‘Popcorn House.”’ — P.D., via email
“Another suggestion for trick-or-treaters: pencils — colorful, with cartoon characters, etc. — are a big hit with kids.” — J.R., via
DEAR ARE A BIG HIT WITH KIDS.” — J.R.
>> “One of my favorite Halloween treats is to give out mini bags of microwave popcorn. It’s not chocolate or sugar, but the kids still get a treat! I buy them in bulk at the warehouse stores.” — L.B., via email
DEAR L.B. >> Great suggestions! Stickers, erasers, bubbles, rubber bracelets, crayons, mini notebooks and fun spider rings are all good choices for kids with allergies or diabetes, or if you just want a less sugary celebration.
DEAR HELOISE >> I love lipstick. In fact, I don’t feel complete unless I put some on. These are a few of my best lipstick hints:
• I can “cheat” with lip liner and go a bit outside my natural lip line for a fuller look.
• Blotting with a facial tissue is important; it “forces” the color into my lips.
• I use a lip brush to get out all the lipstick from the tube.
• One color can go on top of another for a new color.
• Mood lipsticks: the green reacts (like perfume) with my body chemistry and creates a custom color.
• Nighttime is for buffing, exfoliating and heavy moisturizing.
— May Belle in New York
DEAR HELOISE >> I gather colorful fall leaves and place them between two sheets of waxed paper. I take a warm iron, without steam, and press until they are completely sealed. I leave them in the waxed paper until they are completely dry (about two weeks).
Then I gently peel the waxed paper off and use the leaves for decoration.
— Della T., Pasadena, Texas
Write to Heloise at P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; Fax 210-HELOISE; or email Heloise@ Heloise.com.