Monday, April 28th
First day back. about 2 hours before bad behavior returned. I was told that my kids were better behaved with the sub than they are with me. My students told me it was because the sub was mean. Translation? She did not take the nonsense(attitude and disrespect) that I put up with.
DQ argues with me over her wrong Math answer. She would rather argue than be quiet and let me explain how her answer was wrong.
Most of the teachers were out of the building about 3 or 3:30pm. First day back is a bit difficult when you were on vacation.
I was out of the building about 5:30. Stop at Target Store to buy a couple of white shirts, I damaged one in Baltimore. The hotel iron was too hot and burned my shirt.
I was home about 6:45PM. I made a quick trip to the laundromat to wash my new shirts. New shirt smell and sweat are not a good combination.
Since I went to bed last night at about 2AM, and was up at 6AM, I was tired. My plan was to go to bed early. However with the time now at 1:45AM, it looks like another repeat of old habits.
Completion Date - April 28, 2008 1:47AM
Post Date - Saturday, June 14, 2008 11:58PM
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Saturday, April 26th.
Spring Recess is just about over. So, how is this recess different from the others? Well, by now you know there is no difference. Once again, I returned to my hermit/coma state of existence. After returning from Baltimore on Monday, (other than a trip to the bank on Tuesday to make a late payment for a credit card), I have not been out of my apartment since Tuesday.
Last night(Friday evening), I decided to make a plan to go to the teacher's store in Brooklyn. Next month my school will be doing our science themed activities, and having our science fair. I wanted to check out their science reproducible workbooks. I also wanted to get a cursive drill reproducible workbook. I also decided to see "Super Hero Movie". I wanted to see a pure escapist kind of movie, unfortunately, there was not much playing in the theaters in the way of action or adventure. I sent a text message to one of my epals(Macy's Walker) to see if he was interested.
I was supposed to have done something with another epal, but he was not feeling well. He lives in Brooklyn. He was willing to do something if he could stay closer to home. Unfortunately, I am a bit lazy. I wasn't in the mood to travel out to far Brooklyn which for me is about 90 minutes traveling time(one way).
Anyway, I texted my epal(Macy's Walker), and he texted back that if I was able to change the meeting time to a later time, then he would be able to meet me at the movie. With the arrangements made, we planned to meet at 1:30PM. I took a quick bath and was on the 12:30MN train. I arrived at the movie theater about 1:26PM. I purchased my ticket and just as I was leaving the lobby to wait outside --this time, the weather was much nicer. My epal was arriving as I was about to leave the lobby. The theater was on the 6th floor. Well, the ticket said "6th floor, but it felt like we went up 7 or 8 escalators.
We saw "SuperHero Movie". The movie was a spoof of the Super Hero movies like Spiderman, Batman, and the X-men. So how was it? It was okay. I did laugh at some parts. However, at other parts, it made me cringe a bit. A bit too much juvenile humor. There was actually a farting scene that must have lasted 5 minutes or more. The grandmotherly character laid on the couch and just kept farting as one sight-gag was done after another, and she just kept farting. The others made faces, and she continued farting. The young lady put tampons up her nose, and the lady continued farting. Objects rattled, and "sound effects" increased, and she continued to fart. I did laugh with the candle sight-gag, but I thought the other gags were just too much.
After the movie, I explain to my epal that since it was still early, I was going to the teacher's store in Brooklyn. I asked if he was interested in going, but he wasn't. Since I hadn't eaten lunch, I would have wanted to go eat, but if I didn't go to the teacher's store today, then I would have had to go tomorrow. But since I have not done anything in terms of laundry, lesson planning, or apartment cleaning, adding a trip to Brooklyn would only have stressed me out. We walked to the train station. My epal got off the train at 23rd street. He wanted to go to HomeDepot to buy some under cabinet lights. I continued on to Brooklyn.
In the teacher's store, once again, I over did it. I was only planning to get one or two books (max.) However, I ended up spending $111.07. After I finished digging my financial hole, I went to Wendy's because I hadn't eaten anything since my breakfast bowl of Cream of Wheat about 10AM. After eating my medium-sized meal, I was still hungry for dessert, so I went to Dunkin Donut. I bought two donuts at $1.10 each. The donuts tasted a bit old. I pigged-out because I told myself that I would return to the gym on Monday. I have not been to the gym since January-- and I only went 4 times then since buying the one year membership back in August 2007...what a waste of money.
After Brooklyn, I went to visit my foster father for a while. I caught the MN train and was home about 8PM.
Completion Date - Saturday, April 26, 2008 10:57PM
Post Date - Saturday, June 14, 2008 11:48PM
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 15thToday was a half day for those of us attending the two-day workshop in Baltimore. The group consisted of me, Down the Hall (other 3rd grade teacher), BK (Biligual Kindergarten teacher), and our principal. After last minute classroom prep for the sub (or subs), the Baltimore group was out of the building about 1PM. We took the Amtrak to Baltimore, arriving about 5PM. We stayed at a very nice waterfront hotel. My Principal and I registered minutes before the registration closed down. The other two took a while to get settled and arrived too late. Not a big deal since the workshops don't start until tomorrow. After settling in, the group met up about 2 hours later for dinner at the hotel restaurant. For dinner, I had a $31 crabcake dinner.
Wednesday, April 16th
The only minor incident was me burning my white shirt with the hotel iron. Breakfast was at 8AM. The workshops began at 9AM. All day workshops on the philosophy and implementation of the literacy program. Our group ventured out of the hotel to have dinner at a seafood restaurant. Maryland is known for its seafood (I was told). I had a samon meal with rice. I was the only one to order dessert. I had chocolate cake a la mode.
Thursday, April 17th
Day 2 of all day workshops. More of the same. Since DTH and I finished early (our last workshop was for early elementary and the trainer didn't seem to eager to have us their. Even me telling her that our principal signed us up to be there didn't help. She just kept saying that we would not get anything out of it. DTH was not with me yet. Since the woman was so insistant, I left. Down the Hall found another workshop about intergrating technology into the literacy program. Nice idea, but very poorly executed. It was basically a couple of teachers that knew something about technology and using whiteboards. They really did not (in my opinion), show a clear understanding of the programs that they were suppose to be championing. Since we finished early, DTH and I went to the Reginald Lewis Black History Museum. A very big place, but not a very impressive museum(in my opinion).
After visiting the museum, I went shopping for a new camera at Best Buys. While I was in Best Buy, DTH went shopping at Filene's Basement. See the attached photo of my new camera(about $249 in total with the extras). Next, DTH and I went to Barnes and Noble. I bought a differentiated instruction reading book. After B & N, DTH and I had brickoven Chicago pizza. After the pizza, DTH wanted to look around the shops in the shopping center planning to go home. I wanted to walk off the pizza, so I decided to try to find the hostel that I would be staying at for the extension of my vacation. I'm finally getting the hang of this hyper linking. It was about a 30 minute walk through a less than great area. It was a bit of like walking though a poor town's version of 1970's 42nd street peep shows, bars, etc... A guy was being arrested right in front of me. On my way back, I called DTH. She was still in the shopping center. I was going to meet up with her, but my phone ran out of minutes. When I returned to the hotel, I went online to order more minutes for my phone. While online (right after getting my phone back on), the principal called. Her niece stopped by, so the P. wanted to go out for dinner. Even though I was still full from the pizza, since the P. called, I said yes. DTH said she was full and too tired to go. She has more backbone than I do. Dinner was at a famous seafood restaurant minus DTH. I was still full from the pizza, so I just had soup.
I attached a couple of photos I took while in Baltimore. The first is a photo of the hotel we stayed at. The second photo is the view I had from my hotel room.
It is late, so I will have to finish at another time, so...
Too be continued...
Completion Date - Wednesday, April 23rd 2:51AM
Post Date - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 3:23AM
Monday, April 14, 2008
Monday, April 14th
A last minute thing..."as usual".
Taxi to work. Phone call from AP1 last minute Professional Development (writing) during prep period. One of the teachers who will be attending the Baltimore 2-day workshop found out that we would have to pay for our train ticket (and be reimbursed at a later date). Then, I went to find out if that also applied to the waterfront hotel we would be staying at. And yes, I was told that although the reservations were made, we would have to pay. When the other teacher and I balked, and the principal returned to the building, she allayed our fears and we were told that we would not have to spend any of our money for the train tickets and the hotel.
After lunch, Cackler's mother made a surprise visit. Another "I'm tougher than you are" show in front of the class. And again, no change.
I spent the afternoon and evening cleaning up my desk and teacher area. I left school about 8:15PM.
I stopped at Target with a plan to buy a digital camera. Would you believe the clerk told me that they only had one camera left (a $249) camera. I passed. Oh, and my doctor was on the train ride into the Bronx.
Completion Date - Tuesday, April 15, 2008 4:19AM
Post Date - Monday, May 26, 2008 9:18PM
A last minute thing..."as usual".
Taxi to work. Phone call from AP1 last minute Professional Development (writing) during prep period. One of the teachers who will be attending the Baltimore 2-day workshop found out that we would have to pay for our train ticket (and be reimbursed at a later date). Then, I went to find out if that also applied to the waterfront hotel we would be staying at. And yes, I was told that although the reservations were made, we would have to pay. When the other teacher and I balked, and the principal returned to the building, she allayed our fears and we were told that we would not have to spend any of our money for the train tickets and the hotel.
After lunch, Cackler's mother made a surprise visit. Another "I'm tougher than you are" show in front of the class. And again, no change.
I spent the afternoon and evening cleaning up my desk and teacher area. I left school about 8:15PM.
I stopped at Target with a plan to buy a digital camera. Would you believe the clerk told me that they only had one camera left (a $249) camera. I passed. Oh, and my doctor was on the train ride into the Bronx.
Completion Date - Tuesday, April 15, 2008 4:19AM
Post Date - Monday, May 26, 2008 9:18PM
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sunday, April 13th
Quick blog entry. Saturday was another recuperative day. I slept most of the day away. I was in bed until 4PM. I did wake up about 7AM with the plan of going to the mall, but I was just too tired. So, Saturday was a bust.
Today, I was still feeling a bit tired, but I knew that I had to get up and out. Next week, I go to the professional development workshop in Baltimore Maryland. The tentative schedule is that we leave Tuesday afternoon. The other 2 teachers, and the principal, and I will be leaving from school about 12PM. The workshop is a two day event,with checkout from the hotel on Friday. Since I was getting basically a free trip to Baltimore, Maryland, I decided to make the most of it. I asked if my return ticket could be changed to Monday, April 21st. Spring Vacation starts on April 21st. (until April 25th).
Anyway, today I went to Target store (a last minute thing), to buy a cheap suit. My first suit in about 20 years. Yep, about 20 years since I last bought a suit. Unfortunately, the pickings were slim-pickings. I felt a bit uncomfortable trying on a suit. I had no idea what I was doing. 20 years ago, I was just starting out and it was suggested by my foster brother that I should have a suit, so I had his help buying my first suit. This time, I was on my own. I settled on a 46R charcoal jacket. I couldn't find a pair of slacks in my size in the same color, so I settled for black. Later, I notice why the Target suit was so cheap. All four of the outside pockets are fake. The suit had only one inside chest pocket. I was also planning to buy a couple of white shirts, but they had no white shirts. I also bought a garment bag, and underwear. I also bought the paperback book of "I am legend". Since I was going to be traveling with other teachers, I was feeling a bit self conscious about reading Star Trek while riding with other teachers, so I bought a book that would (I hope) not raise any eyebrows.
When I returned home, I did my laundry. Oh, and it was while I was returning from the laundry room, I noticed that I had lost my digital camera. I was a bit annoyed. I had been carrying around that camera in my jacket pocket for the last couple of weeks (always forgetting to take it out my pocket).
After the laundry, I started doing my lesson planning. Tomorrow will be a busy day for me. I will need to finish my lesson plans for the sub who will be covering my class while I am in Baltimore. I also need to clean up my desk area, so the sub will be able to find what he or she needs. I also will need to make all of my photocopies for the week (including homework and classwork). I will need to write down some information for the sub (routines, procedures, etc...). Next, I want to stop off at Target store to buy another digital camera for my trip Tuesday.
I better go. This blog is long enough. And I still have to type up my homework sheet.
Completion Date - Sunday, April 13, 2008 11:46PM
Post Date - Monday, May 26, 2008 12:48AM
Quick blog entry. Saturday was another recuperative day. I slept most of the day away. I was in bed until 4PM. I did wake up about 7AM with the plan of going to the mall, but I was just too tired. So, Saturday was a bust.
Today, I was still feeling a bit tired, but I knew that I had to get up and out. Next week, I go to the professional development workshop in Baltimore Maryland. The tentative schedule is that we leave Tuesday afternoon. The other 2 teachers, and the principal, and I will be leaving from school about 12PM. The workshop is a two day event,with checkout from the hotel on Friday. Since I was getting basically a free trip to Baltimore, Maryland, I decided to make the most of it. I asked if my return ticket could be changed to Monday, April 21st. Spring Vacation starts on April 21st. (until April 25th).
Anyway, today I went to Target store (a last minute thing), to buy a cheap suit. My first suit in about 20 years. Yep, about 20 years since I last bought a suit. Unfortunately, the pickings were slim-pickings. I felt a bit uncomfortable trying on a suit. I had no idea what I was doing. 20 years ago, I was just starting out and it was suggested by my foster brother that I should have a suit, so I had his help buying my first suit. This time, I was on my own. I settled on a 46R charcoal jacket. I couldn't find a pair of slacks in my size in the same color, so I settled for black. Later, I notice why the Target suit was so cheap. All four of the outside pockets are fake. The suit had only one inside chest pocket. I was also planning to buy a couple of white shirts, but they had no white shirts. I also bought a garment bag, and underwear. I also bought the paperback book of "I am legend". Since I was going to be traveling with other teachers, I was feeling a bit self conscious about reading Star Trek while riding with other teachers, so I bought a book that would (I hope) not raise any eyebrows.
When I returned home, I did my laundry. Oh, and it was while I was returning from the laundry room, I noticed that I had lost my digital camera. I was a bit annoyed. I had been carrying around that camera in my jacket pocket for the last couple of weeks (always forgetting to take it out my pocket).
After the laundry, I started doing my lesson planning. Tomorrow will be a busy day for me. I will need to finish my lesson plans for the sub who will be covering my class while I am in Baltimore. I also need to clean up my desk area, so the sub will be able to find what he or she needs. I also will need to make all of my photocopies for the week (including homework and classwork). I will need to write down some information for the sub (routines, procedures, etc...). Next, I want to stop off at Target store to buy another digital camera for my trip Tuesday.
I better go. This blog is long enough. And I still have to type up my homework sheet.
Completion Date - Sunday, April 13, 2008 11:46PM
Post Date - Monday, May 26, 2008 12:48AM
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 10th
Quick catch up.
The lower elementary classes were scheduled by AP2 to go to the Bronx Zoo. The trip was okay. I took about 10 of my kids to the zoo. Everything was going well until the end of the trip. I had to go to the bathroom, but since I did not have parent volunteers to watch the kids, and since the zoo bathrooms had kids running in and out, I decided to "hold it in".
Upset stomach with minutes from having a new "potty nickname".
New picture retakes on Friday, for the sixth graders and faculty will be offered a free sitting.
Today (Thursday), a brief shouting match with DQ who felt she was wronged because I had said yesterday that no homework meant no recess time. She did her homework, but it was sloppy, incorrect, and incomplete.
I got out of the building at 7PM, home at about 8PM, I fell asleep while typing an email for DQ's mother. Yes, the one I had the meeting with about a week ago.
Post Date - Monday, May 26, 2008 12:41PM
Quick catch up.
The lower elementary classes were scheduled by AP2 to go to the Bronx Zoo. The trip was okay. I took about 10 of my kids to the zoo. Everything was going well until the end of the trip. I had to go to the bathroom, but since I did not have parent volunteers to watch the kids, and since the zoo bathrooms had kids running in and out, I decided to "hold it in".
Upset stomach with minutes from having a new "potty nickname".
New picture retakes on Friday, for the sixth graders and faculty will be offered a free sitting.
Today (Thursday), a brief shouting match with DQ who felt she was wronged because I had said yesterday that no homework meant no recess time. She did her homework, but it was sloppy, incorrect, and incomplete.
I got out of the building at 7PM, home at about 8PM, I fell asleep while typing an email for DQ's mother. Yes, the one I had the meeting with about a week ago.
Post Date - Monday, May 26, 2008 12:41PM
Monday, April 07, 2008
Today started a bit rough, but later it turned out okay. My day started about 6:20AM. Another weekend with me waiting until the last...very last minute to try to throw together a lesson plan and homework sheet, but I just couldn't focus. So by 2AM, I gave up. I finally went to bed about 3:15AM. Since I was tired, I had to drag myself out of bed. I knew I would miss my regular train...again, so I had to take a taxi from the Bronx to work. That put me in a bad mood. Then, when my work day started, one of the 4th grade teachers didn't show up, so her class was broken up. That annoyed me. I know people have emergencies, and valid reasons for not coming to work. But, it seems like every other day someone is calling in sick and leaving kids with me. Anyway, I ended up with one the the most problemed kid. He wasted no time in spreading negativity and animosity. The first three periods was nothing but, "You stink", You stupid", and other thuggish behavior. From one table to the next. After the Literacy Block -- Since the 4th grade teacher was absent, I had to keep my kids who would normally go to her, and her "me, me" kid. But I got lucky, on the way from dropping off my class to the computer lab (the computer teacher was absent on Friday messing up my easy day). Anyway, AP1 was in the hallway, and took one look at me, and immediately asked what was wrong. At the time, she assumed that I was having a difficult day. She even offered to take the "me me" kid. I was now happy. Actually, I was just tired from having 3 hours of sleep. But the "me me" kid was just gasoline on the fire. After "me me" was gone, my day became "relatively speaking" better.
The rest of the day was okay. At 3 was the monthly faculty meeting. A couple of new assessment tests coming up means the literacy block would be canceled for two days (Wednesday and next Monday). The faculty meeting ended with a video summary of "the Spanish" teacher taking pictures of a conference (he and a few other teachers and administrators) attended in New Orleans and places they went to during the conference(including restaurants and stores). Since the faculty conference is (according to the teacher's contract) supposed to end at 4PM, teachers started leaving at 4PM, so the teacher turned off the video.
After the faculty conference, I took a plate of food that was offered to me to Ms. Across the Hall. The aunt of one of my students cooked some food for my student's brother's class, and that teacher sent me some of the food. I was happy to have the food, but she sent it via the brother who is a bit wild and disruptive (and who likes hanging around the halls). Let's just say that I got a bit paranoid, so I did not want the food. I offered the food to Ms. Across the Hall -- yes, I did explain my concerns about the food, but Ms. Across the Hall thought I was just being paranoid. I was glad she took the food, because I hate throwing away food. Good food at that!
Since it was my foster father's birthday -- he is now 74, but gets around like a 50 year old. His daily routines have barely changed. Amazing! Anyway, I wrapped his gift (a summer bathrobe, a couple of pajama pants, and under garments), and was out of the building by 5:45PM. I stopped off at the regional drug store/variety store chains to buy a card(I also added a $25 gift card to his card).
After my birthday greeting visit, I headed home picking up a dinner from the soul food restaurant owned by Koreans. Giving away that dinner to Ms. ATH gave me a taste for a soul food dinner.
I returned home about 8PM. After eating my dinner, I tired to do a blog entry, but I was out like a light in a matter of minutes. Luckily, today (it is now 5:31AM) is trip day (grades K~3 are going to the Bronx Zoo, and grades 4~6 are going to a musical performance.
Oh. Before I left the building, I asked the secretary("business manager") in charge of arranging the trip to Baltimore, if he could changed my return train ticket for a few days later. On top of having an ulterior motive for staying in Baltimore longer, I realized that this would be my best hope for doing something during the vacation time other than sitting home (and sleeping)waiting for the vacation to end and worrying about returning to school. So if the business manager can change the ticket (he said that he had to get the Principal's approval), I will stay in Baltimore for a few days doing touristy things.
Completion Date - Tuesday, April 8, 2008 5:42AM
Post Date - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:14AM
The rest of the day was okay. At 3 was the monthly faculty meeting. A couple of new assessment tests coming up means the literacy block would be canceled for two days (Wednesday and next Monday). The faculty meeting ended with a video summary of "the Spanish" teacher taking pictures of a conference (he and a few other teachers and administrators) attended in New Orleans and places they went to during the conference(including restaurants and stores). Since the faculty conference is (according to the teacher's contract) supposed to end at 4PM, teachers started leaving at 4PM, so the teacher turned off the video.
After the faculty conference, I took a plate of food that was offered to me to Ms. Across the Hall. The aunt of one of my students cooked some food for my student's brother's class, and that teacher sent me some of the food. I was happy to have the food, but she sent it via the brother who is a bit wild and disruptive (and who likes hanging around the halls). Let's just say that I got a bit paranoid, so I did not want the food. I offered the food to Ms. Across the Hall -- yes, I did explain my concerns about the food, but Ms. Across the Hall thought I was just being paranoid. I was glad she took the food, because I hate throwing away food. Good food at that!
Since it was my foster father's birthday -- he is now 74, but gets around like a 50 year old. His daily routines have barely changed. Amazing! Anyway, I wrapped his gift (a summer bathrobe, a couple of pajama pants, and under garments), and was out of the building by 5:45PM. I stopped off at the regional drug store/variety store chains to buy a card(I also added a $25 gift card to his card).
After my birthday greeting visit, I headed home picking up a dinner from the soul food restaurant owned by Koreans. Giving away that dinner to Ms. ATH gave me a taste for a soul food dinner.
I returned home about 8PM. After eating my dinner, I tired to do a blog entry, but I was out like a light in a matter of minutes. Luckily, today (it is now 5:31AM) is trip day (grades K~3 are going to the Bronx Zoo, and grades 4~6 are going to a musical performance.
Oh. Before I left the building, I asked the secretary("business manager") in charge of arranging the trip to Baltimore, if he could changed my return train ticket for a few days later. On top of having an ulterior motive for staying in Baltimore longer, I realized that this would be my best hope for doing something during the vacation time other than sitting home (and sleeping)waiting for the vacation to end and worrying about returning to school. So if the business manager can change the ticket (he said that he had to get the Principal's approval), I will stay in Baltimore for a few days doing touristy things.
Completion Date - Tuesday, April 8, 2008 5:42AM
Post Date - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:14AM
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Normally, I would be waiting until my draft folder was empty, but I'm in a good mood. I haven't posted for the last few weeks because I was sick of the repetitive boredom of my life, but that might be about to change. Today I met a new epal. I went against my usual rules about age limits and avoidance of last minute plans. I agreed to see a movie on an impulse with a complete stranger. I had a very good time. I arrived about 30 minutes late(due to an almost comical set of events), my epal was already in the theater. Since I came that long way, I decided to go see the movie by myself. Guess where I ended up sitting?
Right next to my epal.
I will write more in another blog, but now my dinner in the microwave is done, and I have prep for tomorrow.
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Friday, April 4, 2008
Waste of time. A real waste of time. That would be the title of this blog entry if it had titled entries.
First, I have not been blogging for a while. As the days turned into weeks, I noticed the incredible similarities (and repetition) between the blogs that I had in my draft folder, and blog entries that were yet to be written. Also, I continue to allow my job to suck the life out of me. Also, my meeting with Drama Queen's (step) mother gave me the idea for the title.
Below are a couple of emails that were sent to DQ's mother recently:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FIRST EMAIL
Hello Ms. D.,
I hope your weekend was a pleasant one. I'm just writing to let you know about DQ's progress. I think she could be doing much better, but I think she has gotten too comfortable with seeing school and class time as her play time. Today (Monday, March 24th), I finally had enough of the disruptive playing and sent her out of the room. Every few minutes, there was some kind of distraction with DQ. When I asked her to stop, then I would get the "Okaaay"(with a smile on her face), only to have another couple of minutes of her doing the same (or similar) thing. Followed by another "okaaay". A couple of minutes later, DQ is whispering for Cackler across the room. Again, "Okaaay"(smiling). Ten minutes with her hand up, wanting water (I wanted the math assignment finished). Besides, when one asks, then 7 to 10 will do the same. My rule is before the lesson or after but not during. Then I get DQ's "why" questions (smiling) knowing the girl who got water did it when my back was turned without permission. Then it was DQ leaning back relaxed commenting (out loud) how easy the assignment was, and that she was finished. When I checked, she did not complete the lettering which needed a fraction and decimal equivalent. Then it was "oh, I didn't understand that part. Then it was, "Oh, I need help". Then, back to the cross the room conversations and invitations for Cackler to "come" (talk) to her. Then back to the "Okaaay"(smiling). Since DQ seems to respect her second grade teacher more, I sent her to Ms. S's room.
Please speak to DQ about taking her work more seriously. Too often, DQ looks for short-cuts. She rushes through her assignments, at times putting anything thing down. During computer lab, while checking homework, DQ had submitted a very rushed (incomplete assignment). By the time she completed the homework correctly, the 45 minute period was finished. Then, she switched to her "Drama" mode. She got upset that someone was in her chair.
I've attached a progress report. Sorry, it is not as complete as it could be, but hopefully it will give you some idea of DQ's progress.
Again, any questions, or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask.
Regards,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SECOND EMAIL (A week later)
Hello Ms. D.,
I hope your evening is a pleasant one. I am sorry to be sending another email so soon, but DQ's behavior continues as stated in the previous email.
I hope you don't mind if I write abbreviations (from my annotated notes). I've had a long day, I really don't want to sit at my computer this evening trying to compose a detailed report of DQ's behavior. DQ mentioned to me (smiling) that you read the last email, but did not say anything to her. DQ is getting too comfortable with being rude and disrespectful. Please understand that if she continues, when school trips come up, I won't be able to take her along, nor will she be allow to attend extracurricular activities.
Below is just a few of the annotated notes that I took. Please speak to DQ about respectful behavior towards adults, and the importance of her school work, and the effect of her behavior on others.
March 26th
* DQ (after arriving late) 8:15 began conversations with Cackler and then with Princess Beady. Her response, "okay, okay". When asked to stop with the smiling "okays", "What do you want me to say?". She should have been working, not conversing.
March 27th
* After several "giggling" episodes during the P.E./Health teacher's lesson, DQ's response, "My mom gave me Red Bull so I can't stop laughing".
* Later in the afternoon when I mentioned that you must not have read the email, it was at that time, DQ mentioned (smiling) that you read the email, but didn't say anything.
* Moments later, DQ continued as I was writing down her comments, "My mother's not going to do anything". Then continued talking at her table mentioning that "she (you) are her stepmother". When I mention that I could hear what she was saying. Her comment to me was, "I wasn't talking to you".
I'm sure DQ was not raised to speak to her teacher (or any adult) the way she seems to feel she can. I already sent DQ out of the room when she was being disrespectful. I was trying to not create a pattern this time, but I can't have a student speaking to me like that. As I mentioned above, if DQ can't show a bit more respect for me, I will not take her on (or allow her to participate) in any extra-curricular activities.
Please speak to DQ about her attitude and behavior. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Regards,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the last email, it took the stepmother about two days to call "acknowledging the emails"(according to her). On the phone she had said that she could not reply sooner because her computer was broken. During the phone call, the stepmother wanted to meet to discuss DQ. She wanted to meet during the lunch period.
Well, she did show up. Five minutes into the meeting, her cellphone went off. And again about five minutes later the cellphone went off again. She apologized and mentioned that that was the reason for not replying to the emails. She said that she just got the new cell/PDA and was having difficulty learning the features. Originally, my plan was to cite further examples of DQ's rude and disrespectful behavior, but something in my gut told me it would be just a waste of time. If those emails didn't rattle her cage (and it didn't), then there was no point in wasting my time. So according to the stepmother, DQ is an only child who (she admits) "likes to manipulates others". And "since she is an only child is spoiled raised by a single mother". As recently as a couple of weeks ago, DQ received a $1,000 puppy. The meeting ended with the same threats -- including the "one more bad report and you don't go to the Dominican Republic". The same threat used several "bad reports ago". The meeting ended with the stepmother taking DQ home. She did not give a reason, but my gut feeling was that they would be doing some "bonding activity". Since DQ was unusually quiet, I got the impression that she was told to keep her mouth shut and look contrite. The next day, DQ was a bit reserved, but the behavior was basically the same. I told DQ her body language was telling me more than she (or her stepmother) wanted me to know. The giggling, playing and laughing told me that some kind of bribe for good behavior was in play. Usually, when a student has been "in trouble" they don't come in the very next day laughing and socializing after mom taking off from work. However, I could be wrong.
On the way out, I mentioned that the school aid in charge during the lunch period wanted to speak to her, the mother mentioned that she couldn't because she was doubled parked.
Oh, I almost forgot. The "official" school photos arrived. Problem? First, the teachers did not receive the usually complimentary portrait shot. I don't like having my picture taken, so that was not a big deal. However, I was a bit annoyed that teachers did not receive a complimentary class photo. I mean really, how much would it cost to print a copy of the class photo for the teachers. Or, if the cost is too expensive, then the company hired should have offered teachers the option of buying a class photo. I would have paid for the class photo. I guess faith is sending me subtle messages. Last school year, since I did not choose to have a portrait taken, I missed the opportunity to have a class photo. This year, the company hired was too cheap to provide one. Oh and another thing. Ms. Across the Hall had 2 or 3 students who had my class photo in their package. And one of her kid's photo pack was in my class set. So what did the kids get? The only offer was a $25 flat fee for a variety of sizes. Wow.
Completion Date - Sunday, April 6, 2008 4:20AM
Post Date - Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:33PM
Right next to my epal.
I will write more in another blog, but now my dinner in the microwave is done, and I have prep for tomorrow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, April 4, 2008
Waste of time. A real waste of time. That would be the title of this blog entry if it had titled entries.
First, I have not been blogging for a while. As the days turned into weeks, I noticed the incredible similarities (and repetition) between the blogs that I had in my draft folder, and blog entries that were yet to be written. Also, I continue to allow my job to suck the life out of me. Also, my meeting with Drama Queen's (step) mother gave me the idea for the title.
Below are a couple of emails that were sent to DQ's mother recently:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FIRST EMAIL
Hello Ms. D.,
I hope your weekend was a pleasant one. I'm just writing to let you know about DQ's progress. I think she could be doing much better, but I think she has gotten too comfortable with seeing school and class time as her play time. Today (Monday, March 24th), I finally had enough of the disruptive playing and sent her out of the room. Every few minutes, there was some kind of distraction with DQ. When I asked her to stop, then I would get the "Okaaay"(with a smile on her face), only to have another couple of minutes of her doing the same (or similar) thing. Followed by another "okaaay". A couple of minutes later, DQ is whispering for Cackler across the room. Again, "Okaaay"(smiling). Ten minutes with her hand up, wanting water (I wanted the math assignment finished). Besides, when one asks, then 7 to 10 will do the same. My rule is before the lesson or after but not during. Then I get DQ's "why" questions (smiling) knowing the girl who got water did it when my back was turned without permission. Then it was DQ leaning back relaxed commenting (out loud) how easy the assignment was, and that she was finished. When I checked, she did not complete the lettering which needed a fraction and decimal equivalent. Then it was "oh, I didn't understand that part. Then it was, "Oh, I need help". Then, back to the cross the room conversations and invitations for Cackler to "come" (talk) to her. Then back to the "Okaaay"(smiling). Since DQ seems to respect her second grade teacher more, I sent her to Ms. S's room.
Please speak to DQ about taking her work more seriously. Too often, DQ looks for short-cuts. She rushes through her assignments, at times putting anything thing down. During computer lab, while checking homework, DQ had submitted a very rushed (incomplete assignment). By the time she completed the homework correctly, the 45 minute period was finished. Then, she switched to her "Drama" mode. She got upset that someone was in her chair.
I've attached a progress report. Sorry, it is not as complete as it could be, but hopefully it will give you some idea of DQ's progress.
Again, any questions, or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask.
Regards,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SECOND EMAIL (A week later)
Hello Ms. D.,
I hope your evening is a pleasant one. I am sorry to be sending another email so soon, but DQ's behavior continues as stated in the previous email.
I hope you don't mind if I write abbreviations (from my annotated notes). I've had a long day, I really don't want to sit at my computer this evening trying to compose a detailed report of DQ's behavior. DQ mentioned to me (smiling) that you read the last email, but did not say anything to her. DQ is getting too comfortable with being rude and disrespectful. Please understand that if she continues, when school trips come up, I won't be able to take her along, nor will she be allow to attend extracurricular activities.
Below is just a few of the annotated notes that I took. Please speak to DQ about respectful behavior towards adults, and the importance of her school work, and the effect of her behavior on others.
March 26th
* DQ (after arriving late) 8:15 began conversations with Cackler and then with Princess Beady. Her response, "okay, okay". When asked to stop with the smiling "okays", "What do you want me to say?". She should have been working, not conversing.
March 27th
* After several "giggling" episodes during the P.E./Health teacher's lesson, DQ's response, "My mom gave me Red Bull so I can't stop laughing".
* Later in the afternoon when I mentioned that you must not have read the email, it was at that time, DQ mentioned (smiling) that you read the email, but didn't say anything.
* Moments later, DQ continued as I was writing down her comments, "My mother's not going to do anything". Then continued talking at her table mentioning that "she (you) are her stepmother". When I mention that I could hear what she was saying. Her comment to me was, "I wasn't talking to you".
I'm sure DQ was not raised to speak to her teacher (or any adult) the way she seems to feel she can. I already sent DQ out of the room when she was being disrespectful. I was trying to not create a pattern this time, but I can't have a student speaking to me like that. As I mentioned above, if DQ can't show a bit more respect for me, I will not take her on (or allow her to participate) in any extra-curricular activities.
Please speak to DQ about her attitude and behavior. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Regards,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the last email, it took the stepmother about two days to call "acknowledging the emails"(according to her). On the phone she had said that she could not reply sooner because her computer was broken. During the phone call, the stepmother wanted to meet to discuss DQ. She wanted to meet during the lunch period.
Well, she did show up. Five minutes into the meeting, her cellphone went off. And again about five minutes later the cellphone went off again. She apologized and mentioned that that was the reason for not replying to the emails. She said that she just got the new cell/PDA and was having difficulty learning the features. Originally, my plan was to cite further examples of DQ's rude and disrespectful behavior, but something in my gut told me it would be just a waste of time. If those emails didn't rattle her cage (and it didn't), then there was no point in wasting my time. So according to the stepmother, DQ is an only child who (she admits) "likes to manipulates others". And "since she is an only child is spoiled raised by a single mother". As recently as a couple of weeks ago, DQ received a $1,000 puppy. The meeting ended with the same threats -- including the "one more bad report and you don't go to the Dominican Republic". The same threat used several "bad reports ago". The meeting ended with the stepmother taking DQ home. She did not give a reason, but my gut feeling was that they would be doing some "bonding activity". Since DQ was unusually quiet, I got the impression that she was told to keep her mouth shut and look contrite. The next day, DQ was a bit reserved, but the behavior was basically the same. I told DQ her body language was telling me more than she (or her stepmother) wanted me to know. The giggling, playing and laughing told me that some kind of bribe for good behavior was in play. Usually, when a student has been "in trouble" they don't come in the very next day laughing and socializing after mom taking off from work. However, I could be wrong.
On the way out, I mentioned that the school aid in charge during the lunch period wanted to speak to her, the mother mentioned that she couldn't because she was doubled parked.
Oh, I almost forgot. The "official" school photos arrived. Problem? First, the teachers did not receive the usually complimentary portrait shot. I don't like having my picture taken, so that was not a big deal. However, I was a bit annoyed that teachers did not receive a complimentary class photo. I mean really, how much would it cost to print a copy of the class photo for the teachers. Or, if the cost is too expensive, then the company hired should have offered teachers the option of buying a class photo. I would have paid for the class photo. I guess faith is sending me subtle messages. Last school year, since I did not choose to have a portrait taken, I missed the opportunity to have a class photo. This year, the company hired was too cheap to provide one. Oh and another thing. Ms. Across the Hall had 2 or 3 students who had my class photo in their package. And one of her kid's photo pack was in my class set. So what did the kids get? The only offer was a $25 flat fee for a variety of sizes. Wow.
Completion Date - Sunday, April 6, 2008 4:20AM
Post Date - Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:33PM
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