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:

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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,

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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,

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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