Mama said there would be days like this

Today, definitely qualified as a "MONDAY." The trouble started with a 7:30 call over the intercom for me. Ever since my first year of teaching I have hated to hear my name called over the intercom. In my first year it never meant anything good! So of course, I started reviewing in my head everything that had happened on Friday and breathed a huge sigh of relief when I found out that it was only an IEP meeting. However, that put me about 10 minutes late in getting back to my class. When I did arrive, I was greeted by a wall full of students waiting patiently but one of them had untreated ringworm. Yikes! "Off to the nurse with you." She was sent back to class with bandaids and all the while, I'm thinking..."Isn't it contagious? Doesn't she need to go home?" So I went and straightened that out with the nurse and got the child sent on home and then the day seemed to get a little smoother. At the end of the day, our parent coordinator stopped me in the hall and delivered some really bad news. I have a student that arrived in October and was incredibly low. This student could barely read and was incredibly far behind in Math. This student barely communicated in any way. I have been working hard to get this student the help he/she needs and he/she finally got picked up by our Reading Recovery teacher for one on one help. He/She is finally showing progress in reading and is finally communicating in full sentences. I've been excited to see positive things happening for this student. But our parent coordinator told me today that the mother had decided that they are pulling up and going back to where they came from TOMORROW. No closure for this painfully shy child. Rug ripped out! No chance to finish the year on a positive note! I'm frustrated and disappointed for this student and praying for a change of heart and a whole bunch of wisdom for his/her mother.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Testing time - it's the most wonderful time of the year! (note the hint of sarcasm in my voice) I had to post this e-mail my principal sent out this morning. I started reading it and thought, "These are just scandolous enough to be real suggestions" and then I read a little further along and realized that it was a big joke. If you are a teacher, they'll make you laugh because you know the element of truth within them.

Severe Weather Testing Protocols

Happy Birthday! Cha, Cha, Cha

I think my kids were more excited about my birthday than I was. Yesterday, a couple of them actually suggested that I should take the day off! :) This morning, they were popping into the room excitedly with birthday wishes on their lips. One of my students went out into his garden and picked some flowers for me and brought them in a vase...no dandelions for me this year. One of the flowers opened wide in the light and closed up when I turned the light off so of course, that added to the mystique and excitement of the day. They sang "Happy Birthday" and guessed my age and they just couldn't stop talking! Just to prove I'm not too old, at recess I picked up the jump rope and had some skipping contests with them. Took me right back to my K.A. days. I ended the day by enjoying a free hockey game with my friends Jen and Leonard. Good times!