Updates

Fine Line Today a student's parents sent a cousin (adult) to check up on the student's report card with the teachers. I tired to be as accurate as possible with what was going on with that student in my classroom. But no matter what I said, the cousin seemed to twist it and blow it way out of proportion, making the student sound horrible, when really this student is among my brightest and favorites. After the mini-conference, the student was obviously very upset and so was I at the response of the cousin. I was worried about what the cousin would say to the parents and the effect that would have on the student so I told the student that I would call home after school to talk directly to the parents to try to clear things up. I started the conversation with "I talked to the cousin and I think she got the wrong impression, she seemed to blow things way out of proportion" but no luck. All I got in return is some, "I don't know what you do but you teachers should..." crap. The mom was just about the same as the cousin. Hard tones. Almost shouting at me that I should have called earlier if there were any problems. But I did call! She says, "You didn't talk to no one in this house about [student]!" Oh, I keep records! And I could hear in the background the dad sheepishly said, "I did talk to her." I get so frustrated with parents. There is just no telling what they will do or how they will react. There are some parents that you have to complain and complain for them to even lift a brow towards the child and their behavior and then there are parents like today who will make their children suffer. I guess this is why I have great thoughts of calling parents during the school day but when I get home to actually call, I sit around doing other things, not wanting to ruin my mood with parents' issues. Other School News I found out at the staff meeting today that I am not going to teach tomorrow. I'm glad someone told me the news! I'm going to spend the day with 3 other staff members planing the advisory curriculum for the next several months. It is a mixed blessing. On one hand, a neighbor teacher said I should take a sick day since I've been feeling tired and run down lately (not entirely caused by school). On the other hand, 4 of my classes were supposed to have a test on Friday, 2 of the classes still will, the other 2 (the geo's) will be postponed. Old Testament Grant's bible class is having a huge history test tomorrow so he is busy with our neighbor, Judith, studying away. It is rare that I see him study so much at night. If fact it is often very hard for me to see the work that he does. This makes both of us frustrated. To the Alma Alumni You would all be so proud of me. Just last week a fellow teacher and I started the Castle Adventure Club. (castle is for castlemont, the high school I work at). Our first project is a fundraiser: Halloween CandyGrams. I'm not sure what the first trip will be. A walk in the park? Indoor climbing? Golden Gate Bridge? Mt. Tam? We'll see.