This Mama Cat is curious. And getting curiouser.
The Howler announced this morning, while getting her shoes on to head to school, that she needed to bring pencils today. "Miss 3rd Grade Teacher Thang said that there are no more pencils." And Mama is all "Say what?!"
Oh, not because it's unusual--our district is actually fairly unusual in that it still provides all that school supply stuff for the kids. At least at the elementary level, but because our district does unusually provide those things, I'm surprised that this is what the Howler is saying. I can remember (yes, even that far back!) being in elementary school and the teacher telling us that pencils aren't an unlimited supply and that we need to turn in a stub of a pencil to get a new one (teaches responsibility and keeps ya from spending all day wandering over to the sharpener 'just cuz') but to say that there are absolutely no more pencils coming from the district? (and for the record, I don't have a problem sending pencils in with the Howler. I'm so polluted with pencils I'll send 'em for the entire 3rd grade if they need 'em.)
I'm seriously starting to think that Miss Thang is a tyrant. Who thinks that misrepresenting reality is the best way to endear herself to future generations. God Help Us.
Good thing my boots are now all shiny and ready to go.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Updated--Pointy Boots Still On Hold
While I was at the school for a PTA fundraising thing yesterday, and as I was leaving, I ran into the guidance counsellor. I will remind you that I don't hold guidance counsellors in much higher esteem than I do bad teachers--my personal experience with most of them is that they became guidance counsellors because they are crappy people who need help themselves, so they thought they'd do best in helping to make more screwed up people like themselves, and actually being a counsellor of any kind would expose them to being sued when they screwed up adults.
But.. Anyway...
The one at the Howler's school seems genuinely concerned for the students. And I've talked with her about some of what happens in our neighborhood--the Urchins situation, and Damien's penchant for hacking up moles with plastic hoes.
I ran into her as I was leaving, and asked if she had a minute. She did, so I asked that we go to her office. (We were exactly outside the Howler's classroom, too) We talked about what's been happening in the Howler's room, and I told her what the Howler said, and without naming anyone, that another adult whom I trust had overheard another child from the Howler's room telling their parent the exact same thing the Howler said. I told her that it was my opinion that Miss Thang did too tell the children that they would be silent from their arrival at school to their dismissal from school until the end of the year.
My concerns are two-fold: First and foremost, if Miss Thang was that upset, stressed, or disturbed by what was going on with those children, she should NOT have been in that classroom. She did not have control of herself, or that classroom Wednesday afternoon. Whatever she and the principal had determined would be the course of action wasn't enough for her--and it should have been. She wasn't in control of herself then, and it can and probably will happen again.
Second, she's been back from maternity for one month. These children have 4 months of experience that she is not part of. They have a group dynamic that she has not been involved in. The 6 weeks from September & October, and the 4 weeks since the end of February is not enough time for her to have learned who they are as individuals and as a group. IF the inappropriate language, gestures, and hurtful actions/words have been on-going throughout the year, then OK, it's this particular group gone 3rd grade bad. BUT if it's just been seen, or escalating since her return, THEN it's time to take a look at how she is acting/reacting to the children, especially as a group, and evaluate if there's something she's doing or saying that is causing them to react this way. (Not that it makes the behaviors okay, but it would explain WHY it's became this ugly)
The Howler, for the most part, enjoys school, and isn't having any major problems academically, or socially. (Which brings me to a lesser question: we just had conferences, WHY wasn't this crap mentioned then...and if I didn't bring it up, WHY didn't she?) I don't want to see this year become a Hell Year, from which we will date all on-going problems with authority, learning, blah blah blah.
If Miss Thang doesn't realize that it's not realistic to come into a classroom after being not-there (no matter how valid the reason) for 4 months--fully 1/2 the year!!--and begin trying to force "her way" on the people there, then it's time for a Free Clue.
Seriously. I work retail, and with the store manager changes we've seen, the ones that get the best response from people in general, are the managers who take their time looking around, observing the group dynamic, determining where changes truly need to be made, then implementing those changes in a calm, reasonable, realistic manner. (The Weasel didn't do that, and it took him fully 2 years to gain any kind of respect from us--and we're adults! I can only imagine that these children, much like hyenas sensing weakness in their prey, are chewing this New Girl Teacher to shreds on a daily basis. They instinctively sense her weak spots and are hammering away on them.)
Mostly, I just want this year over. I want the Howler unscathed. As much as I enjoy a good Righteous Ass Kicking (not my ass, of course), I'd really rather not have to be bothered.
But.. Anyway...
The one at the Howler's school seems genuinely concerned for the students. And I've talked with her about some of what happens in our neighborhood--the Urchins situation, and Damien's penchant for hacking up moles with plastic hoes.
I ran into her as I was leaving, and asked if she had a minute. She did, so I asked that we go to her office. (We were exactly outside the Howler's classroom, too) We talked about what's been happening in the Howler's room, and I told her what the Howler said, and without naming anyone, that another adult whom I trust had overheard another child from the Howler's room telling their parent the exact same thing the Howler said. I told her that it was my opinion that Miss Thang did too tell the children that they would be silent from their arrival at school to their dismissal from school until the end of the year.
My concerns are two-fold: First and foremost, if Miss Thang was that upset, stressed, or disturbed by what was going on with those children, she should NOT have been in that classroom. She did not have control of herself, or that classroom Wednesday afternoon. Whatever she and the principal had determined would be the course of action wasn't enough for her--and it should have been. She wasn't in control of herself then, and it can and probably will happen again.
Second, she's been back from maternity for one month. These children have 4 months of experience that she is not part of. They have a group dynamic that she has not been involved in. The 6 weeks from September & October, and the 4 weeks since the end of February is not enough time for her to have learned who they are as individuals and as a group. IF the inappropriate language, gestures, and hurtful actions/words have been on-going throughout the year, then OK, it's this particular group gone 3rd grade bad. BUT if it's just been seen, or escalating since her return, THEN it's time to take a look at how she is acting/reacting to the children, especially as a group, and evaluate if there's something she's doing or saying that is causing them to react this way. (Not that it makes the behaviors okay, but it would explain WHY it's became this ugly)
The Howler, for the most part, enjoys school, and isn't having any major problems academically, or socially. (Which brings me to a lesser question: we just had conferences, WHY wasn't this crap mentioned then...and if I didn't bring it up, WHY didn't she?) I don't want to see this year become a Hell Year, from which we will date all on-going problems with authority, learning, blah blah blah.
If Miss Thang doesn't realize that it's not realistic to come into a classroom after being not-there (no matter how valid the reason) for 4 months--fully 1/2 the year!!--and begin trying to force "her way" on the people there, then it's time for a Free Clue.
Seriously. I work retail, and with the store manager changes we've seen, the ones that get the best response from people in general, are the managers who take their time looking around, observing the group dynamic, determining where changes truly need to be made, then implementing those changes in a calm, reasonable, realistic manner. (The Weasel didn't do that, and it took him fully 2 years to gain any kind of respect from us--and we're adults! I can only imagine that these children, much like hyenas sensing weakness in their prey, are chewing this New Girl Teacher to shreds on a daily basis. They instinctively sense her weak spots and are hammering away on them.)
Mostly, I just want this year over. I want the Howler unscathed. As much as I enjoy a good Righteous Ass Kicking (not my ass, of course), I'd really rather not have to be bothered.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Magic 8 Ball Is Never Wrong
Kinda. I started a post earlier today about how I respect teachers in general, and how I especially respect and stand in awe of excellent teachers...but how a few bad nutbar people ruin it for everyone.
I've decided to go through with the post. Mostly because the thing has my teeth on edge, and my back up. I'm looking for some college educated ass to kick. At the Howler's school.
This year has been a year of disappoint for us. She was supposed to have this awesomely fantastic teacher, who bailed out of our school for a district closer to where he lives. Which I can understand, but can I still just say, "You couldn't have waited ONE more freaking year? Seriously!" Instead she got this replacement. Adorable young thing, I assume she's just a year or so out of college. It's unclear whether or not this is her first year with her very own classroom.
I'm not impressed. First, she got the job while she was, I kid you not, 7 months pregnant. Knowing full well that she would miss fully half the year, she got the job. And the contingency plan was just flat out Slacker. I know me some slacker when I see it, and this chicklet was it. So, I'm totally 100% dead on with lack-of-impressiveness when it comes to teachers this year.
Anyway, the one who had a baby has been back a month. There were very few behavorial problems--and believe me, the Howler is more than willing to rat out every one of those nasty OPK in her class. She even managed to rat herself out more than once, but there were no major traumas going on with the Slacker.
But this woman? She's back just about 30 days now, and WOW! There's a nasty little incident with 2 boys smashing a playdoh person they made and named...and the principal arrived in the classroom to discuss how the children should handle a situation where they don't want to be friends with someone. AFTER the principal leaves, this woman tells the children that for the remainder of the year, there will be absolutely NO TALKING during the school day, unless you are specifically given permission by her. Not during lunch, not in the AM when you arrive at school, not while waiting for dismissal after school. No Talking. Period. Oh, and for good measure, IF you're given recess at all, it will be indoors--even on nice days--and you will be doing nothing but work work work without a break in the meantime.
At first, I thought the Howler MUST HAVE misunderstood. But during a PTA related conversation, I discover that this PTA person overheard conversation a child from the Howler's class was having with her mother. EXACT SAME WORDING. And this other little girl ain't no drama queen that I've seen or heard. She's fairly laid back, extremely non-overreacting.
I had already emailed the teacher, asking for clarification, while spelling out specifically what the Howler had said. The response was sent at 9:22am (plenty of time for her to have her attitude adjusted) today. While the words are right, I get the feeling that what I got told was the adjusted, suitable for parental consumption turn of events.
The Howler came home from school today, fairly happy, if tired after being out sick for 2 days, and having a busy Wednesday/early Thursday morning. So, the Miss Thang gets a "bye" for now...but I'll be in the school tomorrow for another purpose, and there better not be any surprises. I've already polished my ass kicking boots, and this little whackadoodle has definite target characteristics.
Oh, and before the Howler got home, I consulted the Magic 8 Ball. This thing has NEVER been wrong, and I do mean NEVER. Even the Toad has tried it, and it's NEVER wrong.
I asked, "Is Mrs. Thang lying?" and the Magic Answer was, "It is decidedly so."
I've decided to go through with the post. Mostly because the thing has my teeth on edge, and my back up. I'm looking for some college educated ass to kick. At the Howler's school.
This year has been a year of disappoint for us. She was supposed to have this awesomely fantastic teacher, who bailed out of our school for a district closer to where he lives. Which I can understand, but can I still just say, "You couldn't have waited ONE more freaking year? Seriously!" Instead she got this replacement. Adorable young thing, I assume she's just a year or so out of college. It's unclear whether or not this is her first year with her very own classroom.
I'm not impressed. First, she got the job while she was, I kid you not, 7 months pregnant. Knowing full well that she would miss fully half the year, she got the job. And the contingency plan was just flat out Slacker. I know me some slacker when I see it, and this chicklet was it. So, I'm totally 100% dead on with lack-of-impressiveness when it comes to teachers this year.
Anyway, the one who had a baby has been back a month. There were very few behavorial problems--and believe me, the Howler is more than willing to rat out every one of those nasty OPK in her class. She even managed to rat herself out more than once, but there were no major traumas going on with the Slacker.
But this woman? She's back just about 30 days now, and WOW! There's a nasty little incident with 2 boys smashing a playdoh person they made and named...and the principal arrived in the classroom to discuss how the children should handle a situation where they don't want to be friends with someone. AFTER the principal leaves, this woman tells the children that for the remainder of the year, there will be absolutely NO TALKING during the school day, unless you are specifically given permission by her. Not during lunch, not in the AM when you arrive at school, not while waiting for dismissal after school. No Talking. Period. Oh, and for good measure, IF you're given recess at all, it will be indoors--even on nice days--and you will be doing nothing but work work work without a break in the meantime.
At first, I thought the Howler MUST HAVE misunderstood. But during a PTA related conversation, I discover that this PTA person overheard conversation a child from the Howler's class was having with her mother. EXACT SAME WORDING. And this other little girl ain't no drama queen that I've seen or heard. She's fairly laid back, extremely non-overreacting.
I had already emailed the teacher, asking for clarification, while spelling out specifically what the Howler had said. The response was sent at 9:22am (plenty of time for her to have her attitude adjusted) today. While the words are right, I get the feeling that what I got told was the adjusted, suitable for parental consumption turn of events.
The Howler came home from school today, fairly happy, if tired after being out sick for 2 days, and having a busy Wednesday/early Thursday morning. So, the Miss Thang gets a "bye" for now...but I'll be in the school tomorrow for another purpose, and there better not be any surprises. I've already polished my ass kicking boots, and this little whackadoodle has definite target characteristics.
Oh, and before the Howler got home, I consulted the Magic 8 Ball. This thing has NEVER been wrong, and I do mean NEVER. Even the Toad has tried it, and it's NEVER wrong.
I asked, "Is Mrs. Thang lying?" and the Magic Answer was, "It is decidedly so."
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
11 Kinds of Sad; 7 Kinds of Happy
PSSA testing started yesterday. (That's the stardardized tests for proficiency in the PA schools.)
When the Toad went to school, even elementary, the dayumed teachers--the idiots--actually told the kids that if they didn't do well on the tests, teachers would lose their jobs. Then, they couldn't figure out why the kids were 40billion kinds of stressed-out sick in the weeks before test.
Nowadays, they tell the kids the tests are important, but they don't stress out the kids like that. They let the kids have breaks (real breaks, not a "why do you need to go to the bathroom again?" break) with bottles of water and snacks. Extra recess if possible, for those grades whose scores will determine budget $$ and staffing. The school also provides breakfast this week for every child in those determining grade levels.
On Monday, the Howler (and, yes, of course, every other child in her class) were told that they weren't to bring their usual water bottle and snack to school. And that they could eat breakfast at school.
The Howler went to 11 kinds of spazz, and had a meltdown fit. The Gator was worried enough about the spazz out to call her neighbor, who also happens to be a teacher at the Howler's school, to clarify what was happening.
The meltdown continued, in varying degrees the rest of the evening.
When I arrived home after work, at about 9:45pm, the phone rang within seconds of my walking in the door. It was the Gator.
"Did your Sweetie tell you about her water bottle?"
"I literally just walked in the door."
"Well, he'll tell you, but I checked it all out, and everything is fine."
"Okay. I literally just walked in the door."
"I checked it all out! It's all OK."
So, when I hung up the phone, I asked My Sweetie, "Was the Howler's water bottle turned into a bomb?"
"uh, no. I take it that was the Gator?"
"Yeah. And apparently, her water bottle was a bomb, and the Gator got it diffused in time."
Needless to say, her water bottle was NOT a bomb, and the Gator is just nuts. My Sweetie explained the entire meltdown for me.
In the morning, she wasn't in that much of a hurry to get ready for school. She did manage to get ready and out the door to meet the bus on time, though. She was still quite a few shades of apprehensive and unhappy.
When she barrelled in the door later that same day, though, she was 7 kinds of happiness, announcing that she would be eating breakfast at school every morning this week. And that she was not dehydrated, because she received a bottle of water and a tasty-good snack. And she was given a piece of peppermint gum to chew while taking the tests.
And, mostly, she LOOOOOOOOOOOVES taking these tests. It's the bestest EVER.
Sometimes, I think my darling Howler is a Drama Queen. And, that day, I knew for absolutely sure and certain, she IS a Drama Queen.
When the Toad went to school, even elementary, the dayumed teachers--the idiots--actually told the kids that if they didn't do well on the tests, teachers would lose their jobs. Then, they couldn't figure out why the kids were 40billion kinds of stressed-out sick in the weeks before test.
Nowadays, they tell the kids the tests are important, but they don't stress out the kids like that. They let the kids have breaks (real breaks, not a "why do you need to go to the bathroom again?" break) with bottles of water and snacks. Extra recess if possible, for those grades whose scores will determine budget $$ and staffing. The school also provides breakfast this week for every child in those determining grade levels.
On Monday, the Howler (and, yes, of course, every other child in her class) were told that they weren't to bring their usual water bottle and snack to school. And that they could eat breakfast at school.
The Howler went to 11 kinds of spazz, and had a meltdown fit. The Gator was worried enough about the spazz out to call her neighbor, who also happens to be a teacher at the Howler's school, to clarify what was happening.
The meltdown continued, in varying degrees the rest of the evening.
When I arrived home after work, at about 9:45pm, the phone rang within seconds of my walking in the door. It was the Gator.
"Did your Sweetie tell you about her water bottle?"
"I literally just walked in the door."
"Well, he'll tell you, but I checked it all out, and everything is fine."
"Okay. I literally just walked in the door."
"I checked it all out! It's all OK."
So, when I hung up the phone, I asked My Sweetie, "Was the Howler's water bottle turned into a bomb?"
"uh, no. I take it that was the Gator?"
"Yeah. And apparently, her water bottle was a bomb, and the Gator got it diffused in time."
Needless to say, her water bottle was NOT a bomb, and the Gator is just nuts. My Sweetie explained the entire meltdown for me.
In the morning, she wasn't in that much of a hurry to get ready for school. She did manage to get ready and out the door to meet the bus on time, though. She was still quite a few shades of apprehensive and unhappy.
When she barrelled in the door later that same day, though, she was 7 kinds of happiness, announcing that she would be eating breakfast at school every morning this week. And that she was not dehydrated, because she received a bottle of water and a tasty-good snack. And she was given a piece of peppermint gum to chew while taking the tests.
And, mostly, she LOOOOOOOOOOOVES taking these tests. It's the bestest EVER.
Sometimes, I think my darling Howler is a Drama Queen. And, that day, I knew for absolutely sure and certain, she IS a Drama Queen.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Ash Wednesday
At our non-Catholic house, we are meatless on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This about kills Mr Mumple, and apparently, the Howler is following in her father's footsteps.
Today's school lunch menu choices were mac-n-cheese or chicken nuggets. This is a hard decision, because noodles of any kind and chicken nuggets are both basic food groups for the Howler.
I reminded her that today was Ash Wednesday, and therefore, meatless. Chicken nuggets, by the loosest of definitions, are meat. Being the Drama Queen she is, the Howler proceeds to be VERY traumatized by the prospects.
Being a bad Episcopalian, but a good Mom, I tell her to listen carefully: If you "forget" that you're not supposed to eat meat today, and get the chicken nuggets anyway, nobody will be upset, not even God. God didn't make that rule, so if you "accidently" eat chicken nuggets at school for lunch, no one will be upset.
When she got home today after school, the Howler told me about lunch. She got the mac-n-cheese (good girl!) but told her friends why she had to have the mac-n-cheese.
Being good friends, the girls each broke some of their chicken nuggets in half and gave half to the Howler. Being a polite girl (sometimes) the Howler was obligated to accept and consume the chicken nuggets (that's my baby!)
When she told me, I damaged a rib trying not to laugh out loud.
Today's school lunch menu choices were mac-n-cheese or chicken nuggets. This is a hard decision, because noodles of any kind and chicken nuggets are both basic food groups for the Howler.
I reminded her that today was Ash Wednesday, and therefore, meatless. Chicken nuggets, by the loosest of definitions, are meat. Being the Drama Queen she is, the Howler proceeds to be VERY traumatized by the prospects.
Being a bad Episcopalian, but a good Mom, I tell her to listen carefully: If you "forget" that you're not supposed to eat meat today, and get the chicken nuggets anyway, nobody will be upset, not even God. God didn't make that rule, so if you "accidently" eat chicken nuggets at school for lunch, no one will be upset.
When she got home today after school, the Howler told me about lunch. She got the mac-n-cheese (good girl!) but told her friends why she had to have the mac-n-cheese.
Being good friends, the girls each broke some of their chicken nuggets in half and gave half to the Howler. Being a polite girl (sometimes) the Howler was obligated to accept and consume the chicken nuggets (that's my baby!)
When she told me, I damaged a rib trying not to laugh out loud.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A New Song
for the Toad:
"The Toad got run over by a retard
Working full time and working hard
You can say that the Toad ain't never worked hard
But as for his grandma, she believes."
Yeah. And when he went to the ER to have the damage evaluated, he never told us. The Gator called him to invite him to eat dinner at her house, and he told her that he'd be there when he was released from the ER.
I'm trying not to laugh, even as I post this. I've had some really strange things happen to me, but even I have never been run over by a retard.
"The Toad got run over by a retard
Working full time and working hard
You can say that the Toad ain't never worked hard
But as for his grandma, she believes."
Yeah. And when he went to the ER to have the damage evaluated, he never told us. The Gator called him to invite him to eat dinner at her house, and he told her that he'd be there when he was released from the ER.
I'm trying not to laugh, even as I post this. I've had some really strange things happen to me, but even I have never been run over by a retard.
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