Annoyed

This sign should be parked in front of my child’s school.

So why am I annoyed?  My phone calls to people I need to speak to have not been returned, and my email has been ignored.  Am I that hard to track down?  Are people scared of me?  Are they hoping that if they ignore me, I will eventually stop bothering them?  Are they hoping that by not talking to me the problem will just go away?

As each day passes my frustration grows, and I find that I am running out of patience.  For the record, this issue has been going on for over a month now, so I feel I have been more than patient. 

I understand that the school has 1100 students.  (Don’t get me started on that number.)  I know our problems may seem small and petty to those who run the school.  However, the school did promise at orientation that they would take care of my child, and my child is safe in their environment.  I’m seriously beginning to doubt this statement.  If I can’t get the school to pay attention to a small problem, how can I have confidence that they can handle a huge problem?

I’m torn.  The momma bear in me is just roaring with anger, but the teacher in me is trying to stay calm.  I’m trying to remember that schools are very busy places, especially schools with 1100 adolescents/teens within those 4 walls.  I just can’t figure out why communicating with me is so difficult. 

As an educator, I know how hard it is to return phone calls and emails.  Yet, I try my best to take care of those things as quickly as possible.  If I don’t know the answer I promise to find it for the parents, and I get back to them in a timely manner.  I also will apologize if I miss or forget something or someone and I try to rectify the situation as soon as possible.  Is it too much for me to expect the same from my child’s educators and administration?

I realize my son is just one of 1100 students.  I get that.  However, this is my child.  I had given my trust to this school to take care of him, and they are expecting me to trust them to take care of my daughter too.  I don’t think I can trust this environment right now.

Can you understand why I am so annoyed?  (and frustrated, angry, worried, scared, defeated…)

Mrs. V 

They’ve put boogers in my cereal, haven’t they?

Switching Gears

Summer break is finally here.  At least it is for me.  The school year wrapped up rather quickly, and I actually feel a little out of sorts.  I still have a couple of IEP meetings to attend, a staff party to enjoy, thank you notes to write and millions of sheets of paper to sort through.  So there are still some teacher duties that will need my attention for a little while.  However my summer list is screaming for my attention too.

Summer break brings a change in my routine and day to day duties.  It often leaves me spinning around in circles for a week or two.  I don’t know where or when to start, or which list of duties/chores/goals to start on.  I am highly disorganized in the summer months.

I like the routine of teaching, for the most part.  I don’t like the 5 a.m. wake up call, but everything else gives a sense of order to my life from late August to late May.  I know what is expected of me, and when it is expected of me.  I have specific goals to meet and a timeline to follow.

Now I am switching gears.  I have goals, but my summer timeline takes on a life of its own, and that is where I get into trouble.  I’ll blink and suddenly summer will be gone and the new school year will be starting.

I guess my main goal for the summer is to stick to a routine and check off the many things on my many lists, so when the school year returns I won’t be left wondering where my summer went. 

I want my summer to be more than a blur of sunscreen, ice cream and sleeping in.  Although, now that I’ve typed that, those things don’t sound too bad to me.

Happy Summer!

Mrs. V

Look What Followed Me Home

Please can I keep it?  I will take care of it.  I promise to feed it and walk it everyday, and keep it out of trouble. 

Oh, I know where he’s been.  He’s been hanging out in the preschool lost and found for the last two weeks, unclaimed. 

He seemed so lonely when all the children went home and summer break began.  Somehow he got into my workbag and came home with me.

He’s a rare breed called a “Monster Bug.”  His fur is noticeably soft and his smile is contagious.  How could someone be so careless as to lose this poor little monster bug? 

I promise he’ll be safe under my watch.  I’m sure he’ll keep me company this summer.

What should I name him?  This big decision is making me buggy. 

Mrs. V

Melting into Summer

Today was our all-school picnic and field trip to the local zoo.  We took the trip twice today.  Once with all of the morning students and again with all of the afternoon students.  It was enjoyed by all, and the children were on their best behavior with their listening ears engaged.  My hand was held, hugs were given and received, and laughter was the most rewarding sound of the day.

And… We couldn’t have asked for better weather as we started our day. 

The sun was shining, the breeze was light and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.  As the morning turned to afternoon, the sun continued to shine with increasing vigor, and the temperature approached a sweat-inducing 92 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Tomorrow is last day of school with my preschoolers, and the weather promises to be about the same.

We are definitely melting into summer.  Or at least I am.

Thank goodness for sunscreen, popsicles and ice cold water.

Mrs. V

P.S.  Start your summer off  by watching this video: Remarkable Riderless Runaway Tricycle.  It is one of my favorites!

“Here’s my card”

I have a student I’ll call “Dimples.”  We had an interesting conversation last week. 

Dimples: “Here teacher, dis card is for you, I made it.”

Me: “What kind of card is it?”

Dimples: “It’s a dating card.”

Me: “Oh?”

Dimples: “Yeah, it says dat I’m gonna marry you dis summer.”

Me: “But Dimples, I’m already married to Mr. V.”

Dimples: “I know dat, I gave one to Princess too.”

This is the first proposal I have ever gotten in my 7 years of teaching.  **giggle**  I also think it’s great that Dimples has a back up plan.

Mrs. V