Summer School

I can't believe it. Summer School is almost over. One more day with my kiddos!! Then, one day with two 5th graders. Then, I'm done. Finished. Kaput. I'm so excited!!!!! I can't wait!!

I've decided that summer school is not designed to help students. The main purpose is to tear down perfectly good--sometimes great--teachers.

During the school year, discipline procedures are in place to take care of difficult students. A lot of the time, the threat of detention is good enough to cease undesirable behavior. In the summer, there is no such thing as detention. The ONLY discipline option is to send the kid to the office. Since we are trying to get them to pass a test, this isn't always an option, either. Some of the teachers were talking, and we all feel like we have no classroom management at all.

The other thought is about the group of kids we have. The majority of the students were behavior problems during the school year. Where there might be one or two bad apples in a class of 25, you now have five or six in a class of 10.

Throw in no consequences for their actions, and you have some big problems!!

We really need to come up with a better system.

Argh!!!!

After getting a response to my Facebook question--and getting a request from a former student--I decided the best way to go was to hit ignore. So, I ignored both of the requests. Tonight, I received a second request from the parent. I again hit ignore. Is this going to be an ongoing issue?? If so, what do I do???? Help!!!!!

Thought Provoking

What a sad day for the entertainment world--losing Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. And, this just days after losing Ed McMahon. The news shows will be busy for awhile.

What makes this so monumental for me is--this is MY childhood!!! My earliest memories. I remember seeing the poster of Farrah and wanting her hair. I didn't really watch Charlie's Angels because it scared me. I remember Ed saying "Here's Johnny!" in a way no one will ever be able to truly mimic. And, who doesn't like a little music by Michael??? ABC, I'll Be There, Man in the Mirror, Wanna Be Startin Something, and Don't Stop Til You Get Enough--just to name a few--get regular airplay on my computer and iPod.

Michael was THE star when I was in elementary and middle school. I still remember watching him on MTV--back when they still played videos all of the time. Remember the Pepsi commercial??

Thinking back on his music and how people are reacting reminds me of Elvis' passing. I remember exactly where I was when that news was announced. (mom--bonus points if you remember where I was and what I was doing!!!). Now I know what my mom felt that day--even though I never had a romantic crush on Michael.

It's unfortunate that Bobby Hatfield of the Righteous Brothers is no longer with us--they would have been able to record a fabulous verse to Rock and Roll Heaven. Michael is in great company--and he's with "one hell of a band!!"

Facebook

I have an issue with Facebook. Today, I received a friend request that has made me think about how much I want known and whether or not I want to be found. This is quite baffling for me. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

As I have posted before, Facebook is something that gives me mixed feelings. Part of me enjoys connecting with old friends, but part of me isn't so sure...if we were that good of friends, why did we lose each other??

Here is the new problem. Do I friend people who are the parents of former students?? I taught a young man in 7th grade who just graduated high school. I also taught his younger brother. Now, I'm getting a friend request from the mom. Do I confirm??? If I don't, it's like I have something to hide. I don't. If I accept, does that open the door to other parents??? Will/can this be used against me???

In pretty sure it's harmless, but I have to question it nonetheless.

Thoughts??? Feelings??? Advice????

And, can I get in trouble for other people's comments???

Comments

Why doesn't anyone ever leave a comment???? Am I that boring??

Perfect Gift

A Cubs victory!!! A series sweep!!! We're movin on up in the standings.

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Dad's Day to all the dads, but mostly to MY dad! I hope today is relaxing and less dramatic than last year.

I love you, Dad!!!

Cheesy Movies and TV Shows

I'm sitting here watching the second cheesy movie of the evening--Grease and Grease 2. Why is it I can't turn it off?? And, why am I singing along to all of the songs??? The plots are stupid, the songs are cheesy, and some of the acting is just plain awful!! To think some of these actors have gone on to bigger and better things--John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Olivia Newton-John.

While watching these movies, I keep seeing previews for a new TV series--10 Things I Hate About You. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED that movie. However, I don't think the TV show looks interesting. Why do TV people have to mess with good movies???

Anyone watching Harper's Island??? It's like a train wreck--you don't want to watch, but you can't help it. Only 3 more episodes. Who is the killer???

Cubs Victory!!

For the third day in a row, the Cubs have pulled out a victory in their final at bat. Today, they needed extra innings, but that doesn't matter. We're singing "Go Cubs Go, Go Cubs Go, hey Chicago what do you say, the Cubs are gonna win today!!"

Thank you Steve Goodman!

Dance

Headed to a dance recital. Can't wait to watch all the talented people. Yeah, i'm jealous!

Weekends

Why is it weekends go by so fast?? I know I shouldn't complain, but it feels like just yesterday I was at work and have to go back tomorrow. I have worked four days of the seventeen days of summer school. I think I have figured out why I dislike it so much. (I am going to enjoy vacations with the money so I really shouldn't complain.) I dislike summer school because the kids don't care. I'm working with 8th graders who have to pass a test to go to the high school. But, they don't care!! They want to put their heads down or talk or do anything but work. Other teachers don't care what they do. I care!! I want them to pass. I want to help them. This is what frustrates me. I can't let it go. Should I?

Violence

What is up with people these days?? Recent headlines have made me think this world is going crazy! An 88-year-old man opens fire at the National Holocaust Museum, a man is convicted on charges after shooting at a car because someone threw a bottle of hot sauce, fathers molesting their daughters, a woman cutting a baby out of another woman, and an 18-year-old severely mentally retarded young man receiving 100 years in prison for fondling a six-year-old neighbor.

As Adam Lambert sang, it's a mad, mad world.

What a day!!

I had such a great day yesterday. I received birthday wishes from family and friends--old and new!! I also spent the evening with great friends J & G at the Cubs game. Well, the locals would have said the Astros game. The Cubs and Astros must really like me to give me my wish--a Cubs victory!! The fact that Cubs player Mike Fontenot had a birthday also might have had something to do with it. Either way, it was great.

(Happy Birthday Michael J. Fox, Johnny Depp, Natalie Portman, "Drew Carey" (not the real one!), and my Uncle J. Hope it was great!!!)

Thanks C and c for the song! It was absolutely adorable.

Thanks G, J, and the zoo for everything!!!!

Thanks mom and dad!!!

Thanks to anyone I've missed!!!

Counting Down

12 hours 24 minutes until first pitch!!!

Happy Birthday to me...
Is a Cubs victory!!!!

Weekend

Last night I attended the high school graduation of my former students. I was excited to see I had taught the valedictorian, salutatorian, and several of the honor graduates. It was a very nice ceremony for the most part. I couldn't believe how RUDE a lot of people were. They hadn't even gotten to the "R's" and it was a mass exodus from the bleachers. Except they couldn't go anywhere. So, there they stood with their backends in my face. I missed a large chunk of the kids getting their diplomas. If I had been a parent, I would probably have hit someone. I did let my opinion be heard. It was a little better than last year. As per tradition, the audience joins the grads on the field after the ceremony. This year, all of the gates were locked and guarded. Last year, the parents stormed the field, and the kids didn't even get to finish the ceremony!!!

Today, I am enjoying The French Open on tv. I'm hoping Roger Federer will finally win his career grand slam. I'm also thankful that I didn't have to get up at 2:30 in the morning to watch live--that's what happened during the Australian Open earlier this year. I can't belive Wimbledon is just a few weeks away!!

It's official!!

School is over until next year. Too bad my vacation ends Monday when summer school starts. However, I'll be thankful for that little bit of money to travel on. Where should I go??

Coming Soon...

....the Chicago Cubs to a stadium near me!!! And, I'll be there Tuesday night. Yeah, baby!!!!!!! I can't wait--just in case you couldn't tell.

Bait Shop

Just hanging out at our local bait shop (it's the same place we had our employee Christmas party). Listening to music and hanging with friends. Enjoying the nice weather and view.

WOW!

Well, the school year is coming to a close. YEE HAW!!!! I have been super busy with all of the end-of-school activities. I'll post more on those later. Right now, I just want to go to sleep. I will post soon--especially since I can post via email and text. Technology--gotta love it!

Another test

Did this work? I tried a minute ago to post via email. However, being the idiot I am these days-more later-i had the wrong email. Oops!!

Test post. Trying to post via phone. Is it as east as it seems?