So I have a 7th grade class of students in which nine of them read at or below a 3rd grade level. Two of them read on a first grade level. Five of them were previously in a self-contained classroom, but put into the regular education classroom because “they can do the work.”
The special education teacher told me she doesn’t understand how one of these kids could be passing my class because he reads on a first grade level. I told her I have to grade him differently than everyone else because he obviously is not able to do all of the work. She said, “Just fail him and they will send him back.”
Which brings me to Victor. He reads on a 2nd grade level (well, we think. He refused to finish the test, so they just graded the few questions he answered.) He will do a good 10 minutes of work for me and then he’s done for the rest of the day (80 more minutes). He is very pleasant for me, but it is pretty much impossible to get him to do any more work. Even if I sit beside him and try to work him through it. Well, I went to the special education team to tell them that he is not doing well at all in the regular education setting and needs to be back in a classroom which can better accommodate him. I was told that he has, on multiple occasions, threatened to kill his special education teacher. Therefore, “he doesn’t threaten to kill you, so we’re going to keep him in your class.” So, this one, even if he fails every assignment, is with me for the long haul.
Another child in the same class, Dennis, is also on a 3rd grade reading level. He disappeared a few weeks ago because he got suspended. The suspension was for three days, but he’s been gone for a good two weeks. I found out today he has been placed in high school. In the middle of the year. From seventh grade. To high school. He can barely read.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Oh, Come ON! (Part Two)
So this didn't happen to me, but it's still so ridiculous I had to share.
Apparently a girl snuck a knife into school the other day. The kids were going to Art class, and about 5 of them told the asst. principal that this girl had a knife. What does this guy do? He walks the students to their next class and tells the teacher, "Watch so-and-so, she has a knife." WTF?
The teacher then SEES the knife. Multiple students in the class SEE the knife. The teacher told me he was just dumbfounded. WHY IS SHE IN CLASS IF EVERYONE KNOWS SHE HAS A KNIFE? And, what do you mean "watch her"? What kind of ridiculous statement is that?
She eventually is taken downstairs, but she has hidden the knife at this point. Since the principal or police officers didn't see it, nothing happens. Nothing at all. Not even detention.
Apparently a girl snuck a knife into school the other day. The kids were going to Art class, and about 5 of them told the asst. principal that this girl had a knife. What does this guy do? He walks the students to their next class and tells the teacher, "Watch so-and-so, she has a knife." WTF?
The teacher then SEES the knife. Multiple students in the class SEE the knife. The teacher told me he was just dumbfounded. WHY IS SHE IN CLASS IF EVERYONE KNOWS SHE HAS A KNIFE? And, what do you mean "watch her"? What kind of ridiculous statement is that?
She eventually is taken downstairs, but she has hidden the knife at this point. Since the principal or police officers didn't see it, nothing happens. Nothing at all. Not even detention.
Oh, Come ON!
There was a fire this morning. Some kid set a bulletin board aflame. It was at 7:25a.m. (Some kids are in the cafeteria for breakfast, but homeroom doesn't start until 7:45) We had to evacuate.
But you know what, whatever. It's not even the fire. That's like the 3rd fire this year, none of them have caused any real damage besides us having to stand outside.
Here's my problem. It's 7:45ish in the morning and you are dropping your child off at school. When you get there, you see 2 firetrucks, one ambulance and 200 people standing in the grass. AND YET YOU STILL DROP THE KID OFF AND DRIVE AWAY? Not even a roll-down-the-window "hey, what's going on?"??! This wasn't just a couple of parents. It happened close to 30 times. At what job would "Sorry I'm five minutes late, but my kid's school was on fire" not count as a legitimate excuse? What would possess someone to push an 11 year old out into 30 degree weather with emergency vehicles without some sort of explanation? What could possibly be going on that is so important?
Or, I guess it could be even worse. Do these parents have some lackadaisical "oh, this happens all the time" attitude?
PEOPLE! GET IT TOGETHER!
But you know what, whatever. It's not even the fire. That's like the 3rd fire this year, none of them have caused any real damage besides us having to stand outside.
Here's my problem. It's 7:45ish in the morning and you are dropping your child off at school. When you get there, you see 2 firetrucks, one ambulance and 200 people standing in the grass. AND YET YOU STILL DROP THE KID OFF AND DRIVE AWAY? Not even a roll-down-the-window "hey, what's going on?"??! This wasn't just a couple of parents. It happened close to 30 times. At what job would "Sorry I'm five minutes late, but my kid's school was on fire" not count as a legitimate excuse? What would possess someone to push an 11 year old out into 30 degree weather with emergency vehicles without some sort of explanation? What could possibly be going on that is so important?
Or, I guess it could be even worse. Do these parents have some lackadaisical "oh, this happens all the time" attitude?
PEOPLE! GET IT TOGETHER!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
What's a Synonym for SUCKS
The Language Arts teacher got fired last year because he couldn't pass the math portion of his certification tests. (According to No Child Left Behind, we all have to pass a math, reading and writing test with a certain score. This guy has is 50 something years old and hasn't had math in quite some time.) Anyway, he still works at our school but only as a full-time substitute. He's the only IB trained Language Arts teacher we have.
He's leaving next week. I was told that whenever he leaves, they will make ME the IB Language Arts teacher and put some other full-time substitute in my place to teach Social Studies.
Okay, so I realize I complained a lot about the whole "4 preps" situation earlier in the year. And, if anyone wants an update, it still blows. But NOW they are going to give me 3 preps in a subject I'M NOT EVEN CERTIFIED TO TEACH??!
You know how I know it's going to happen? Because I've planned social studies lessons for the sixth graders and eighth graders all the way up until Christmas break. So, of course, they will change my SUBJECT and completely negate all that work.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
He's leaving next week. I was told that whenever he leaves, they will make ME the IB Language Arts teacher and put some other full-time substitute in my place to teach Social Studies.
Okay, so I realize I complained a lot about the whole "4 preps" situation earlier in the year. And, if anyone wants an update, it still blows. But NOW they are going to give me 3 preps in a subject I'M NOT EVEN CERTIFIED TO TEACH??!
You know how I know it's going to happen? Because I've planned social studies lessons for the sixth graders and eighth graders all the way up until Christmas break. So, of course, they will change my SUBJECT and completely negate all that work.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Icy Hot
Okay, so I just went to Lowe's and bought two fans. I already had one that works and another that doesn't anymore. I bought them so that we can survive tomorrow. I started to sweat today just SITTING in my classroom. I wasn't standing or moving, just sitting. and sweating.
I have no idea how hot it is in my classroom or the school in general. I just know it's hot enough to make me sweat without moving. This means I am crabby. This means my kids are crabby. It has been a very ugly past few weeks.
Before this manufactured heat wave, it was so incredibly cold, people were wearing winter coats inside all day and teeth were chattering. I had to stay in my room because, thanks to my no-ventilation, the air conditioner doesn't pump into my room and so the freeze out was bearable. People bought mini-heaters and let the kids take turns standing beside them.
But as much as I hated the freezing, the sweating is ten thousand times worse. Tempers are much closer to the surface when everyone is hot and uncomfortable.
So, when we go to the administration, the maintenance people, whoever, to get this temperature thing under control, this is what we hear: "You know, you people are never happy. Just two weeks ago you were complaining about how cold it was. I can't spend my life trying to accommodate you!"
Um, okay. coupla things here. 1. I'm not asking for mints on my pillow or a gold-plated pen set. All I want is for it not to be unbearable in my classroom. And that's too much? 2. Since when are my only options 40 degrees or 100 degrees? Seems like around the 70 degree mark works for most everyone. Why don't we try that? The maintenance guy told me it was "really difficult" to regulate the temperature. Seriously? Like, rocket science hard? Is there a special degree for this?
I know it seems like a petty thing to complain about. I'm sure tons of people sit in offices or wherever freezing or burning up. But it's just another thing in an already ridiculously long list of things that aren't fair to my kids. It's already an effort to even get them to show up to school, now we're going to make it an unbearable environment?
I have no idea how hot it is in my classroom or the school in general. I just know it's hot enough to make me sweat without moving. This means I am crabby. This means my kids are crabby. It has been a very ugly past few weeks.
Before this manufactured heat wave, it was so incredibly cold, people were wearing winter coats inside all day and teeth were chattering. I had to stay in my room because, thanks to my no-ventilation, the air conditioner doesn't pump into my room and so the freeze out was bearable. People bought mini-heaters and let the kids take turns standing beside them.
But as much as I hated the freezing, the sweating is ten thousand times worse. Tempers are much closer to the surface when everyone is hot and uncomfortable.
So, when we go to the administration, the maintenance people, whoever, to get this temperature thing under control, this is what we hear: "You know, you people are never happy. Just two weeks ago you were complaining about how cold it was. I can't spend my life trying to accommodate you!"
Um, okay. coupla things here. 1. I'm not asking for mints on my pillow or a gold-plated pen set. All I want is for it not to be unbearable in my classroom. And that's too much? 2. Since when are my only options 40 degrees or 100 degrees? Seems like around the 70 degree mark works for most everyone. Why don't we try that? The maintenance guy told me it was "really difficult" to regulate the temperature. Seriously? Like, rocket science hard? Is there a special degree for this?
I know it seems like a petty thing to complain about. I'm sure tons of people sit in offices or wherever freezing or burning up. But it's just another thing in an already ridiculously long list of things that aren't fair to my kids. It's already an effort to even get them to show up to school, now we're going to make it an unbearable environment?
I Pray Every Night That I Never Have To Go Through This
In memory of Jason ...
"The tragic stabbing death of 15-year-old Jason Madison Jr. last week, allegedly at the hands of a convicted murderer who had a forced sexual relationship with the boy in his aunt's home, brought a tearful letter from the victim's teacher.
The boy was found in his aunt's upstairs closet, gagged with a pillowcase and stabbed in the head and throat. A suspect, Donte Parrish, was arrested a few days later at a convenience store in Northeast Baltimore.
A spate of other killings this week has brought Baltimore's homicide total to more than 200 for the year, a grim statistic as we end the year.
Here is the note from Jason's teacher, Ryan C. Jones (note, he uses a different spelling for the victim's last name): "-Peter Hermann, Baltimore Sun
Hi friends and family,
I am writing you this in hope you can do me a large favor. As some of you know, I lost someone very close to me this week. A student of mine was taken from us in a violent manner. His name was Jason Mattison and he was a 15-year old student, whom I have had the privilege to teach through his 9th and 10th-grade years, since he arrived on our campus during the summer of 2008.
There has been extensive news coverage of Jason’s death over the past few days. He was brutally attacked, abused, fatally injured and left for dead. His attacker, a 35-year old previously convicted murderer, has been arrested, and will meet his doom in one way or another.
However, I am writing because not enough positive things have been shown about Jason. As is often the case, the majority of news has revolved around the graphic nature of his death and the circumstances relating to his attacker. Too often, we hear news that a young, black male from Baltimore City was killed and we think nothing of it.
Jason was not just another statistic! He was a lively, unique individual who brought smiles to the faces of countless people every day. Jason was an above-average student, who excelled in many areas of academics and social life. He dreamed of finishing his career here and moving on to college, medical school and then to his own pediatric office. God, how kids would have loved his big smile and booming voice! You need to simply look at his exotic dress, flare for the dramatic in class and with friends and talk to those who knew him to understand what a loss we have all been dealt.
Jason was in no way involved with gangs, drugs or weapons. He spent his time after school doing homework in teachers’ classrooms and hanging out with friends. His nightly routine of chatting on MySpace is the same one any of our kids have, and the same one as kids all across America. But for as “typical” as Jason seemed, he was so unique. He hated normal! He was different because he could be. He wore his skinny jeans and fashionable sweaters and blazers because it made him stand out.
I’ve included a few pictures of Jason as a way to expose what a great child he was, and to allow those who didn’t know him to see more than the news coverage allows. In my eyes, this tragedy has focused so much on the negative and what is truly being lost is what a great child we had the pleasure of being around. It hurts me to watch the news and see a murderer’s face and story being told and not that of Jason!!!!!
Please do me a favor and honor Jason! I am asking that you simply forward this e-mail and pictures to everyone you know. I want Jason’s story to be told and I want everyone to see that we have lost an innocent child! And maybe more importantly, I want everyone to see how beautifully wonderful this child was!!!
Ryan C. Jones, M.A.T.
English II Instructor
"The tragic stabbing death of 15-year-old Jason Madison Jr. last week, allegedly at the hands of a convicted murderer who had a forced sexual relationship with the boy in his aunt's home, brought a tearful letter from the victim's teacher.
The boy was found in his aunt's upstairs closet, gagged with a pillowcase and stabbed in the head and throat. A suspect, Donte Parrish, was arrested a few days later at a convenience store in Northeast Baltimore.
A spate of other killings this week has brought Baltimore's homicide total to more than 200 for the year, a grim statistic as we end the year.
Here is the note from Jason's teacher, Ryan C. Jones (note, he uses a different spelling for the victim's last name): "-Peter Hermann, Baltimore Sun
Hi friends and family,
I am writing you this in hope you can do me a large favor. As some of you know, I lost someone very close to me this week. A student of mine was taken from us in a violent manner. His name was Jason Mattison and he was a 15-year old student, whom I have had the privilege to teach through his 9th and 10th-grade years, since he arrived on our campus during the summer of 2008.
There has been extensive news coverage of Jason’s death over the past few days. He was brutally attacked, abused, fatally injured and left for dead. His attacker, a 35-year old previously convicted murderer, has been arrested, and will meet his doom in one way or another.
However, I am writing because not enough positive things have been shown about Jason. As is often the case, the majority of news has revolved around the graphic nature of his death and the circumstances relating to his attacker. Too often, we hear news that a young, black male from Baltimore City was killed and we think nothing of it.
Jason was not just another statistic! He was a lively, unique individual who brought smiles to the faces of countless people every day. Jason was an above-average student, who excelled in many areas of academics and social life. He dreamed of finishing his career here and moving on to college, medical school and then to his own pediatric office. God, how kids would have loved his big smile and booming voice! You need to simply look at his exotic dress, flare for the dramatic in class and with friends and talk to those who knew him to understand what a loss we have all been dealt.
Jason was in no way involved with gangs, drugs or weapons. He spent his time after school doing homework in teachers’ classrooms and hanging out with friends. His nightly routine of chatting on MySpace is the same one any of our kids have, and the same one as kids all across America. But for as “typical” as Jason seemed, he was so unique. He hated normal! He was different because he could be. He wore his skinny jeans and fashionable sweaters and blazers because it made him stand out.
I’ve included a few pictures of Jason as a way to expose what a great child he was, and to allow those who didn’t know him to see more than the news coverage allows. In my eyes, this tragedy has focused so much on the negative and what is truly being lost is what a great child we had the pleasure of being around. It hurts me to watch the news and see a murderer’s face and story being told and not that of Jason!!!!!
Please do me a favor and honor Jason! I am asking that you simply forward this e-mail and pictures to everyone you know. I want Jason’s story to be told and I want everyone to see that we have lost an innocent child! And maybe more importantly, I want everyone to see how beautifully wonderful this child was!!!
Ryan C. Jones, M.A.T.
English II Instructor
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Bad Day
It was not a happy time in Schoolville today.
First, my dear baby 6th grader Ricardo, had a problem. One of the other teachers does not like him, and she sent him out of class. He was walking up the stairs, and somebody threw something and hit him in the face. He was already angry and he punched the kid in the face and gave him a bloody nose. He got suspended for 3 days. He also is to be taken out of the advanced class. I am very, very upset about it. This is not the first time they have decided that smart kids can't make any mistakes. I went to the principal and begged and even cried a little. I really don't want to lose him. She said we'll see.
Third period. 3 students are working and they call me over to their table. Desean says, "Mr. Y is a rapist." I told her that was a pretty huge accusation. She said, "it's not about me. it's about tytrese. tell her, tytrese." Tytrese just cast her eyes down. Desean said, "You really need to tell somebody what he did." I told them that it wasn't appropriate to talk about this in the middle of class and we would talk about it after class was over.
After class, I went to the principal and told her what the girls had said. She called them in and spoke with them and then scheduled a meeting with Tytrese's mother.
Today, Mr. Y confronted me in the hallway and yelled at me because I didn't warn him. He kept saying that I know he didn't do it and this is his career that is on the line.
I'm very upset about this. Mr. Y is my friend and I feel bad, but at the same time, what else was I supposed to do? I tried to stay as uninvolved as possible BECAUSE he is my friend.
First, my dear baby 6th grader Ricardo, had a problem. One of the other teachers does not like him, and she sent him out of class. He was walking up the stairs, and somebody threw something and hit him in the face. He was already angry and he punched the kid in the face and gave him a bloody nose. He got suspended for 3 days. He also is to be taken out of the advanced class. I am very, very upset about it. This is not the first time they have decided that smart kids can't make any mistakes. I went to the principal and begged and even cried a little. I really don't want to lose him. She said we'll see.
Third period. 3 students are working and they call me over to their table. Desean says, "Mr. Y is a rapist." I told her that was a pretty huge accusation. She said, "it's not about me. it's about tytrese. tell her, tytrese." Tytrese just cast her eyes down. Desean said, "You really need to tell somebody what he did." I told them that it wasn't appropriate to talk about this in the middle of class and we would talk about it after class was over.
After class, I went to the principal and told her what the girls had said. She called them in and spoke with them and then scheduled a meeting with Tytrese's mother.
Today, Mr. Y confronted me in the hallway and yelled at me because I didn't warn him. He kept saying that I know he didn't do it and this is his career that is on the line.
I'm very upset about this. Mr. Y is my friend and I feel bad, but at the same time, what else was I supposed to do? I tried to stay as uninvolved as possible BECAUSE he is my friend.
Monday, November 2, 2009
I Don't Even Want To Know Why They Know How To Do That
On Friday, my 6th graders were taking a test. Another teacher came into my room to give me something, walked out of the room and closed the door.
For some unexplainable reason, the door wouldn't open again. It was unlocked, the handle would move, the door wouldn't budge. An administrator was walking by, I tried to alert her without telling the kids. Maybe she could open it from the other side and no one would ever know that the door wouldn't open.
No such luck.
It was only 8:15a.m., so 6 of my kids were coming in late--they had to go sit in another teacher's room. I had the administrator, an office worker and another teacher on the other side of the door trying to get in. I was on my side trying to get out.
This went on FOR AN HOUR. Meanwhile, the kids are freaking out.
WHAT IF WE STARVE TO DEATH?
BUT MS VINSON I HAVE TO GO TRICK OR TREATING TOMORROW!
I CAN'T BREATHE, WE'RE LOSING AIR!
WE CAN'T MISS LUNCH!
I would literally spend 30 seconds working on the door and then a minute telling every one to take deep breaths and calm down. over and over again.
About half an hour in, I just gave up and left it up to the people on the other side so I could make sure nobody hyperventilated. After another 15 minutes, Tyrin and Ricardo asked me if they could try to get the door open.
They spent a good 5 minutes assembling their supplies; they had a little committee meeting about their plan of action; they then had the door open in about 10 minutes.
I'm not asking any questions.
For some unexplainable reason, the door wouldn't open again. It was unlocked, the handle would move, the door wouldn't budge. An administrator was walking by, I tried to alert her without telling the kids. Maybe she could open it from the other side and no one would ever know that the door wouldn't open.
No such luck.
It was only 8:15a.m., so 6 of my kids were coming in late--they had to go sit in another teacher's room. I had the administrator, an office worker and another teacher on the other side of the door trying to get in. I was on my side trying to get out.
This went on FOR AN HOUR. Meanwhile, the kids are freaking out.
WHAT IF WE STARVE TO DEATH?
BUT MS VINSON I HAVE TO GO TRICK OR TREATING TOMORROW!
I CAN'T BREATHE, WE'RE LOSING AIR!
WE CAN'T MISS LUNCH!
I would literally spend 30 seconds working on the door and then a minute telling every one to take deep breaths and calm down. over and over again.
About half an hour in, I just gave up and left it up to the people on the other side so I could make sure nobody hyperventilated. After another 15 minutes, Tyrin and Ricardo asked me if they could try to get the door open.
They spent a good 5 minutes assembling their supplies; they had a little committee meeting about their plan of action; they then had the door open in about 10 minutes.
I'm not asking any questions.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
"Some people march to a different drummer--and some people polka."
This sums up Marcus more than any words I could use.
If every single other kid turns in this:
Then Marcus will turn in this:
He followed directions (he folded, he cut), but he followed them in his own little way. The point of the activity was to find a country, put the country on the first flap, the climate of that country on the inside and a description of the climate on the back of the flap. 79 other kids got it done. Marcus crammed all the information on the back flap. And he didn't finish.
Oh, by the way, Marcus is pretty much a super genius.
If every single other kid turns in this:
Then Marcus will turn in this:
He followed directions (he folded, he cut), but he followed them in his own little way. The point of the activity was to find a country, put the country on the first flap, the climate of that country on the inside and a description of the climate on the back of the flap. 79 other kids got it done. Marcus crammed all the information on the back flap. And he didn't finish.
Oh, by the way, Marcus is pretty much a super genius.
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