Kortright Field Trip
Published June 11, 2010 @ 09:44 in School
Yesterday I got to go on Son One's grade two field trip. I forgot the advil, but fortunately another mom on the bus was well prepared.
Don't you miss those yellow school bus riding days? Oh wait. Not really. The seats are still uncomfortable vinyl and the windows that may or may not open. Something new that I noticed - a "Body Fluid Clean-up" kit at the front of the bus beside the first aid kit. Great. I was glad there was no call to use it.
We visited the Kortright Centre for Conservation. I had been there before with the kids for the maple syrup sugaring off. They also had huskies and dog sleds. It is great, and just minutes out of the city.
My son's grade two class has been learning animal classifications in their science program, and that was the focus of the field trip. I have to be honest - though always an animal lover, I just yesterday learned the difference between reptiles and amphibians. I mistakenly believed that amphibians were a class of reptiles. (Note: If you don't know, look it up yourself! Geesh! You want me to give you all of the answers?)
It was a nice day, and we had two different hikes through the wooded conservation area. The kids were too noisy to actually see a lot of wildlife, though we saw a swan couple with their five little cygnets (yes, I did know what baby swans were called before yesterday.) We also had a marsh expedition where the kids all received a sieve and got to "fish" for living organisms. It was actually pretty cool - the invisible midge larvae and the tadpoles with legs. But there were too many leeches for my liking. Lots and lots of leeches. Apparently, according to Mrs. B (our Kortright guide) too many leeches is a sign of pollution. Something else I learned!
I love being at home, and being able to go on field trips like this with my kids. It helps me get to know their teachers, their classmates, and their behaviour! At some point my kids won't want me around. But yesterday, Son One actually wanted to hold my hand and walk with me through the woods, even with all of this friends watching. We shared his lunch box, a seat on the school bus, and I learned about amphibians. What more could you want?
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0 - 3
Published February 24, 2010 @ 08:59 in School
Did you think that this was a post about the Olympics?
Nope.
This is our record so far this week of getting Son One to school on time. Yep. That bad.
As I sit here drinking my coffee at 9:00 am, Husband is rushing Son One off to school, the bell is ringing and O Canada is starting. Monday I took him, and got stuck in the hallway with all of the late kids during the anthem, prayer and announcements.
Son One starts school at 9:00 am. Son Two is in the afternoon, but he could wake up and make it to school on time. Daughter is usually the first one up. Son One loves his sleep, though he fights it at night. In the mornings, he doesn't want to leave his warm bed.
This morning, we got him out of bed at 8:47. Really.
For the record, I believe that there are two types of people in this world. Those who are on time, and those who feel that they are more important than anyone else and can therefor show up as late as they want.
Before I met Husband, I was ALWAYS in category one. I actually couldn't even conceive of how people could be late. Now, 15 years and three children later, I am always running in the door as it is about to close.
Yet another way having children changes us.
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Report Card Survival
Published December 1, 2009 @ 13:44 in School
This morning I was talking to a few moms in the playground who were disappointed by their children's report cards. I gave them some of the following advice:
1) Don't cry in front of your child, as upset as you may be. Also, try not to cry to the teacher at Parent / Teacher interviews. Makes you look unstable.
2) Don't tell you child the "letter grades" that they received - skip the tally of As, Bs, Cs etc and just read them the teacher comments and goals. Discuss these and get their feedback for how they performed.
3) This is your child's report card - it tells you roughly how your child is performing in school. This is NOT a definitive report on the success or failure of your child, nor is it a measure of their worth, nor your success as a parent.
4) If you need help understanding it, book an EXTRA appointment with the teacher. They can explain it to you in detail. You can also check out the ministry of education website.
One mom on the playground said that she just wanted her daughter, currently in grade one, to get into a decent university. I am pretty sure that she was kidding.
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Paying for grades
Published December 1, 2009 @ 13:35 in School
Last night the boys brought home their report cards from school.
The first thing Son One said to me as he handed me the sealed envelope was, "If I get 5 or more As, can I get some Gogos?" (Note: To those parents who are not familiar with Gogos - they are another stupid collection toy that kids can't seem to get enough of right now... be happy if you haven't been asked for some yet.)
My answer? "No, Honey. I will be thrilled if you get 5 As, but we don't buy you stuff for doing well in school. Doing well is its own reward."
"But ________ (name deleted to protect his parents) will get more Gogos if he gets 5 As."
Why do parents do this? I've heard of paying kids for grades, all the way through high school! $10 per A, $5 per B. Really do you take money away for poor performance? Gee - you got three Cs - that's $15 please! I've even heard of some hockey parents paying their kids for goals. Are you kidding me?
We encourage our kids to try their best all of the time because it is the right thing to do. Plus, success is its own reward, isn't it? The problem is explaining to kids why we, as parents, make certain decisions. We will not pay your for grades, but I am very proud of you so let's go out to dinner as a family to celebrate. Hypocritical? Or just me getting out of an evening of cooking?
(Honestly, with three smart kids, paying for As could be pretty expensive down the road... I would rather save more for their universities!)
Son One seemed OK with my answer, and quickly moved on. I just know that it will come up again sometime soon. Like in March, when Term Two is done.
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Homework Nightmares
Published November 13, 2009 @ 11:33 in School
A few nights ago I had a nightmare about Son One's homework. Me, not him, losing sleep over how much homework we've been doing and whether or not to confront his teacher about it.
The nightmare was me in a classroom with his teacher and lots of other parents. I brought up how the amount of homework seemed excessive for grade two (about an hour a night) and none of the other parents backed me up.
I've spoken to other parents and was even warned before the year started that this teacher seems to really like giving homework. I am torn between being impressed by her thoroughness and please that Son One will be well prepared for next year, and cursing her for her invasion of the peace and tranquility of our home life.
I need more information before I go on the attack. Though ever parent in his class seems to be complaining, I wonder how much is a factor of the kids just not buckling down in class and getting it done. Seeing as it is a split class, I assume that at some point after teaching the grade twos their lesson, she would switch over and teach the grade threes leaving the grade twos to get some seat work done. Right?
It is more the stress and pressure of homework on a seven-year-old. Yes, I am sure that it is helping give him a framework for organization and responsibility. But he is seven! Maybe you can't start too young. At least once a week we have tears and threats with the homework (tears are his - threats are mine). Not conducive to the loving, caring, supportive home life I want. Not only that, his brother and sister get pushed aside for that hour of work (usually they sit in front of the TV to keep them quiet - wonderful babysitter).
I used to have nightmares when I was in school about missing homework, forgetting to do it all, having it get ruined, or leaving it somewhere... and now, I have to relive it all through the eyes of my grade two.
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Redoing Grade Two
Published November 8, 2009 @ 18:25 in School
A phrase I have used far too much so far this school year is, "You know, I've already passed grade two."
Son One gets a lot of homework. Far too much, in my opinion. He is in grade two, averages three subjects a night, and we struggle through about an hour minimum each night. When Husband is home, he is in charge. This is not because he enjoys doing homework, but rather he knows that about 10 minutes after Son One and I sit at the kitchen table together to work on his homework, I am ready to rip my son's head off and feed it to the raccoons scavenging in the backyard.
I have not yet complained to his teacher about his crazy homework. Ideally, I would like to point out to her that we have a family life that doesn't only revolve around sitting at the kitchen table redoing grade two with Son One, and that homework is not really seen to improve learning especially in the lower grades, AND it causes undo stress and pressure on already precarious family situations.
However, I am trying to be supportive and Son One, though often has to be dragged kicking and screaming to get his homework done, is generally doing a great job. (Note: How many times do you really need to sharpen that pencil before you sit down and start?)
At curriculum night (formerly "Meet the Teacher"), his teacher pointed out that if we don't get all of the homework done, simply sent in a note explaining why and don't worry about it. She sounded so reasonable and nice. The rumour is that we have lucked out and that she is one of the best teachers in the school.
Our neighbour, whose son is in the same class, told me that at her Mother's Birthday dinner (on a school night) her son sat an did an hour of homework until she said, "enough is enough!" and closed the books for the night, writing a note to the teacher about why it was not completed. He got to stay in and finish his homework over recess, lucky kid.
Today I finished a project on Ireland for grade two social studies, with the help of Son One. I really hope that I get an A.
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Big Kindergarten Move
Published October 5, 2009 @ 19:31 in School
Today Son Two, who has attended morning kindergarten since he started in JK last year, SWITCHED to afternoons.
Why?
Ministry mandate.
Seriously, why else would you switch children a month into school, but for completely bureaucratic reasons?
The Ministry of Education in Ontario mandates that there must be 90% compliance across each board to have a hard cap of 20 students in place for all primary grades through the third (I am sure the actually wording is much more complex and verbose, but you get the idea.)
In my son's case, he was in a morning class with 22 students. However, there is an afternoon class at his school that only has 18. From the superintendent's perspective, an easy switch!
However, when you look at the actual situation, it doesn't make sense. The morning class is all SKs, so easier to teach than the afternoon that is a JK / SK split. Plus, there is a student expected to join the afternoon class soon, and one will be leaving the morning class.
Some parents from the class decided that we should all call the superintendent to voice our displeasure. I think I may have been the only one to call, but I was accused of yelling at her assistant and hanging up. Honestly, I really wasn't even irate!
The principal was looking for volunteers, and I think I was the only parent who actually considered the switch. Yes, it is a pain in the butt. Daughter's activities were all booked for mornings so that her brothers wouldn't have to sit through them. I now play hockey on Monday mornings (son one joined me out there this morning), so finding babysitting for him will be a pain. However, it isn't a huge imposition, and Husband and I want to be flexible and support the school.
This afternoon Son Two joined a line up of kids he doesn't know, and entered his classroom. The teacher is the same, the room is the same, just the kids change. The good news is that he has already made a new friend, he just can't remember his name.
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First Day of School
Published September 8, 2009 @ 18:44 in School
I love back to school. A time to get organized, start fresh.
Today both boys went back to school - Son One into Grade Two, Son Two into Senior Kindergarten (SK).
It was a little crazy this morning. Everyone was up, excited, and LISTENING! Son Two's only request was a wardrobe one - NO CARS! He is now done with Lightening McQueen. Since I haven't done any back to school shopping, they wore their regular clothes. I had to run around a little remembering a pencil case for Son One.
We drove, as we left a little too late to chance the walk. We almost ALWAYS drive in the AM as we are rushed, and it is about a 30 minute walk when everyone is cooperating.
The school yard was a zoo. This year the school decided NOT to tell us on the last report card who the student's teacher would be the following school year, so it was sort of chaos. There was this dad standing behind me who said, "You know, if a man had been organizing this there would be colour coded grade signs." Yeah, sure buddy...
It took about 20 minutes past the bell, but finally the kids were all in. Son One didn't get any of his closest friends in his class (for a second year in a row), and seemed a little down heading in. His teacher wasn't exactly warm and fuzzy either, but I hear that she is good.
Son Two's SK class is almost identical to JK, but with a few faces missing and a few new ones. He got a sticker today for being so good, but when asked, admitted that everyone got one today.
Snacks were all eaten, so I did well with packing the lunches. Yay Me! And both kids are fine tonight so I guess the day went well.
Turns out Son One is in a split - 2/3. He wants to know if this means that he gets to skip grade three. I asked if he was doing all of their work on top of his grade two work - "No" he answered. There's your answer, kiddo!
So how was your back to school? Yes, I almost cried. But I got over it. Next year all three of them will be gone. What will I ever do with myself then?
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Back to school!
Published September 8, 2009 @ 07:46 in School
One hour and twelve minutes... The boys aren't even awake yet. I am making and packing lunches. I can't wait! I am excited for them. Really I am. They get a new teacher, a new classroom. Today they get to find out which of their friends are in their classes. YAY!
Don't you just love the first day of school?
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Countdown has begun...
Published August 31, 2009 @ 17:55 in School
Come on. Admit it. If you are a mom, you know EXACTLY how many days until the kids start school. If you are a little neurotic, like me, you know the hours (183 hours); if you are crazy, you may know the minutes (10,980... but who's counting?)
Today I was at the playground. My kids were crazy this morning, so we needed some fresh air and the yards weren't cutting it. The lady beside me looked almost as frazzled as I felt. Then she mentioned, "the commercial" and I laughed.
I laughed because every mom knows the commercial she is talking about! "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" She didn't even have to describe it or anything, she just said, "the commercial."
If you are a mom, and you don't know that back-to-school commercial, where have you been? I used to wonder at the crazy joy on the parents' faces as they shopping for their kids school supplies, but now, with two boys heading back to school in 10,972 minutes, I understand!
The weird part is that I am actually a little sad about back to school. Not because I will have less time to spend with the kids, but because life gets just a little more harried and a little more complicated with the kids in school.
The morning rush - definitely not looking forward to that. Driving and having to park 4 blocks away - not fun. Looking for homework and library books at the last minute - grant me peace!
Some kids are heading back to school tomorrow. Yes, right here in Ontario! How is that fair? I mean for us, the parents, not for the kids. 10,968 minutes.
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School's Out For SUMMER!
Published June 25, 2009 @ 20:00 in School
Today was the last day of the 2008/2009 school year. I can't believe how quickly it went!
Son One started off the year afraid of the all of the work that would be required for grade one. I was worried that they days would be too long. He managed well, and came away with a few really great new friends.
Son Two started J.K. (I still don't think that he believes that it is really called Junior Kindergarten). He had some struggles, but also had some fun.
Both kids were completely discombobulated this morning getting ready. I honestly don't know how the teachers make it through the last day! Both boys had play dates after school but Son Two wasn't sure that he wanted to go. I don't think that he knew what to expect of all of the last day of school excitement.
I guess tomorrow their teachers are still in the building, to clean out their rooms and finalize the lists for next year.
We have ten whole weeks with no school. Now the fun really begins. I'll tell you one thing - I am definitely sleeping in tomorrow morning.
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Best and Worst Teachers Gifts!
Published June 16, 2009 @ 15:39 in School
Yes, next week is the end of another school year. How does one properly thank that woman or man who took you children off your hands for at least 6 hours a day, and maybe even taught them something new?
You have a week to get out there and get something... What to get, what to get...
I know! How about a mug with, "World's Best Teacher" written on it?
I spoke to a few teachers to get an idea of what they really appreciate, and what they really don't want. Here are some ideas that are a miss:
- Anything with an apple or the word, "teacher" on it - especially mugs. How many can they really use?
- Cologne or perfume. A little too personal, and sometimes just rancid if purchased from the dollar store.
- Candles or scented body lotion - especially not a hit with male teachers.
I once thought I was being clever when I gave a teacher a gift card to Staples for Christmas, until another teacher I know pointed out that they are just going to get stuff for their classrooms, not for themselves (note: a gift for the classroom is not a gift for the teacher.)
Best Teacher Gifts:
- Gift Cards - Think Tims, Swiss Chalet, Starbucks, and Chapters. Currently both of my sons classes just asked for a donation, and are buying a big (like $200) gift card from Cadillac Fairview Malls.
- Chocolate. Who can say no to chocolate? Especially some decent quality chocolate... Yum!
- A personalized thank-you card from your child with a small plant. Something handmade is often treasured.
I also like the idea of writing a little to the principal of the school if you had a truly wonderful teacher who often went above and beyond for your child. Show a little appreciation; they do work hard.
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Sick Boy - Day Two
Published June 16, 2009 @ 12:26 in School
I kept Son One home from school for the second day today. He still had a fever when going to bed last night, and hadn't had much of an appetite yesterday. Today he seems much better and he will be back at school tomorrow.
However, something interesting came up last night. My phone started ringing in the evening as parents realized how many kids from his class missed school. Son One is in a small grade one class of 13 children - 9 of them were home sick yesterday! That is over 2/3 of the class!
Today, while picking up Son Two from his morning JK class, I heard about the possible culprit. Some parents and caregivers surmised that one little girl in his class came in sick three days last week. She had a slight fever (they are all burning up) and so her mom gave her 8 hour Motrin and sent her in. She may be the cause of the nine children who missed yesterday, and another six who were ill from her daycare.
NOTE TO PARENTS: While Motrin and other drugs may alleviate fevers and other symptoms, it does not eliminate the illness! Your child is still sick!
Look, I know I have it easy. As a stay-at-home mom, I always keep my children home if I even suspect something. But I am not giving up a day of work, or shuffling meetings and daycare to do so. However, I still have to change plans, and I try to make sure that my sick child doesn't infect me and the other non-sick children in my home.
I think that working parents need better plans on how to deal with sick children. I found Custom Comfort Care; they can help with last minutes, sick child care needs. Parents, it is your responsibility! Look at how one sick little girl can take out an entire class! That is now 9 families left scrambling for child care and taking care of sick children, or infecting entire households, because of one nasty parent who is too concerned about inconveniencing themselves and not considering anyone else. SELFISH!
Can you tell that I am a little annoyed?
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Trouble at School... AGAIN!
Published June 12, 2009 @ 18:23 in School
Picking Son One up after school today, his wonderful teacher asked if she could have a moment of my time. I knew it was bad; it is always bad when she wants to talk to you!
We went down into his classroom, and she asked my son if he had told me what happened at school yesterday. I said he hadn't, so she did.
Apparently, five boys from his class were in the bathroom and one decided to wet some toilet paper and throw it at the ceiling. The other four boys, including Son One, joined in. Of course, the janitor has to clean it up, and it can stain the ceiling.
The boys all apologized to the janitor, wrote a letter explaining what they did wrong and how they would fix it, and then they had a detention during today's morning recess.
He is a great kid, and has a good head on his shoulders and a kind heart. I just can't seem to convince him to walk away when the trouble starts. He knows it is wrong. I can tell that he feels bad, but he just can't seem to stop himself when the fun is on.
Sort of reminds me of myself a little, and my Tuesday night out when I was leaving at 10:30 pm but was convinced by a friend to stay for just "one more beer." We closed the bar at 2 am, and it was more than one more.
When he got home from school today, his consequence was to clean our two toilets so that he understood how hard the janitor's job is cleaning up after 450 kids, and how giving him more work isn't fair.
Son One told me he would have felt better if I just beat him instead. Maybe next time.
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School Uniforms
Published April 21, 2009 @ 14:57 in School
Tomorrow I am attending a meeting to discuss the issue of school uniforms for the Toronto District Catholic School Board.
I don't understand the debate. Why would one be against the idea of uniforms in elementary school?
My kids don't wear uniforms, but if this idea goes through, they could be in navy and white by 2011. Growing up I wore a uniform from grade one through four, and again from grade ten through thirteen. I really don't remember complaining.
Sure, I bet it was a pain from a laundry perspective to have navy socks or tights and white blouses always clean. But I am sure our parents spent a lot less on clothes. And I think it really was less distracting to sit in a room with everyone dressed alike; certainly there was no competition for designer labels when everyone's shirts were the same see-through 50/50 cotton/poly blend.
Generally I think that uniforms look neater then casual dress (except for those high school girls with the barely-there kilts - come on!) I don't think that uniforms impede or limit creativity. Kids can still express themselves in many ways while wearing navy pants and white shirts, and can express themselves through their wardrobes after school and on weekends.
I want to attend this meeting tomorrow because I want to see if there will even be a debate, or if it will just be a bunch a parents drinking coffee and eating donuts saying, "Yeah, I think uniforms are a great idea."
I'll keep you posted!
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10th Anniversary of Columbine
Published April 20, 2009 @ 19:56 in School
Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the Columbine School Massacre.
Today my thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims and their families.
Most of us can easily go back to the day and remember the fear, the terror and the shock. A few years later I attended a conference in Denver. I actually stayed at a hotel in Columbine; it is like a suburb of Denver. During my visit I noticed that then, even years later, the name Columbine was whispered, sending chills up the spine.
Recently I read Wally Lamb's latest novel (work of fiction) titled, The Hour I First Believed. The main character is a teacher who works at Columbine High School, he is visiting a sick aunt out of town during the attack. His wife, however, was the school nurse and present. An amazing read.
A few weeks ago I wrote a post about bullying (I pulled it down wanted to rewrite it to be more eloquent). Specifically I wrote about shock at a local incident involving a child who brought weapons to school. This grade seven student claimed to have been bullied for years, but there was no evidence. My shock came from the community's response - not outrage at this child, but sympathy for this boy as a victim. I had mothers from the school insist to me that this was a "non-event" and they were upset by the police charging this child and issuing a press release.
I know many schools now have new policies to deal with bullying; but they also have new lockdown policies. My kids learned in JK where to hide in their classrooms. Sad, isn't it?
Police have also changed policies based on Columbine; now they enter as soon as they arrive, putting themselves in increased danger but trying to have fewer civilian casualties.
When Columbine happened 10 years ago, I wasn't a mother. My perspective on the shooting was that of the students. Now, as I mother, I see the event from so many angles. I don't want my child to be bullied. I don't want my child to be a bully. I want them to be safe when they go to school. I want them to grow up happy and healthy.
So much was lost to so many 10 years ago. Let's keep Columbine and all of the victims of all of the school shootings in our thoughts and prayers tonight. Light a candle and remember.
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He's ready to go back to school
Published April 2, 2009 @ 13:44 in School
This week has been a challenge. First the plague, then the fleas, now ants. I had the exterminator/husband's best childhood-friend here this morning to help deal with the ants and the fleas. Now I just have to get the other "pests" out of the house - the kids.
All week most of us have been home due to illness. In fact, both boys haven't been out of the house at the same time since Saturday. I haven't slept through the night since Friday, and my cheery veneer of determination is wearing thin.
Last night, another night of musical beds, found me in Daughter's room. Unfortunately Daughter, trying to get over her plague, slept until 10:30 am then napped for three hours. After sleeping 17 of the past 24 hours, she decided that last night was her turn to tell stories. She talked, babbled, and chatted to herself until 1 am! Then she rolled over at 5:30 am this morning and chatted like she had never slept.
I decided that it was time to send Son One back to school when he had returned to his regular routine of harassing his brother and sister. Son Two stayed home again today, and I am not sure if I will bother sending him tomorrow as he is still feverish.
Every time the phone rings, I expect it to be a truancy officer calling to explain that school is actually compulsory (Son One is missing tomorrow for another hockey tournament - first game he is on the ice at 8 am!)
This morning I couldn't figure out how the water dispenser on the fridge worked. I called husband at work to tell him it was broken. I had all of the kids drink tap water, until Son One decided to try it with his hand, not a cup, and sprayed water all over himself. I guess it is working, and I don't know if it was every broken, or if it was just me.
I am so tired that my head hurts and coffee isn't helping. I just tried to convince Daughter and Son Two that a nap would be in all of our best interests, but they didn't bite. After this post I am sneaking away to my bedroom, with my wonderful black-out blinds and catching 40 winks. I have an hour until I have to pick up Son One from school.
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End Of March Break
Published March 23, 2009 @ 07:53 in School
Was I the only mom who woke up super early with a special spring in her step? I didn't even need a cup of coffee (though I had one anyway.) Friday was the first official day of spring, but that wasn't the reason for my excitement. It was because today is:
BACK TO SCHOOL!
March Breaks is over, and while it has been great, I am excited about getting back into the routine. The downside is that Husband goes back to work. But the kids are back at school! YAH!!!!
Time to get those lunch bags packed. Do a little dance. Send the kids out the door...
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Parent Teacher Interviews
Published March 12, 2009 @ 18:25 in School
You have exactly ten minutes to discuss 3 months of your child's life. Go!
I guess if you have real issues or concerns, you shouldn't wait until the twice-annual parent/teacher interview to discuss them. Really, I made the appointments so that Husband could catch up with the teachers. However, I mixed up his schedule so he was unavailable.
I see my children's teachers daily, so there were no surprises when the report cards came home earlier this week. I almost felt bad about taking up their time, but then remembered that they probably get a good perk from it thanks to collective bargaining.
The first teacher pronounced Son Two, "absolutely brilliant."
Son One was dubbed, "every teacher's dream."
See? I must be a wonderful parent. I take complete credit for my amazing children.
However, if they misbehave, they probably got that from their father.
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Report Cards
Published March 11, 2009 @ 12:09 in School
This week we received report cards. This is my second grade one report card, with As, Bs, Cs, etc. Kindergarten just get columns of check-marks.
Am I the only one who thinks that these report cards are crazy? Are they written in a foreign language? Who is supposed to decipher this information?
Luckily, I have a sister and a few friends who are teachers to help me out. Apparently, getting a B now is like what our As were - except some teachers are more oldschool with marks while others are by the book (can't help these puns!) So while the new report cards were meant to help standardize assessments, there is still a lot of interpretation.
What ever happened to the comment, "Johnny is a pleasure to teach"?
In Kindergarten, the reports have three columns: beginning to develop toward expectations; developing toward the expectation; and, meeting the expectation. I guess in Kindergarten there is no option of exceeding expectations!
My advice for parents who are new to this report card time like me:
1) Wait until you are home to open and read the report card. The playground is not the place.
2) Don't let you children see you cry when you read it. It will likely make them feel bad.
3) Only read them the good parts, and don't tell them how many As, Bs, etc. they received. All the kids show up the day after they get their grades and compare. Try to discourage this.
4) Understand that the teachers need to put three goals for your child, no matter how wonderful your child is.
5) Don't talk to other parents to compare. They may lie.
6) Take a deep breath, and try to see the honesty behind what the teacher is saying. If there is an area that needs to be addressed, better to deal with it than to put on blinders. That won't help your child.
7) Don't offer rewards. Encourage them to do well because they feel good about their successes.
8) Acknowledge that your child may behave differently at school than at home. Ideally, they behave better at home, but that is not always the case.
9) Give them a big hug and a kiss, and tell them how proud of them you are.
10) Save the report card.
Next, prepare for the parent - teacher interview.
1) Educate yourself as much as possible, like checking out Ministry websites, to see what standards are.
2) You and the teacher are team, working together to get the best education possible for your child. Ask how you can support their learning at home. Ask to see comparisons of your child's work, and better work.
3) You are your child's best advocate.
4) You know your child best.
5) The teacher has no hidden agenda, and no reason to lie to you about your child.
Finally, try not to cry in the interview. It can make the teacher very uncomfortable.
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Only One Bun!
Published February 22, 2009 @ 21:13 in Recipes, School
Had to run out to the grocery store, or I wouldn't have had any lunch for Son One tomorrow.
Son One takes the same lunch every day - ham on a bun. With butter. The only variation allowed is ham on a croissant.
At the beginning of the year I tried to be creative. Pasta. Grilled Cheese. Tuna. Turkey. Hummus. Pea Butter and Jam. Chicken Fingers. Butter Chicken. But all he wanted was a ham sandwich on a bun. Then I remembered how I had survived the first few years of school with Peanut Butter and Jam.
He will be fine. Once a month they have pizza day. That seems to be enough variety for him. He is not starving.
Tonight we had no ham or buns in the house. I seem to find myself in this same position every Sunday night. I ran out to the 24 hour Sobey's, because their deli counter is open until 10 pm. Ordered the ham - yes! Then went to the bakery section. THERE WAS ONLY ONE BUN!!!! No croissants, no bagels. Fumbling to get the bag open, I grabbed the last bun before the woman beside me could. VICTORY!
I hope tomorrow as he eats his sandwich, he will appreciate my effort.
Realistically, I know he won't. But I can dream, right?
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Kids are mean
Published February 17, 2009 @ 13:02 in Amazing Kids, Family and Friends, School
Isn't it the worst when you pick your child up from school, and the teacher waves you over for just a minute. My kids are pretty good. They have each been in trouble once at school. But today I got the wave.
Turns out, Son Two, spent the entire morning in the cloakroom at school. The teacher wasn't sure why and he wouldn't say anything to her. He pushed another boy and grabbed his hat. The teacher said he appeared very upset (he does this first clenching / heavy breathing thing when he is angry) so she left him alone.
I am glad that she let him be. He seems to need the time to pull himself together. But she was concerned and didn't know what upset him. She said him came out for snack time, but then went right back.
The first three times I asked, he said that nothing was wrong. So I gave him lunch, then asked again.
Remember the haircut he got yesterday? Well I guess one of the other boys wasn't a fan. As soon as Son Two took off his hat, this child said, "Hey! You're bald!" And laughed.
I don't consider my son that sensitive, but who wouldn't be upset? Son Two is fair, and the hair cut is short. But he actually has a very full head of thick hair.
I called the teacher, who asked me to follow up with her when I found out what was wrong. It was just as she suspected, but the other boy lied and said that he didn't say anything to my son.
She is going to sit down with both of them tomorrow.
All I told my son is that this boy is obviously jealous of how good looking he is. What else can I say? Kids can be mean. I don't understand where they learn it. Or maybe at this age they just haven't developed enough empathy to understand how what they say could hurt someone.
Whatever the reason, I gave my son a big hug and told him that he was amazing and should just ignore this boy. As my Nana used to say, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
Let's call that today's lesson, shall we?
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Play-date from Hell
Published February 10, 2009 @ 18:53 in Family and Friends, Kids Activities, School
I always thought that the need to "socialize" our children was a bit of a myth. My kids have one another, cousins, and attend all sorts of activities as well as lots of play-dates. But most people whose children have spent time in daycares laud "socialization" as the primary benefit.
We just returned home from a play-date where Son Two was bit, slapped, pushed, tripped and had his head shoved into a wall by a five-year-old desperately in need of some "socialization." This child is "home-schooled", though obviously too young to really have much need for the "education" component of kindergarten.
Look, I know that my kids have bit or pushed or tripped, but still biting at age 5? Pushing someone's head into a wall? Slapping? As we left with Son Two shouting that he would NEVER return, the child tried to hug and kiss him good-bye (we all know how they feel about kissing in JK!)
I am not quite sure what to do. We have had play-dates in the past that never sunk to this level. Interest was expressed in future play-dates, but I just can't put my son through that again.
Kids need other kids to help learn the rules of how to treat one another. OK, now I am just being preachy - But really, what would Jesus do?
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Playing Hookey
Published January 30, 2009 @ 15:10 in Kids Activities, Loving Daddy, School
This afternoon I took my kids to see "Hotel for Dogs." I am not going to say much about the movie, except that it stars Emma Roberts, Julia's niece, and Don Chettle and it is much better than "Bedtime Stories."
Son One has been sick all week. While well enough today to get out and about, he is a little tired and I didn't want to inflict him on his teacher in that condition. I also know that kids pick up most of their viruses from other kids, so I want to make sure he is 100% before sending him back. I wish all parents would just keep their kids home when sick... but that rant will come another day.
Daddy is always the fun one. He plays with them all of the time. I am the one who worries about what and when they are eating, how clean their are, if they are where they need to be when they need to be there, if they have clean clothes, if they have snacks, books, etc. Basically, I am the nag and the boring one. I do all of the behind the scenes work, but get little of the glory. Then Daddy comes home from works, wrestles with them for half an hour, and he is the King (Daddy does a lot more, but it doesn't help my argument here to include the details.)
Today I decided to be the fun one. We had nowhere pressing to be and nothing important to do. Instead of heading home for the afternoon, we played hookey and hit the movie theater. They each picked a treat and we relaxed along with about 10 other people watching the movie.
Life gets too busy and hectic. We rush from activity to activity. School, hockey, gymnastics, dance, soccer, skating, speech, family visits, Beavers, doctors appointments, playdates, birthday parties and so on. It seems endless.
Today we slowed down, skipped our normal routines, and instead had a few hours of family entertainment. Now it is time for a nap.
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