I worked a really long day yesterday. I was swamped doing things that I don't normally do. I was supposed to be out in the lot taking pictures but alas that didn't happen (a post will follow soon about what I actually do at work).
So while I was there I got a phone call from Ray. Brycen had a total meltdown at school. He didn't make PRIDE yesterday. For those that don't know our school gives out PRIDE. They earn it by showing Caring, Effort, Teamwork and Responsibility. Each grade level earns something different. They have 6 chances in a school year to earn PRIDE. At the K,1 and 2 level they earn colored beads (red, blue, white, yellow) to go on a PRIDE necklace. In the 3/4's they earn colored stones (you know the shiny colored rocks) that they keep in a nice black velvet pouch. At the 5/6 level they used to earn PRIDE PINS, now they sign a book in the library. PRIDE is a HUGE thing.
The 3 of them have NEVER MISSED SINCE KINDERGARTEN. Until yesterday. :(
When Ray called he told me that Brycen's Special Ed teacher called to say that Brycen didn't get PRIDE and he had a huge meltdown. I was swamped and confused as to what I was doing but I took 5 minutes to call her because I was really concerned.
When I got her on the phone she had a weird tone to her voice. She explained that she thought about it and because he didn't turn in his spelling packet completly finished today that she was taking his PRIDE. She said he had a total meltdown. She told me that she told him FIVE MINUTES BEFORE the PRIDE ceremony. She said afterwards he copped a huge attitude with her and she had YELL at him. {sigh}. I should add that his CLASSROOM teacher was against her taking his pride. She wanted him to get Pride. Now Brycen knows the rules but I have to say....he needs warning for this kind of stuff and this teacher knows this. She did also tell me that she KNEW he would have this kind of meltdown (????) She did tell me that as a mother she really struggled with it but as a teacher she felt she needed to get her point across. I didn't get any of my questions answered because she was abrupt and had to go.
I consider myself a very fair person. I can see her side and I agree with her on some of it. I don't agree with her on the other half and here is why. She based and entire 6 weeks worth of work and effort on 2 days. He forgot his spelling one day 2 weeks ago and he didn't finish his packet this week. The packet is new. His entire spelling work has changed this week as of this MONDAY. He has NEVER done these packets before. Plus he has a list of stuff that he must complete (sentences, paragraphs etc.) and he earns points for different sections. It's rather confusing but I am sure we will figure it out. It's just new. So he only had 25 points and he was supposed to have 30. She took his PRIDE.
My heart was breaking for him. He does need to get his spelling done on time. I 100% agree with her on this BUT I feel that she was way too hard on him. Normally 3 missed assignments means NO PRIDE. He missed 2. He only had to go to homework club ONCE. Ms. C was going to give him Pride and Mrs. S said NO.
He was devastated when I got home. He apologized to me for missing PRIDE. I could see how upset and scared he was. I explained that he will not be punished THIS TIME. That while I don't agree with the whole thing 100% I don't disagree with it either. I am middle of the road. Ray is upset too. He believes that she was very unfair to Brycen. I will talk to her again after vacation.
When I got home the bombarded me with report cards. I ate pizza and read them. I have never been a fan of these report cards. I didn't like them when Brenden was there and I still don't. It's the one thing in this school that I really wish they would change. They get check marks in boxes. They go like this:
M= Meets Expectations
D= Developing
N- Not Exhibited
Then they break them down into catagories.
Trevor got ALL M's except for 1 D in math that has to do with charts and graphs. He's doing so well. All his teacher's had wonderful things to say about him :) YEAH TREVOR!!!
Brycen did well too. He is still in the Developing phase for most of his stuff. He did get almost all M's in the Personal skills area. His teacher had many wonderful things to say about him too. He still needs lots of support in lots of areas but she is very pleased with his progress.
Faith-- She too is Developing in lots of areas. My concern with her report card came from the teacher's comment section. Here are a few things her classroom teacher had to say:
Faith demonstrates strengths in interpersonal, intrapersonal, body-kinsethietic and spatial intelligences. She is a reflective girl who is often concerned with how she will be perceived in class. Faith will rarely ask for help even when work is challenging for her. She is a willing participant. Faith is a joy to teach.
{to learn about the multiple intelligences you can read the defintions for each one HERE}
Good right? Wrong. Faith has NEVER had an issue asking for help. She is very independent but she has never had an issue asking for help. I am concerned.
Next:
Faith is a very sweet girl with many friends. Although she is capable, she is a hesitant learner who needs lots of encouragement and support. She often gets distracted by internal concerns and worries. Faith is a nice addition to our class.
Ok, Faith has NEVER been hesitant to learn anything. She is like a sponge. She wants to take it all in and learn as much as she can. She is a perfectionist and this does hold her back at times because she will keep redoing her work. Unfortunately, she gets this from me. She wants it to be right EVERY TIME. I do agree that she gets distracted by worries and concerns. She worries too much about what everyone else is doing and needs to concentrate more on herself. I am concerned.
Math:
Faith is always and active and enthusiastic participant in math. Faith is always a good listener in class, though I would like to see her participate more in during group. No worries here. I am surprised about her group participation but not concerned. She does tend to get quiet in large group settings.
Science: Faith is a reluctant participant. :( She talks about Science all the time. She loves it. I am concerned.
Art: Faith shows good focus and enthusiasm for her work in art class.
Music: Faith shows good effort and participation in music
Gym: Faith shows good effort and enthusiastically participates in all PE activities.
And lastly from her teacher again:
Faith is a sensitive and caring girl who is quiet and well behaved in class. I would like to see her assert herself more in class by participating in discussion, asking for help and sharing her wonderful ideas. It is a pleasure to have Faith in class.
Again, I am concerned. This is so different from the Faith I know. It's so different from the Kindergarten Faith who always had her hand up and ready to learn. Who always asked for help and asked questions when she was stuck.
I am wondering why this has never been brought to my attention before this report card. I talk her teacher all the time she has never mentioned any of this. We get weekly reflections that her teacher fills out about her week. It's always really good. I am really confused at this point. I see a conference in my future.
Oh and I came home to these:
We are frog sitting for the week. Have I ever mentioned that frogs wig me out? They are now residing on my kitchen table (ewwww) because its the only place to put them with a plug close by. They eat live crickets and those are also in a container on my table. I am off to clean a surface for them becuse I just can't eat with them there. :P
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