So just how are handcuffs, cigarettes, and stealing linked to me? Well, Brandi and Beth, you are correct. Sometimes I wish I lived on the wilder side but I can honestly say cigarettes, stealing, and handcuffs in public places are not me. So, here you go.
It all began on a lovely Wednesday morning at school~
...when mid-lesson I hear a rumbling though my kiddos about one of my students having a cigarette in his wallet. Since I rarely write about my school for fear one of my kids or parents will stumble upon this blog I will rename my students. So I privately asked "Billy Bob" if he had a cigarette in his wallet, to which he, shocker, denied. I then asked to see his wallet. Then I got the look, you know, the one that says, damn it, I'm caught. Sure enough there was a single cigarette in his wallet. Billy Bob proceeded to tell me he found it on the ground and was planning on taking it home to give to his mom. RIGHT! To which I promptly lectured him on the health impact of smoking and the fact that things found on the ground should never end up in your mouth!
Now with that disaster fixed I thought maybe the rest of the day would be normal~
...and I was wrong. One of my darling girls, "Rosie" came up to me just before recess and asked if she could bring her handcuffs out to lunch. Many people might be shocked by a ten year old asking about handcuffs, but not me!! You see this, as it turns out, this happened to be the third pair of handcuffs that showed up in my classroom this week by two different kiddos. That's right folks, three pairs of handcuffs in one week. You can't make this stuff up!! So anyway, after I determined where the handcuffs came from and why she brought them to school I lectured her on the appropriateness of the items at school and sent them home.
Surely after this the day would get better, right?
...not so fast. My student teacher had a box of 24 fruit snacks in her desk last week and had been giving them out as rewards. We're quite sure that she had given out about 2 a day and therefore there should have been 8-10 fruit snacks left in the box yesterday. How many were actually in the box though? Zero, zilch! Houston, we have a problem! So of course there was another lecture. This time to the whole class. And the investigation is still open but we have a strong lead.
Ahh... a day in the life of a teacher, a Title I teacher.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Riddle
What do handcuffs, cigarettes, and stealing all have in common? And more importantly how are they all linked to me? Feel free to publish your guess and make sure to tune in tomorrow for the answer!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
FOUR
Dear Madelyn,
How can it be that you turned four on Sunday?!! I have to say that this was the most fun birthday yet because you have been so excited for it. You talked about it for weeks and weeks. You even helped me do some of the planning and shopping. Over the last year you have grown and changed so much. You were once a super shy little one that never spoke to anyone, but you have come out of your shell with most people and situations and are having fun interacting with other kids and adults. Listening to the conversations we have and the opinions you are developing on your own is like watching a little adult and it is so much fun to see. There are a couple of words/phrases that you say that I haven't corrected because they are so stinking cute. Like when you say, "I'm a rocket star!" with your hands on your hips and attitude in your voice. We know you mean rock star but we love it. Or how say you pomatoes instead of tomatoes. You also call everything funky or crazy and like to play little practical jokes on us. Somehow you developed a love for country music and request to listen to it all the time, telling me it's your favorite music. You also only like female singers and ask to turn the station if a male singer is on. You definately know what you want and express it. You are learning so many things to get ready for preschool and Mommy is loving it all. You have such a soft heart and love everyone. Sometimes your feelings get hurt but you are a strong girl. We're so proud of you Sugar and love you so much everyday!
How can it be that you turned four on Sunday?!! I have to say that this was the most fun birthday yet because you have been so excited for it. You talked about it for weeks and weeks. You even helped me do some of the planning and shopping. Over the last year you have grown and changed so much. You were once a super shy little one that never spoke to anyone, but you have come out of your shell with most people and situations and are having fun interacting with other kids and adults. Listening to the conversations we have and the opinions you are developing on your own is like watching a little adult and it is so much fun to see. There are a couple of words/phrases that you say that I haven't corrected because they are so stinking cute. Like when you say, "I'm a rocket star!" with your hands on your hips and attitude in your voice. We know you mean rock star but we love it. Or how say you pomatoes instead of tomatoes. You also call everything funky or crazy and like to play little practical jokes on us. Somehow you developed a love for country music and request to listen to it all the time, telling me it's your favorite music. You also only like female singers and ask to turn the station if a male singer is on. You definately know what you want and express it. You are learning so many things to get ready for preschool and Mommy is loving it all. You have such a soft heart and love everyone. Sometimes your feelings get hurt but you are a strong girl. We're so proud of you Sugar and love you so much everyday!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Multitasker
I multitask. I know there is an abundance research out there that says never mutlitask because ultimately you do lots of things but nothing very well. Oh well! I have lots of things going on and like to have a little free time so there you have it, I multitask. I know every mom can identify with me. And I am quite sure it just gets worse the more kids you have.
Recently I've been talking with Madelyn about the state of the back of my car. She has crap everywhere. You would think we have six kids. There is her coat, her daycare backpack, and an extra backpack with toys and books for the car (we spend a lot of time in the car), and then there is always a slew of babies, maybe a carseat for her baby, sippy cups with yesterdays milk, crumbs galore, random plastic jewelry, and hair clips that get discarded everywhere, you get get the picture. We'll I'd had enough today. You know that itching under your skin type of feeling where you know you will explode if you don't fix it RIGHT NOW! So I began cleaning the car. At stoplights. On the way to work. And cars where honking at me. To sit down in my seat. And drive. Oops! I'm going to get this under control real soon.
Recently I've been talking with Madelyn about the state of the back of my car. She has crap everywhere. You would think we have six kids. There is her coat, her daycare backpack, and an extra backpack with toys and books for the car (we spend a lot of time in the car), and then there is always a slew of babies, maybe a carseat for her baby, sippy cups with yesterdays milk, crumbs galore, random plastic jewelry, and hair clips that get discarded everywhere, you get get the picture. We'll I'd had enough today. You know that itching under your skin type of feeling where you know you will explode if you don't fix it RIGHT NOW! So I began cleaning the car. At stoplights. On the way to work. And cars where honking at me. To sit down in my seat. And drive. Oops! I'm going to get this under control real soon.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Poverty
When I tell people I teach in Olathe they automatically assume a high income area. This couldn't be any farther from the truth. I teach at a Title I school (low income), I've always taught in Title I schools even in Ottawa and I love it. But, it's hard, and only getting harder due to the economy. Each year our poor kids get poorer. Each year our middle class seems to shrink. Each year the behavior and academic skills our kids come to school with is frightening. Each year our kids deal with more and more things that kids should never know about. Each year it breaks my heart.
Many people don't think that Olathe or Johnson County has poverty or homeless, but we do. The school I am at has within our attendance boundaries the only homeless shelter in Olathe and one of the few in the Kansas City area. In the seven years I've taught in Olathe I've only ever had one student every couple of years that is from the shelter, or "the lodge" as we call it. But this year alone, I've had three!!! And to be honest, most of my kids look like they are homeless because of their family dynamics and situations. I've visited the homeless shelter several times. As a new educator to Olathe that was our first staff field trip and boy was it humbling. Then this year I suggested to our principal that maybe it was time for another field trip for our whole staff. What I didn't realize it that I would be touring one of my future student's home. Since then our staff has made an effort to donate items that they need at the lodge. The amazing director said she has to ration toilet paper, can you even imagine! I've dropped off toilet paper and diapers on multiple occasions and each time it is a gut renching experience. My heart goes out to these people. Some of them are working the system and aren't good people, but some of them have had unforeseeable events happen and are trying to do better.
On 60 Minutes this Sunday they ran a report on children living in poverty. It talked about how buses are now making stops at motels to pick up kids. They polled an audience of children about going to bed hungry, not having electricity, and living in their cars. I know of several families living this way. One of the statistics that stuck in my mind is that in the last 2 years the poverty rate for children has went from 14 million to 16 million and they are expecting it to reach 25% of all American children will be living in poverty soon. Holy Smokes!! That is one out of every fourth child!!! Then I learned yesterday that Olathe Public Schools reported 20% of children living in poverty last year and has increased to 24% this year. Shocking!!
What will happen to our nation and our people when 25% of all the children grow up in poverty and start becoming adults?
Many people don't think that Olathe or Johnson County has poverty or homeless, but we do. The school I am at has within our attendance boundaries the only homeless shelter in Olathe and one of the few in the Kansas City area. In the seven years I've taught in Olathe I've only ever had one student every couple of years that is from the shelter, or "the lodge" as we call it. But this year alone, I've had three!!! And to be honest, most of my kids look like they are homeless because of their family dynamics and situations. I've visited the homeless shelter several times. As a new educator to Olathe that was our first staff field trip and boy was it humbling. Then this year I suggested to our principal that maybe it was time for another field trip for our whole staff. What I didn't realize it that I would be touring one of my future student's home. Since then our staff has made an effort to donate items that they need at the lodge. The amazing director said she has to ration toilet paper, can you even imagine! I've dropped off toilet paper and diapers on multiple occasions and each time it is a gut renching experience. My heart goes out to these people. Some of them are working the system and aren't good people, but some of them have had unforeseeable events happen and are trying to do better.
On 60 Minutes this Sunday they ran a report on children living in poverty. It talked about how buses are now making stops at motels to pick up kids. They polled an audience of children about going to bed hungry, not having electricity, and living in their cars. I know of several families living this way. One of the statistics that stuck in my mind is that in the last 2 years the poverty rate for children has went from 14 million to 16 million and they are expecting it to reach 25% of all American children will be living in poverty soon. Holy Smokes!! That is one out of every fourth child!!! Then I learned yesterday that Olathe Public Schools reported 20% of children living in poverty last year and has increased to 24% this year. Shocking!!
What will happen to our nation and our people when 25% of all the children grow up in poverty and start becoming adults?
Monday, March 7, 2011
Nicknames
Somehow nicknames always evolve at our house. Somehow, but no one knows how this happens. Matt and I have always had lots of nicknames for our pets and each one seems to require a different accent. One time, before child, we wrote out all the nicknames we had for 1 dog and 2 cats. The list was long, over fifty. How that is possible, we don't know. Here are some of my favs:
Fenway - Frannie, Fran doggie, Fenster, and F******Frannie
Wrigley - Wrigleyfur, Wrigs, and, Wriglsby
Dodger - Dodg, Roger, Roger Dodger, and several I cannot name because they are offensive to the hispanic population
And now the nicknames have began with the people in our family. When Madelyn was first born Matt nicknamed her Sugar because she was so darn sweet. Then there was the time when she was about 9 months old and teething that we began calling her Mad Maddy but that didn't stick because I never intend to call her Maddy. And now, out of nowhere, Madelyn has started nicknames for all of us.
Matt is now Coconut
I am now Flower
Madelyn wanted to be called Tinkerbell. Perfect, except we have started tormenting her by calling her Stinkerbell or Stinkie Tinkie. She doesn't love it to say the least!
But I love it. I love that nicknames make us all laugh and bring us together like some secret code only we know.
Fenway - Frannie, Fran doggie, Fenster, and F******Frannie
Wrigley - Wrigleyfur, Wrigs, and, Wriglsby
Dodger - Dodg, Roger, Roger Dodger, and several I cannot name because they are offensive to the hispanic population
And now the nicknames have began with the people in our family. When Madelyn was first born Matt nicknamed her Sugar because she was so darn sweet. Then there was the time when she was about 9 months old and teething that we began calling her Mad Maddy but that didn't stick because I never intend to call her Maddy. And now, out of nowhere, Madelyn has started nicknames for all of us.
Matt is now Coconut
I am now Flower
Madelyn wanted to be called Tinkerbell. Perfect, except we have started tormenting her by calling her Stinkerbell or Stinkie Tinkie. She doesn't love it to say the least!
But I love it. I love that nicknames make us all laugh and bring us together like some secret code only we know.
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