There are many things I want to write about, so make yourself comfortable and sit back for a long read!
First of all, Helena is finally ungrounded! I don't think I fully mentioned this before. She had really bad grades in 3 of her classes ever since before Spring Break! At first she was just grounded from hanging out with friends. That was not enough incentive, apparently. When things did not improve in a timely manner, I pulled her out of ballet.
The timing couldn't have been worse for her. She was scheduled to attend the Regional Dance America/Pacific Festival. She would have missed 3 days of school to spend the time in intensive ballet training with guest teachers from all over the region. I had paid $200 for her to be able to do this.
I told her that since her grades were not in hand, that she could not afford to miss school and would, therefore, have to miss the festival. No I did not get a refund.
She was very mature about it. I was really impressed with her calm acceptance, though I knew it was cutting her up inside. She did not throw a single fit over it.
As of yesterday, her ban was lifted and she was allowed to return to ballet. She was very excited and a little nervous to see the other girls, since she knew that they would all be asking her where she had been. She was honest with them and they all understood. One of the girls said "I'm glad my parents don't enforce that rule!" I hope that Helena will someday say "I'm really glad that my parents DID enforce that rule."
Next topic, children at school.
Maybe it is because it is the end of the year. I am finding myself out of patience. The students are getting more unruly as the end draws near.
Most of the kids are absolutely adorable! There are always a few in every class, though, that try my patience. Some kids have an identifiable medical condition, like Autism, that makes it harder for them to function. Those are not the kids I am talking about. Those kids are not annoying, they simply need more help and understanding.
No. The kids I refer to are completely normal and fully functioning kids. They just seem to have an amazing ability to frustrate me constantly!
There is one girl in particular that comes to mind. She is in first grade. She appears to be the petted and pretty darling of some mommy. She is always a little fashion plate. Her hair is always curled. ALWAYS. That of itself is out of the ordinary. Most kids have a pony tail day now and again. Not this little darling. None of that is annoying, though.
It is hard to put a finger on it. She grabs things away from other children because she wants it. Then gives me an "of course I did and I'll do it again next time" look when I correct her for it. If I tell the kids to stay in their seat and not to use the pencil sharpener, where do you think she is? Yup. Out of her seat and at the sharpener. The rules for simple mortals do not apply to this little princess. I guess I have hidden my dislike well because today when she rushed into class, she marched right up to me and said "Here. I made this for you on Saturday!" It was a cut out paper flower. Glowing with inner contentment, she turned and took a seat. Did it melt my heart? Not a bit. She continued to behave like a petted princess throughout the class period.
This little girl is only one of the annoying children. Thank heaven there aren't many! It makes me wonder what their parents are like. Of course, for all I know, my own children were probably the annoying kids for some other teacher(s).
And finally, MAY!!! I am so excited for warm weather!I really should be outside right now basking in the late afternoon sunshine. All teachers and students are counting the days now. I have my end of year checkout inventory and need to finalize all grades by next Wednesday. OH YEAH!
I always spend the first week of summer doing absolutely nothing. Then out comes THE LIST. Most people make New Year's resolutions. I make Summer resolutions. I usually accomplish them, too! Past success makes future successes more likely. This post has rambled on for some time, now, so I'll have to make a different post about Summer resolutions.
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