A SMALL SIGH OF RELIEF, ONLY TO SUCK IT BACK IN.
A couple of weeks ago I was devastated by my son’s progress report. He was getting an F in math, and not so good in a couple of others, but A’s in the rest. Of course I was panicked about this as he has always excelled in math and Science. All kinds of things went through my head, how it must me my fault somehow. The move maybe. I have been to preoccupied with the move and looking for a job. His natural father, I didn’t handle that situation right and he’s messed up about it. And I could go on and on.
I am never surprised if he gets below a B in L.A. But always surprised when he gets a B or better. He has always struggled with spelling. He was in every reading program that the schools have, plus after school help, and extra help at home. Both my girls went through this also. They both excel in reading and LA now. But they didn’t struggle as hard as he did. Last year in 3rd grade it all came together for him and we all sighed in relief. He is now reading at almost a 6th grade level. Few!
I was furious at the teacher for not informing me sooner about his grades. This teacher is male, and not a good communicator as far as I am concerned. This is Aidan’s first male teacher and he was excited, as he really liked a male teacher in his other school and always hung out with him because he was such a cool teacher. Fourth grade might be one of those leaps into being a big kid and more responsible, but not once, not even for big projects have we been notified of what is expected or when they are due. His last big project, the due date was changed several times. I was taking my son’s word on that as he is an honest child.
A couple of weeks ago he came home with a 5-6 page sheet on a LA report they have to do. Nothing else. Just its due sometime in January.
So I asked aidan if this was something they have to do at home or are they doing this in school (and gasp, the teacher was giving the parents a heads up?), he doesn’t know. The teacher just gave it to them and told them to pick a animal on the list. Big surprise. I was a little taken aback. This teacher really didn’t have that big of balls to think that the parents were suppose to teach our children at home how to right a report to this extent. This is their first one of this magnitude. So its been sitting in the back of my head for a couple of weeks or so. Knowing the parent teacher conferences were coming up the following week I sat back. I had to cancel my appointment for one of the job interviews with PL. I felt guilty as heck. And hoped I could go in after vacation.
Now, during vacation while doing a deep cleaning and moving his room around I found a paper from the school, not his teacher,the school, informing me of his math grade. It was dated sometime in early November! I questioned Aidan about it and got a big “I don’t Know” . I explained to him that he is not going to be put to death for bad grades, but hiding them is another thing. He took his punishment pretty well lol. Signed the note and added one to let his teach know what was going on.
Yesterday we went to an assembly at Aidan’s, as he was getting an award. Good citizenship and following the school rules thing. So I just about lunged on his teacher after to set up a appointment to talk to him. I went back later that day.
I am still a little dumbfounded. And not sure if I want to kiss or kill his teacher. I am leaning towards killing right now. After going over his grades with the teacher, I tell him how I am shocked about math. He says. “Well yes, he is very good in math, he is G.A.T.E level in all his tests. It’s his class work that is making him get the F. I asked him a while back if he was bored. He said it was too easy, and yes he was. So I asked him to hang in there that we are going to be learning new things very soon.” A WHILE BACK? Just how long ago. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW WEEK OF HIM BEING IN HIS CLASS! I am soooooooo pissed. Not only is he GATE level in math, but several other subjects. It’s his class work that is holding him up. He is not paying attention in class, cause the teacher thinks he is bored. SO WHEN THE FUCK WAS THIS TEACHER GOING TO TELL ME? He freaking knew he was bored. Can you believe this?
We agreed to both talk with Aidan and tell him he needs to pay attention, boring or not, and do the work he has to. When he has done that he can go on to something more challenging if he wants. Or he can draw, read, play a game. Anything he wants as long as he shows he can do the work and do it right. And after Christmas vacation we will talk again. And decide were to go depending on how he is doing.
I am shell shocked. I think this teacher has realized he fucked up, and just might jump through hoops (at least he better) from here on in. I am going to be sticking very close to him. I told him I wanted weekly notes in his binder reminder on his progress, anything, I want notes from him EVERY WEEK.
And another thing that gets me is.........
Posted on 12/03/04 at 01:11 PM