DDA Chapter 22

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We have the "Hot Dog Supper and Mini School" tonight.

We pay $2 for a hot dog, chips, drink, and cookie. Then the principal will attempt to talk to a CRAM PACKED cafeteria full of parents and kids, nobody will be able to hear, and then they will tell everyone to go to their child's 1st period class. From there you follow your child's schedule around to meet the teachers and hear about curriculum.

If you can elbow your way up to the table you can buy spirit wear. I already paid my PTA dues for this year. DS needs a black jacket so I will have to fight my way through the gridlock. I need to pay the band director for DS's snare. Yay. Can't wait to have THAT back in the house. He did say he has played bells a couple of times this year - not sure if I need to rent those or not.

 

[Tammi67]

Well, look at the bright side I guess. At least you have parents interested in going to see/hear about their kids' classes.

 

[Glynis]

Thanks, Glynis!

Do you have the recipes already posted somewhere for the raspberry coconut cake and the caramel apple bundt cake? Those sound wonderful!

I need to bake a couple of batches of cookies for the first pasta dinner of the cross country season tomorrow. I think I've decided on peanut butter kiss cookies and snickerdoodles. Those always go over well. I'm just glad that I don't have to host one this year (tradition is that seniors host). I think there are 73 runners. My house isn't big enough for even half that!

I don't think that I've posted either of these recipes. The apple one I've tried before and it's amazingly good (and easy). The coconut one is a new recipe, but I really wanted to have a coconut cake, since in the book we read, the neighbor is always bringing coconut cake over. So, I hope it tastes as good as it smells..... we'll see! If it's good, I'll let y'all know and I'll be happy to post or PM any recipes people want.

 

[bethbuchall]

We have the "Hot Dog Supper and Mini School" tonight.

We pay $2 for a hot dog, chips, drink, and cookie. Then the principal will attempt to talk to a CRAM PACKED cafeteria full of parents and kids, nobody will be able to hear, and then they will tell everyone to go to their child's 1st period class. From there you follow your child's schedule around to meet the teachers and hear about curriculum.

If you can elbow your way up to the table you can buy spirit wear. I already paid my PTA dues for this year. DS needs a black jacket so I will have to fight my way through the gridlock. I need to pay the band director for DS's snare. Yay. Can't wait to have THAT back in the house. He did say he has played bells a couple of times this year - not sure if I need to rent those or not.

Miles can choose a band instrument this year. I was pushing for either the trumpet or the flute, since we already own each of those. He said, "I don't like to blow into things." So, should I push him towards percussion or just let him not take a band instrument? He already plays (and will continue to play) the viola for the orchestra. None of my kids seem to have any sort of "gift" for music, so he probably won't go too far in band. In some ways it seems like he should at least try. But if you think it's really bad, I'll let him out of it.

Well, look at the bright side I guess. At least you have parents interested in going to see/hear about their kids' classes.

That's true! We have some years that it seems like we're the only parents in some rooms (at the middle/high school level) and other years it's more like Elizabeth's school. The elementary school is almost always packed. At there are always a couple of parents who seem to think that the whole night is about them. It doesn't bother me, though. We get the information that we need and our presence shows our support.

 

[bethbuchall]

I don't think that I've posted either of these recipes. The apple one I've tried before and it's amazingly good (and easy). The coconut one is a new recipe, but I really wanted to have a coconut cake, since in the book we read, the neighbor is always bringing coconut cake over. So, I hope it tastes as good as it smells..... we'll see! If it's good, I'll let y'all know and I'll be happy to post or PM any recipes people want.

Thanks! I saw an old episode of Good Eats over the summer where Alton Brown made a coconut cake and have wanted one ever since. His was just too much time and effort for me, though. (I think I'm getting lazier which really shouldn't be possible I never used to be too lazy to bake something!)

What book did you read? Was it good? I'm currently reading The Other Boleyn Girl and enjoying it. Laura had to read The Great Gatsby and Nickeled and Dimed for summer reading projects. I haven't read either and will probably read those next. Then I'll need something else.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Well, look at the bright side I guess. At least you have parents interested in going to see/hear about their kids' classes.

I don't think they stay to meet the teachers. They leave after the cheap food.

 

[Tammi67]

Beth - Let him pick what he wants to play. He is going to be the one that has to "practice". If he doesn't want to play, don't force it. Sometimes the aggravation isn't worth it.

 

[babytrees]

Thanks! I saw an old episode of Good Eats over the summer where Alton Brown made a coconut cake and have wanted one ever since. His was just too much time and effort for me, though. (I think I'm getting lazier which really shouldn't be possible I never used to be too lazy to bake something!)

What book did you read? Was it good? I'm currently reading The Other Boleyn Girl and enjoying it. Laura had to read The Great Gatsby and Nickeled and Dimed for summer reading projects. I haven't read either and will probably read those next. Then I'll need something else.

I'm not Glynis but I know she was reading "Cold Sassy Tree" . I read it a few years back and enjoyed it.

I read "Driving Sideways" and loved it. I am trying to read "The Time Traveller's Wife" I say trying because I just can't seem to get into it.

"The Great Gatsby" is one of my favorite Fitzgerald books. Abi is going to read "To Kill a Mockingbird" so I will reread that with her.

 

[babytrees]

Beth-let Miles pick what he wants to play...if you force him to play any instrument it will become a battle to practice. (Even if they pick the instrument it can become a battle...I think our friend Dylan doesn't want to play percussion anymore but instead of telling his parents he is purposely losing "chair" battles so he is now 5th chair). Abi's first chair...but that ain't hard when you are the only euph.

 

[Tammi67]

Tonight is also the time for us to drop off any medication with the school nurse. I got permission slips from their ped. so that Motrin could be administered by the nurse "as needed". On the form it says medication must be in IT'S ORIGINAL CONTAINER. Last year they made me bring in a new, unopened box. So I called the nurse to inquire about it today. This is the nurse that called me everytime my kids had a hang nail and wanted me to come and get them. She said that they PREFER it to be a new unopened container. I said so one that is already opened is accepted. She said well then I have to count each pill and make sure it is what it is and if I can't tell what it is I won't give to them. I can tell this is going go be a confrontation with her. I wonder what she does with prescription medication. Last time I checked, the pharmacy doesn't give you a sealed prescription bottle. How does she verify that medication?? I already have the one that was returned at the end of the school year. I have one that has recently been opened that I keep here in the house. I don't want to have 3 boxes of Motrin with a few pills used out of each one. I checked the pills and they are stamped Motrin 200mg. I'm NOT buying another one.

 

[bethbuchall]

I'm not Glynis but I know she was reading "Cold Sassy Tree" . I read it a few years back and enjoyed it.

I read "Driving Sideways" and loved it. I am trying to read "The Time Traveller's Wife" I say trying because I just can't seem to get into it.

"The Great Gatsby" is one of my favorite Fitzgerald books. Abi is going to read "To Kill a Mockingbird" so I will reread that with her.

I loved the beginning of Time Traveler's Wife. I don't want to give anything away, but I ended up hating that book. I don't know how I missed The Great Gatsby all these years. I reread To Kill a Mockingbird when Matthew read it a few years ago. I can't remember if Laura had to read it or not. Laura is still reading Nickeled and Dimed but says that it's not particularly well-written, and she is irritated by the author's attitude of superiority. I'll add Driving Sideways and Cold Sassy Tree to my list.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Well. DS has his knickers all in a knot. He got 2 math tests back today and he failed both of them. Not by just a few points, either. He is REALLY upset about it. The reality of it is math is NOT his subject. If he is already doing THAT bad this early, he may need to bump down to an easier math class. This does not upset ME, because I knew it was coming, it was just a question of WHEN.

For me, I took Algebra in 8th, Geometry 9th (failed and had to go to summer school), "Liberal Arts" math in 10th, and then I re-took Algebra in 11th grade because I was short one math credit and Algebra II was too hard for me. I suspect I may have some sort of math learning difference, and DS may very well have it, too. There was a point where I hit a wall with math and simply could NOT understand the concepts beyond that point. If his teacher feels like he won't be able to hang in there even with tutoring then we'll move him out. Problem solved.

 

[bethbuchall]

Beth - Let him pick what he wants to play. He is going to be the one that has to "practice". If he doesn't want to play, don't force it. Sometimes the aggravation isn't worth it.

Beth-let Miles pick what he wants to play...if you force him to play any instrument it will become a battle to practice. (Even if they pick the instrument it can become a battle...I think our friend Dylan doesn't want to play percussion anymore but instead of telling his parents he is purposely losing "chair" battles so he is now 5th chair). Abi's first chair...but that ain't hard when you are the only euph.

Smart women think alike! You are right, of course, so I won't push it if he doesn't really want to play. It's just that I have recently let him drop Cub Scouts and SPARK (in-school enrichment program), and I feel like we're getting to be slackers! He had good, well-thought out reasons for dropping both Scouts and SPARK. I'm sure that we will find something else along the way that piques his interest...it's just dropping so much at once.

 

[bethbuchall]

Well. DS has his knickers all in a knot. He got 2 math tests back today and he failed both of them. Not by just a few points, either. He is REALLY upset about it. The reality of it is math is NOT his subject. If he is already doing THAT bad this early, he may need to bump down to an easier math class. This does not upset ME, because I knew it was coming, it was just a question of WHEN.

For me, I took Algebra in 8th, Geometry 9th (failed and had to go to summer school), "Liberal Arts" math in 10th, and then I re-took Algebra in 11th grade because I was short one math credit and Algebra II was too hard for me. I suspect I may have some sort of math learning difference, and DS may very well have it, too. There was a point where I hit a wall with math and simply could NOT understand the concepts beyond that point. If his teacher feels like he won't be able to hang in there even with tutoring then we'll move him out. Problem solved.

It definitely isn't worth on-going frustration! I "hit the wall" in Chem II in college and ended my thoughts of going to med school but not before trying Organic Chem, P-Chem, and everything else, because I was trying to prove that I could do it. I managed to pass but not well, and I never really got some of the concepts. Silly me!

 

[babytrees]

Smart women think alike! You are right, of course, so I won't push it if he doesn't really want to play. It's just that I have recently let him drop Cub Scouts and SPARK (in-school enrichment program), and I feel like we're getting to be slackers! He had good, well-thought out reasons for dropping both Scouts and SPARK. I'm sure that we will find something else along the way that piques his interest...it's just dropping so much at once.

But now he has the time to find that "something" that piques his interest and if he doesn't find it right away...who is to say that a semester of nothing is a bad thing??

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Beth - Sorry, got distracted by the math crisis. DH is supposed to be taking DS for his flu & meningitis vaccines, but instead he is screaming at DS about the math tests. DH would do well to SHUT UP and let me handle it.

So, Miles, instrument.
I played cello in middle school and LOVED it. I had no interest in band. I wanted DS to play a string but he refused. Percussion. And he loves it. Visions of marching band dance in his head and all that sort of thing. If he LOVES orchestra let him stay in that. If not, see if he wants to try something else.

Let Miles choose. If the rental fee for another instrument is prohibitive then have a heart to heart with him and find out what he wants to do.

The only thing I have been successful at pushing with DS is Theater classes. He balks, but he really does LIKE those classes, so when he balks I ignore him. With other stuff, when he says NO, he means NO, and if I push he is a complete snark every step of the way.

 

[bethbuchall]

Tonight is also the time for us to drop off any medication with the school nurse. I got permission slips from their ped. so that Motrin could be administered by the nurse "as needed". On the form it says medication must be in IT'S ORIGINAL CONTAINER. Last year they made me bring in a new, unopened box. So I called the nurse to inquire about it today. This is the nurse that called me everytime my kids had a hang nail and wanted me to come and get them. She said that they PREFER it to be a new unopened container. I said so one that is already opened is accepted. She said well then I have to count each pill and make sure it is what it is and if I can't tell what it is I won't give to them. I can tell this is going go be a confrontation with her. I wonder what she does with prescription medication. Last time I checked, the pharmacy doesn't give you a sealed prescription bottle. How does she verify that medication?? I already have the one that was returned at the end of the school year. I have one that has recently been opened that I keep here in the house. I don't want to have 3 boxes of Motrin with a few pills used out of each one. I checked the pills and they are stamped Motrin 200mg. I'm NOT buying another one.

It sounds like she should take your Motrin then. Make sure you don't accidentally slip an Advil in there.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Tammi - I don't know what the medication policies are here. I think probably if your child requires OTC meds you would have to come administer them yourself. The kids can be suspended/expelled if they are carrying OTC meds. I will tell you my prescription ibuprofen says IB800 but it doesn't come in any sort of factory sealed bottle. That nurse just likes to irritate you.

 

[babytrees]

Well. DS has his knickers all in a knot. He got 2 math tests back today and he failed both of them. Not by just a few points, either. He is REALLY upset about it. The reality of it is math is NOT his subject. If he is already doing THAT bad this early, he may need to bump down to an easier math class. This does not upset ME, because I knew it was coming, it was just a question of WHEN.

For me, I took Algebra in 8th, Geometry 9th (failed and had to go to summer school), "Liberal Arts" math in 10th, and then I re-took Algebra in 11th grade because I was short one math credit and Algebra II was too hard for me. I suspect I may have some sort of math learning difference, and DS may very well have it, too. There was a point where I hit a wall with math and simply could NOT understand the concepts beyond that point. If his teacher feels like he won't be able to hang in there even with tutoring then we'll move him out. Problem solved.

I get to write a note tonight saying I am okay with Cassidy moving out of AP Calculus (I didn't want her there anyway). She has done all of the IMP classes (Intergrated Math Principles....piece of crud if you ask me) so AP Calc or Stats were here only choices. I think she will end up retaking the semester of math she failed. If she didn't need the one semester credit I'd tell her to tell them to stuff it.

 

[PNO4TE]

Beth - If Miles is already happy with one instrument, I would let it alone. At this point children usually start to come to the parent asking to add another instrument. Not the other way around. As for dropping the other two extra activities... if there is a good reason for it, I would not worry any further. If he seems to be looking for things to do as the school year gets going, you can always add something but I wouldn't push it now. Just my opinion!

Elizabeth - I hope you and C get the math thing squared away to everyone's contentment level.