How Many Trips Can I Milk?~A PTR

[Charleston Princess]

Holy Cow!!! I thought I had a few bad days from time to time!

Okay, here are my thoughts ('cause you know I have them):

1. 13 and in the 6th grade??? Ummmm...why, I wonder?

2. Is this one of those kids that asks to leave EVERY SINGLE DAY? Is it a case of the boy who cried wolf?

3. Clearly, there is some animosity between student and teacher. If the teacher wrote him up for not having a belt, is that because he refused to pull up his pants when asked? Does he have a problem with authority?

4. If the teacher is in New Orleans, of course she isn't available for comment -- I am sure she hasn't thought twice about checking her home messages while she sips hurricanes on Bourbon Street. Won't that be a nice welcome home! Hope someone warns her beforehand.

5. I can't wait to hear the teacher's side of this one, and the reason why she was not aware there was a student URINATING in her room! Hello! I am with you Britt: What was she doing???

6. If she was being sarcastic: Lesson to be Learned: Typical middle school students are still at the stage of taking everything literally. Tread with caution!

 

[BrittBritt]

But in the middle school I usually sub in, they only get 2 minutes. What makes it worse is there is not a bell system in place and the teachers are left to rely on their classroom clocks, none of which match.

A few weeks ago I was subbing in a middle school health class (the one with 2 minutes between each period), and the teacher left a note, that said absolutely no passes. Now, I must have had at least a dozen kids ask to go the bathroom and I said no. I feel bad, but the one thing that can get you fired is not following the teachers lesson plan and rules. But there was one boy who asked me a few times. I kept saying no. He told me it was an emergency but I still said no. After all, I have been trained to realize that students will say anything to get out of the classroom. Finally he asked me, what will you do if I just walk out? I told him I would have to leave a note for his teacher. So he walked out, used the restroom and came back within a few minutes. He wasn't acting up in class and he wasn't gone long and clearly wasn't trying to take advantage. I did leave a note for the teacher and explained the sitution...of course as a sub you never know really what happens with those notes.

What a horrible system! How could children use the restroom, go to their lockers, and make it to class in 2 minutes? Why are the teachers responsible for watching the clocks?
I know what I'd do at that school. I've downloaded a program on my computer from Karen's Clocks online, and you're able to program the alarm on the clock to go off up to 5 times per day. So, every period, 2 minutes before the real bell rings, my computer (Karen's clock) bell dings. That way the kids have 2 minutes to get packed up and get ready before the real bell dings. Long rambling short, I'd use that program to time the kids between classes reliably.
What a tough spot the teachers put you in when they say NO passes. I can understand limiting passes...

When you gotta go you gotta go.
I don't think the boy could process that it was better to walk out then pee in the lunchbox. I don't know how you can deny the bathroom from a child...or an adult for that matter. Understand that some kids are just trying to get out of class but there should be some sort of system so every child could use the restroom if they needed. 2 minutes may not be enough time for a young lady dealing with her "friend" or for the other thing you do in the bathroom...poop

I know that I give my students 2 free restroom passes per marking period. Middle school classes are usually an hour or less in length, so if they've already used their passes, they need to hold it. Of course, I'm not heartless, and if a child truly has to go, I find a way to send them on an 'errand' so they'll be able to stop off at the restroom on their way back.

Holy Cow!!! I thought I had a few bad days from time to time!

Okay, here are my thoughts ('cause you know I have them):

1. 13 and in the 6th grade??? Ummmm...why, I wonder?

2. Is this one of those kids that asks to leave EVERY SINGLE DAY? Is it a case of the boy who cried wolf?

3. Clearly, there is some animosity between student and teacher. If the teacher wrote him up for not having a belt, is that because he refused to pull up his pants when asked? Does he have a problem with authority?

4. If the teacher is in New Orleans, of course she isn't available for comment -- I am sure she hasn't thought twice about checking her home messages while she sips hurricanes on Bourbon Street. Won't that be a nice welcome home! Hope someone warns her beforehand.

5. I can't wait to hear the teacher's side of this one, and the reason why she was not aware there was a student URINATING in her room! Hello! I am with you Britt: What was she doing???

6. If she was being sarcastic: Lesson to be Learned: Typical middle school students are still at the stage of taking everything literally. Tread with caution!

I think the answers to your comments/questions can be summed up like this:

1. This was a first year teacher.

2. This 6th grader has a mustache. (I found his pic online!)

 

[Charleston Princess]

I think the answers to your comments/questions can be summed up like this:

1. This was a first year teacher.

2. This 6th grader has a mustache. (I found his pic online!)

1. Okay, I can cut her a little bit of slack, but we were all first-year teachers at some point. None of us had kids peeing in the corner those first 180 days!

2. (Channeling Dodgeball): If you can grow a mustache, you can control your bladder.

Like you said, clearly both parties have problems!

 

[winkers]

That is one of the most bizzarre things I've ever heard of!

I really feel for kids having to ask to go to the bathroom, I always hated to do that when I was in school. On the other hand, it must be annoying if you have a kid who's always going, which it sounds to me like this couldn't have been the only time he'd asked that day.

What the heck is wrong with the mother? Calling the news! I'd be so embarassed that my son had done that! It's not bad enough the class knows, let's make sure the whole state gets in on it!


I'm just really puzzled by the teacher, student & the mom!

 

[pajules]

What the heck is wrong with the mother? Calling the news! I'd be so embarassed that my son had done that! It's not bad enough the class knows, let's make sure the whole state gets in on it!
!

Having worked in the news media I can promise you it's not uncommon for people to call the media to help "solve their problems." Honestly, I've taken so many calls from people complaining they've been wronged or their kids have been taken away by children and youth services for no reason.....

When you ask them if they've contacted the police or a supervisor with CAY, the answer is usually "NO." I've always just tried to be patient, listen to them and let them vent and then take thier name and number and tell them we'll need to investigate first before we can move forward. In many cases, the claims turn out to me embellished and are not considered news worthy, but as a journalist you need to investigate because honestly you never know, I mean look at this story, would you have believed it?

 

[Disneychix]

BrittBritt I hope you will still make it to the WL! There's still a lot of time. If DH doesn't want to stay one more day maybe you could move to WL on your last day instead of adding a day on? I'm sure he really would appreciate it when he's there. It's just the time when you caught him. I have bad timing with my DH too. He's always saying I think about these things too much. He answers the phone and says "what have you planned now?"

 

[MeMom]

I think a night at Wilderness Lodge would be a great way to go out, too!

During the last few steps out of Epcot on Wednesday, I said to Jill, "This is the part where you surprise me and tell me you've booked three extra days!"

She said she wished she could tell me that, but unfortunately, instead of rechecking in at an upgrade somewhere, we ended up getting in the car to come home.

Sadness.

At least I do have one more countdown left until the annual pass runs out. Jill and John now have two countdowns going, since they booked a trip to go with some friends in October.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

On the pee lunch box story: I knew kids in school that would push the teachers' buttons to no end and I believe this was probably that type of kid. He knew the difference between right and wrong and what sarcasm is and sounds like. He was doing it to get a rise out of the teacher and attention from his classmates. And it worked. I am not a teacher, I have worked at daycares, though and even my little kindergarteners would know better than to do their pee pees in the teacher's lunchbox!

But I also think that the teacher was in the wrong. As I believe she was pushing his buttons right back by using sarcasm and denying him the right to use the restroom. I mean, come on! Although I had a teacher in 7th grade that would not allow bathroom trips, there were no lunchbox pee pee accidents in the classroom. (Though there were a LOT of parental complaints with good reason). Children in a public school should have the right to a good education, the right to nutritious meals, and the right to relieve there bladders.

 

[j_lehr]

What a horrible system! How could children use the restroom, go to their lockers, and make it to class in 2 minutes? Why are the teachers responsible for watching the clocks?
I know what I'd do at that school. I've downloaded a program on my computer from Karen's Clocks online, and you're able to program the alarm on the clock to go off up to 5 times per day. So, every period, 2 minutes before the real bell rings, my computer (Karen's clock) bell dings. That way the kids have 2 minutes to get packed up and get ready before the real bell dings. Long rambling short, I'd use that program to time the kids between classes reliably.
What a tough spot the teachers put you in when they say NO passes. I can understand limiting passes...



I know that I give my students 2 free restroom passes per marking period. Middle school classes are usually an hour or less in length, so if they've already used their passes, they need to hold it. Of course, I'm not heartless, and if a child truly has to go, I find a way to send them on an 'errand' so they'll be able to stop off at the restroom on their way back.



I think the answers to your comments/questions can be summed up like this:

1. This was a first year teacher.

2. This 6th grader has a mustache. (I found his pic online!)

I am not sure why they only have two minutes. My opinion is the school feels their classes are close and the longer they give the students, the more they are going to goof off.

I can't explain why there are no bells. There are 3 middle schools in our town and none of them use bells. I think this is the first year they are doing it because my daughter was in 8th grade last year and she said they had bells. It is very odd though...I always compare my cell with the clock and it's always different. And then you never really know when you can start the class...and kids always come in after you start and I am never sure whether to mark them late or not so I usually don't (of course, unless it's 5 or 10 minutes behind everyone else).

I like the system of giving the kids so many passes per marking period. I subbed in a class at the high school and the teacher did this. One of the really cool things about subbing is you learn how others to do so someday when I am teaching, I can use all these little tips I picked up.
I want to teach middle school math - I am taking my test in June!!!

 

[michellem1118]

Our kids only have 2 minutes between classes as well, and our classes are 70 minutes long. The school is 6th-12th grade. Oh, and we're not allowed to issue passes in the first or last 10 minutes of class, nor are we allowed to issue more than 3 passes per class. AND the bathrooms are kept locked in the 2 minutes between classes, so the kids can't go then, even if they want to. For our high schoolers, it usually works OK, but for the little ones, it can be problematic.

 

[BrittBritt]

1. Okay, I can cut her a little bit of slack, but we were all first-year teachers at some point. None of us had kids peeing in the corner those first 180 days!

2. (Channeling Dodgeball): If you can grow a mustache, you can control your bladder.

Like you said, clearly both parties have problems!

I almost didn't recognize you with your new pic!
No, I didn't have anyone peeing in the corner during my first 180 days, but I did have 2 12-year olds with "accidents" in the Media Center. Can you believe that? The librarian started looking at me funny. What, did she think I was encouraging it?

That is one of the most bizzarre things I've ever heard of!

I really feel for kids having to ask to go to the bathroom, I always hated to do that when I was in school. On the other hand, it must be annoying if you have a kid who's always going, which it sounds to me like this couldn't have been the only time he'd asked that day.

What the heck is wrong with the mother? Calling the news! I'd be so embarassed that my son had done that! It's not bad enough the class knows, let's make sure the whole state gets in on it!


I'm just really puzzled by the teacher, student & the mom!

Right on! We can now only hope the mom points her son in the direction of Jordan's TR, so he'll learn what a bathroom looks like!

Having worked in the news media I can promise you it's not uncommon for people to call the media to help "solve their problems." Honestly, I've taken so many calls from people complaining they've been wronged or their kids have been taken away by children and youth services for no reason.....

When you ask them if they've contacted the police or a supervisor with CAY, the answer is usually "NO." I've always just tried to be patient, listen to them and let them vent and then take thier name and number and tell them we'll need to investigate first before we can move forward. In many cases, the claims turn out to me embellished and are not considered news worthy, but as a journalist you need to investigate because honestly you never know, I mean look at this story, would you have believed it?

DH goes through some similar things...He'll go to calls where the parents say, "I can't get my child to get out of bed and go to school." Really? The parents think that's an issue for the police? It's frightening that anyone can become a parent.

BrittBritt I hope you will still make it to the WL! There's still a lot of time. If DH doesn't want to stay one more day maybe you could move to WL on your last day instead of adding a day on? I'm sure he really would appreciate it when he's there. It's just the time when you caught him. I have bad timing with my DH too. He's always saying I think about these things too much. He answers the phone and says "what have you planned now?"

Well, I think I'm just going to chalk this up as a temporary setback. Then, in January for DH's birthday, maybe we'll have to spend a surprise weekend at the Lodge. The prices should be easier to stomach then. Whoops, another Disney trip...

I think a night at Wilderness Lodge would be a great way to go out, too!

During the last few steps out of Epcot on Wednesday, I said to Jill, "This is the part where you surprise me and tell me you've booked three extra days!"

She said she wished she could tell me that, but unfortunately, instead of rechecking in at an upgrade somewhere, we ended up getting in the car to come home.

Sadness.

At least I do have one more countdown left until the annual pass runs out. Jill and John now have two countdowns going, since they booked a trip to go with some friends in October.

Aren't annual passes fabulous? Your daydream sounded nice...Reality, not so much fun!

On the pee lunch box story: I knew kids in school that would push the teachers' buttons to no end and I believe this was probably that type of kid. He knew the difference between right and wrong and what sarcasm is and sounds like. He was doing it to get a rise out of the teacher and attention from his classmates. And it worked. I am not a teacher, I have worked at daycares, though and even my little kindergarteners would know better than to do their pee pees in the teacher's lunchbox!

But I also think that the teacher was in the wrong. As I believe she was pushing his buttons right back by using sarcasm and denying him the right to use the restroom. I mean, come on! Although I had a teacher in 7th grade that would not allow bathroom trips, there were no lunchbox pee pee accidents in the classroom. (Though there were a LOT of parental complaints with good reason). Children in a public school should have the right to a good education, the right to nutritious meals, and the right to relieve there bladders.

The story just amazed me. How can you truly defend the teacher or the child? Maybe the student should be sent back to kindergarten to learn about restrooms, and maybe the teacher should go back to UF to learn some classroom management techniques.
You know, at Florida State, the fabulous school I went to, I don't recall the Lunchbox Pee Pee Ultimatum Technique being taught....Hmmmm.....

I am not sure why they only have two minutes. My opinion is the school feels their classes are close and the longer they give the students, the more they are going to goof off.

I can't explain why there are no bells. There are 3 middle schools in our town and none of them use bells. I think this is the first year they are doing it because my daughter was in 8th grade last year and she said they had bells. It is very odd though...I always compare my cell with the clock and it's always different. And then you never really know when you can start the class...and kids always come in after you start and I am never sure whether to mark them late or not so I usually don't (of course, unless it's 5 or 10 minutes behind everyone else).

I like the system of giving the kids so many passes per marking period. I subbed in a class at the high school and the teacher did this. One of the really cool things about subbing is you learn how others to do so someday when I am teaching, I can use all these little tips I picked up.
I want to teach middle school math - I am taking my test in June!!!

Good luck on your test in June!

Our kids only have 2 minutes between classes as well, and our classes are 70 minutes long. The school is 6th-12th grade. Oh, and we're not allowed to issue passes in the first or last 10 minutes of class, nor are we allowed to issue more than 3 passes per class. AND the bathrooms are kept locked in the 2 minutes between classes, so the kids can't go then, even if they want to. For our high schoolers, it usually works OK, but for the little ones, it can be problematic.

I had never heard of this! The poor teachers....to only have a 2-minute breather between periods seems unfair to them as well!

 

[BrittBritt]

Ok, we're leaving the pee pee behind and moving on...

Faith (my DSis) is involved in Irish Step Dancing classes. (I know, it sounds strange for an 8-year old!) She's really into it, and likes it better than those "stupid ballet" classes she used to take. Even though she's only been doing the Irish Step for a few months, her teacher must have thought she had a modicum of talent, because she asked Faith to dance in the upcoming Fesh (sp?). I'm not totally sure what a fesh is, but I imagine it's like a recital/exhibition for Irish dancing. Faith was over the moon when she received this invitation. She was fitted for a neat little costume and cute little shoes, and every time I'd go to visit her, she'd force me to watch her practicing for the fesh. (This was just slightly less excruciating than watching her practice her ballet. No need to flame! I love her, but there's only so much mediocre dancing I can take.)

This fesh is coming up on Saturday, April 5th. That's just one day before DH and I leave on our Road Trip Extravaganza, but more importantly, it's the same day Disney on Ice: Princess Wishes comes to town. Initially, I was bummed. I knew Faith would enjoy the ice show. We went last year when the show was basically one long commercial for Disneyland, and we loved every minute of our $10 cotton candy experience. With the fesh, there would just be no way for us to make both. Oh well, Faith loves the dancing, and she wasn't disappointed about the ice show, because we were careful not to mention it around her. You can't be disappointed if you never knew!

Well...long story relatively short...Faith went on vacation with my dad and stepmom and then came down with a pesky cold that just would not go away. She regretfully missed several days of dance class. My stepmother kept the dance company aware of what was going on and couldn't imagine that there'd be any problem. Faith shows up a little over a week later, and she's met by one of the other little girls in her class who kindly says, "Ha ha, you're not in the fesh anymore! Ha ha!" Lovely child really...

After speaking with the instructor, my stepmom learned that Faith's absences had cost her the place in the fesh. Why the instructor would choose to inform any of the other students before she told Faith, we still have no idea.

Needless to say, Faith was crushed! She'd worked so hard for this. She'd really been looking forward to the honor of representing the dance company. For goodness sakes, she even had the costume already! It about broke my heart to hear her say, "I shouldn't have gone on vacation. Look how much trouble vacation caused!"

About this time, I started talking to my stepmom again about Disney on Ice. We thought it would be a great way to take Faith's mind off of the negative dancing situation and maybe turn it into a positive. We did, however, decide to hold off buying the tickets just yet, as we weren't sure whether my dad would want to go. (There was NO CHANCE DH would go. Swat guys can't be caught at Disney on Ice! )

Lo and behold, stepmom gets a call from the dance instructor yesterday. Instructor has apparently decided to reinstate the fesh invitation for Faith, absences and all. As much as stepmom wanted to tell this instructor where she should shove her fesh, she restrained herself for Faith's sake.

So, if you're still following this obnoxious rant, first there was fesh and no ice, then ice and no fesh, and finally back to fesh again. But what about ice?

I still want to go. (I know, VERY nerdy... ) The one problem, I have no one to go with! And my pride will just not accept a solo trip to Princess Wishes. I am now off to search YouTube for clips. Of course, nothing could replace the real experience of actually being at the show. (We don't sell $10 cotton candy here!)

Since all my posts lately have seemed so negative, I promise to have a positive update in the morning. I have new purchases to show and lots of pics! Hopefully some of you will stay tuned!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I love pictures of shopping. It's like going myself but I don't have to pay for it or find someplace in my house for it.

By the way...I love Irish step dancing...I hope to have a daughter someday that would want to do it. Then she could work at Ragland Road and get me free tickets to WDW...

 

[irky416]

I just read through most of your pre-trip report and am loving it so far!

I can't wait to read more!

 

[BrittBritt]

I love pictures of shopping. It's like going myself but I don't have to pay for it or find someplace in my house for it.

By the way...I love Irish step dancing...I hope to have a daughter someday that would want to do it. Then she could work at Ragland Road and get me free tickets to WDW...

That's impressive...You found a way to connect my story back to Disney!

I just read through most of your pre-trip report and am loving it so far!

I can't wait to read more!

Thanks for joining in! I think you'll find that we have just a few things in common!

 

[BrittBritt]

As promised, less talk, more pics!

Here are just a FEW of my recent purchases:

I already showed you the one on the left. I love, love, love the book in the middle. DH thinks it's a silly investment, but I think Faith will get a kick out of treasure hunting. It has hunts for every park, resort, and even the cruise ships! I wasn't too impressed with the UG. I know MANY people on here swear by that book, but I don't think it added anything to my knowledge of Disney. I could definitely have found the same info here, and it doesn't have any of the nice, colorful pictures that the Complete Guide has.

It's my baggalini! I am so excited to use this bag on my trips. It it just the right size, and it has neat little pockets in all the right places. Do you think anyone will recognize me as a Dis'er in this? I do have two concerns about it: 1. someone was saying the strap/buckle was irritating them and 2. someone else was saying the buckle was moving on them, so they had to pin it in place. I'm clearly going to need to test drive this bag prior to Disney to see how it works for me.

My first attempt at an iron-on transfer! I thought this was too cute! RumblyTumbly has such wonderful designs.

Miss Botox was not happy that the attention wasn't on her! Diva!

Here's a close up of the shirt she was laying on. Don't flame me about how long her nails are. I KNOW they're long! Holding down Miss Botox and cutting her nails at the same time is no easy feat. It takes at least 2 people, and since DH and I are working exactly opposite schedules at the moment, her nails will have to wait for a joint day off.

Tink Spirit bath stuff I bought from WalMart. I actually bought this without even smelling it!

How could I pass these up? This was probably the one practical thing I bought!

Here are some of my Dollar General finds. I'm planning on adding this stuff to the goodie bag I'm making for Faith.

I don't know...I'm tempted to keep this pen for myself. It lights up when you write with it! My students would be so mesmerized by it, they might actually pay attention!

These are autograph/journal books I made for Faith and I. The only thing done so far is the cover. I'll have to post more pics later when I actually get around to decorating the inside pages.

Close ups! Even though I like both of them, I think Faith will get the Tink one, and I'll keep the castle for myself.

Well, I figure since our debit cards haven't yet been rejected, we must still have SOME money left. The damage couldn't have been all that bad!

Till next time...

 

[ariel2007]

Oh, I've been naughty and haven't caught up for a few days . Sorry to hear about Disney On Ice, we took Sophie to one a surprise over here last year and loved it. Like you said it was one big commercial for Disneyland and all the snacks were seriously overpriced but I can't wait to go again. Shame I don't live in Florida (yet! ) or I could have come with you.

I love the tops and the books you made are great. The Tink Spirit stuff looks cool, will have to look out for that when were there ... only 5 weeks now . Oh and Miss Botox is so cute, she has some serious attitude

 

[Charleston Princess]

I almost didn't recognize you with your new pic!

I'm all new, sparkly, and pink!

Right on! We can now only hope the mom points her son in the direction of Jordan's TR, so he'll learn what a bathroom looks like!

This was just slightly less excruciating than watching her practice her ballet. No need to flame! I love her, but there's only so much mediocre dancing I can take.

I understand completely, especially after listening to DD practice her recorder for music class.

Lo and behold, stepmom gets a call from the dance instructor yesterday. Instructor has apparently decided to reinstate the fesh invitation for Faith, absences and all. As much as stepmom wanted to tell this instructor where she should shove her fesh, she restrained herself for Faith's sake.

I am glad that Faith is back in the Fesh...let's hope the dance instructor gets her act together about making decisions!

I still want to go. (I know, VERY nerdy... ) The one problem, I have no one to go with! And my pride will just not accept a solo trip to Princess Wishes. I am now off to search YouTube for clips. Of course, nothing could replace the real experience of actually being at the show. (We don't sell $10 cotton candy here!)

Sign me up for the $10 cotton candy!

And then, suddenly, after reading your update, Passporter's Treasure Hunts ended up in my shopping cart on amazon. I wonder how that happened???

My first attempt at an iron-on transfer! I thought this was too cute! RumblyTumbly has such wonderful designs.

It turned out great! I will probably be asking you how to do the whole iron-on transfer thing in another week -- I plan on attempting it during my spring break.

Tink Spirit bath stuff I bought from WalMart. I actually bought this without even smelling it!

And, then, quite inexplicably, I find I need to make a quick run to Walmart! How does it smell?

How could I pass these up? This was probably the one practical thing I bought!

The Easter Bunny almost got those, too, for Chelsea's basket -- instead he opted for the rubber bands with Tink on them, and the ribbony hair thing with Tink ribbons. Great minds...

These are autograph/journal books I made for Faith and I. The only thing done so far is the cover. I'll have to post more pics later when I actually get around to decorating the inside pages.

Close ups! Even though I like both of them, I think Faith will get the Tink one, and I'll keep the castle for myself.

Cute! What size are they? How are you planning on binding them? I haven't quite figured out how I want to do that for Chelsea and Connor's autograph books.

 

[jordanyosh]

You've been busy, but in a totally "healthy" Disney obsessed way.....

Those covers look great.....wow.

 

[Native NYer]

Great ptr! Joining in!