It's so quiet!!! Where is everyone?

[PrincessNancy96]

No, they can't tell me I HAVE to, but they can strongly suggest that I do it and manage to NEVER hear the phrase where I said, "No, I don't want to." I should know by Friday if it's for me!

Nancy--congrats on 2000 posts!!! That's my new goal!!

Thanks!!! I'm such a chatter box! AS my DH says.. YOU always talk, you never stop! Well, guess who may just not eat tomorrow!!!

Well, what is going on with the cheerleading? I thought you were getting a break???

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Add me to the list of signing the planner every day....

and Buffy, I feel your pain about them 'losing' your ds for the 10 minutes...my ds left the class twice in one day last month. I had a ROYAL FIT!

SIOH, so, what's gonna happen with cheerleading? They can't tell you that you HAVE to, right? (or can they??)

Nancy, LOL about finding B words in your mags!!! Congrats on 2000!!!

I'm done w/about 75% of my shopping.....all the teachers, scout leaders, religious ed teachers, bus drivers, etc, are done, some relatives are done, and have a bunch of stuff for the kids, but my ds just wrote his santa list today...



Here's mine..
Dear Santa,
I want some SLEEP! Please!!!

Hey add me to the sleep request..and the no homework request..and the give me a break request!!! LOL
I helped him find P words today... can I tell you.. I found every old magazine we had! NO scrapping magazines for you sweetiepie!!!
I wonder what DH would say if I gave him the computer magazine when he gets to the letter C!

AWM~ they get special treatment for a sports team.. I hate that.. that is so wrong.. I think they should be held accountable too, so what they play sports.. they still need an education! My kids are all sports junkies and homework is still a priority before TV, phone, friends.. If you can't do homework and maintain A/B's on your work.. you can't play.. I have gone as far as going taking game time away and they have to ride the bench.. Now, it's a little easier in the recreational leagues cause DH is usually the coach.. but I won't hesitate to tell DD, DSs that no game til the grades are up! Like I tell my kids.. there is NO guarantee in life that SPORTS is where your money will come from, there is a guarantee that your money will come from the EDUCATION you give yourself!

 

[rlovew]

As a teacher myself I can see the problems you are having from both points of view. I ask for my students agendas to be signed nioghtly and I take time out of my planning period to sign and write a note to every parent each day. I only keep students in from recess if they aren't signed on nights I have written test grades in the agenda. I have to keep all of their tests (except spelling and phonics) on file so I can't send them home. I don't want parents to be shocked at progress reports or report cards so I make sure the grades get signed.

I hate homework and sending homework and checking it- I wouldn't give any if my parents didn't expect it.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Crazy isn't it? One almost expects the "Special" treatment or to hear about from High School students - but THIRD grade? Come on. It is rediculous. Lucky for me my boys are more artistically gifted than athletic.

I am glad to see that there other moms out there who believe education comes before recreation (which is what sports are whether school or community).

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

rlovew, I don't think you are in the majority with regards to sending home personal notes. I don't think I have ever seen one in my DS planner. And I do believe that would make a difference.

I would LOVE to know what goes on everyday like that. Will you come to our school and teach?

 

[Mickeyteacher]

Hey, that isn't teaching them anything!!! Responsiblity is a big deal..and how can they earn it back? Why can't they earn it back? Our school tried "bucks" where the kids earned money or could lose money depending on the activity/event/homework..but NEVER were they told if they lost money they couldn't go to the goodie bin. We had one teacher, DS10's teacher, in 4th grade..that let them accumulate money all year.. if they wanted they could cash out early..but if they accumulated X dollars they got a big prize.. They could eat lunch in the classroom w/ a friend and the teacher, lunch w/ the teacher only and MCD's was the treat...

Ok, I'm a teacher and I'm sitting here wondering why people would expect children to be perfect. This is what I do in my classroom (5th Grade)- They have "dolphin Dollars" and they earn them and they have them taken away- the rules, amounts and rewards are class decided on in the beginning of the year. Once a quarter they can cash them in for really big items- Once a month they can cash them in for medium size stuff. Every week they have the opportunity to buy little stuff (gum, a peice of candy, pencils, ect)
If I got money taken out of my paycheck everytime I forgot something- boy, I would owe the school system for letting me work there!
I do understand that children need to read every night- but my 1st graders reading log has been lost for months! I do not sign it or anything- the teacher can tell that he reads by how many AR tests he takes. I also would be mad if my child was kept in for not having me fill out a paper-
In our school we are not allowed to keep students from playing on the playground for the whole recess- if they do not do homework, I make them make it up during the day and they walk around the baseball field for a couple of minutes- they get exercise and them we talk about how we can fix this problem so that it does not happen again.

I'm sorry that ya'll have had problem- I'm not perfect, but I do treat the children in my class as my own.

S

 

[Mickeyteacher]

BTW... I have decorated the house- last year we put away three trees- this year four came out of storage- I just had to put them all up! DH was not to happy about the extra tree but I found the perfect place for it!
I have not shopped yet- I plan on doing that this weekend! Since we are giving the kids their trip to Disney World- I don't have much to buy.
Baking is half done.
Nothing is wrapped because I have not bought anything.
Grades are almost done at school- I have to up load grades before I can leave for Disney- Now if that is not a reason to grade all those paper then I do not know what is.
SS stuff is bought, wrapped and ready to go out- I'm going to send it on Friday. My normal postoffice man has been away on business this week. DH will be home tomorrow!
S

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

we only get notes from teachers when things go bad, which don't think is right.


AWM you can't have rlovew, she's mine!! I saw her first!

P.S. I want to make sure we don't start a debate, share the love people! I love our school for the most part, that can dump the principal but that's another story, however, I went to school. I'm done with school but I feel like I'm the one in the 5th grade again.
Was school this tough when we went??? I don't remember getting 2 hours of homework in the 5th grade do you?

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

BTW... I have decorated the house- last year we put away three trees- this year four came out of storage- I just had to put them all up! DH was not to happy about the extra tree but I found the perfect place for it!
I have not shopped yet- I plan on doing that this weekend! Since we are giving the kids their trip to Disney World- I don't have much to buy.
Baking is half done.
Nothing is wrapped because I have not bought anything.
Grades are almost done at school- I have to up load grades before I can leave for Disney- Now if that is not a reason to grade all those paper then I do not know what is.
SS stuff is bought, wrapped and ready to go out- I'm going to send it on Friday. My normal postoffice man has been away on business this week. DH will be home tomorrow!
S

When are you leaving for WDW??? Have a great trip!! We went in Dec last year and loved it!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Sharing the here! I love our no debates threads!!

rlovew--that is awesome that you write personal notes to the parents! I hope they appreciate that as much as they should!

Mickeyteacher--I think your dolphin dollars sound neat! I would have been one of those kids who never had any dollars at the end of the year--I would've spent them when I got them! Yep, I was an instant gratification child! Have fun on your trip!! It'll be here SOON!!

I'm impressed with all of you who have all of your decorating and everything done! That's amazing! Please feel free to come to my house!

B&MB--I try not to remember what school was like when we went. I think I did have one of those "reward" systems in 3rd grade, but I don't remember. Hmmm. . .could it have been that I never got to pull a prize?

Have a great night, everyone!

 

[Mickeyteacher]

When are you leaving for WDW??? Have a great trip!! We went in Dec last year and loved it!

We leave on the 15th. I can not wait- we have not told the kids yet, we are planning on waking them up at Disney on the 16th and telling them that we are here- this is their big Christmas gift and my Graduation gift to them. I did tell my DS two weeks ago but he does not remember it- he was in the OR getting his tonsils removed - DH said I was mean for doing it!

 

[party of 3]

We leave on the 15th. I can not wait- we have not told the kids yet, we are planning on waking them up at Disney on the 16th and telling them that we are here- this is their big Christmas gift and my Graduation gift to them. I did tell my DS two weeks ago but he does not remember it- he was in the OR getting his tonsils removed - DH said I was mean for doing it!

i wish someone would wake me up and tell me i'm at wdw!!!! what a wonderful christmas present! have a great trip!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

As a teacher myself I can see the problems you are having from both points of view. I ask for my students agendas to be signed nioghtly and I take time out of my planning period to sign and write a note to every parent each day. I only keep students in from recess if they aren't signed on nights I have written test grades in the agenda. I have to keep all of their tests (except spelling and phonics) on file so I can't send them home. I don't want parents to be shocked at progress reports or report cards so I make sure the grades get signed.

I hate homework and sending homework and checking it- I wouldn't give any if my parents didn't expect it.

I think I would enjoy having a note in the agenda... just a little note to say he is doing great or grades.. we don't have grades given to us in the agenda.. that would be nice.. it'd be a constant record of grades..... I do get upset when we don't have at least a weeks notice on tests... I know sometimes you just can't especially on pop quizzes...

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Ok, I'm a teacher and I'm sitting here wondering why people would expect children to be perfect. This is what I do in my classroom (5th Grade)- They have "dolphin Dollars" and they earn them and they have them taken away- the rules, amounts and rewards are class decided on in the beginning of the year. Once a quarter they can cash them in for really big items- Once a month they can cash them in for medium size stuff. Every week they have the opportunity to buy little stuff (gum, a peice of candy, pencils, ect)
If I got money taken out of my paycheck everytime I forgot something- boy, I would owe the school system for letting me work there!
I do understand that children need to read every night- but my 1st graders reading log has been lost for months! I do not sign it or anything- the teacher can tell that he reads by how many AR tests he takes. I also would be mad if my child was kept in for not having me fill out a paper-
In our school we are not allowed to keep students from playing on the playground for the whole recess- if they do not do homework, I make them make it up during the day and they walk around the baseball field for a couple of minutes- they get exercise and them we talk about how we can fix this problem so that it does not happen again.

I'm sorry that ya'll have had problem- I'm not perfect, but I do treat the children in my class as my own.

S

I hope I didn't offend you.. What I was trying to say in regards to KAMommy's post was that I thought it was awful that if her DD lost money that she couldn't earn it back or that she couldn't go to the goodie bin if she even lost 1 dollar of the 5 she had to start the week..
Responsibility is a big deal..believe me.. I'm battling it here w/ my own kids..
Believe me, my kids aren't perfect.. I just want them to realize that education is important.. sports or other activities are second..
I go through backpacks every day.. it's been a tradition that they give me their backpacks as soon as they arrive home.. This allows me to go through and make sure they have everything; if not it's a run to school and a discussion about remembering.. Do I forget things, oh yeah!!! I think I owe money too!

ETA: I think the "buck" idea is good.. I just wish it was better explained to the parents...that way when child comes home we'd understand the system and could help explain why this or that happened...

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I like my DS teacher. She is nice and she does have her hands full with 11 active football players in her class who forget that they are no longer on the field.
And I totally agree, not every system is the best for every child and we all agree education is important (or you all wouldn't be teachers 'cause you sure don't do it for the $$$)

I really want to wake up in WDW. I've been playing that game on ebay, you never really know. Maybe I am destined to go to WDW sooner than later.

As for decorating, ugh, still decluttering my house. I do have one tree up that boys "helped" decorated. And, yup, it looks like it. Good thing my perfectionist personality took a vacation today. Still have to buy presents for my folks, but the nephews & nieces are done. I have all these really great altered paint cans that I'm putting gift cards into. I had to have some reason for making them or my DH would have not been happy with me.

 

[rlovew]

I'm proud of all of you that have started or finished decorating. Maybe after my conference this weekend in Tampa I'll start getting things up but more likely it will be next weekend. More than likely though decorations won't go up until I get back from my next trip to Disney. I am going up on the 18th of December for a couple of days with 2 of the girls in my middle school Bible study. I can't wait- I'll get to spend the whole day at the parks without DH grouching about wanting a nap. Although he was pretty good about it last week but I had to wear my birthday button to help him remember it was my trip.

 

[KAMommy]

See Nancy...I told you that you started this thread to hit 2,000!!!

I would like to clarify (okay that sounds too debate-y)...I would like to just say that part of the problem I am having is that DD is in a completely new school and the administration still doesn't have it's head on straight...so I don't know how the teachers could be working effectively. It is horrible! They "hand-picked" the PTA - without notifying anyone of the meeting, the office is disorganized...really bad.

And DD's teacher is a nice person, I think she is just overwhelmed as a new teacher, and she has to deal with the school level chaos on top of that - she really isn't getting much help - so I have been trying to cut a LOT of slack. I got a note today that DD had a bit of a temper tantrum in class today (for which we are thoroughly grounded), but I haven't gotten anything telling me she was penalized for forgetting things. After this year is over, I am going to ask her what she feels the dollar system she has accomplished, and I am going to let her know what it did for DD. Basically, if (like this week) DD loses a dollar over something, I can count on her being in trouble for the rest of the week - she knows she has lost her treat bin trip, she knows she can't get it back and she stops caring. And I can't believe she is the only kid who is feeling that way.

All that being said...the teacher is new, she really is trying and DD is learning a lot...that's why I haven't pitched a huge fit.

OH - and homework - the entire second grade has a least two worksheets a night, and this week we are learning the preamble to the Constitution.

 

[Mickster]

Phew! I thought first grade was overwhelming! I don't have much to add, except to say Holy Cow!

My DS has homework every night (math and reading) and spelling 2 x a week. The math is a single work sheet that his teacher has already explained and he is supposed to read for 15 minutes. All we have to do is initial that he did it. His teacher is a 2nd year teacher and seems really on the ball. I have been subbing at his school (I'm certified chemsitry, and I've been subbing in kindergarten - what a treat! It's been fun!!), so I've gotten to know the teachers and the administration. So far, I'm pretty happy. Enough about that though...

On to the good stuff. I am decorated. Every year my ILs come out for Thanksgiving and stay for a few days to help decorate. So, the tree and inside stuff went up on Friday and the outside stuff on Saturday. Done. Because they were here, I got my envelopes printed and the inside of my Christmas cards printed. My DS drew the outside at school. I just have to get my DH in gear to give me back the picture for the inside. We had to do just a bit of photoshopping. (Is that a word???) I am pretty much done with shopping but haven't even thought about wrapping. That is my least favorite job.

Well, I think I've written enough for now. Time for bed.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

WOW I didn't realize how many of us have kids around the same grades and ages.

Can I just say, I am thoroughly jealous that 2 of you are going to WDW over the holidays. This is the first year since we started going that we don't have a trip planned. I'm going through WDW withdrawal. March can't come here fast enough!

OK so who is on their way to help me put some xmas cheer into my house. I have to get a tree still!!!
We have a holiday workshop on Friday, Sat DS5 has a birthday party at 1pm, and Sunday is the Mini car club christmas party at 12. And they are having a Yankee Swap so I need to get 2 gifts. Any ideas???? Roughly around $20 a piece.
When will I get a tree??? I'm trying to convince DH to put it on the mini but he's not buying it, he doesn't want to mess up the top of the car.

 

[Downrivermama]

I hear ya! My dd's kindergarten teacher and aide let my dd and others wander. I would get a call at work to tell me that her and another child were in the girls room throwing wet paper towels up to the ceiling! I can laugh about it now, but it was so aggravating. I told her it was her responsibility to keep track of my dd. How can you not notice if the classroom door opens? That teacher would call for every little thing. 2 weeks before Christmas she left a voice mail at work that my dd was "bouncing off the walls!" What kid isn't bouncing off the walls at this time of year?! Couldn't wait to get out of that class

DD is in 3rd grade and has a very good teacher. I really didn't want her to have this teacher, but she is great! I thought she would be too structured, after the chaos of K,1/2 but dd loves it. They have a toke economy going this year and get dollars to use at the store every other month. I really don't think that is a good way to teach responsibility.

I have to sign her planner every day and sometimes that gets old.