October 21, 2007

A new week

Friday, I have two informal meetings with my principal.  The first one was to add someone to extended day and we got to talking about everything that has been going on this year with my parents and some of my students.  I left feeling a lot better about things.  I asked her about the grade meeting I was hearing about and she said she wants to talk to us on Monday.  Apparently parents are complaining that different classes are doing different things.  She just thinks with the parents we are dealing with this year, it’s best to not do that.

I had a feeling where this was coming from.  I gave a read aloud essay and science quiz and the other classes didn’t. They gave out a social studies project and I didn’t.  I explained to my principal that I didn’t think it was a good idea to give the social studies essay to my class.  They are having a lot of difficulty with the topics and they don’t understand it well enough to do a project.  I really think it would be to much. I felt that a science quiz was important because they need to know the meaning of the words for our state test and the read aloud essay was like ELA practice.  So my principal didn’t seem to have a problem with anything I said.  She just wants to be sure we are all on the same page.  She thinks if we can’t agree on project we shouldn’t send it home.  So basically projects and tests will be lessened as the year goes on, if i had to guess.

The second meeting was about a parent who decided to come to my classroom again to be sure her son had everything he needs.  I can’t take it.  So I complained.  I tried working with them, but they are making my year like hell, they won’t be coming to my room for anything. I was told to send a note to the office or call the office if I see her and someone will come up and ask her to make an appointment to speak with me.  They also have to watch better to make sure she’s not sneaking up after she gets into the building.

So both of my meetings went well and I really walked away feeling much better.  I think coaches must have told her I was stressing out. 

Now we have to wait and see what this week has in store for me.