Conferences

*The best quote by a parent to her son: "You need to get serious about school! You only get one chance at it! Don't be like me; I spent two years in fourth grade, and six years in high school. Of course, I did take time off because I got pregnant..." The sad part is that my evaluation as a teacher is reflective of my ability to get kids like this to do well in school. How can I beat that gene pool, however? The odds are stacked against me. *Andy's parents didn't show up for their conference without any email or anything either before to let me know they couldn't make it or afterward to apologize for missing the conference. They also did not attend the fall goal setting conference in October. So after the three days of conferences were over, I sent emails to any parents who didn't show, and gave them dates where I was willing to meet with them either before or right after school. I got a reply from Andy's mom, who said in her email, "Mine would have to be after school. Do you have anything around 5 or is that to late?" Too late? Um, yeah. That is exactly why during our three days of after school conferencing, we had two late nights. TWO! We did that so we would be able to conference with parents like yourself who couldn't come before 5 pm! And yet, you didn't show. So now you expect me to stay for an hour after my long day ends, just so you can come after 5? You are failing your child. And, yes, it is now too late. And no, I won't stay to make up this conference after 5. And your child, who is bright, is still failing school because apparently his parents don't care. *Amanda's parents didn't show up for their conference. I didn't really expect them to. They also did not show up back in October for the goal setting conference. Amanda has an older sister who is apparently gifted in gymnastics, so much so that she could apparently be in the Olympics someday. So she requires all her parents' attention, and Amanda learns to fend for herself to get things done. The day after their missed conference Amanda told me that her parents had to go to a gymnastics thing with her sister... Therefore I was surprised last Friday, the day before our mid-winter break and the Friday of conference week where Amanda's parents didn't show up without even a word to me, to be told by Mr. Way Too Young Principal that Amanda's dad had called to tell him that Amanda lately doesn't like school and thinks I don't like her. Now if Mr. Way Too Young Principal had experience at the elementary (he doesn't) and/or experience being a principal (he doesn't), he might have questioned why, after over 100 days in school, Amanda is all of a sudden complaining that I don't like her. Why, after over 100 days in school, Amanda is all of a sudden unhappy and not wanting to be at school? Good Grief. I shall talk with Amanda on Monday. I sent an email to her parents to reschedule but have heard nothing. And Mr. Way Too Young Principal wants to "be at the conference." God. I need a change.

Mr. PR Peson's Apology (Let It Snow Part 5-and Last)

Immediately after Mr. Important Superintendent sent his email, it was followed by an email from Mr. PR Person, minus a song. He basically danced around the issue of the poor decision the district made today. I will include two interesting sections from his email, and of course, my comments, if necessary, will be in parenthesis... "...we have confirmed reports of three minor accidents involving our busses with no injuries reported. We have also heard anecdotally of minor accidents involving KSD staff, students, and family members, but again, no reports of injuries or serious accidents(Ah, come on. They were just little fender benders. Who cares? I make enough money...Oh, you don't? You are just an underpaid teacher? A poor student? Oh, well. Be glad it wasn't fatal.)..." Actually, one of the "minor accidents involving" a bus was on the local news. I'm sure, since most districts closed, no one could figure out why our busses were on the road. I bet it brought even more embarrassment to the district. Then, at the end of his email, was this statement: "...Finally – a personal note: I want to apologize for the jocular tone of my first email this morning. I often try to infuse a light touch into my communications as a way of reminding myself and others of the very trying but human nature of our tasking. It was meant to encourage folks through what was then expected to be a light challenge, but given the actual conditions faced by commuters, it has been understandably received as being dismissive of real travel challenges and dangers that should have been more obvious. I made a mistake and I am sincerely sorry if my poorly placed levity added to your difficulty today. I am always amazed at the commitment of our staff in times of challenge and I so much regret that my choice of words or style might have added even a moment of discomfort to your already trying day..." It does seem heartfelt. Did you notice he used the word levity? The same word I used in my email I sent earlier to Mr. Important Superintendent. Coincidence? Maybe...

Apology From the Superintendent to Staff (Let It Snow Part 4)

The fun continues. Mr. Important Superintendent sent this email out to staff about a half hour after I sent him my email, although I don't think my cleverly worded email was what moved him to apologize. I believe my email was one of many, and that the district had been bombarded with complaints and problems all day long (My personal comments are in parenthesis throughout his apology): Dear Colleagues (He wouldn't know me if he and I were the only ones in the room), This morning was very trying for many of you (it wouldn't have been if you had made the right decision in the first place), and I apologize for the stress it caused while you were on your way to work under threatening conditions (I was almost hoping to be involved in an accident so I could have sent him the bill). Today’s decision to start school at the regular time (asinine decision that you now regret), and the weather events that worsened after that decision (because you guys never thought to look out the window after 6 am), have left many angry (to say the least). I want each of you to know we have heard your concerns and understand your deeply held disappointment in today’s events. We make these decisions at 5:00 a.m., after the Transportation Department has surveyed the situation (and, as stated, you apparently never rethink the situation). At that time, the temperature was rising (from 27 degrees to 29 degrees), the roads were clear (the snow had not been falling for very long), and it looked as if the storm was going to pass us by (Pass us by? Do you not listen to the forecast?). Unfortunately this was a miscalculation (I'll say), as the weather worsened before it got better. In retrospect, we should have delayed school two hours rather than start at the usual time (Like all the other surrounding districts were doing). Before we need to make a snow scheduling decision again this winter, we will (look out the window? watch the news? listen to the weather predictions? all of the above?) address the issues that led to this miscalculation (word choice...) so that, to the best of our ability, it will not happen again. I’ve asked Mr. PR Person to follow up with you today with more detailed information (and I'm thinking he was also told not to make songs). We apologize for this difficult end of the month and stressful beginning of the winter break. Despite today’s circumstances, we hope your winter break is peaceful and full of joy, and look forward to seeing you again in January (Merry Christmas anyway).

My Response to Stupid Email #1 (Let It Snow Part 3)

So that email really made me mad. First of all, it was sent at 6:30 in the morning telling us that school was on time with no changes. Ummm....Did you ever listen to the news and/or look out the window at any time after 6:30? Because the conditions got steadily worse...This email proved that this decision was made for things as usual early in the morning, and they never reconsidered anything else. The email made me mad that it was so light-hearted, when staff, parents, and students who might drive themselves to high school had to risk life and limb just getting to school. I was so mad, and was furiously emailing our union president back and forth. I finally asked her, "Who can I tell staff to email with their complaints and stories about their commute this morning?" She emailed back and said, "Email Dr. Superintendent." So that is what I did. I think I wrote a very good email: Mr. Important Superintendent, I had a very stressful morning trying to get to my school from my home this morning. My normal 15-minute commute for me took about 45 minutes and I rarely was able to go above 5 MPH. All along the main road were cars pulled over and abandoned or in the ditch. I counted 6 cars, I believe. The road was sheer ice, and the traffic was incredible. I can only imagine what the commute was like for the high school employees and STUDENTS who had to drive themselves to school when it was still dark. Therefore, I was glad to finally make it to school with 10 minutes to spare before I had to start my day with my students. As I began to check my emails, I read the email from Mr. District PR Person sent at 6:30 this morning. Needless to say, after my stressful commute, I could not appreciate the intended levity of his email including the wintery song. I believe too many people were put at risk today, and many teachers at my school were offended by the email. I think it is unfortunate that our district didn’t make a better decision today that would have ensured the safety and sanity of everyone. Thank you, Frustrated Teacher

Stupid Email #1 (Let It Snow Pt.2)

This is Part 2 of my snow day. It involves a stupid email sent from our chummy PR spokesperson in the district. It was sent out at 6:30 Friday morning to tell us that school was on regular schedule. But in red it said: However, since some neighboring districts have been impact4ed by weather issues, there will be no out of district transportation today. Huh. As if the snow fell everywhere except for our school district...Is that why they had to close down three different hills in our town? And the neighboring districts...You mean the ones that many of your employees live in and have to commute from? Those districts that shut down? Then here was the kicker for me. This guy, so full of happy spirit, had the time to sit and compose a happy little song about this whole situation: "Well the weather outside is frightful, But our schools are so delightful, That I just wanted to let you know, NO DELAYS because of the snow..." The caps were his, too.

Let It Snow-Just As Predicted!

We got our first major snowfall of the winter season yesterday. The weather guys and gals had been predicting it all week, showing us the models and maps. It was slated to get freezing during the week (it did), then the temps would begin to rise (they did), clouds would form (they did), and snow was to fall as temps warmed further. The snow was supposed to start falling early Friday morning, like at 1 am. They were so sure about this prediction, that at school on Thursday I did what I had planned on doing Friday, the last day before winter break, just in case. I gave my math test and had the kids assemble their 2014 calendar that they were to give their parents for a gift. I also had kids take them home, just in case. I also brought gifts to school that I had to give to certain staff members that I ordinarily would have handed out on Friday. I really didn't think we'd be at school Friday, and instead would get an early start to our winter holiday. Happily, I went home on Thursday. The snow was supposed to start falling sometime between 1 am and 3 am, and we were slated to get anywhere from 1-5". Because it had been so cold, too, it would be very icy. So with all that, and the fact that it was the last day before a two week break, I totally expected to wake to snow and school district closed. I woke at 3 am, and eagerly looked out the window. I could see grass. I could see the pavement in the cul de sac. I could see cars that weren't hidden under a layer of white. Where was the snow they predicted? I was so angry I couldn't go back to sleep. So I headed downstairs. I made coffee, I logged onto Facebook and ranted that the weather guys were liars, and then settled in to read in the quiet house where everyone else was sleeping. At 3:30, I noticed it was snowing. Hurray! The weather guys weren't liars. The snow continued to fall steadily, but tiny little flakes. Even after about two hours there was hardly anything to speak of. Things were white but that was about it. My husband got up to get ready for school. But the snow continued to fall. Soon, the news began to show school district closures. I could see that districts to the north were hard hit and many were either closing or had declared a late-start day. As I watched, I could see that the closures and altered schedules moved south. The snow continued to fall, and was accumulating quickly. Within a half hour time the district where we live called for a 2 hour delay. I told my husband, who wished he had known earlier. My younger daughter had just gotten up, and when I told her, she went back to bed. My district, though, was still looking like it was on regular schedule. Even though I expected a late start, too, I figured I had better start to get ready as normal. So I did. I kept checking with the news, and watching all the excitement unfold with the coming of the snow and school closures. All around us districts were either a late start or canceled all together. Many districts who had called a late start to the day were changing to a canceled Snow Day. On the maps on the news, open districts showed in blue, late start districts showed in yellow, and canceled districts showed in red. My district was beginning to be the only blue in a sea of yellow and red. On Facebook, all of my fellow teachers in my district were in disbelief that nothing was being changed. The only change to my district was that there was to be no "out of district" transportation (I didn't know we had any...). We were remaining open-business as usual. The only open, regular district around. I put off going to school as late as possible. I wanted to give any traffic a chance to get on the roads. My commute, mind you, is 15 minutes at the most. My district is the next one over from where I live. The district I live in was canceled. My kids and my husband got an early start to their vacation. I went out and swept snow off my car, and headed out. It was scary. I live on a hill, and I just crept down. Then, I continued to creep my way to school. The roads were sheer ice. I saw at least 6 cars on the sides of the road as I made my way to school, never getting above 5 MPH. The traffic was heavy and slow. My commute took about 45 minutes. I got to school with only about 10 minutes to spare before my day began with kids. And only 12 kids showed up. Eventually we got up to 18 kids. It was a wasted day. Buses were late, getting accidents, hills had to be closed, the truck that delivers lunches couldn't get around....It was just a head ache of a day. Why they didn't cancel is beyond me. But we had some fun emails. Stay tuned.

Too Much Information!

I got this email from a parent today whose daughter has been out sick all week: "...I am keeping the girls home one more day, just to make sure that they are really ready to return to school. I want to make sure they are eating normally and having normal bowel movements before I send them back to school..." I am so pleased to know the regularity of my student's bowel movements. My own girls are now more appreciative of me.