Have you seen this? According to my 15-year-old, I’m an all-powerful, evil villain who is personally responsible for all the woes of Bearden High School’s Color Guard. Students in Color Guard get a credit on their high school transcript. Since they are on block schedule, the class is about 25% of their regular school day. I have this silly idea that regular school hours are for learning and the absence of a teacher or ANY adult supervision during that time is neglect on the school’s part. I’m old fashioned that way. So, after several weeks of waiting for the school to find someone to supervise the Color Guard during school hours, Sarah came home with blood on her face and shirt. The injury was harmless and one of those freaky things that only happen to our family, but I wasn’t going to wait for something serious to happen. I sent the new principal an e-mail.
The principal replied within minutes from his handy-dandy BlackBerry. “I understand your concern. I will remedy the problem.” Awesome. I waited a few days to hear a reaction from Sarah. Finally, I asked if anything was different during 4th period. Sarah’s eyes rolled back in her head as it spun around in slow motion. Laser beams shot out of her eyes and fire came out of her mouth as she spoke. “The teacher is really mad. She said that someone’s parent called the school to complain. Now we have a babysitter. I know it was you who complained.” I processed the lava that my teen spat upon me. The teacher blamed the students and pitted them against each other because I sent one e-mail. I offered to call and talk to the teacher. Sarah‘s head exploded. I told her I would back off. For now.
So, the Color Guard are now eating their own and half of them can’t learn the routine, because of me. I want to try and fix this problem of my own making. Maybe if I send an e-mail . . .
you horrible mom you!
Expecting your child to be supervised while at school? How dare you! What’s wrong with you Cathy? Sheesh. ;D
Talk to the teacher regardless of what she thinks. Kids don’t control their education or their supervision and they don’t control you. Where do kids get this “oh mom you’re embarrassing me with your interference” crap? Oh yeah, TV. Like that commercial where the mom and dad are dressed in costumes picking the kid up from school and the kid’s embarrassed. Kids assume their parents are going to embarrass them, so everything we do is an embarrassment.
I’d be more concerned with the atrocious grammar and spelling on that girl’s blog you linked to.
Barry, you know “that girl” is our daughter right? She’s pretty sharp when it comes to grammar and spelling but takes a Facebook approach to her blogging and just lets it go. We don’t care about that right now because I’m just happy to see her using her blog. I believe having the children blog will serve them well in the future. 4 out of 5 have blogs at their own domain. Their writing style will change and eventually they will give more attention to spelling and grammar. If I push it now, they might just give up.
As for the teacher, it’s continuing to be handled. And we weren’t the only parents to contact the school.
Sorry, I didn’t realize it was her site (don’t recognize the last name right away).
I hope the writing style changes – I don’t see that happening with a lot of kids that are allowed to “let it go” during their formative years. I wouldn’t keep my hopes up on it improving much if you don’t try to correct it now…
Considering the 15-year-old quoted her teacher as referring to her as the smartest girl in class and also one of the smartest in the whole school, it would appear that when it matters, she can and does turn on the grammar and spelling switch.
Sarah makes straight A’s. She is in the Key Club and the Honor Society as well as the Art Honor Society. She is on the Color Guard and the Climbing Team. The only person who she gives attitude to is ME. She can be as slang as she wants to be on her blog.
Sounds just like me throwing a fit over the bathrooms at BMS being locked in between classes. My son was so embarrassed about me throwing a fit until I explained to him I was trying to protect him. One day I am sure she’ll see you were just doing the reponsible thing as a parent and tax payer.
Don’t worry about doing the right thing Cathy. Next week she will be giving you attitude about something else. Barry do you have kids? The reason I ask is this: It’s common for teens to have their own slang, language, and outbursts to each other, then turn in beautiful work to their teachers. It’s not a sign that she will not improve her friendship grammer later. We have to pick our battles.
You are just terrible to actually care about your child!