Bring it on, Sparkle.

It's still a trial in progress with behavior in my class. We did have an excellent day earlier in the week, so I KNOW it can happen. I just wish they would do it more. Even though I despise Mondays, the children are relatively calm on those days. Not sure why...

As of yesterday morning, I had 24 students. As of yesterday afternoon, I had 23. One has moved to Chesapeake... which is kind of sad since she was 1) a girl and 2) a good student. Now I have 6 girls and 17 boys. Yikes.

It's official, GM is in love with me. The second day of school he drew a picture of me and him at the beach. He parrots a lot of what I say. And now I am the subject of his spelling homework sentences:
- I am hugging Miss F.
- I hugged Miss F.
- I am smiling at Miss F.
- I smiled at Miss F.

Mr. R is going to get jealous now that he has competition against a seven year old. ;)

Now, last year, we all know I had some problems with specific parents. It wouldn't be a thrilling school year without a Part Deux. I have just those parents.

Parent #1 - Concerned, but Not Concerned Enough to Do Anything About It
- This parent writes about a note per week, detailing their concern over their child's grades or behavior. They make requests for seat changes, minute-by-minute information regarding schedules, etc. Because the parent doesn't want to deal with educational matters, the concern is then placed unto a grandparent to be the point of contact... who comes to find out later had been writing the notes all along.

Parent #2 - Always on the Defensive, then Turns Offensive
- This parent is notified about their child's progress and the teacher's concern over the low grades. They make excuses for the lack of accountability on their child (i.e., working too much, not home all the time, etc.). Just when you thought the phone conversation was over, they accuse the teacher of not doing her job and not giving their child more opportunities for a third/fourth/fifth retest in any given subject. When the teacher explains that lessons have been taught at least four different time and evidence of this is in the weekly Saddlebag of their student's work, this parent finds more reasons why they are not the ones to blame. This parent is a teacher's worst headache.

Parent #3 - Passive Activist
- This parent is all verbally gungho about having their student succeed and demands to be notified of misbehavior and poor grades at the beginning of the year. When the teacher notifies them of either of the aforementioned, this parent agrees and thanks for the call. Over the next few days, the behavior still hasn't changed and it is back to square one to the cyclic procedure.

Parent #4 - A Child's First and Foremost Teacher
- This parent is a teacher's favorite. This parent sometimes comes into the classroom to help out with organizing, filing, or even bringing in treats. They may struggle to make ends meet, but they put the emphasis on education first. They do what they need to do to help their child reach their potential. If the means are available, they get a tutor. They also study their child's sent-home work with their child, even if it is for five minutes a day. They check their student's homework every night to keep their student accountable. They build a partnership with the teacher and know it is not a one-person show.

Well, that's about it. Miss EB and I are going to look for bridesmaid dresses today, I think. We'll see, we'll see... if I can get out of my pj's and motivate myself to get dressed. :P

-- Miss Chelsea :)