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lurkernomore · Sep 22nd, 2009, 04:18 PM

Has anyone had their Open House yet? Mine is coming up, and it is always such a long night. I wish parents understood that it is just an informational night, and not a time for conferences. Most get it, but there are always one or two that want undivided time to discuss their child, and it is just not possible. I do hope a lot of parents show, though!

fabae · Sep 22nd, 2009, 09:48 PM

We actually do our Open House 2 days before the first day of school. It's a clear attempt to get the parents to understand that it is NOT time for conferences, but it still doesn't work. I spent 45 minutes after our Open House talking to parents who wanted to make sure I knew such-and-such about their child before the first day of school. (Why the parents of 20 students think I'm going to remember what every single one of them said about their child when I've never even laid eyes on their child is beyond me. I can't even make a mental connection with a child's face! And to start off your child's year with "He's really a sweet child, but he has an anger problem" - before I've had a chance to meet him on our turf - isn't smart.)

At least you have only one or two, though. I spoke with at least 20 of my 32 students' parents - everything from "He's allergic to milk" to "Make sure she writes the accents over the e's in her name."

lurkernomore · Sep 23rd, 2009, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by fabae

We actually do our Open House 2 days before the first day of school. It's a clear attempt to get the parents to understand that it is NOT time for conferences, but it still doesn't work. I spent 45 minutes after our Open House talking to parents who wanted to make sure I knew such-and-such about their child before the first day of school. (Why the parents of 20 students think I'm going to remember what every single one of them said about their child when I've never even laid eyes on their child is beyond me. I can't even make a mental connection with a child's face! And to start off your child's year with "He's really a sweet child, but he has an anger problem" - before I've had a chance to meet him on our turf - isn't smart.)

At least you have only one or two, though. I spoke with at least 20 of my 32 students' parents - everything from "He's allergic to milk" to "Make sure she writes the accents over the e's in her name."

We have a computerized attendance/grading program that also tells us about allergies, etc. which is nice and saves us a lot of what you have to go through. Although one parent thought it was necessary for our team to know that her child has to have a suppository every night

Please, please tell me WHY I need to know this. Can't wait to meet that parent!

Today was a good day though. The kids are settling in, and it is always fun to catch the first notes being passed!
And, yes, I am going away this weekend...i

ash14vwb · Sep 29th, 2009, 08:10 PM

^ Since I'm in high school, we don't have an Open House but do have Back to School Night. Mine is tomorrow night. I don't mind Back to School Night; I love meeting the parents. After a 3 day weekend, though (we had off for Yom Kippur), I am NOT looking forward to being at school from 6:30am to 9:30pm! And plans are due next week, and I do NOT want to spend the coming weekend doing them. When I look at my plans for 1 cousre from last year, I just think, 'What was I THINKING!!" So it's alot to make it better, although it's fun to know what worked/didn't and change accordingly ..

I just feel like we teach so much in the semester that it's absurd to think it can all be crammed in and the kids will actually *learn* it for it to be useful in their future. Also, will all these random days off we get in the fall, planning is tough. I make sure no assessments fall on the first day of the week so that we have time to go over it the day before, but this means everyhting keeps getting pushed forward because I'd rather take more time than rush them through things and overwhelm them. Don't get me wrong, I count down til the days off, but having to plan around them accordingly, and even use the days off as planning time!, gets very, very overwhelming.

And since this is my 2nd year, I'm trying to volunteer to do as many of the secretarial jobs as possible in my department.. it's just so much! I feel guilty when I try to have a social life. The other teachers in my department pretty much live, eat and breathe our high school, are there ALL the time (one went in for some reason yesterday on our day off AND was at the school's community day on Saturday running it all day), they all hang out together, are very chit-chatty and whispery.. I am trying to include myself more in their group this year so they're not talking ABOUT me like last year, but I don't actually feel like I can trust them or really am friends with them.

Oh my gosh. Sorry guys. This was a very needed 'vent.' I promise it won't happen again for awhile! I know you all understand. Phew!

fabae · Sep 29th, 2009, 10:45 PM

^It's a vent thread! That's what we're here for.

And be careful. Until you find you can trust them, keep your talk very positive and don't spill any beans you wouldn't want everyone to know.

lurkernomore · Sep 30th, 2009, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by ash14vwb

^ Since I'm in high school, we don't have an Open House but do have Back to School Night. Mine is tomorrow night. I don't mind Back to School Night; I love meeting the parents. After a 3 day weekend, though (we had off for Yom Kippur), I am NOT looking forward to being at school from 6:30am to 9:30pm! And plans are due next week, and I do NOT want to spend the coming weekend doing them. When I look at my plans for 1 cousre from last year, I just think, 'What was I THINKING!!" So it's alot to make it better, although it's fun to know what worked/didn't and change accordingly ..

I just feel like we teach so much in the semester that it's absurd to think it can all be crammed in and the kids will actually *learn* it for it to be useful in their future. Also, will all these random days off we get in the fall, planning is tough. I make sure no assessments fall on the first day of the week so that we have time to go over it the day before, but this means everyhting keeps getting pushed forward because I'd rather take more time than rush them through things and overwhelm them. Don't get me wrong, I count down til the days off, but having to plan around them accordingly, and even use the days off as planning time!, gets very, very overwhelming.

And since this is my 2nd year, I'm trying to volunteer to do as many of the secretarial jobs as possible in my department.. it's just so much! I feel guilty when I try to have a social life. The other teachers in my department pretty much live, eat and breathe our high school, are there ALL the time (one went in for some reason yesterday on our day off AND was at the school's community day on Saturday running it all day), they all hang out together, are very chit-chatty and whispery.. I am trying to include myself more in their group this year so they're not talking ABOUT me like last year, but I don't actually feel like I can trust them or really am friends with them.

Oh my gosh. Sorry guys. This was a very needed 'vent.' I promise it won't happen again for awhile! I know you all understand. Phew!

I hate that "high school" crap when you are dealing with adults. Sad but true story - Our district did a reorg, and my grade moved up to the middle school. We are often still forgotten and/or not included, and it has been six years

. Some people (maybe even an administrator) don't even call me by the correct first OR last name. Luckily I have a great team, and our grade gets along (overall). But the cattiness really gets out of hand sometimes.
I am always out of the loop when it comes to gossip (which I look at as a good thing), but I have a teammate who always gets the good stuff...and I have to admit I do listen...

IMHO - If they are talking about you - there is a good chance they are jealous!

ash14vwb · Oct 2nd, 2009, 05:35 PM

^^ That is so sad about the reorg :( Six years and unsure of teachers' names? That principal needs a talking to!! You're absolutely right about being careful about who you trust, too. It's unfortunate for many reasons... I always looked forward to having a group of teacher friends when I started, like the relationship I had with girls in my college classes, or the Spanish teachers from my old HS that I subbed with and made me feel like I belonged, even as a sub. So to me, it's them, not me, LOL!

fabae · Oct 2nd, 2009, 09:25 PM

Ah, Friday.

lurkernomore · Oct 3rd, 2009, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by fabae

Ah, Friday.

I am actually stretching my Friday afternoon attitude into Saturday! I haven't done any school work yet - just got back from going out to lunch.

I realized this week that I really love my job, but no one fully appreciates the intensity of it unless they are a teacher.
We found out the other day we might run out of paper (and money for more) by December. So, no new texts, and no paper to copy what sources we have..hmmmmmm

leggeks · Oct 3rd, 2009, 06:07 PM

OMG! Just found this thread! Yay for us! I think teachers are lucky to be so supportive of each other and only we know what we go through. Thanks for starting this!

I teach 1st grade and have an administrator's kid. Very cute kid but FULL of non stop energy. Well, about 30 minutes into the day starting I noticed he was exceptionally hyper.

Dad mentioned to me in passing that morning that he had a donut. I thought to myself..... geez thanks!
Then during calendar time the child said he also had a cinnamon bun for breakfast! AHHHH! I emailed dad (my administrator) "Are you trying to get me fired???"
I want sugar banned! And if they are given sugary foods, I should not be held responsible for my actions!

biggestbaglover · Oct 3rd, 2009, 06:48 PM

This is my 9th year of teaching high school. I know what you are all talking about and while I do have my days where I feel like I have just had enough, I really do love my job.

I do have to vent about something though....I seriously cannot handle the cell phone texting anymore!! They are banned in our school but kids still pull them out and hide them in their laps trying to text secretly while I am teaching. I have VERY good relationships with my students and always seem to connect with them. I always call them out and tell them to put them away and they do but it just drives me CRAZY! Yesterday, another student tried to text and I brought up the topic generally and asked them why they do this when they know they are not supposed to. They then told me that they are getting messages and don't see the big deal if they just respond quickly. They asked me why it bugs me. When I told them that it is rude and that it makes me feel like they do not care about what I am teaching them, they were shocked!!! I could not believe it!! They did not understand that it is rude and indifferent behavior. I then got a chorus of...."but you know that we love you!" , "but we love this class!", "we're not trying to be rude", "we do care!".....I was stunned....simply stunned that an entire group of 17-18 year olds did not understand the message behind their behavior. They also could not understand it when I told them that it if it is not appropriate to text while they are at work, then it is not appropriate to text while they are at school as many(who work retail part time) told me that they check their phones when in the stock room and return messages then. I am a techie person but in times like these, I really hate technology.

Ok...that's my vent for the day! Thank you!

GhstDreamer · Oct 5th, 2009, 06:19 PM

^It's sad that being the age that they are, they do not realize they are being rude - it really goes back to parental upbringing. They're not taught at home that certain actions are considered rude, i.e. putting up feet on chairs, etc.

leggeks: I never understand why most of the kids who are ADHD are constantly the kids who have the most sugary foods in their snacks and lunches.

fabae · Oct 5th, 2009, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by GhstDreamer

leggeks: I never understand why most of the kids who are ADHD are constantly the kids who have the most sugary foods in their snacks and lunches.

You know, I have wondered this time and time again. It really makes me wonder if some of these many, many, many cases of ADHD that seem so prevalent these days might really be cases of years of bad eating habits and/or poor discipline at home. I'm not saying ALL of the cases, but there are certainly students I have had in my class that I've thought, "Maybe if you ate properly and weren't allowed to run your house, you could LEARN to control yourself without medication."

Another thing that bugs me is when a parent will say something like, "Oh, how they'd do after they ate those doughnts? ha ha ha" after the kids had some sort of treat that day. I always want to respond, "I don't know. How do you feel about taking him home now?" Like it's a laugh riot that you fed your child something that completely short-circuited his ability to sit still and concentrate and that's somehow funny.

lurkernomore · Oct 6th, 2009, 06:25 PM

We are doing state testing this week, and the school is offering free breakfast. Guess what the kids have been given the last two days? POPTARTS!!!!!

We can't make this stuff up!

leggeks · Oct 7th, 2009, 05:32 PM

Rough day.

Can I just say,,,,, I hate standardized testing how inadequate it makes me feel. I KNOW I'm a good teacher and I do what's best for my kids. I try not to let test scores get to me but it's so hard for them not to. And BTW, trying to get first graders to "bubble in" on an answer sheet is mind blowing.

Sep 22nd, 2009, 04:18 PM	#46
lurkernomore Member Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 307	Has anyone had their Open House yet? Mine is coming up, and it is always such a long night. I wish parents understood that it is just an informational night, and not a time for conferences. Most get it, but there are always one or two that want undivided time to discuss their child, and it is just not possible. I do hope a lot of parents show, though!
lurkernomore Member Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 307

Sep 22nd, 2009, 09:48 PM	#47
fabae OP Member Joined: Jun 2006 Location: The South Posts: 1,651	We actually do our Open House 2 days before the first day of school. It's a clear attempt to get the parents to understand that it is NOT time for conferences, but it still doesn't work. I spent 45 minutes after our Open House talking to parents who wanted to make sure I knew such-and-such about their child before the first day of school. (Why the parents of 20 students think I'm going to remember what every single one of them said about their child when I've never even laid eyes on their child is beyond me. I can't even make a mental connection with a child's face! And to start off your child's year with "He's really a sweet child, but he has an anger problem" - before I've had a chance to meet him on our turf - isn't smart.) At least you have only one or two, though. I spoke with at least 20 of my 32 students' parents - everything from "He's allergic to milk" to "Make sure she writes the accents over the e's in her name."
	__________________ Banned? I haven't bought a bag since August! Though I am getting weaker.

Sep 29th, 2009, 08:10 PM	#49
ash14vwb praline heaven ♥ Joined: Jun 2007 Location: jersey girl Posts: 1,642	^ Since I'm in high school, we don't have an Open House but do have Back to School Night. Mine is tomorrow night. I don't mind Back to School Night; I love meeting the parents. After a 3 day weekend, though (we had off for Yom Kippur), I am NOT looking forward to being at school from 6:30am to 9:30pm! And plans are due next week, and I do NOT want to spend the coming weekend doing them. When I look at my plans for 1 cousre from last year, I just think, 'What was I THINKING!!" So it's alot to make it better, although it's fun to know what worked/didn't and change accordingly .. I just feel like we teach so much in the semester that it's absurd to think it can all be crammed in and the kids will actually learn it for it to be useful in their future. Also, will all these random days off we get in the fall, planning is tough. I make sure no assessments fall on the first day of the week so that we have time to go over it the day before, but this means everyhting keeps getting pushed forward because I'd rather take more time than rush them through things and overwhelm them. Don't get me wrong, I count down til the days off, but having to plan around them accordingly, and even use the days off as planning time!, gets very, very overwhelming. And since this is my 2nd year, I'm trying to volunteer to do as many of the secretarial jobs as possible in my department.. it's just so much! I feel guilty when I try to have a social life. The other teachers in my department pretty much live, eat and breathe our high school, are there ALL the time (one went in for some reason yesterday on our day off AND was at the school's community day on Saturday running it all day), they all hang out together, are very chit-chatty and whispery.. I am trying to include myself more in their group this year so they're not talking ABOUT me like last year, but I don't actually feel like I can trust them or really am friends with them. Oh my gosh. Sorry guys. This was a very needed 'vent.' I promise it won't happen again for awhile! I know you all understand. Phew!
	__________________ read the article @ marie claire... http://www.somaly.org/ ^and then please help! Last edited by ash14vwb; Sep 29th, 2009 at 08:14 PM.

Sep 29th, 2009, 10:45 PM	#50
fabae OP Member Joined: Jun 2006 Location: The South Posts: 1,651	^It's a vent thread! That's what we're here for. And be careful. Until you find you can trust them, keep your talk very positive and don't spill any beans you wouldn't want everyone to know.
	__________________ Banned? I haven't bought a bag since August! Though I am getting weaker.

Oct 2nd, 2009, 05:35 PM	#52
ash14vwb praline heaven ♥ Joined: Jun 2007 Location: jersey girl Posts: 1,642	^^ That is so sad about the reorg :( Six years and unsure of teachers' names? That principal needs a talking to!! You're absolutely right about being careful about who you trust, too. It's unfortunate for many reasons... I always looked forward to having a group of teacher friends when I started, like the relationship I had with girls in my college classes, or the Spanish teachers from my old HS that I subbed with and made me feel like I belonged, even as a sub. So to me, it's them, not me, LOL!
	__________________ read the article @ marie claire... http://www.somaly.org/ ^and then please help!

Oct 2nd, 2009, 09:25 PM	#53
fabae OP Member Joined: Jun 2006 Location: The South Posts: 1,651	Ah, Friday.
	__________________ Banned? I haven't bought a bag since August! Though I am getting weaker.

Oct 3rd, 2009, 06:07 PM	#55
leggeks Member Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 470	OMG! Just found this thread! Yay for us! I think teachers are lucky to be so supportive of each other and only we know what we go through. Thanks for starting this! I teach 1st grade and have an administrator's kid. Very cute kid but FULL of non stop energy. Well, about 30 minutes into the day starting I noticed he was exceptionally hyper. Dad mentioned to me in passing that morning that he had a donut. I thought to myself..... geez thanks! Then during calendar time the child said he also had a cinnamon bun for breakfast! AHHHH! I emailed dad (my administrator) "Are you trying to get me fired???" I want sugar banned! And if they are given sugary foods, I should not be held responsible for my actions!

Oct 3rd, 2009, 06:48 PM	#56
biggestbaglover Member Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,049	This is my 9th year of teaching high school. I know what you are all talking about and while I do have my days where I feel like I have just had enough, I really do love my job. I do have to vent about something though....I seriously cannot handle the cell phone texting anymore!! They are banned in our school but kids still pull them out and hide them in their laps trying to text secretly while I am teaching. I have VERY good relationships with my students and always seem to connect with them. I always call them out and tell them to put them away and they do but it just drives me CRAZY! Yesterday, another student tried to text and I brought up the topic generally and asked them why they do this when they know they are not supposed to. They then told me that they are getting messages and don't see the big deal if they just respond quickly. They asked me why it bugs me. When I told them that it is rude and that it makes me feel like they do not care about what I am teaching them, they were shocked!!! I could not believe it!! They did not understand that it is rude and indifferent behavior. I then got a chorus of...."but you know that we love you!" , "but we love this class!", "we're not trying to be rude", "we do care!".....I was stunned....simply stunned that an entire group of 17-18 year olds did not understand the message behind their behavior. They also could not understand it when I told them that it if it is not appropriate to text while they are at work, then it is not appropriate to text while they are at school as many(who work retail part time) told me that they check their phones when in the stock room and return messages then. I am a techie person but in times like these, I really hate technology. Ok...that's my vent for the day! Thank you!
biggestbaglover Member Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,049	__________________ NO MORE bags until 2010!!!

Oct 5th, 2009, 06:19 PM	#57
GhstDreamer Lady Philosophy Joined: May 2008 Location: Where gavagai roam Posts: 2,409	^It's sad that being the age that they are, they do not realize they are being rude - it really goes back to parental upbringing. They're not taught at home that certain actions are considered rude, i.e. putting up feet on chairs, etc. leggeks: I never understand why most of the kids who are ADHD are constantly the kids who have the most sugary foods in their snacks and lunches.
	__________________ On those nights full of sad omens, just run through the darkness. Wishlist: Goyard Boeing 30 in Black and Guccissima Icon Bit Boston ~I really really need to be on a ban~

Oct 6th, 2009, 06:25 PM	#59
lurkernomore Member Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 307	We are doing state testing this week, and the school is offering free breakfast. Guess what the kids have been given the last two days? POPTARTS!!!!! We can't make this stuff up!
lurkernomore Member Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 307

Oct 7th, 2009, 05:32 PM	#60
leggeks Member Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 470	Rough day. Can I just say,,,,, I hate standardized testing how inadequate it makes me feel. I KNOW I'm a good teacher and I do what's best for my kids. I try not to let test scores get to me but it's so hard for them not to. And BTW, trying to get first graders to "bubble in" on an answer sheet is mind blowing.

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