Azana Comes Forward

We frown at gum chewing at our elementary school for obvious reasons, but no one frowns more upon it than the music teacher.

Today, a 4th grader who had been caught chewing gum was admitting that he got it from a classmate. The moment the music teacher asked him to tell us who gave it to him, Azana raised her hand to take responsibility.

I was amazed! Two years ago, she would have denied it and yelled and screamed at the other students. Two years ago, she would have cried and had a fit. Today, she got up, walked to the trashcan and tossed her gum. Sometimes they grow up right before your eyes.

Uhh, WHAT??

MR. BOWERS: ...he must be a redneck.
CONNELY: Awww, Mr. Bowers, you can't say that word!
MR. BOWERS: What?! Redneck? Why, what's wrong with that?
CONNELY: It means the same as another word you're not supposed to say.
MR. BOWERS: What word?
CONNELY: Retard.

BOO!

PABLO: I gotta get a ghost costume...all's we need is a dead sheet.

Colors Are Important, But Learn to Read!

As I was getting a drink of my Sparkling Water, Vivek (first grade) shouted out, "He's drinking a Bud Light!"

The Wasp

The wasps are still buzzing around the school. Today, one landed on a 3rd graders' shirt. He stood completely still and I gently pushed it off. The wasp slowly flew onto my leg, then down by my foot. I instinctively put my foot on top of the wasp. I suddenly regretted it because the whole class was watching. I told them to go into the room before I lifted my foot off of the wasp.

When I got in the class one of the kids asked, "Did it live?"

Another answered for me, "He gave it mouth-to-mouth."

I hated to kill it, but as I explained to the kids, a wasp that will so bravely land on people can not be allowed to fly where there are 4 year old kids (preK) running around.

:(

Should Be Thinking About School

She's not with it today...usually when we are rehearsing the 5th Grade musical, she is singing happily...today, she's grumpy. I ask her if she's ok, and i can see the tears start to come. We step outside. She unloads on me. It went something like this:

We got our lights cut off this morning because my mom didn't pay the electric bill and my she won't let me go see my dad because he won't pay child support and when he does pay child support my mom spends all the money on cigarettes and my little sister really made me mad this morning because she wouldn't leave me alone!

whew.

I offered the silver lining that at least she has both of her parents and that they both want to spend time with her. I told her to be patient and wait about 6 more years and she will have the freedom to go see her dad whenever she wants. I also told her that her little sister is in the same boat as she is and to give her some attention. I let her know that the electricity bill is out of her control and to try not to think about all of this at school.

If only I could stop thinking about it.

Sorry About That

KINDERGARTEN GIRL: My mom got pulled over by the police.
MR. BOWERS: Did she cry? My mom always cries when she gets pulled over.
KINDERGARTEN GIRL: I was crying, my mom got arrested.