Thursday, November 3, 2011

Conferences, parties...when do you have time to teach?

We just got through the big ordeal of parent conferences a few weeks ago. In the old days--we would have a whole day to conference and two nights. Sadly, most parents work and so can't attend a conference in the middle of the day. So, we have to teach all day and then talk to parents all night....and do this for 3 nights in a row!!

It gets exhausting and mentally draining. One child seems to meld into another and after about 6 in a row--you hope you were indeed talking about their child. With the big number of students in my class this year, my conferences were only 15 minutes. They did feel like "drive by" conferences--talk 'em and walk 'em. We were reminded to use the "oreo method" when talking to parents. That is starting and ending with positives (the outside cookie) and the concerns or negatives in between (the filling). I did this but some of the kids were "double stuffs" (extra filling inside!)--but most of the parents weren't surprised by this.

I couldn't believe that we still had lots of meetings that week. We have to give two planning periods a month to work with our coach. It's always a time when you have millions of other things to do--but it's usually about data. That's more stuff put on our already over-flowing plates. I still haven't figured out when I'm going to get all of this stuff done.

We had our Halloween Parties and parade this past Friday. We chose to party on Friday--and not Monday. With that much sugar, it makes for a tough week. I enjoy watching the parade of little goblins, witches, princesses and one of the most popular this year was Mario. I don't really like dressing up anymore. I did because all of us dress up. I recently read Miss Nelson is Missing--so decided to be Viola Swamp's cousin Violet. (a witch) I had to make up the story that she was injured when she fell off her broom thus had to use a wheelchair. Of course, they didn't believe me...but I tried!

The party is another story. There's something about kids wearing those costumes make them to actually act like little monsters. Ours wasn't too bad. We had lots of food--but now we have someone who is the "food police" come around to the parties to make sure the party had healthy foods--not just cookies and junk. I was taken aback when someone told me that this happened. It seems like one more thing that will eventually be taken away. If parents fed their kids healthy food daily, a little sugar wouldn't really hurt them. This is the most popular party and many parents attend.

Of course, no one cleans up when it's time, and the bell rings before we are ready for it. I had to hustle the bus riders out so they wouldn't miss their ride home--while the others stayed and helped clean up. I usually feel so exhausted after a party day. Glad it's over--but most kids will still go trick or treating on Monday.