We were Benchmarking at work again so the library was closed. Orlie and the other students walked in and he took a seat beside me, ready to tackle his Science test and get some drawing in. I told him I unfortunately couldn’t sit with him for that test that day; this time I would be working on the bulletin boards per Mrs. V.’s request. He was a little upset, but I told him he was in good hands. I let her know about how he needs to distract himself with drawing sometimes so he doesn’t become so overwhelmed.
I laminated the heart die-cuts that were still not laminated and sat and chatted with Elva in her office as we cut the hearts out of the plastic. I’m really going to miss all the girls. They’re all so fun to talk to.
I finished as much of the boards as I could and later, when Karina and Jesus finished their tests they went out to help me. They did the high stapling for me since I didn’t want anyone scolding me for stretching again. When we were done, I started looking through files and putting my stuff in my bag (like my hairspray and lotions and stuff). I had enough time to cut out, laminate and glue the bright pink number cards for the computer center which I hadn’t had a chance to do all year! As I was instructing Saul and Jesus where to glue the cards, Mrs. V. let me know about the field trip the next day. I had no idea I was going with the Book Club to the movies, so that was a nice surprise!
I picked the boys up afterschool and they handed me a very last-minute note about a TAKS meeting and report card night. Grr. I hate that they do that, let us know about stuff at the last minute. So I waited till the last possible moment and got the boys in the car while Mom entertained Alaethia.
The TAKS meeting was about what we should look out for when the kids are doing their TAKS practice homework. Basically, if their passages and math work doesn’t have writing all over it, then they’re not doing their strategies correctly. I’m one of those people who’s extremely anti-TAKS, because they focus so much on stupid, confusing strategies than just getting to the point and showing the kids what the hell to do. It’s seriously more confusing then just doing regular work to get the right answer. Eenan can find the answer himself but has so much trouble trying to correctly assemble his strategies. I think it’s bogus. I do have to admit, though, that the strategy, or game as they called it, that they used to elaborate and be more descriptive with their sentences was pretty darn neat.
The meeting was over and Eenan’s teacher gave me his report card. He got all A’s! I’m so proud of him. And even after the whole perfect-attendance-field-trip fiasco, they still did give him perfect attendance. Good. Or I would have raised hell again—crying, or no crying.
The 4th grade classes are having fundraisers to visit the aquarium in Corpus. We have the pleasure of selling 51 different types of candy. The good thing is they’re candies people actually want to eat, like Snickers, M&Ms, and Skittles.
Jaylen’s teacher had nothing but good things to say about him, too. He’s reading anywhere from 1st to 4th grade reading level and he actually comprehends, so that’s great :). That’s what I love about his teacher; she doesn’t hold them back, regardless of the “rules” of the program.
He’d also be having a fundraiser, but they didn’t know what it was yet. I told myself last year, after they lost his whole packet with $174 or so in it (and didn’t believe ME when I went to complain about it) that I wasn’t going to sell crap from those booklets if that’s what it was. We’ll see.
Mario had just gotten home when I arrived with the boys. We all picked at left-overs at Mary’s and then Yadira and the kids got there and everyone started working on the candy bags for Alaethia’s and Angela’s party. I felt awful leaving them but Mary said it was fine and shooed Mario and I away. The kiddos all stayed with the in-laws while Mario and I went to Scent Chips and then Target. I wanted to get Mrs. V. and Mrs. Ruiz something nice and found some cute angels at Scent Chips. We went next door to Claire’s where we found a Jonas Brothers tote bag for Angela for her birthday. Then we went to Target where our first stop was nail polishes for Angela (she had actually told us that’s all she wanted) and went on to the stationery I picked out some thank-you cards for the baby shower and tried finding the perfect card for each Mrs. V and Mrs. Ruiz. It wasn’t easy, let me tell you. Mario had been doing wonderfully till I started taking long at the cards. I decided to start making up my mind when he said, “I’ll be in electronics,” which means he’s pissed and he’s probably going to wait in the car LOL.
I went to bed that night feeling bittersweet about my last day of work the next day. I even prayed that I’d keep my composure and not cry throughout the day.