TerryJ2
Well-Known Member
Yesterday was Parent-Teacher Conference Day.
While the other parents met with-the homeroom teacher one-on-one, I was blessed with-four teachers and the principal.
The math and science teacher really has it in for difficult child, but I can hardly blame her. He hates math and is totally disorganized. on the other hand, she had specifically listed how many assignements he had missed and on which days they were due. I can feel for difficult child, because he had made up some of the assignments, and despite that, she still counted them on her list of "not done." So you look at the whole thing and feel like giving up. She's unusually emotional for a math and science teacher. (I guess I expect people in that field to be more analytical and calm. She always seems stressed out and wears a perpetually concerned frown on her face.)
The other teachers aren't like that; they are cheerful and ... still ... difficult child has fallen way behind.
Part of it is because he's been sick, but most of it is because he just hasn't done what he's supposed to do.
He's still up to his old habit of not completing assignments, not turning things in, getting 0's in everything, then getting 100 on the tests, so he squeaks by with-D's. All the teachers agreed that academically, he's got what it takes. But who would know it?
The principal, Sister John Paul, saw that I had carried in most of difficult child's books and papers, and was prepared to turn in his homework. In her beautiful, calm, counseling-mode voice, she said, "You already went through 6th grade. You already graduated from school and college. You're an accomplished woman. This is about your son turning in his work."
"I understand that, but he's been sick," I said.
They all said, "Let us deal with-that."
Pretty clear.
He's got a B in literature, A's and B's in all the electives (art, computer, etc.) and F's in all the core classes.
They didn't say this out loud, but I can tell you, if he keeps this up, he's going to get kicked out by Christmas.
They encouraged me to send him to school even with-a stomach ache. They suggested that he was stressed out and just needed to show up for class and work through it.
They said it's spiraling down ... he gets a stomach ache, falls behind, then gets a stomach ache because he's behind.
They said to stay on his case at home. Sit on him. Don't give up.
They implied I was too soft and that I needed to crack down at home whatever way I can.
So, I talked to husband and he is going to take away the PS 2 controller for good tomorrow am. and put it in the attic.
I am going to put away all the games.
husband wasn't keen on that ... I don't know if he didn't want difficult child not to go ballistic, but he said, "I don't have time for that." Huh? I'll do it.
I don't trust husband not to give in while I'm in NY so I'll hide all the games.
Not fun.
But difficult child needs a wakeup call. I still don't think he "gets it."
He told easy child mo's ago that he wanted to flunk out so he could go to the same public school that his best friends go to. Hmm. Not going to happen.
I'm looking up military academies, respite care and tutors online.
It is such bad timing that I'm flying to NY tomorrow to take care of my cousin. She's as bad as difficult child. Quite the drama queen.
While the other parents met with-the homeroom teacher one-on-one, I was blessed with-four teachers and the principal.
The math and science teacher really has it in for difficult child, but I can hardly blame her. He hates math and is totally disorganized. on the other hand, she had specifically listed how many assignements he had missed and on which days they were due. I can feel for difficult child, because he had made up some of the assignments, and despite that, she still counted them on her list of "not done." So you look at the whole thing and feel like giving up. She's unusually emotional for a math and science teacher. (I guess I expect people in that field to be more analytical and calm. She always seems stressed out and wears a perpetually concerned frown on her face.)
The other teachers aren't like that; they are cheerful and ... still ... difficult child has fallen way behind.
Part of it is because he's been sick, but most of it is because he just hasn't done what he's supposed to do.
He's still up to his old habit of not completing assignments, not turning things in, getting 0's in everything, then getting 100 on the tests, so he squeaks by with-D's. All the teachers agreed that academically, he's got what it takes. But who would know it?
The principal, Sister John Paul, saw that I had carried in most of difficult child's books and papers, and was prepared to turn in his homework. In her beautiful, calm, counseling-mode voice, she said, "You already went through 6th grade. You already graduated from school and college. You're an accomplished woman. This is about your son turning in his work."
"I understand that, but he's been sick," I said.
They all said, "Let us deal with-that."
Pretty clear.
He's got a B in literature, A's and B's in all the electives (art, computer, etc.) and F's in all the core classes.
They didn't say this out loud, but I can tell you, if he keeps this up, he's going to get kicked out by Christmas.
They encouraged me to send him to school even with-a stomach ache. They suggested that he was stressed out and just needed to show up for class and work through it.
They said it's spiraling down ... he gets a stomach ache, falls behind, then gets a stomach ache because he's behind.
They said to stay on his case at home. Sit on him. Don't give up.
They implied I was too soft and that I needed to crack down at home whatever way I can.
So, I talked to husband and he is going to take away the PS 2 controller for good tomorrow am. and put it in the attic.
I am going to put away all the games.
husband wasn't keen on that ... I don't know if he didn't want difficult child not to go ballistic, but he said, "I don't have time for that." Huh? I'll do it.
I don't trust husband not to give in while I'm in NY so I'll hide all the games.
Not fun.
But difficult child needs a wakeup call. I still don't think he "gets it."
He told easy child mo's ago that he wanted to flunk out so he could go to the same public school that his best friends go to. Hmm. Not going to happen.
I'm looking up military academies, respite care and tutors online.
It is such bad timing that I'm flying to NY tomorrow to take care of my cousin. She's as bad as difficult child. Quite the drama queen.