Thursday, October 28, 2004

A chance for my thoughts

I finally get to breathe. We are having an assembly this period, which is my planning period, which means I am not going. I wanted to write yesterday, but I spent my planning period making last minute arrangements for our field trip. I am taking my students to see some plays. I am trying give them some culture. Anyway, homecoming was beautiful! The girls looked so pretty, as did their escorts. One of my co-workers owns a funeral home, so he let us use his limos. We had 9 girls and 2 limos. As each maid was announced, her escort helped her out of the limo. They looked like such gentlemen. Oh yeah, right before homecoming, a group of 8 girls performed a dance routine. It was so cute. They worked really hard. It showed. They performed waaay better than the cheerleaders. I was proud of them. I am going to try to have tryouts and pick about 12 girls so that they can perform during half-time at the basketball game. The girls we already had enjoyed it, but I just planned on it being a one-time thing. We hand picked them and a couple of them cannot dance. We will pick a captain and co from the origional eight and make everyone else try out.

On to other things.....It is almost election time. I am definitely voting for Kerry/Edwards and not because of political parties. Personally, I am not too fond of them, but they are better than Bush/Gore. I have given up arguing this terrorism thing bc both of them suck in that department. Kerry supports pro-choice for abortion; Bush doesn't. With the new law he passed, one of my friends had to carry a dying baby bc of this new abortion law. It jeopardized her mental as well as physical state. Bush has us in the biggest deficit in decades. That's pretty foul. I don't know that Kerry can get us out of debt, but if he plans to use the same tactics Clinton used (to get us a surplus) then I am willing to give him a chance. Kerry's health care plan sounds a bit iffy to me, but Bush's plan was ludicrous. Health care is through the roof and senior citizens and children are being dropped daily from medicaid and medicare. Those of us don't have either are paying out the ass for prescriptions. So I am willing to take a chance that Kerry will do what he says. Bush enacted "No Child Left Behind." It is good in theory, I will admit, but as a teacher it does not work in practice. I know. He is requiring that all students are tested on grade level. Why would I test all my 8th graders on grade level when half of them are on a 6th or below reading level. That is setting them up for failure. It's sad that they aren't on grade level, but it's the truth. All I can do is try to get them there by any means neccessary. Social promotion has gone on too long and now it is biting us in the ass. It's like the bottleneck complex. (I think that is what is called.) All of the children have just been pushed up and now, they are at the top of the bottle and everyone is trying to get out at once and they are all stuck. We can't pass them if they don't pass those tests. They aren't going to pass the 8th grade test if they arent on 8th grade level. I do believer teachers should be held accountable. I do. So I am trying to get them where they need to be. Another thing with Bush and education, I don't understand why you would give one student thousands of dollars to attend a private school when you can invest those same thousands into the public school and help at least 30 students. I can't fathom their reasoning. Kerry wants to create more after school programs, which will help. I know first hand. It not only helps acedemically, but it contributes to one's social development as well. Enough on that.

Enough period, I am about go find something to eat.

Posted by Nik :: 10/28/2004 :: 2 Comments:

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Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Pressed for time

I have been meaning to write, but I cannot find the time. Even now, I am leaving in 5 minutes. I've been contemplating my vote in this election, running around for homecoming, and trying to figure out who framed me with that e-mail. In a minute, all will be well. Have a blessed day everyone.

Posted by Nik :: 10/27/2004 :: 1 Comments:

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Tuesday, October 19, 2004

99 Problems

I thought this was pretty cool. I got it from Ranada
INSTRUCTIONS:1. Copy this whole list into your journal.2. Bold the things that are true about you.3. Whatever you don't bold is false.

01. When I was younger, I made some bad decisions
02. I don't watch much TV these days
03. I love olives
04. I love sleeping
05. I own lots of books (not nearly enough though)
06. I wear glasses or contact lenses. (i need some more glasses bc i'm about tired of these contacts)
07. I love to play video games
08. I've tried marijuana
09. I've watched porn movies(once and i almost vomited)
10. I have been in a threesome
11. I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship
12. I believe honesty is usually the best policy
13. I have acne free skin 1
4. I like and respect Al Sharpton
15. I curse frequently
16. I have changed a lot mentally over the last year(definitely for the better)
17. I have hobbies
18. I've been told I: (women) have an applebottom, (men) am packing.
19. I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me( I am about to purchase a gun)
20. I'm really, really smart (kinda arrogant about it, too)
21. I've never broken someone's bones
22. I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal
23. I hate the rain
24. I'm paranoid at times(especially when i am alone)
25. I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free( a definite tummy tuck or staples or sumthin)
26. I need money right now.
27. I love Sushi
28. I talk really, really fast
29. I have fresh breath in the morning
30. I have semi-long hair
31. I have lost money in Las Vegas
32. I have at least one brother and/or one sister
33. I was born in a country outside of the U.S.
34. I shave my legs (females) or face (males) on a regular basis
35. I have a twin
36. I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyes in the past(braids once, never again. do my contacts count if they are clear?)
37. I couldn't survive without Caller I.D.
38. I like the way that I look
39. I have lied to a good friend in the last 6 months
40. I know how to cornrow
41. I am usually pessimistic
42. I have a lot of mood swings
43. I think prostitution should be legalized
44. I think Britney Spears is hot
45. I have cheated on a Sig. O. in the past
46. I have a hidden talent
47. I'm always hyper no matter how much sugar I have
48. I think that I'm popular
49. I am currently single
50. I have kissed someone of the same sex
51. I enjoy talking on the phone
52. I practically live in sweatpants
53. I love to shop
54. I would rather shop than eat(not anymore)
55. I would classify myself as ghetto
56. I'm bourgie and have worn a sweater tied around my shoulders
57. I'm obsessed with my Diaryland Blogger.
58. I don't hate anyone. I dislike them.
59. I'm a pretty good dancer
60. I don't think Mike Tyson raped Desiree Washington
61. I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother
62. I have a cell phone
63. I believe in God
64. I watch MTV on a daily basis
65. I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months
66. I love drama
67. I have never been in a real relationship before
68. I've rejected someone before
69. I currently have a crush on someone
70. I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life
71. I want to have children in the future
72. I have changed a diaper before
73. I've called the cops on a friend before
74. I bite my nails
75. I am a member of the Tom Green fan club
76. I'm not allergic to anything (knock on wood)
77. I have a lot to learn
78. I have dated someone at least 10 years older or younger
79. I plan on seeing Ice Cube's newest "Friday" movie
80. I am very shy around the opposite sex
81. I'm online 24/7, even as an away message
82. I have at least 5 away messages saved
83. I have tried alcohol or drugs at a party
84. I have made a move on a friend's Sig. O. in the past
85. I own the "South Park" movie
86. I have avoided assignments at work to be online(luckily this is my off period)87. When I was a kid I played "the birds and the bees" with a neighbor or chum
88. I enjoy country music
89. I would die for my best friends
90. I think that Pizza Hut has the best pizza(nope Papa John's)
91. I watch soap operas whenever I can (Dayos of Our Lives)
92. I'm obsessive, anal retentive, and often a perfectionist
93. I have used my sexuality to advance my career
94. I love Michael Jackson, scandals and all(as much as I love R.Kelly)
95. I know all the words to Slick Rick's "Children's Story"
96. Halloween is awesome because you get free candy
97. I watch Spongebob Squarepants and I like it
98. I have dated a close friend's ex
99. I'm happy as of this moment. (Mr. Sexy-But-Trifling is teaching my class. I get to look at him and not do teach, so I'm good!)

Posted by Nik :: 10/19/2004 :: 0 Comments:

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Friday, October 15, 2004

Rambling for too long

This has been the longest week I have ever had and I we had Monday off! This was 9weeks testing week. I drilled the answers into those children's head. I gave them a study guide and made them complete it. Then we went over the study guide in class after they finished and once again before the test. I let them do the essays at home. They were evaluation questions. Recall would not have done them any good. They did ok. I have one more class's tests to grade. I do not like that 7th grade language class. I don't know if it is because they are 7th graders or because it's a language class. I know I don't like it though. I think it is because they are 7th graders and very immature. I showed them a movie today called The House of Dies Drear. It is such a good movie. I planned on showing it to my 8th graders because we covered slavery and the civil war. The movie is about a house that was once a part of the Underground Railroad and is now supposedly haunted. Anyway, all of my classes enjoyed it. The little white children liked it, too, even though there is not a single white person in the movie and the only reference to white people is about how they beat blacks. The house was owned by free blacks and is beauiful and filled with secret passages. It's good. I enjoyed it.
I think I will have about 10 students failing total. I finally got the official memo saying no grades can be lower than 60. I misunderstood the first time. I can give them lower than a 60, but the final average must not be lower than 60. I didn't give anyone a 60. I think my lowest average is a 63. This one little girl didn't understand how she had such a low grade. I told her because she is missing 4 assignments. She said she did them. I know she didn't. She doesn't do anything. I told her to find them in her notebook and I will record them in the gradebook. She said she threw them in the garbage. I told her there was nothing I could do about it. I gave her 60s. If she made the assignments up like she said she did, the highest she could make is an 80 anyway and if I averaged an 80 instead of 60, it will probably improve her grade by 3 points. That won't help because she has low test scores and an even lower 9weeks test score.
This little girl just sat there and cut her knuckles. These children are simi-retarded. What is wrong with them? I am going to turn her in. Perhaps she has some deeper issues. I got a memo at the beginning of class that said do not let them out unless it is an emergency. I gave her a band-aid and told her to sit down. She needs to see the counselor Monday. The bell is about to ring for them to go home, so she cannot help the student much right now.
I do not like our counselor. She is the cheerleader coach and not a single black girl is on the squad. I asked her why not and she said because they weren't good enough. That's bs because our cheerleaders are horrible. They cannot even turn flips. Even my neice can flip. They try to do toe-touches and look a hot mess. Then there is the one big big big girl. She sucks horribly. I don't really care if the squad is all white, but at least let them be good. So now they are trying to start a stepping team for the black girls. I don't know who is going to teach them bc all of the teachers in school are old and I couldn't step to save my life. Well, the bell just rang and I need to clean off my desk.
Have a good weekend. (I wish I could go to New Orleans.) I will.

Posted by Nik :: 10/15/2004 :: 1 Comments:

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Friday, October 08, 2004

Expecting

I had every intention of sitting here this morning writing about my workshop, which was wonderful. I really enjoyed it, but something else is plaguing my brain. I walked in the door this morning, read the note from my sub (which was not good), went to duty, and got some very disturbing news...One of my babies is 7 weeks 3days pregant!!!!!!! ohmigod. She was just crying and crying. She is 14. Her mom is on drugs really bad and her granny is raising her. Her brother just went to jail for murder and her father is in another city raising nine other children. MAN. I didn't know what to do. I asked her what she wanted to do. She said she thought about an abortion, but her gran told her they didn't do abortion and she should have thought about it before hand. She is 14. I told her she could have it and give it up for adoption. She said she wasn't giving her baby up. I wasn't trying to encourage her to, I just wanted to see where her head is. The baby's father is a high school dropout. He is 16 and works some little odds and end job. She said she wanted to have an abortion so that she didn't have to go through all the pains of labor. I then told her of the pains of abortion. I told her the labor pains won't be nearly as bad as the pain and embarrassment she is feeling right now. I told her the physical pain goes away. She's a little upset with her gran bc her gran is mad at her. I told her she cannot get mad because she is the one who made the mistake. I also told her that her gran is probably not mad, just hurt. I told her to expect her to carry on like that for the next 7 months. I told her to stay strong and just keep her head up. I told her this is going to be rough on her and at times she is going to want to give up. I told her that she can talk to me about anything. I told her that the most important thing for her to do is stay in school. That is the best thing she can do for herself and the child that is growing inside of her.

Posted by Nik :: 10/08/2004 :: 1 Comments:

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