October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (Full Version)

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garsyt -> October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/1/2008 11:46:44 PM)

Okay it is October and I don't care to see another staple for a good long time! I spent the better part of my morning pulling staples out of walls in the school halls and taking down art projects. Then I spent several more minutes picking up all the staples I dropped on the floor after I learned that the schools sweepers can't pick them up. I came home and found a staple in my hair and one down my shirt lodged where it should not have been. I'm going to be dreaming of staples!

For me that means the start of play season for Ty, popcorn season for Ethan, and color guard tryouts for Aryn (if the music teacher decides to do them this month)

It also means Parent/Teacher conferences are coming up as well.

It is also tension time where Brian works. He just told me tonight that they are doing some "line shifting" which usually proceeds either a layoff or a hiring. Until the powers that be actually spill the beans and let folks know whats happening - things get tense. He did say that if there is a layoff it will most likely include a voluntary layoff first before they move to involuntary and that with all the new hires back in July, he's moved up a bit higher on the employee list.

Anyway - He's got two tests tomorrow - one for school and another at work.

Off to bed for me!

Blessings,

Garsy



Roberta_ -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/2/2008 2:28:44 AM)

Just popping in to say hello.



momma_bee -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/2/2008 7:38:08 AM)

Funny to hear you talk about hubby's tests instead of a kids.



garsyt -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/2/2008 8:23:26 AM)

I had forgotten how jam-packed and busy 5th grade is! Aryn is in the middle of a BIG book project that is due tomorrow. She's got 3 more paragraphs to write and 3 more drawings to finish.

If you all could say a prayer for a classmate of Aryn's. Aryn's not exactly sure of what's going on, but C is in the hospital and I guess pretty sick. She's only 10 and has missed an entire week of school and is, from the way Aryn talks, is expected to miss quite a bit more.

It's cold enough here this morning that our furnace kicked in at about 5 AM. I think I'll make a carrot cake today and do some laundry later just to warm up the house before bedtime. It's amazing the amount of heat the dryer kicks out and how warm baking a cake can make your kitchen!

Blessings,

Garsy



momma_bee -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/2/2008 9:13:35 AM)

5th Grade hasn't picked up yet, but 9th grade may kill me.

I think I will need to start a thread about the school part of the problem, but the teenage - hormone part is making it worse.



garsyt -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/2/2008 9:25:18 AM)

I just realized that our kids, at least yours and two of mine are the same age! Why didn't that kick into my brain before?[&:][&:] Anyway. So far so good for 9th grade for Ty. 3 A's and 3 B's Two of those B's are in the B- range tho so he may have to crack down a little bit on his German and Honors Biology.

The kid that is impressing me so far this year is Ethan. He just seems so much more focused this year! Of course we are only in the beginning stages of the school year so things may change - but so far so good!

Blessings,

Garsy



Kath -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/2/2008 10:04:43 AM)

Good morning!

Thanks for starting the new thread, Garsy. :)

I had school conferences yesterday for Mike. It went pretty well. However, he flunked two tests in English. Teacher said he is more concerned about homework than tests and Mike has a B in that. He says that homework is important because it helps them learn that they have to deal with work, tasks, every day and prepares them for real life.

I'm still waiting to hear about colleges for Mike. He wants to go to a place with a dorm. The school counselor says there are certain colleges in NE that deal with people with learning disabilities and he would have a coordinator there, too. He is determined to go to a 4 year college. I just don't know what to think. I don't want him to think he can't do it, and if he has a coordinator it will help, but a 2 year college is cheaper, where he could get the basics out of the way. But the counselor says she isn't sure they have accommodations for those with learning disabilities. So we'll see.



coolfamily6 -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/2/2008 11:06:20 AM)

I have a conference today with the IPS Honors teacher mentioned in the "note" thread. Please pray that I will be able to listen and not just be annoyed (something that I struggle with).

My son is struggling with his adjustment to 6th grade. We have made an appointment with the OT just to be sure it doesn't have to do with his Sensory issues but I think he is just overwhelmed.



ladyingrace1979 -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/2/2008 12:31:31 PM)

O.K. I've decided I don't want to be a mommy any more, where do I go to resign? I've got two with ear infections (I know they are twins but do they have to do EVERYTHING together) my 13yo can't seem to get herself together. Tell me why it take 1 1/2 -2 hours for her to get ready for school?! Then she can't keep her school work together...arg. DH's MS is flaring up so he's not much help, I wind up taking care of him.
My 13 yo goes to a magnet program for performing arts, and all the cost for choir uniforms and their big trip are bad enough. Now the entire 8th grade is going on a field trip that costs $50. I give up!!!

O.K. I feel better now thanks for letting me rant
Kim Q



coolfamily6 -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/2/2008 1:38:55 PM)

Kim, DD is on a trip that cost $1000 (DC for 4 days) if that makes you feel better. [:)] My dd is 13 (almost 14) and it takes her FOREVER to get ready, so I am empathize (sp).



Kath -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/2/2008 2:15:01 PM)

{{{Kim}}}



garsyt -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/2/2008 9:51:21 PM)

Brian just IM'ed me a bit ago. Well it is for sure that there is going to be a layoff. He believes he might be okay until the Spring. I DETEST that word might. Mights scare me, especially right now. We are just starting to get things under control again. We still have NO savings built back up after that last layoff. But right now there are really NO safe jobs anymore. Well except those in government, at least between election years.


I second the {{{Kim}}}.

***Update*** Brian's home now and told me that they are laying off 40 people and he is 38th from the bottom. But they are going with volunteers first. And Brian tells me that there are a few that are taking the voluntary! Some are taking early retirement. But then come the Spring when they bring the voluntary layoff folks back he could be out of work again in the Spring. He should be fine for right now.

Also I found out that Aryn forgot to ask about her classmate that's in the hospital but she brought home the address to which she could send an E-mail to C if she wanted to and it's at the major Children's hospital here in Indiana, Riley's Children's Hospital. If she's there it can't be good. I'm going to ask for myself tomorrow when I'm at school.

Aryn finished her book project tonight too. Yea! I'm glad we made it through that one! Only a couple dozen more by the time she's done with middle school![;)]


Blessings,

Garsy



emjayzee -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/3/2008 9:17:40 AM)

Hey folks! Just dropping in to share my school frustrations. I have one in 6th grade, 1st grade, and pre-K (3 different schools). Right now, I feel like the schools are competing to see who can get the fundraisers home first. Seriously, I get the same things from all 3 schools! I'm just going to have to put them in rotation, I guess.

My 1st grader is in a program called Reading Recovery. They identify students in Kindergarten who are struggling with reading skills and put them into this program in 1st grade for 20 weeks. At first, I was kind of defensive about it, but Gracen seems to be doing really great. He is bringing home 2-3 books a night, in addition to his classroom reading book, and he breezes through them. I think the biggest help for him is gaining confidence. He could do it last year, but would shut down when put on the spot (i.e. when they were evaluating skills). In Reading Recovery, he works one-to-one with a teacher every day which helps take some of teh anxiety out of it for him.

quote:

a 2 year college is cheaper, where he could get the basics out of the way. But the counselor says she isn't sure they have accommodations for those with learning disabilities. So we'll see.

Kath, I work at a community college and we have a disabilities specialist. I know that our college requires that accomodations be made in the classroom for students with learning disabilities. Isn't it the same there?



coolfamily6 -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/3/2008 11:36:21 AM)

DH and I had our conference with dd's IPS teacher. Mostly, we wanted to see the test so that we could help her study better for the next one. The test was like a foreign language to me thankfully DH understood what it was. Good grief this is middle school, I am in trouble next year! [:D] Anyway, 1/2 the tests come from this book and the other half the teacher creates, she said they should balance out if DD has a rough time on the critical thinking ones.



Kath -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/3/2008 3:04:05 PM)

Hey MJ! I don't think I've seen you in like forever!

quote:

Kath, I work at a community college and we have a disabilities specialist. I know that our college requires that accomodations be made in the classroom for students with learning disabilities. Isn't it the same there?


From what I understand, not all colleges are required to provide services for learning disabilities. I would think Metro would have to, since it's part of the state university system, but according to the school counselor that may not be the case. I can't believe that Mike would be the first kid with LD going to college from their school, but maybe he is ... Metro is so much closer than having to drive to the other side of Lincoln. She claims that UNL, UNO and the bigger schools do not have accommodations, I find that hard to believe. I may have to start calling them myself.

I'm glad Gracen is doing so well and gaining confidence. That is so important for being a successful reader.

Garsy, I sure am sorry you have to go through this again with Brian's employer. That has to be so hard. :(

quote:

Only a couple dozen more by the time she's done with middle school![;)]

Ha! [:D]

quote:

The test was like a foreign language to me thankfully DH understood what it was. Good grief this is middle school, I am in trouble next year!

I am like that with geometry. I look at it and just go cross-eyed. Thankfully Larry understands it.
I'm sorry I forgot to mention I did say a prayer for your conference.

quote:

My son is struggling with his adjustment to 6th grade. We have made an appointment with the OT just to be sure it doesn't have to do with his Sensory issues but I think he is just overwhelmed.

One of my kids is bipolar and he has a lot of issues too. I hope your meeting is productive.



Roberta_ -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/3/2008 3:30:59 PM)

DD is having a hard time this year with peer pressure. A lot of her friends from last year, including her best friend she's made here, have turned to drugs. She's also upset because she's 15 and doesn't have a boyfriend, yet most of her friends do.

J-11 just turned 11 yesterday. She was on her scooter Tuesday night and fell and broke one of the bones in her left hand. She has a brace on it. She can't play the violin right now, which she loves to do. One of the kids in the hall bumped into her hand and it hurt. She cried. She's used to crying getting her whatever she wants. Worked great in elementary school. Now she's in middle school. She got teased and laughed at by many students. The teachers weren't mean to her, but they didn't show her the compassion that she is used to getting. Also, since she's right handed, she still has to do all of her school work.

J-8 is struggling too. Second grade is a lot harder than she thought it would be. The good news for J-8 is that she has a teacher who is much more of a disciplinarian this year. J-8 isn't getting away with as much and having to do her work. This teacher allows very few reasons for not getting work done.



garsyt -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/3/2008 11:06:52 PM)

Hey everyone!

I'm exhausted! I was at school ALL day today.

The morning was helping out with kindergarten and got literacy packs out with the half day kindergarten classes. Then I pulled a few more things off the walls for the art teacher. Then in the afternoon I did some filing and sorting for Zoe's second grade teacher and some copying for Aryn's 5th grade teacher. Next week I'm in school likely only on Friday. I think Aryn might have a student council meeting on Tuesday, but I'm going to have Brian take her. So hopefully I'll get some time to scrapbook. I have a lot of challenges and projects I'm trying to finish including a birthday present for Aryn.

I know Aryn has at least 4 more book projects this year and at least 4 a year throughout middle school. But for Aryn these are so much fun that they don't seem like work. And she always chooses projects that are a bit of a challenge for her, but not so far fetched that they are impossible.

I think we are going to sleep in tomorrow morning and then go to the zoo one last time before it closes and maybe even get out and sell a bit more popcorn with Ethan. I do have to get some scrapbooking done tomorrow.

I'm really tired. Brian just got home with pizza about a half hour ago. All the kids are still up and right now I really don't care. I'm going to bed and Brian can put them to bed.

Oh one more thing. We found out today that Brian's dad had a mole removed from the top of his head a couple weeks ago and the results came back yesterday. It's cancerous. He's going in next week for more tests and to figure out a treatment plan. At this point they seem to think that the majority can be taken care of by using a laser to remove the lesions. Just say a prayer that it's been caught early enough and can be taken care of quickly and easily.

Okay - I'm off to bed.

Blessings,

Garsy



momma_bee -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/4/2008 7:59:24 AM)

You've got it Garsy.

DeeDee has a project to do soon. It is a 'book report' and she has to put items in a shoebox that relate to her book. Fine. 5 items. Fine, she knows what she wants to do. But she has about 5 weeks to do it. And, she said she doesnt' need to write and explaination WHY they are in there. From her description, it sounds like "drop them in and I'm done" and that seems a bit lightweight for 5th grade or anything I would call a book report.

Must talk to teacher.



RepentanceIsRequired -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/5/2008 12:00:56 PM)

I've just now stumbled on this thread, and I am glad I did.

I have two in school right now. Zach is in 2nd grade and Rae is in 1st. So far, amazingly, Zach is loving 2nd grade. I am very surprised. Last year he had the hardest time staying focused and getting his work done. The teachers were quick to say he may have attention "problems" but we know that is not the case. He is just a typical boy who's brain is stuck on playing video games. (we also have teachers who are quick to throw out the whole medication card when a kid doesn't fit the mold) ANYWAY, he is really enjoying school.

Rae told me something strange the other day. She said they have not started any Math yet. The first nine weeks is almost up. Seems odd to me. We have PT conference at the end of the month so I may ask her about this.



stampinlady -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/5/2008 12:54:27 PM)

My so much angst in this thread. I just prayed for all of you to have a better week!![:D]

Kath, I would think the college would have someone to help your son.

I seem to be all about myself lately and I don't like it. I'm just working part time and can't seem to get motivated to do anything else, but whine.[:'(] And I really have nothing to whine about. Dh and I are struggling with church and where to attend. We attend a mega church and are missing that small church feeling. We made some spiritually immature decisions awhile back and can't seem to find peace as to where to attend.

School is going well for both kids. Dd is on the theatre crew and loves it in fact, she's working( getting paid too!) at the high school thins morning doing set up and sound for a church that's meeting there. She had to get up at 5:30 and did with no problem. Hmmmm, lol ,maybe I should pay here during the week to go to school. Anyway, ds conferances went well. I don't like student led conferances at all and think there useless, but ... .

Hope you guys have a better week.



Kath -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/5/2008 3:27:48 PM)

quote:

I don't like student led conferances at all and think there useless, but ... .


Deb, I have never heard of such a thing! What is it like?

Hi Nicole, welcome to the thread! :)

quote:

Rae told me something strange the other day. She said they have not started any Math yet. The first nine weeks is almost up. Seems odd to me.

That does sound odd! [&:]

Mbee...
quote:

From her description, it sounds like "drop them in and I'm done" and that seems a bit lightweight for 5th grade or anything I would call a book report.

Maybe she has to pull them out of the box and talk about each one. I'd hope that is what she has to do.

Garsy, sorry to hear about Brian's dad.

quote:

I think Aryn might have a student council meeting on Tuesday, but I'm going to have Brian take her. So hopefully I'll get some time to scrapbook.

With all you have been doing I think you need a little time for yourself!



garsyt -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/5/2008 3:44:09 PM)

Welcome Nicole!

I too have a 2nd grader - My Zoe absolutely loves school and has never had a problem, however my current 4th grader, when he was in 1st and 2nd grade had some issues with focus and from time to time STILL does! Thankfully all his teachers, save is first grade teacher whom I had to sit straight, all realized that he is just all boy and that he really is paying attention and knows the material - he just might not always LOOK like he's paying attention.

As for the math and first grade - I'm thinking they are probably doing some math - but it's wrapped up and disguised as something that is math, but just doesn't look like it. Of course I could be wrong.

I'm a little perturbed with my hubby. It seems lately that with work and school he's pretty busy and on the weekends if it's NOT his idea or doesn't fit into HIS plans, or he simply doesn't feel like it - it becomes my problem to take care of during the week. Ethan has one more week to sell popcorn in and we have Zoo tickets we need to use before the 12th and this is the 2nd weekend in a row that he's said we'd do these things over the weekend then he ends up not wanting to, because it's not his idea of fun. Well DUH! So now everything we do has to fit into his definition of fun? He has a friend coming into town tonight so he wants us to go out with him and his wife tonight - but doesn't seem to think that helping Ethan reach his goal or using the tickets Aryn won are that big of a priority. The blasted weekends are pretty much the only downtime he has and I understand that he wants to often times just do what HE wants to do, but then when do we do things with and for the kids and as a family? We just had a pretty nasty fight.[:(] So as I was getting ready to take Ethan out on my own he gets all grumpy and tells Ethan not to get ready so I walk away. The next thing I know he's getting Ethan ready to go and getting dressed himself. He's out right now with Ethan.

Blessings,

Garsy



Kath -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/5/2008 3:57:12 PM)

{{{Garsy}}}



RepentanceIsRequired -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/5/2008 6:08:16 PM)

(((Garsy)))

I understand how you feel.

I'm hoping the math is just mixed in with other stuff.

Ryan really knows how Zach ticks re school. I have to look at all his work then sign the folder it comes home in. Anyway, I have already noticed a big improvement in his timed math work and especially his handwritting. For the longest time when he was in first grade I thought this was going to be a long battle to get him to do his school work. However, Ryan was always quick to say that he is just being a typical boy and that he is alot like himself when he was a kid. So, I think I need to listen to him a little more! [8|]



Kath -> RE: October Chit-chat -PPS chat thread (10/5/2008 6:10:14 PM)

Nicole, I remember reading in Womens where you were going to open a restaurant, and by your sig that you have done so. How is it going?



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