Almost there!

I hear strange comments during class on a regular basis. Things that rarely make sense but somehow seem appropriate in my highly unpredictable classroom. For instance, "Boy, gimmee back my cabbage!" and "He pinched my nipple" and "Hey teacher, do you get in trouble when you come to school high like that?"

The scariest thing I've heard is a one-liner that I heard twice this week. "Miss Kat, something's wrong with Ronnie" (or another kid). Even though I'm a trained EMT, that phrase in a certain tone usually makes my heart skip a beat. Maybe I have limited faith in our Emergency Response team, or I doubt my own ability to handle a crisis. Today's was mild, but it irked me. A kid decided to sniff the ammonia, so of course she got a nose full of pleasant surprises. I threw a mild fit for the class, though, since they've all been taught lab safety and that we waft chemicals if the desire to check for odors is simply overwhelming.

Yesterday was a little more disconcerting. There was, indeed, something wrong with the kid. He was huddled in a ball in the corner, and was largely nonresponsive. He finally agreed that he'd go outside for some air, and then came back inside & managed to make it through 4th period. However, we discovered he'd gone missing at lunch, and I inwardly panicked. This is a previously-institutionalized suicidal kid who has written extensive plans about how he wants to blow up the school. And he was nowhere to be found. Even more disturbing, the administration seemed completely unconcerned. We eventually found him & sorted things out, but . . . what a nightmare.

On a brighter note, I had a pleasant surprise when I graded tests this afternoon. A fairly new ESL student had the highest grade in my infamous 2nd period ~ an A, even! He speaks extremely limited English, and he did have help from his ESL teacher, but I was so proud of him I almost cried. He's such a hard worker. I wish our school had more services for students like him.

Thankfully, it's Friday. I wish I could fast-forward to next Friday ~ I dread next week's EOC schedule & test administration & chaotic afternoons of batty children. Oh, joy! But for now, I will relish in my teenager-free weekend!