My Sons’ Christmas Program

For several weeks, my sons were telling us about their school Christmas program that was coming up. They would each sing with their respective class and one of them was going to play the cow bell with several other of his class mates. We promised that we would be there and they happily went their merry way.

The day of the program came and my boys were told me they had to be there as such and such a time. I informed them that I had to go out of town for the day and would try and get back in time. They weren't happy about that, but they excepted that I had to go but were still worried that I wouldn’t make it back in time.

On my way home, my wife texted me that they were on their way to the school for the program. She said the my boys were worried that I would not be there in time to see them perform. I checked my watch and realized that I would be cutting it close. It was dark and rainy so I couldn't go any faster because of the driving conditions.

I got another text message that they were at the school and going into the auditorium. Fortunately I made it in time despite the weather. But, as it turned out, it seemed that most of the people in town had showed up also. I found a parking space and rushed in and quickly found my wife and my two youngest daughters and took a seat. My girls were surprised to see me. They didn't think that I would make it in time.

The principal spoke for a few minutes, thanking everyone for being there and supporting the kids. The curtains opened and they started right in with their singing.

After the first two sets, it became painfully obvious that the kids would be performing all the same songs that they had performed the year before, but probably in a different order. I would have thought that they would have chosen different songs. There were many good songs were not sung that could have been. It would have been a better program instead of just a remake of last year.

Don't get me wrong, they kids performed well and the audience enjoyed the evening, but it could have been better with fresh songs.

After the event was over, it seemed like everyone was rushing to exit the building and head to their vehicles, but I and other parents had to go locate their kids before they got lost in the rush. It was not an easy task. People were going in all directions. I finally found my youngest son but could not locate my other one. We looked the place over from one side to another. There were several other parents that were having trouble locating their children and were up on the stage speaking their child's name into the microphone, blasting it all over the whole building.

My youngest son got on the mike and called for his older brother. By that time I was getting very worried that I couldn't find him. With in two minutes, here he came running up the aisle to the stage. It turned out that he was in the lobby with other kids waiting for us to find him. I was so relieved when I saw him. I know, I worry too much, but I can't help it. Anyway, we rushed out to meet my wife who was waiting with our two girls.

My sons told me that when they were up on the stage singing with their class, they both were scanning the crowd looking for me, worried that I wouldn't have made it. They were happy that I did.

After a brief reunion outside the auditorium, my wife took the girls and I took the boys and we made our way to our separate vehicles to head home.

The parking lot was a mess. Everyone trying to get home as fast as possible, it made for stressful situation. I got the boys fastened in started the van and waited and waited for someone nice enough to come along and let me in the line.

As luck would have it, despite being parked in separate parking lots and getting to our vehicles at different times, I pulled out onto the road and headed home, right behind my wife.

Overall, it was a good day. I got to visit with family out of town and made it back in time to see my two sons perform on stage.

The point of this story? There really isn't one except that I didn't know what else to write about.

Next week, my daughter in first grade has her Christmas program. We will attend that one as well. Hopefully they don’t sing the same songs as they did at my sons’ program.

School Rules

This is the first full week of the new school year. For us, that means that four of my five children are off learning and as luck would have it, all able to take the bus. A big gas savings. Also, with them at school, our grocery bill will be lower since they eat at school. Another savings.

We, at the prodding of my 9yr old son, have put him back in regular public school. For the last two years he has been at home attending an online public school which is another way of saying homeschool. He really wanted to get back to being around other kids his age and out of the house. Hopefully he will not have too much trouble integrating back into school.

In addition to money saving due to the kids back in school, I have more time to work on my writing. One problem though is trying to keep my 4yr old that is sill at home, from getting too bored. Right now we are out side. She is trying to talk to the birds. So cute. One problem this week in particular is that we are having the bathroom and pluming repaired due to water leaks and I can't leave the workers here alone (I am not a very trusting person). So, no trips to the parks or library until next week. I hope they will be done by then.

I am sill trying to find some work at home program that I can do. I would really like to get back into graphic design, specifically logo work, but I don't have a good computer or software. But I am working on that problem. That would be the ideal solution because I am an out-of-work graphic designer.

Back on the topic of school, the bus is never on time or even close. It is always at least 30 min later than the time stated on the schedule. I don't know what the cause is, but the better get their act together. Maybe for the first week I could understand problems with new bus routes. Hopefully next week will be closer to the schedule.

The start of school us usually accompanied by all sorts of little problems that need a little adjusting and tweaking at first to get on a more regular schedule. That is my plan at least. Keep at it until a regular pattern can be figured out, the same as it is for the teachers and the students for that matter.

Magical Gum

This week, my two sons are taking the AIMS test along with all the other kids their age in this find state of Arizona. I heard that next year, third graders will have to pass the AIMS test in order to move on to the fourth grade.f

I know that I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, but if the teachers are grading the kids based on the student's work and they are getting a passing grade, then they child should pass on to the next grade. If the teachers and the school is doing their job and teaching the kids the way they are supposed to, then why
is the AIMS test even needed. Especially to determine if a child should pass the third grade or not. Can anyone explain this to me?

On a related point to the AIMS testing, my son in public school brought home a memo about 'Magic Gum'. It stated that buy chewing this gum, the student would remember all the information that they given in preparation for the AIMS test. My son said that his teacher gave the class a piece of gum and were to chew it for a minute or two and then spit it out and that was enough of the 'Magic Gum' to produce the desired effects.

I think that it is a stupid idea. My son really believed that by chewing the gum made him remember things. Again, I am not the sharpest tool in the shed but trick on the kids and when they find this out, either on their own or in my son's case, with their parents help, they will think less of the teacher. No one likes to be tricked, especially kids. They won't understand the reasoning behind the '
Magic Gum' and feel they were lied to.

I am sure there are better ways for teachers to help the kids retain information that don't require the kids to be lied to.

It's None of their Business

The other day, my kids brought home a paper saying that the school would be conducting surveys on the kids. They would assess the children's overall health, starting with giving them a pedometer for a week, logging their daily step totals. In conjunction with this, the students are to keep track of what they eat each day in a food log. Then at the the end, the school would take the children's measurements to determine their BMI. In return for the school's collection of data, they federal government will give them an undisclosed amount of money for programs. What school, especially in a small town like ours, wouldn't jump at the chance for some more money even if they have to invade the child's privacy?

My thoughts on this plan of theirs is simple. It is none of their business and it has nothing to do with their job. The last time I checked, schools were supposed to teach kids the basics right? What business is it of the government's what my kids eat, their body mass index or how much they walk? I know that the President's wife is on a mission to combat childhood obesity. Well, good for her. But, again, it is none of the Government's business.

They did give me forms to opt out of the BMI. AS far as the pedometer is concerned I don't really care. But I will not fill out their food logs. My son was upset when I told him that I would not complete them because the teachers are dangling prizes in front of the kids in order to get them to comply. I haven't decided yet what to do with the food logs. Should I just return them empty or fuck with them by putting all kids of crap on it.

The government doesn't want us knowing what they are doing, but they sure as shit want to know everything we do.