Phone Call From School

So, today I'm at the office plugging away when the phone rings. On the caller ID, I see the name of the school district that Thing 1 attends. My first thought was, "Oh no! It's the school nurse, and she's got that nasty bug that's been going around."

But then Thing 1's teacher ... began ... speaking. My next thought was, "Oh no! What did she do that warrants a call from the teacher?!"

She calmly explained that during a study time, Thing 1 and the three girls at her table did not do the activity they were instructed to work on. I'm thinking that while this clearly isn't good behavior, it doesn't require a phone call at work from the teacher. Something else must be up.

Then she says that instead of working on the assigned activity, each of the girls thought it better to cut their clothing. CUT THEIR CLOTHING?! What on earth would possess them to do something like that? Who's bright idea was that anyway?

So the teacher says they had discussed taking personal responsibility for their actions, and that the girls needed to tell their parents themselves. Right then. So the teacher puts Thing 1 on the phone.

After quizzing and lecturing her for a few minutes with some muted "yes ma'ms" and "I don't knows" for answers, I tell her that we'll discuss it again later at home ... with her daddy.

She thought it was no big deal that she'd cut her (brand new!) shirt in two places. After all, we know someone who can fix it. Ha!

She sort of got out of it tonight since she fell asleep on the couch shortly after dinner. So while she's dreaming, we're trying to think of a way to teach her a lesson about taking care of her things and that her things have value (a.k.a. they cost money! MY money!). I'll let you know what we come up with.

New Year's Resolutions

In addition to the now familiar resolution we all have (everyone, sing together now!) like losing weight, getting organized, and finding more time for ourselves/our families, I have another one that I'd really like to throw some weight behind (no pun intended).

I'd like to take on a more active role in my children's education. Realistically, I know I don't have the time to be Room Mother or anything like that. But as Thing 1 approaches 2nd grade and Thing 2 approaches Kindergarten, this is becoming more and more important to me.

Recently I discovered Bill Bennett. He's a former Secretary of Education under Ronald Reagan. He does a conservative political talk show in the mornings, and I love to listen to him on my commute into work. He's written several books on U.S. history, politics, faith, family values, and education.

So the first part of my new years resolution will be to purchase this book and read it cover to cover. Among many other great things, The Educated Child: A Parents Guide From Preschool Through Eighth Grade features an outline of what to expect--or demand, in some cases--in the K-8 essentials.

Once read, I plan to put Dr. Bennett's great ideas and resources to work with my own children's education in 2009 and beyond.