Just a post about what's going through my head today:
The kids and I went to Utah for my grandmother's funeral, returning last Monday. We were really glad to be able to be there, but during the week after the funeral everyone got sick, so it was hard to visit like we wanted. I had 2 nieces with swine flu, one niece and one nephew with strep, and one niece with pneumonia. While we were there, Sabrina was sick for about 24 hours with a flu, but came home with just a cough.
That cough lingered, and over this past weekend, she started acting really lazy and had flu symptoms, which affected her blood sugars and ketones, causing her to get dehydrated. So, yesterday I took her to the hospital, where we spent 6 hours getting labs done, chest x-rays and an IV drip. The final word was she has a case of "walking pneumonia" which is making it difficult to manage her diabetes. So, armed with antibiotics and additional info on taking care of a sick diabetic, we finally were able to come home. But, she has now missed two more days of school, which brings me to this post.
I wanted to be proactive, so I took her to school today to pick up her assignments from the past two days. I shouldn't have. Now, I'm even more frustrated. She is not...I repeat...NOT a great student. Don't get me wrong...we love her dearly, but school and being organized (like using a planner) are not her strong suits. I have had conversations, even recent ones, with teachers about getting her caught up, staying on top of everything, etc. So, when I take my sick daughter to the school for the express purpose of picking up work to stay caught up, you'd think they'd be a little grateful...or at the very least, interested.
The first teacher didn't even get up from her desk, told Sabrina to back away (lest she catch the big, bad cold) and pointed to the board. The second one walked around the room, apparently gathering materials, with no indication he was even paying attention to us. Then he walked away without even a goodbye. One teacher is a sub for the entire semester, but isn't grading any work? Only one teacher even acted concerned that she was sick and made sure to give her all the information she needs for an upcoming test...and he isn't even one of her core subjects.
No wonder she's struggling...no wonder Hawaii schools are getting a bad rap...I'm finding it justified. This week her middle school is on minimum days, letting out at 12:30 for afternoon conferences that every student participates in. What I found today, when I arrived at noon, was the kids at lunch...really? Lunch ended at 12:20, when they proceeded to go sit in their classes, chatting until the bell rang at 12:30. Wouldn't it make more sense to skip lunch this week, work straight through, and let the kids out at 12:30? So, basically this week they are getting 3 hours of class each day...on top of no school on Friday for the Furlough Friday program to save money.
Hawaii kids are already getting less hours in the classroom. It just frustrates me that a student like Sabrina, that is already struggling, is not going to get the attention and interest she needs to succeed. It makes it hard for me to blame her, when the administration and teachers don't appear to care. I have considered homeschooling, but am told that unless I continue all through high school, she'll enter as a freshman when we leave here. And forget about private school...that's a small fortune, and I like to feed my family. I can only try to do my best at home, but without knowing what she needs help with, it's difficult. Just frustrating...
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
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6 comments:
Lisa, sorry to hear about your Grandma. Sorry too about Sabrina and her situation. That must be SUPER frustrating. I guess I better quit complaining so much about here because heaven knows I can't stop complaining completely. Good Luck and make her take her books to the beach! =)
Chris was contemplating taking a job in Hawaii this past summer. Doing research and talking to people there was 2 main factors that won the "con" list! #1 we would have to put the girls in private school the other one being that unless you are a native, you don't get much respect. Not to mention the cost of everything and the pay raise wasn't going to necessarily cover that cost. I think you are an amazing mom so keep doing what you are doing! I hope Sabrina feels better fast and we miss you guys!
I'm glad you got to spend some time with us. Thanks so much for spending time with us. I'm frustrated for/with you, too. Good luck with the whole school thing.
I had another friend in Hawaii (military also) and she had to home school. She just couldn't watch her kids fall further and further behind. There has to be some sort of independent study program through your school where your kid can stay on course with tests and standards, but aren't stuck with the lameness of the teachers and administration.
FYI: That lunch thing kills me. They are obligated by law to have lunch because there are kids that don't eat any other way. So the rest of the kids have to waste their time and money. Love public school! :)
Hi Lisa, this is Janell from the old K-town ward. I hear your pain about the Hawaiian public school problem. Landon's Dad was stationed there when he was in elementary school. He did really poorly and was at the bottom of the class. When they moved to OK he did much better and was actually put into a gifted program.
I would do a little more research on the homeschooling option. If you join an accredited homeschooling program, you should be able to transfer the credits. Of course, moving to a new state could pose some challenges, and you'll really have to do your own research, but if you are that concerned about Sabrina, I would look into it further.
I hope you don't mind me giving you my opinion. I just felt bad knowing how much Landon hated going to school in Hawaii. I hope you can find a solution that works for you.
Hi Lisa,
We're in San Antonio now. Landon got out of the AF and is now working at USAA.
I hope you enjoyed the "had a crappy week and need some consoling bars!" But mostly I hope you just have a good week. :)
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