Poetic Musings on the EOG (End-of-grade test)

The Test

Testing anxiety rises as magma~
Threatening to burst forth
In uncontrolled torrents
As the lava of tears,
Temper tantrums, unexpected bathroom
Emergencies, apathy, anger, fear, and frustration.

As test administrator, I find myself
Anxious, worried, frustrated, bored, and tired.
And then I stop to think~
To be 8 or 10 or 11
And have this stress hanging over my head
Like the operatic chandilier. . .
Waiting to fall~
To crush me -- body and soul
To crush my dreams,
My hope, my self esteem
For the sake of numbers.

That count what?
Hours teachers spent planning interesting lessons?
Tears teachers shed for students in her care?
Ballgames and recitals attended
To build relationships?
Extra hours -- after school, before school, on weekends, and during summers?
Dollars spent on materials, incentives, rewards, and ideas?
Moments that made us laugh or cry or get so angry we weren't sure what to do?
Pieces of chalk, dry erase markers, pencils, markers and paints that were used to help his students understand?
Books, read with fluency and expression to students hungry for a good model?
Math manipulatives used to show students the how and the why?
Field trips planned to give students real-life knowledge and experiences they might not otherwise have?

Or does the test count
Internet sites parents have visited to help their child with fractions?
Moments in the car calling spelling words, math facts, and reviewing for tests?
Privileges taken for bad tests or poor school behavior or homework not done?
Hugs given on the day of a test or a presentation or an awards ceremony?
Tears of frustration because they don't know how to help their child?
Magnetic letters and numbers bought to help their children with spelling and math?
Dollars spent for science project supplies, play costumes, musical instruments, pencils, crayons and markers?
Books bought so their children would love to read?
Prayers breathed on knees, in cars, in bed, in the car -- morning, noon, and night?
Hours of help with homework, projects and presentations?

Or perhaps the test measures. . .
The teachers who leave as the bell rings~ with nothing but their purse on their arm?
Moments of instructional time wasted?
Announcements over the Intercom that interrupt learning?
Teachers-- professionals -- who lie, cheat, and steal ----for the sake of the numbers?
Nervous breakdowns because of the stress and heavy workload?
Mountains of paperwork that document our "accountability"?
The number of retired teachers who came back -- and shouldn't?
The number of teachers who enter the classroom, and shouldn't?
The excellent teachers who go home early~because of the test?

Or does the test count. . . .
The number of children who have children?
Parents with no parenting skills?
Mamas and daddies who think baseball practice is more important than school?
Video games played before homework is done?
Privileges allowed that should be taken?
Minutes in class spent daydreaming?
The number of books in the home?
The small amount of time parents spend talking with their children?
The number of meals families eat together?
How many children split their time between parents who cannot stand each other?
The number of their friends involved in gangs?
The bruises sustained from abuse?
The number of words spoken in anger?
Parent-teacher conferences not attended?
Projects not completed?
Nights with only a few hours of sleep because parents (or neighbors) are yelling?
Unsafe homes?
Drug dealers?

Or maybe, just maybe this test
Measures ABSOLUTELY
POSITIVELY
NOTHING, . . . .except
The EGO of the politicians and
The PURSE of the publishers. . . . .

update on Mama

Mama's follow-up with her surgeon was Friday.  He said the pulses in her feet were good, and she's healing nicely.  He removed all of her staples and so she's moving alot better, if still slow.  She goes back in 6 weeks for a walking test.  Sunday made 2 weeks without a cigarette!!!!!!!!!  Yea, Mama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Computers and time

OK, so this one will be short -- I was just looking at my post times, and boy are they off. Unfortunately, I am using my school laptop and it will not let me adjust the time because of blocks they have on at central office, so when you read my blog and it looks like I am up really early being industrious, don't believe it. My two previous posts were actually at 11:00ish. I know it's very misleading. On the other hand, if the time on my posts say 1:00 AM you might really feel sorry for me, because apparently that would mean that I'm really posting at 3 or 4 AM which probably means I'm having a very rough night:~)LOL Oh well, just wanted you to know. . . .

Shane's subpoena

So Shane received a supbpoena by telephone while we were on the road commanding him to appear in court Monday morning at 9:00. This is for a custody case for one of his former students. He was supposed to be in a robotics workshop, but the lawyer assured Shane he was "commanded to appear." So Monday morning he got dressed up and went to court. He sat for several hours through another case, listened to them drag this case out forever, ended up losing his spot in the robotics workshop (which also meant losing a $400.00 stipend -- ouch!), and then they ended up not even using him at all, which meant his entire day was wasted and he lost out on the workshop and on the money. So it obviously makes you wonder why attorneys don't contact the folks on their witness list and interview them FIRST -- before they subpoena them to see if it is even going to help their case. Instead they willy-nilly subpoena folks, wasting their time for no good purpose whatsoever. How frustrating!! How nice it would be if we were all respectful of each other's time and needs and commitments!

Meeting Wylder

Shane and I were in Ga. for the weekend -- meeting our new nephew Wylder. He weighed in at 7 lbs, 13.4 oz. and is really beautiful. And I mean that sincerely, because some babies are really not so beautiful until later, but when we met him, he was 2 days old -- and beautiful! It's amazing how quickly babies lose that "newborn" look. Their fingers and toes are so incredibly fascinating to me. I could look at them forever and marvel at their tiny-ness and perfectness. Mom is doing fine -- in fact, she's bounced back incredibly quickly! She's a trooper! I can't wait to see him again and see what new things he can do. . . what a miracle!