Tuesday I got another phone call from the VPrinciple at Y's school. It seems he decided to slide down the bannister during a fire drill that afternoon, so his aide brought him up to see the VP again. Y doesn't seem to get the concept that the VP shouldn't even recognize you, let alone know your name. Well, Mama knows his name is Mr. H.! Y has been having more problems than sliding down a bannister when specifically told not to do so; he claims he has completed all his homework, but somehow 3+ assignments in ESL, math and science have mysteriously disappeared before he could turn them in to his teachers. He gets good grades on his tests, so he thinks that is all that should matter. He's doing awesome in ESL, when he completes his work. Mr. H. said that Y has learned as much English in one year as most of the other ESL students learn in 5 years. Y told me his ESL homework is "easy-peasy." The only reason he is failing math and science are because of big fat ZERO's on his homework assignments! His test scores are just fine. He even got a 100 on his last math test!!! Maybe he's not being challenged enough there with the modified homework he is being given?
Another problem is his attitude in gym class. He has a personality conflict with his gym teacher. She tells him what to do, and he ignores her and does what he wants to do. She has assigned him several ISS (in-school-suspension) lunches and at least one full day in ISS, and she has docked his grades for non-participation to the point that he's failing gym!!! How do you fail gym!?!
Well, Mr. H. told Y (and me) that if Y could not complete his homework during his study period or at home, then he would be forced to stay after school for after-school-suspension (dare I say, ASS?) and do it in Mr. H's office. Then he would have to ride the activity bus home which means that he would not get home till around 5:30pm. GASP!!! Two whole fewer hours on his computer!!!! I also explained to him that if he failed any of his classes that he would either be held back in 8th grade (not likely due to his age - 15 - and size 5'8"+ and 155+lbs) or the most evil thing in the world would happen to him:
SUMMER SCHOOL.
I was informed that no way, no how was he going to summer school. My response, "Then turn in your homework! That's all that's standing between you and summer school right now!" I think we have that one solved. He really does not want to go to school in the summer, nor does he want to spend one extra minute there on any given day.
So, the only question left is how to solve the gym class dilemma. ISS lunch doesn't work, docking his grade doesn't work... so all I have left is the "Nuclear Option." It seems what Y really hates doing is running. This gym teacher requires the kids to do a few minutes of stretching and about 3 minutes of running as a warmup each day for class. Class is about 45 minutes long with about 15 minutes to change and shower after class. Y tells her almost every day that his legs hurt and he doesn't want to run. I'm sure his legs are very sore, and running isn't the most enjoyable thing, but three minutes shouldn't hurt anyone. Y has grown 5 inches in about 10 months and he's fixin' to go through another growth spurt real soon (two weeks of 12-16 hour "naps" followed by a few weeks of 2-3 dinners each night and constantly "I hungry, Mama!" with several nights of insomnia due to leg pain). So, while I believe the pain is real, I think he can still do a 3 minute jog. It's not like he's highly active when he gets home. He rides his bike, with Michael doing all the pulling a couple of days a week. Sometimes he plays soccer with Mikey in the back yard for 30 minutes, but that's pretty much about it. Last night, I informed Y what the "Nuclear Option" was, and today I emailed his gym teacher - her response was "class is from 10:00 until 10:57am!" come on down - you're the next contestant on 'Embarrass the Foxtrot Out of Your Teenager at School!'
The Nuclear Option:
If I get one more phone call or email from either Mr H or Ms S about Y's behavior I will:
1. Shadow Y in class all day and tell everyone in his class that I am there to make sure Y follows all the rules today and turns his homework in to his teachers because he can't be trusted to do it on his own.
2. Show up for his gym class dressed in shorts, t-shirt and my running shoes. Y will get a 5 second head start, then I will chase him down and when I catch him he will lose his computer privileges for that day.
Y's response, "Maybe they no let you in school, Mama!" I told him it is a public school and all I have to do is sign in at the office and have one of the office aide kids escort me to wherever he is and the embarrassment shall begin immediately. Then Y told me, "You no catch me!" I told him that I've caught his dog, Michael, so catching him should be "easy-peasy." You see, Y will have to follow the rules of running laps around the gym. Mama is not in school. Mama doesn't have to follow the rules! We'll see how he likes that when Mama decides to cut across the gym floor and intercept him or Mama turns and runs in the opposite direction and grabs his sorry little butt! Then I'll give him a big, wet, sloppy kiss and a bear hug in front of everyone. The horror!
Natalie
TX
