Power to the People

I had the kiddies do an activity where they estimated how many hours they used a few appliances each month and calculated how much money that would cost on a PG&E bill. I got some pretty freakin' awesome responses to the analysis questions..

Were you surprised by how much your appliances cost you each month? Why or why not?
Yes I understand my parents now! The fridge is expensive.

If microwaves and toasters need about 1000 W of power to operate, why do you think people still use them? (I was trying to get them to say that they are only used for a few minutes at time so it was okay that their wattages are on the high side.)
Because when their hungry they have to eat something.
because microwaves is very useful & it make thing go faster like soups are ready in 3 minutes so people don't have to wait too long to eat.
because the is the only way you can survie.

How might you save money on your next electric bill? Name at least three things you can do to use less energy at home.
not buying bread for the toaster anymore, how sad.
I think I should just use the computer to do my homework and not use it a lot to go to myspace!
Vaccum less.

And lastly, on their weekly warm-up sheet, re. a day I had to call in sick and get a sub..

Its nice to see yo face again I was sad to see that sandal man subsituting yesterday

One Step Closer

So I found out today that my student who got stabbed.. no, I wasn't a block away. I was there.

I didn't make the connection until today, for some reason. As I was walking from my apartment to the school school dance on Friday I had noticed a bunch of cops at an intersection. A bunch of the neighbors in the area had come out of their houses to see what was going on. I asked them if they knew what was up, but no one had an answer.

But according to an update from our principal today,

He was stabbed three times and hit with a bat in his arm. The attackers appear to be gang related, but he was not wearing any colors or identifying in any way. He is a graduating senior and concerned about missing anything.

Another kid who is merely a bystander of the gang warfare and brokenness in the city. Needless to say, today I was pretty shook up just by the fact that even though I live in the same neighborhood as these kids.. I feel like I'm living in a different universe.

My bboy didn't come back to class today. I'm hoping he's alright and that he'll come back to me soon.

On another note.. if you live in SF you should vote YES on Proposition A: The Quality Teachers and Educators Act. It's going to be on the June 3rd ballot. More info here, but basically vote YES to support teachers like me and keep us working hard in the city for these kids that need us so desperately. KTHANXBAI.

This Breaks My Heart of Stone

Bad day today.

It's Monday, but today was worse than usual.

First off, during lunch I found out that one of my advisory (think homeroom) kids got stabbed on the way to the school dance on Friday. Depending on the timing.. I could have been walking just one block away from him when he was stabbed. Not that I could have done anything to stop it, but I just have this urge to protect my children, y'know? The counselor says that the same guy that they think did it actually killed someone later that night, so he's lucky, in a sense. He's still in the hospital.

Then seventh period was hell. The kids were bouncing off the walls and just ADD in general. Side conversations and no matter how nicely or pissed off-ly I asked, they just would not shut up. Which was already disappointing because my classes for the rest of the day were surprisingly ok. But then one of my favorite boys flipped out and walked out of class, which is something that I totally don't expect from him.

This is my bboy kid. And it breaks my heart because as much as I love him and I spend time trying to motivate him to do well and to start a breakdance club at the school, he's still failing and flailing miserably in pretty much all his classes. So today, when I was already pissed at his friend and him for talking, I might have been a little short when I said "So I know will eventually get his work done, but I'm not so sure that sitting next to him is a good idea for you." And, tell me if I'm wrong, but I thought this was an honest, logical, yet kind way of saying "please move your seat or shut up".. but he just snapped and said "whatever I don't want to be here anyways!" and stormed out of the room.

I almost broke down right then because of my conflicted emotions. At that moment, I was ashamed that I actually felt relieved that he left because a) he talks non-stop when he's in my class and keeps whoever he's sitting next to from paying attention and b) he never gets any work done for me anyways so it's almost a lost cause trying to get him to pay attention. But then I love this kid so much and I know I shouldn't give up on him, even if he might not turn around in time to pass my class at least I can give him a good classroom experience so he's not completely turned off to school later on down the line.

So I didn't go after him.. I had to keep teaching my class. But then after school I tried to find him to reconcile and make sure he knew that asking him to move is very different than asking him to leave. He was no where to be found. And then I kept thinking of the other kid getting stabbed over the weekend not even two blocks from school.. and I'm worried that something could have happened to him because he wasn't in my class when he should have been.

I understand that some kids just have bad days (especially my city kids) and that they will blow up in your face for no reason. I guess I was just really upset because I had hoped that I'd been able to connect with him enough to ward off these explosions but at the same time my pragmatic side was telling me that the class was better off without him there. What good is it if you become a better teacher if you can't be a better person?

But let's leave this post on a good note. I had a couple of great experiences with the kids this weekend.. Friday we had a rally to protest the budget cuts and layoffs in the district. We had about 25 kids join a handful of teachers on a march from school down to City Hall where we met with students from Gal. And even though there were only 25 students involved.. I was so proud of them for coming out on their own Friday afternoon to support us teachers and their school. They were just so cute with their protest signs and cheering when people honked at our "Honk 4 Education" signs. They joined in our cheers, and even made up their own "Arnold, Arnold, you're a fool! We need money for our schools!" and "Educate, don't terminate!" Then the school dance was a blast, as was just chilling with them in the field during the flea market on Saturday. It's funny.. sometimes the best interactions I have with my students are those that happen outside the classroom. Nonetheless, it's those moments that create the connections that exist inside of class. So I hope.

idk, my bff Jill?

Srsly.

Afroman lives.. unfortunately.

"Ms. Chew, what are you going to be doing on 4/20?"
"Going to church and NOT smoking a doobie."

Had a conference with a parent, counselor, and some teachers. I remember when I first started this job and I was really idealistic. Like.. I would never be a teacher that gives up on her students. But lately, I've found that sometimes.. sometimes I'm just over it. This girl doesn't come to class. She just doesn't. Everyone says she's brilliant but getting mixed up in the wrong things. She's not very sweet, I don't find her very likable. She's manipulative. When her mom tried to discipline her, she called CPS on her. The poor woman just doesn't know how to deal with her anymore. The girl has been drinking since she was in the eighth grade, and blames her problem on her alcoholic father. Except when she gets into trouble, she calls her father because he's easier on her. He enables her.

It's an ugly situation, yes. And I should be more compassionate. This girl will probably become an alcoholic if she keeps it up. But WHAT am I supposed to do? I can't help her if she's not here. And at this point, even if she starts coming to class again, it would take forever for her to catch up. She's not even a pleasure to have in class. She's sassy and acts like she deserves privilege. She and a friend skipped a day of finals to go to the movies, and then came back begging with puppy-dog eyes to make up the exams (not mine, thank God.) I don't know. I just had to vent. I'm torn because I wish I cared more.. but I just don't. I'm over it. You can't save those who don't want to be saved.