Again with the New Guy

His first day, he came in at about 11.  Apparently, mom didn’t have all the paperwork completed.  Whatever

Day two, he was here all day.  He missed day 3, I think  – day 3 or day 4.  Then one day he left early.

This week (a 4 day week) he missed Tuesday, I think it was.  Word on the street is that he told someone he and his brother stayed home to have a funeral for his hamster.

Okay, this kid has had a sucky life.  He has been through a lot.  Maybe there is something to letting him stay home because he’s freakin’ out cuz his hamster died.  Maybe, because of what he’s been through, it’s a small thing to do to help make up for all the crap he’s been through.  That’s giving mom the benefit of the doubt.

This kid is so dis-shelved.  He came in with a note from his mom.  Of course, it was folded about 4 times, and all wrinkled.  And he came right up to me while I was picking up my line in the morning.  He says, “Mr. V., this is why my eyes look like I’ve been crying.  See?  It’s right here.  My hamster is gone.”

I’ve notice he’s got little sores on him, that look like they could start bleeding at any time, as though they were bleeding 15 minutes ago.  I can’t figure out what they are from, or what might have caused them.  The only thing I can think of is that one of the RSP teachers asked him about his scratches on his arms (I haven’t noticed scratches) and he told her there are from the bugs that are in his bed and in his house.  Maybe these little sores on his arms are from bug bites?

And I’ve yet to get any homework from him.  Although, I did get his parent note returned, and it was even signed.

I just really have to stay on top of him, and remind him of what he needs to do, and what is expected of him.  Give him reminders, so that he doesn’t get in trouble.  But I have to continually give him those reminders, for everything.

Another New Guy

Well, it’s been a while, but I got another new student (I had lost 1 boy, but gained a girl, so that had me at 32 for a while).  We’ll call him P.  He came with a lot of baggage, so we had a heads up about him, and the day before he came, we had a meeting with his mom, his old schools psychologist and RSP teacher, our psychologist and RSP teacher, and our principal.

He’s got a LOT of things going on with him, besides his health issues (can you say ADHD? [and more]).  The poor guy.

But actually getting him in class was somethin’.  Hopefully he WASN’T on his meds for his first day, because if he was…uh oh!  Apparently, when mom was asked by the principal if he was on his meds, mom said, “I think.” – I THINK????  Look mom, let’s make sure the guy takes his meds EVERY DAY!

Now you know I have experience with ADHD, and boys who have it and aren’t medicated.  This boy seemed to fit the bill.  In between long sessions in the bathroom (I was told he was goofing off, throwing water with a couple of 5th graders) he was a tad squirrelly (can you smell my sarcasm?).

Odd things I noticed about him:  scratches/sores on his arms, sucking his shirt sleeves (to the point that they were noticably wet), and talking to almost everyone at his table throughout the day (impressive, for a new guy [new guys are generally quiet and trying to follow the rules]).

But that was yesterday – he came after recess (I don’t know why they didn’t have mom fill out the paperwork after the meeting the day before).  Today he was here all day.  And no trips to the bathroom.  Although, I did get him faking he was soundly asleep.

He is classic ADHD.  He can’t find his paper because it fell on the floor when he turned around to talk to the guy behind him.  Then when he finally realizes it is on the floor, he knocks his pencil off his desk while he bends over to pick up his paper.  Then he finally gets his pencil, but then he didn’t hear what page to turn to.  Take that about 5 times, and that was his/my day.

I feel bad, because this guy is going to consume my year.  He’s going to take a lot of my attention.  He does go out for 30 minutes twice a week for language arts, and 45 minutes twice a week for math.  That will help.  His former RSP teacher implied he needed the time because he’s still putting capital letters in the middle of sentences.  I’m not sure about that, but I think he might need the time so that he can gain focus in a small group.

Oh yes.  RSP aide asked why all the scratches on his arm.  He replied it was because of the bugs in his clothes.  Nice.

Class Make Up

I started with 29 students (anything under 30 is considered low).  I lost 2 girls (both with the same name) around the third of the way through the school year, and a boy (let’s just say I wasn’t sorry he left).  Then I got a boy (Johnny) on picture day.  Then I few weeks later I got a gir (Daisy- she is super nice and friendly with everyone, a great person to put new people by).  Then I got another girl (friendly as well).  Then I got another boy (he had to move schools because his brother had to be moved, so the principal thought there might be trouble – there hasn’t been).  Then a few weeks ago I got my 30th student, another girl.  She’s friendly, but seems a little out of it.

I’m just happy that all my new students speak English.  It is so discouraging to get a new student that speaks only Spanish.

Another New Student

The office called again.  Another new student was coming.  When she came in, the secretary kind of just let her in.  No introduction, no anything.  I went over and introduced myself, and asked her some questions about who she was.  (The girls in my class love when the new student is a girl, as do the boys love when the new student is a boy.)

We’ll call the new girl “Maria.”  Maria seemed alright, not as with it as the other new girls I’ve received in the last few weeks.  But it’s hard to tell.  She spoke English, so that’s a big, big plus.  I don’t think she speaks Spanish, but she said her parents spoke both English and Spanish, so she probably does speak some.  She’s sitting next to Daisy (Daisy is so great!) who makes friends with everyone.  So I think she’ll be okay.

New Student, Part IV

We’ll call him “William.”

I got a call at 11:30 from our principal that I was getting a new student.  It sure is nice to get a heads up call.  She also seemed a bit…weird, like something was up.

A few minutes later she came with the new student to my class.  The boy, William, seemed nice enough.  But my principal went all Nazi on my class.  She said, in a very serious, solemn voice, “This is William.  I expect you to welcome him with open arms.  That is the expectation.”  And all the while she was looking around the room, looking very seriously.

Okay, my class doesn’t have a problem accepting new students.  We’ve had 3 new students this year, and 2 recently.  One within the last 4 days!  It was kind of weird, and a bit offensive.  I’ll need to talk to her about that.

So anyway, William seems okay.  A bit quiet, but no problem.

The problem with new kids is that all my empty desks are in the back of the room.  So the new kid either sits in back, or I have to move multiple kids to get him up towards the front.  I know it sounds stupid, but I find it difficult to screw around with where people are sitting.  It’s difficult to balance tables; good and not-so-good kids, smart and not-so-smart kids.

New Student, Part III

I got a new girl today.  I always worry when they come in that they won’t speak English.  So when they are fluent, I am so happy.  This girl does.  Her name is Jenny.  I put her in the smallest table, and I just happened to put Daisy there yesterday.  Daisy is new, but she is fitting in so well, and has made so many new friends already, and is such a good influence on the people around her.  Everyone likes her.  So Jenny got to sit close to Daisy, and between Daisy and the rest of the table, they really made Jenny feel at home.

Turns out Jenny’s reading comprehension is very high.  Her fluency is at grade level, and her comprehension very high.  Good for her!  Good for me!

New Student, Part II

I got a new girl today.  “Daisy”  She seemed to speak English well, and her mother wanted to help in class.  I asked her mom what she had in mind, and she couldn’t answer.  She doesn’t speak English.  How can I have her help if she doesn’t speak English???

I put Daisy with 2 other really great girls, and they really helped her fit in.

A New Student, Part I

I got called into the office the other day.  They wanted to warn me that I was getting a new student, and his mom or dad was requesting testing and for him to be put into a Special Day Class.  Looking at his records, they didn’t see any glaring needs, and he scored high enough on one test to indicate that he wasn’t autistic.  They though his parents might have thought he had ADHD.

Later that morning the boy came to class.  We’ll call him Johnny.  Johnny did not seem ADHD, although he did seem to be a little odd, and he did have a rough morning.  He was crying in class, and students saw him hitting his forehead numerous times.  I had him go to the office with another boy to run and errand for me, and while they were out, I was able to talk with the class about the new boy, and how he was asking.  They all knew he was having a rough day, so they all agreed to be extra nice to him.

By the afternoon he perked up a bit.  While talking to him, he continued to be a bit odd, but nothing too radical.

That night, while chatting on line with our school psych, I mentioned that I did not think Johnny was ADHD, but that he did seem to be a bit on the spectrum of Autism.  She tentatively agreed.

It’s been about 10 days now.  I think Johnny definitely seems on the spectrum.  There is something familiarly odd about him.  He’s a really nice boy.  The way he talks, and some of the things he says, and they way he acts at time, make me think he’s spectrummy.  But I’m no expert.