Priceless!

 So here's how I work as a special ed teacher:  I have a caseload of kids.  Currently I think that number is 18.  I am in charge of their IEPs (writing them, monitoring progress etc.).  I have great communication with my parents (if I do say so myself), in fact, of my 18, I have only one parent who isn't available via email and is in fact a non-communicator (he doesn't give two shits about his daughters schooling or the fact that she had straight F's last quarter; yells at teachers who call to inform of daughter's poor performance). On Monday's EVERY WEEK - unless I'm out Monday and then this falls to Tuesday - I email ALL of my parent telling them current grades as well as any missing work that their child may have.  I do this EVERY WEEK and I keep a folder of all the printed out grades and the dates I email home.  Last week, I emailed on Monday saying that I would email - most likely Tuesday - with final 3rd quarter grades.  I ended up doing this Wednesday because teachers are slackers.

Fast Forward to this morning when I check my email and have an email from a parent whose son (a freshman) got an F for Health last quarter.  Pretty much, he had an F all quarter - which EVERY ONE OF MY EMAILS STATED.  I even communicated to this mother last week that he had failed the quarter and I added what grade he would need for 4th quarter (as well as on the exam) in order to get the points needed for credit (otherwise he would need to make this grade up next year somehow since Health is a requirement).  This mother's email stated - " I am a little confused here and need some help......my son is not allowed to play lacrosse rest of season because he got an F in health?   I thought he would get a warning first.  Can u tell me who I need to talk too in regards to this? This will make his grades go back down and I thought hes been doing better."  What can I do but laugh really.  I've been telling her his grades since September.  I've even told him every week in study hall.  So ridiculous.  I know she thought the "warning" would come from the athletic department stating that - uh oh - her son may get booted off the team but why is that more important to her than him actually failing. Why is she just NOW worried?!  By the way - he's also failed 2 quarters of Biology (with a D 3rd quarter).  And when did she think he was suddenly doing better?  She's so wrapped up in herself and her new boyfriend!  Her idea of helping him get through the year is grounding him.  UGH!

I'm so sick of kids and parents right now.  I am so ready for Spring Break.  I think (THINK) that will give me the energy to get through the rest of the year but let me tell you - that $500 million from Megamillions sure would come in handy right now!

K - well, I best get outta here.  Later!