This is the 52nd installment of the 1990s. It is 260th installment in five years, overall. I wrote 52 for each decade from the 1950s though the 1990s. I have posted a few extra ones that are included that I am not counting. All but the first 30 or so are posted on the Got Harmonica website. A few have been published in one place or another.
For years my wife and other family members have encouraged me to write down the stories I often tell. I set out to do that one-decade at a time starting with the 50s the first year and working my way through each consecutive decade. The intended audience has always been my family but sometimes I wrote the piece just for me.
Initially, I wasn’t sure I could think of 52 things to write about a decade but quickly realized that was not a problem. The more I wrote the more I remembered and the problem became deciding which ones to include. I left many things out!
I have used my father’s journal, my mother’s recollections and notes, and my own journals and notes from over the years. There is a wealth of information, much yet untold, in these resources.
I found it much easier to tell the stories of the early years, the first 30 or so, of my life. The more recent the event the harder it was to tell and the more I worried about accuracy and not offending anyone. I fully expected that relatives and friends would take issue with some of the stories I told or the accuracy of the details I included. It never happened! What did happen was that I think I inspired a few to write stories from their own lives.
My most recent ones, the decade of the 90s, includes a lot of journal entries from that decade. Sometimes I commented on them and sometimes I just let them stand on their own. I did alter them enough to make sure the characters weren’t recognizable. At some point I will return to many of them and tell more of the stories. It just seems very hard for me to do that when it all happened relatively recently.
I still have many stories to tell and someday will take on the rest of the decades of my life. For now, I am going to take a respite from the weekly deadline of completing and posting a piece. I will continue to write and am looking forward to going back and telling some of the stories I skipped over.
The entire time my wife, Becky, has been my faithful editor. I am grateful for her willingness and critical eye. I am grateful, too, for those who encouraged me all along. I have a tendency to set impossible expectations for myself and then burn myself out trying to live up to them. Sometimes I am just too stubborn for my own good.
Anyway, check in once in awhile to see if there is anything new. In the meantime, never underestimate yourself or anyone else.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
90s51 Truancy
Friday, February 4, 2000 – One of our students hasn’t been in school all week. The parents say the child has a cold. I think school refusal might be part of it. It is very possible that the parents will blame us for this again even though it has gone very well while the child has been here. Who knows how this will turn out? I was on stand-by at Hills last week and had all kinds of trouble out there. When that happens it takes a lot of time from Longfellow. PTA met last night. The president continues to be very cold towards me and only speaks if she wants something. Staff anxiety seems to be going up here. This seems to happen about every year at this time although this seems to be a little early. Lots of complaining about things and making demands of the secretary and sometimes me.
Tuesday, February 15, 2000 – We had a formal lunch yesterday for Valentines Day and it went very well. This is the second year that we have done this. The school board continues to press for what they call measurable “ends policies.” I think Deming called that rear view mirror driving but I guess we are going to do it anyway. I prefer to build the quality in all the away along. Actually, I think we are already doing that and we have way too many people outside of education telling us what we ought to be doing. One of our frequently absent students is back in school and doing ok though he has had a few problems. One teacher has been unhappy about her assignment all year and can’t seem to move on. The CAO has now given her an associate, but she is still unhappy. Her schedule is not all that bad even thought she goes to three buildings she has 70 minutes of prep daily just at Longfellow but she can’t see that. I don’t think she will stay in the district after this year. Compared to the rest of the Longfellow staff she is not a very hard worker and doesn’t put out the effort that many of them do. She simply is mad about having to serve three schools and can’t get past that. She has made it hard on the rest of our staff. We got our staffing projections for next year. The numbers are not nearly as good as I had hoped. At the primary our ratio is 6.78. We now have 7.0 and I had hoped to have that again. At 3-6 it is 6.90. I hoped it would be much higher…at least 7.0. I don’t know what will happen, but I don’t think half sections will be a popular option. I’ll talk with the site council about it next week.
Thursday, February 17, 2000 – I did storytelling last night at Twain for their Read-In. it was fun and it went well. I used my new poem “Gentle Bill” for the first time and it went over well. I still have to work on getting in memorized but am pleased that it went so well. A frequently absent student refused to come to school yesterday and today. We tried typing a list of things she does well to boost his confidence but she still didn’t want to come in. Forecasts are for heavy snow tonight. Tomorrow is a conference day so I don’t know what will happen.
Tuesday, February 15, 2000 – We had a formal lunch yesterday for Valentines Day and it went very well. This is the second year that we have done this. The school board continues to press for what they call measurable “ends policies.” I think Deming called that rear view mirror driving but I guess we are going to do it anyway. I prefer to build the quality in all the away along. Actually, I think we are already doing that and we have way too many people outside of education telling us what we ought to be doing. One of our frequently absent students is back in school and doing ok though he has had a few problems. One teacher has been unhappy about her assignment all year and can’t seem to move on. The CAO has now given her an associate, but she is still unhappy. Her schedule is not all that bad even thought she goes to three buildings she has 70 minutes of prep daily just at Longfellow but she can’t see that. I don’t think she will stay in the district after this year. Compared to the rest of the Longfellow staff she is not a very hard worker and doesn’t put out the effort that many of them do. She simply is mad about having to serve three schools and can’t get past that. She has made it hard on the rest of our staff. We got our staffing projections for next year. The numbers are not nearly as good as I had hoped. At the primary our ratio is 6.78. We now have 7.0 and I had hoped to have that again. At 3-6 it is 6.90. I hoped it would be much higher…at least 7.0. I don’t know what will happen, but I don’t think half sections will be a popular option. I’ll talk with the site council about it next week.
Thursday, February 17, 2000 – I did storytelling last night at Twain for their Read-In. it was fun and it went well. I used my new poem “Gentle Bill” for the first time and it went over well. I still have to work on getting in memorized but am pleased that it went so well. A frequently absent student refused to come to school yesterday and today. We tried typing a list of things she does well to boost his confidence but she still didn’t want to come in. Forecasts are for heavy snow tonight. Tomorrow is a conference day so I don’t know what will happen.
90s50 Happy New Year
Tuesday, January 4, 2000 – We are all back from winter break. The Y2K glitches that were forecast by many just didn’t happen. The new year seems to be off to a good start. We have lost some students but are also picking up some. Several of them are ESL students so that will help our numbers in that area. We need to hire a 3-hour office associate and a 6-hour one-on-one associate. Hopefully, we can find some good candidates for those positions.
Wednesday, January 12, 2000 – Rumors are that the parents in one of our families’ have separated. These are the parents who gave us so much trouble at the beginning of the year and questioned everything we did. One was upset about having three and a half sections at third/fourth grade, about supervision during recess and on field trips and about everything else. For a while they wanted their fourth grader moved up to fifth grade. I will not be surprised if it is true because they seemed to be so tense and uptight all of the time. Too bad for the kids! We have all felt they certainly needed some counseling. Hopefully this is getting some help.
Friday, January 21, 2000 – A challenging student is back this week and has done very well. The associate is working out well. The child’s mother called me last week and said she didn’t know anything about the child coming back and ask how we were handling it and what accommodations we were making. That caught me off guard because I called her the week before and explained the whole thing and told her who the associate would be. We had all agreed on the accommodations at the December 9, meeting so I don’t know what she was talking about? It has worked out fine and she is coming in next Tuesday to talk about the schedule. Teacher observations have gone well and I am pretty much on schedule.
Monday, January 24, 2000 – A parent came in at the end of the day today. She told me that another parent had pressured her to write a letter against me. She said she reluctantly did but did not say what the other person wanted her to say. She said she also met with Superintendent about it. She said she told him we had some disagreements but that she thought I was very good with kids and the staff and that she didn’t think I did as well with parents. She said other person wanted me removed but that she didn’t support that. She was feeling guilty about doing all this behind my back and wanted me to know about it. It is very interesting that she would come in and tell me this. I do know that the other parent has tried to get several others to write letters but hasn’t had much success. It is sad that this person can’t move on. This parent has alienated many parents and staff but somehow still believes they are on her side. I really haven’t felt the need to fight back because I just don’t think it would be productive but I do think this person is a dangerous threat. This person has dramatic mood swings that many have noticed. I’m not sure this person’s mental health is all that good. This is probably going to be like this the rest of the time their children are here.
Wednesday, January 12, 2000 – Rumors are that the parents in one of our families’ have separated. These are the parents who gave us so much trouble at the beginning of the year and questioned everything we did. One was upset about having three and a half sections at third/fourth grade, about supervision during recess and on field trips and about everything else. For a while they wanted their fourth grader moved up to fifth grade. I will not be surprised if it is true because they seemed to be so tense and uptight all of the time. Too bad for the kids! We have all felt they certainly needed some counseling. Hopefully this is getting some help.
Friday, January 21, 2000 – A challenging student is back this week and has done very well. The associate is working out well. The child’s mother called me last week and said she didn’t know anything about the child coming back and ask how we were handling it and what accommodations we were making. That caught me off guard because I called her the week before and explained the whole thing and told her who the associate would be. We had all agreed on the accommodations at the December 9, meeting so I don’t know what she was talking about? It has worked out fine and she is coming in next Tuesday to talk about the schedule. Teacher observations have gone well and I am pretty much on schedule.
Monday, January 24, 2000 – A parent came in at the end of the day today. She told me that another parent had pressured her to write a letter against me. She said she reluctantly did but did not say what the other person wanted her to say. She said she also met with Superintendent about it. She said she told him we had some disagreements but that she thought I was very good with kids and the staff and that she didn’t think I did as well with parents. She said other person wanted me removed but that she didn’t support that. She was feeling guilty about doing all this behind my back and wanted me to know about it. It is very interesting that she would come in and tell me this. I do know that the other parent has tried to get several others to write letters but hasn’t had much success. It is sad that this person can’t move on. This parent has alienated many parents and staff but somehow still believes they are on her side. I really haven’t felt the need to fight back because I just don’t think it would be productive but I do think this person is a dangerous threat. This person has dramatic mood swings that many have noticed. I’m not sure this person’s mental health is all that good. This is probably going to be like this the rest of the time their children are here.
90s49 More Difficulties
Friday, December 10, 1999 – Today I met with Longfellow Key, our before and after school program, to talk about concerns they have with a difficult parent. This parent has been rude to them and demanding of their space for PTA functions. Apparently, this parent told them the PTA had priority of their program and they would just have to work around the PTA events. I assured him that was not true and that if it happened again he should refer them to the office. He said the Key board of directors was upset about the issue. Once again a difficult parent feels compelled to make the lives of others miserable unnecessarily.
Another parent meeting went fairly well. At least, there were no major outbursts. We are just giving in and doing everything they ask. As long as they get their way they are happy. It’s too bad for the child, but I think everyone is afraid of these people. Besides, what do we know? We have only successfully educated thousands of children.
Friday, December 17, 1999 – Today is the last day of school for this century. Students will be out two weeks. We are losing an associate over the break. He will be going to Mann (maybe?) and we will be hiring a 3-hour and a 6-hour associate. He was not very popular here or at the building where he was before. He doesn’t have good social skills. I hope things work out for him. I am going to be working 3 days each week over break. I hope to get a lot done.
Tuesday, December 21, 1999 – It now appears that the associate I mentioned earlier will be going to his original building instead of Mann. The CAO changed their mind on that one. I think Mann may have complained so much that they decided to send him back to the original building. I’m sure they won’t like that. Interesting implications from this include if you don’t like somebody bad enough you don’t have to take them. Actually, I don’t think the Mann staff ever met him. His reputation was just too much for them.
Friday was the last day here for one of the difficult kids we have come to love. As always, it is hard to let them go. He will be going to the BD program at Lemme. We will miss him but I’m sure it is the best for him.
I think I have finished the first round of teacher observations and am planning on working on the baseline competencies this week and next while there isn’t anybody around to interrupt me.
We have read and heard a lot lately about the y2k implications. That is short to what might happen when the calendar roles over to 2000. Apparently, many believed it would have a dramatic effect on computers.
Another parent meeting went fairly well. At least, there were no major outbursts. We are just giving in and doing everything they ask. As long as they get their way they are happy. It’s too bad for the child, but I think everyone is afraid of these people. Besides, what do we know? We have only successfully educated thousands of children.
Friday, December 17, 1999 – Today is the last day of school for this century. Students will be out two weeks. We are losing an associate over the break. He will be going to Mann (maybe?) and we will be hiring a 3-hour and a 6-hour associate. He was not very popular here or at the building where he was before. He doesn’t have good social skills. I hope things work out for him. I am going to be working 3 days each week over break. I hope to get a lot done.
Tuesday, December 21, 1999 – It now appears that the associate I mentioned earlier will be going to his original building instead of Mann. The CAO changed their mind on that one. I think Mann may have complained so much that they decided to send him back to the original building. I’m sure they won’t like that. Interesting implications from this include if you don’t like somebody bad enough you don’t have to take them. Actually, I don’t think the Mann staff ever met him. His reputation was just too much for them.
Friday was the last day here for one of the difficult kids we have come to love. As always, it is hard to let them go. He will be going to the BD program at Lemme. We will miss him but I’m sure it is the best for him.
I think I have finished the first round of teacher observations and am planning on working on the baseline competencies this week and next while there isn’t anybody around to interrupt me.
We have read and heard a lot lately about the y2k implications. That is short to what might happen when the calendar roles over to 2000. Apparently, many believed it would have a dramatic effect on computers.
Monday, March 01, 2010
90s48 Distractions
Sometimes I think we got what we asked for. We wanted more government support for education. We got it but along with it came more rules and regulations. We wanted more parent involvement in their children’s education. We got it and along with it came more parents second-guessing and questioning.
Hours are spent responding to government rules and parent interactions. Much of that time could be better spent actually preparing to work and working with students.
Parent interaction is important. We should be partners in the education of all children. Some of the required paperwork is good. Our decisions should be data driven. But, when parents and government requirements occupy large percentages of your time, it is not productive.
Tuesday, November 30, 1999 – I have done 4 or 5 evaluations so far and have about that many more to do in the first round. I hope to have them done soon. I got a rather long email from an upset parent yesterday outlining his frustration with the staff and me. I wrote him a response but doubt that it will satisfy him. I also CCed the letter and my response to our acting Assistant Superintendent. The Central Office has been silent on this. I think because this person is prominent in the community. We are kind of out on a limb here. I hope no one cuts it off. I have noticed the pre-holiday stress level of parents and staff going up lately. It seems to be this way every year.
Friday, December 3, 1999 – I am looking forward to deer hunting tomorrow. It is rainy today so I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow. I have heard we may get snow on Sunday. That wouldn’t hurt. All is quiet at school today.
Wednesday, December 8, 1999 – I have heard many more complaints from parents about the way one parent does things and how rude he/she is to them. They have also said this person is back on the issue of the meeting last spring and the perception of how I treated him/her. This person is still trying to get parents and staff members to take their side on the issue. It is making a lot of people very uncomfortable. He/She just can’t seem to move on. I’m sure we will have to deal with this for a long time. Many parents have told me they are not involved with PTA because of this person. Too bad! We need their support and I hate to see one person driving people away. This person clearly wants to control everything they can and is frustrated that I won’t let that happen.
We have a meeting about a difficult student on Thursday. I hope it goes better than the last one. The parents are so angry with us and the people at Child Psych. have not helped. We do really want to do what is best for the child but the parents are not able to look at the issues objectively. Hopefully we can work through this? This time of the year is always stressful for staff and parents. Me, too, sometimes. I’ll be glad when winter break is here. I do plan to work over the break to get some work done.
Hours are spent responding to government rules and parent interactions. Much of that time could be better spent actually preparing to work and working with students.
Parent interaction is important. We should be partners in the education of all children. Some of the required paperwork is good. Our decisions should be data driven. But, when parents and government requirements occupy large percentages of your time, it is not productive.
Tuesday, November 30, 1999 – I have done 4 or 5 evaluations so far and have about that many more to do in the first round. I hope to have them done soon. I got a rather long email from an upset parent yesterday outlining his frustration with the staff and me. I wrote him a response but doubt that it will satisfy him. I also CCed the letter and my response to our acting Assistant Superintendent. The Central Office has been silent on this. I think because this person is prominent in the community. We are kind of out on a limb here. I hope no one cuts it off. I have noticed the pre-holiday stress level of parents and staff going up lately. It seems to be this way every year.
Friday, December 3, 1999 – I am looking forward to deer hunting tomorrow. It is rainy today so I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow. I have heard we may get snow on Sunday. That wouldn’t hurt. All is quiet at school today.
Wednesday, December 8, 1999 – I have heard many more complaints from parents about the way one parent does things and how rude he/she is to them. They have also said this person is back on the issue of the meeting last spring and the perception of how I treated him/her. This person is still trying to get parents and staff members to take their side on the issue. It is making a lot of people very uncomfortable. He/She just can’t seem to move on. I’m sure we will have to deal with this for a long time. Many parents have told me they are not involved with PTA because of this person. Too bad! We need their support and I hate to see one person driving people away. This person clearly wants to control everything they can and is frustrated that I won’t let that happen.
We have a meeting about a difficult student on Thursday. I hope it goes better than the last one. The parents are so angry with us and the people at Child Psych. have not helped. We do really want to do what is best for the child but the parents are not able to look at the issues objectively. Hopefully we can work through this? This time of the year is always stressful for staff and parents. Me, too, sometimes. I’ll be glad when winter break is here. I do plan to work over the break to get some work done.
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