So, you know that person who rolls in an hour late when you've already been sitting in the jury room for an hour? Well, today that was me.
I'm usually the person there on time, listening to all the instructions, etc, etc.
But today was the first day of school. (I can hardly believe DuckyBoy's in 3rd grade!)
So, I took him to school around 8:15, drove back to Forest Hills, parked the car in our usual spot and walked over to the courthouse. I was proud of myself for not rushing! It was around 9 when I arrived. I went in and had no idea what was going on. So I sat down and read my book. (The funny part is, people kept coming in after me and asking me what was going on!)
The clerks called people by row "if you have questions," so I stayed seated. Finally one clerk said, "Anyone who still has a summons, come up now. Last chance."
So, all by my lonesome, up I went. And it was fine.
Most of the folks got sent to another jury room, but about 2 dozen of us were left behind for an hour or so -- at which time the clerk returned and announced we had fulfilled our obligation and were being sent home. YESS!!
I was going to leave at 2 pm anyway to get DB, even if I had to sneak out a bathroom window ... so it all worked out fine. I even had time to get groceries and eat lunch before going to get DB.
And it seems like his first day was fine. He's sooo happy with one of his teachers that he knows a little bit from last year, and I've heard nothing but great things about the other teacher from several moms. He has informed me that it's going to be a "pack my lunch" school year. As he would say, What-ev-er!
Showing posts with label citizen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label citizen. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Haiku Friday: Life Spins on a Dime
Our new family motto is, "Life spins on a dime." Husband claims we had one already ... "Life sucks, then you die" ... but I don't remember ever voting for that, as if I ever would!Last week for Husband's birthday I made this giant dime from posterboard and put a spinner on it, then taped things around the edges like "I go get your breakfast from 7-11," "Open Present #1," and "1 hour of watch shopping."
His birthday was Saturday, but we used it all weekend. I plan to use it again, because it made for a great weekend. Even for a guy who claims to not like surprises!
I liked that he was trying to guess what it was while I made it -- yep, I was brazen enough to draw it right in front of him! He thought it was a quarter as in, "A quarter of my life is over?!" -- which, since he turned 45, wouldn't be so bad.
Life spins on a dime:
DB will be Citizen,
his teachers told me!
From life on savings,
now full-time income again,
things feel so diff'rent.
I can charge something
and leave the house without guilt
and still get things done.
We don't live for it,
but money plays a big role;
life spins on a dime.
Just write a haiku (5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables) on your blog, any theme.
Put the post url into Mister Linky here, then please leave a comment after linking.
Not a blogger? Feel free to write your haiku in the comment field. Or just tell me what you think of my haiku. Or what your weather is like. Anything!
And have a great weekend.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Haiku Friday: The End of the School Year Nears
School year winding down
Last chance to be Citizen ...
can DB do it?
All should get a turn,
but his outbursts caused some doubt
within the past month.
This week's going great,
new mp3 for the bus
and getting driven
3 days out of 5
seem to help a great deal.
Wish I knew the key!
Want to play along on Haiku Friday? It's easy!
Just write a haiku (5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables) on your blog, any theme.
Put the post url into Mister Linky here, then please leave a comment after linking.
Not a blogger? Feel free to write your haiku in the comment field.
And have a great weekend!
Friday, January 9, 2009
DuckyBoy Update
DB had a great day today!
As I planned, in the car going to school we practiced responding to other children being named Citizen of the Month. I only suggested not to shout out angrily; on his own, DB responded with clapping and saying "Yay, [whatever name I said.] You deserve it, good for you, etc." One name he said, "Booooo," and we discussed the inappropriateness of that, then tried again. Did I ever high-five and praise him for those positive responses!! (Do you know how hard it is to high-five someone in the backseat while you are driving?)
At pickup time this afternoon, his teacher could HARDLY WAIT to tell me how well he did, he did exactly what we practiced. The teachers were so pleased they ALSO wrote me a note, which is out of character for them (at least it has been in the past). And he earned a rubber duck, which means a lot to him.
Sorry to those who have a less traditional faith, but praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Because, although I'm delighted to think I helped with the success, it surely wasn't just what I did. My efforts alone have never done this well before, lol.
And after gymnastics? DB ate TWO Wendy's kid burgers AND two servings of french fries. Being a good citizen really works up an appetite! (He told me he "devoured" his snack and his lunch. How many 6-year-olds use the word "devoured?)
As I planned, in the car going to school we practiced responding to other children being named Citizen of the Month. I only suggested not to shout out angrily; on his own, DB responded with clapping and saying "Yay, [whatever name I said.] You deserve it, good for you, etc." One name he said, "Booooo," and we discussed the inappropriateness of that, then tried again. Did I ever high-five and praise him for those positive responses!! (Do you know how hard it is to high-five someone in the backseat while you are driving?)
At pickup time this afternoon, his teacher could HARDLY WAIT to tell me how well he did, he did exactly what we practiced. The teachers were so pleased they ALSO wrote me a note, which is out of character for them (at least it has been in the past). And he earned a rubber duck, which means a lot to him.
Sorry to those who have a less traditional faith, but praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Because, although I'm delighted to think I helped with the success, it surely wasn't just what I did. My efforts alone have never done this well before, lol.
And after gymnastics? DB ate TWO Wendy's kid burgers AND two servings of french fries. Being a good citizen really works up an appetite! (He told me he "devoured" his snack and his lunch. How many 6-year-olds use the word "devoured?)
Hopeful Friday
Haiku for Friday,
working on my action guide
The Lord has blessed me:
Just one little strike
First week back from vacation --
SO proud of DB.
A little me time
in quiet house yesterday
restoreth my soul.
DB gets "strikes" at school when he does something especially egregious (shouts, throws something or hits someone). The other kids get them too, sometimes. But this week, which is usually a hard transition back, he only has one so far!
We'll see about today -- it's assembly day, when someone else gets named citizen of the month. He can barely tolerate being ni the assembly at all, and then when they call someone else's name he usually shouts out angrily. I've sent a note to remind the teachers to remind him of expected behavior. We're going to practice not shouting in the car on the way to school.
And also the prayers will begin in 3,2,1...
working on my action guide
The Lord has blessed me:
Just one little strike
First week back from vacation --
SO proud of DB.
A little me time
in quiet house yesterday
restoreth my soul.
DB gets "strikes" at school when he does something especially egregious (shouts, throws something or hits someone). The other kids get them too, sometimes. But this week, which is usually a hard transition back, he only has one so far!
We'll see about today -- it's assembly day, when someone else gets named citizen of the month. He can barely tolerate being ni the assembly at all, and then when they call someone else's name he usually shouts out angrily. I've sent a note to remind the teachers to remind him of expected behavior. We're going to practice not shouting in the car on the way to school.
And also the prayers will begin in 3,2,1...
Friday, October 3, 2008
Haiku for Speaking Up
I am so tired
of listening with friendly ears
to others who rant ...
... and think I agree
because I sit quietly --
time for something new.
I'll share my thoughts too;
surely someone wants to know.
I can speak up too!
How to tag this one?
"Citizen" is from school days
but it fits here too.
This is what I want,
to teach my son to speak up
in his adult life.
Not that I think he'd have a problem with that if left to his own devices ... but I certainly have struggled with speaking up, and making my voice heard.
of listening with friendly ears
to others who rant ...
... and think I agree
because I sit quietly --
time for something new.
I'll share my thoughts too;
surely someone wants to know.
I can speak up too!
How to tag this one?
"Citizen" is from school days
but it fits here too.
This is what I want,
to teach my son to speak up
in his adult life.
Not that I think he'd have a problem with that if left to his own devices ... but I certainly have struggled with speaking up, and making my voice heard.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
And Then! And THEN!!
I'm heartsick. It's not anything horrible, but I'm a sensitive sort and it's hard to realize how much stress my little boy must be under every day.
After one of his school adults spoke to him gruffly Friday morning, at bedtime I mentioned that I'd heard his class attended the first-grade "Moving Up" ceremony today. When he acknowledged yes, they had, I mentioned, Oh, and yours will be next week.
To which he says, "Yes, but I don't get to go up [with everyone else]."
Huh? I try to not let it show that the hairs on the back of my neck are standing up. "Why not?" I ask, as coolly as possible.
"Ms. X says I can work for it" or "earn it" or some such phrasing.
Pardon my French, but that's b&%!s*^#! And yes, Ms X is the same one I had the issue with this morning.
For once Husband and I are in agreement; in fact he's ready to head to the school loaded for bear (not literally, we do not have a gun nor intend violence of any sort) on Monday morning. Which makes me feel a bit better. But in the meantime, Internet, here's what I have to get off my chest so I can get some sleep (2 am NY time):
We feel it is inappropriate for [DuckyBoy] to be told that he cannot stand on the stage with the rest of the kindergarteners at the moving up ceremony. Unless he is NOT moving up, he has earned the right to be up there as much as every other kindergartener at the school.
Even if it is an attempt to extract improved behavior from him, it is inappropriate to make him believe he has to earn something everyone else has already been given. It is not the same as having him earn his way toward the Citizen of the Month award; this is something everyone receives together and should be able to happily anticipate together.
In addition, if this also means he is not allowed to practice with the rest of the group, how can his behavior be expected to be on or near grade level? I would like to point out that his behavior at the Spring Concert was excellent, certainly at grade level.
I feel he deserves an apology for being made to feel that he does not deserve to be up there.
In a broader sense, I have the sense that there is no team approach to finding ways to help [DuckyBoy] with his behavior issues, and instead each person is dealing with him as best she can.
Please do not be any harsher with him than any other child. Firmness can easily become meanness; I feel that line is in danger of being crossed.
Please do not call his bluff when he is threatening to react in a physical manner, as that is confusing for him and not a way of helping him learn to calm down.
I understand that he knows how to control himself, if not all the time, and that the recent behavior is a disappointing regression back toward the beginning of the school year. However, I feel the need to remind you that despite his verbal and mental intelligence he is still emotionally 5 years old (if not closer to 4), and talk of change makes him anxious, and he is receiving a great deal of negative feedback and, it seems, the reminders for how to behave positively have been taken away.
If the teachers with whom [DuckyBoy] has been physically aggressive need to take a break from working with him, perhaps other people can be assigned to work with him for now. I am very concerned that one of you will be in the summer program; I do not feel you are providing appropriate support to him at this time.
Also, I am sorry that my child is the one out of 8 for whom the techniques are not working to help him learn all the desired school behaviors. However, another reminder is in order to the effect that this is the issue with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Not everything will work for every child. There is no standard advice. [DuckyBoy] may be the first student in the Nest program to teach you this, but he will not be your last. And what works for him may not work for the next non-standard Nest kid.
Finally, while I know the end of the year is a busy time for teachers, I don’t hear anyone making allowances for [DuckyBoy] at this time – in fact, you seem to be leaning on him harder than ever to use every skill he has learned this year – so I don’t plan to make any allowances for you.
There. Maybe I can go to sleep now. Maybe. It's all I can do not to lie on the floor next to DB's bed and hope that even more love seeps into him than I can stuff in each day.
Birds, you do not fool me. You know as well as I do it is still dark out. Go back to sleep now, and so will I.
After one of his school adults spoke to him gruffly Friday morning, at bedtime I mentioned that I'd heard his class attended the first-grade "Moving Up" ceremony today. When he acknowledged yes, they had, I mentioned, Oh, and yours will be next week.
To which he says, "Yes, but I don't get to go up [with everyone else]."
Huh? I try to not let it show that the hairs on the back of my neck are standing up. "Why not?" I ask, as coolly as possible.
"Ms. X says I can work for it" or "earn it" or some such phrasing.
Pardon my French, but that's b&%!s*^#! And yes, Ms X is the same one I had the issue with this morning.
For once Husband and I are in agreement; in fact he's ready to head to the school loaded for bear (not literally, we do not have a gun nor intend violence of any sort) on Monday morning. Which makes me feel a bit better. But in the meantime, Internet, here's what I have to get off my chest so I can get some sleep (2 am NY time):
We feel it is inappropriate for [DuckyBoy] to be told that he cannot stand on the stage with the rest of the kindergarteners at the moving up ceremony. Unless he is NOT moving up, he has earned the right to be up there as much as every other kindergartener at the school.
Even if it is an attempt to extract improved behavior from him, it is inappropriate to make him believe he has to earn something everyone else has already been given. It is not the same as having him earn his way toward the Citizen of the Month award; this is something everyone receives together and should be able to happily anticipate together.
In addition, if this also means he is not allowed to practice with the rest of the group, how can his behavior be expected to be on or near grade level? I would like to point out that his behavior at the Spring Concert was excellent, certainly at grade level.
I feel he deserves an apology for being made to feel that he does not deserve to be up there.
In a broader sense, I have the sense that there is no team approach to finding ways to help [DuckyBoy] with his behavior issues, and instead each person is dealing with him as best she can.
Please do not be any harsher with him than any other child. Firmness can easily become meanness; I feel that line is in danger of being crossed.
Please do not call his bluff when he is threatening to react in a physical manner, as that is confusing for him and not a way of helping him learn to calm down.
I understand that he knows how to control himself, if not all the time, and that the recent behavior is a disappointing regression back toward the beginning of the school year. However, I feel the need to remind you that despite his verbal and mental intelligence he is still emotionally 5 years old (if not closer to 4), and talk of change makes him anxious, and he is receiving a great deal of negative feedback and, it seems, the reminders for how to behave positively have been taken away.
If the teachers with whom [DuckyBoy] has been physically aggressive need to take a break from working with him, perhaps other people can be assigned to work with him for now. I am very concerned that one of you will be in the summer program; I do not feel you are providing appropriate support to him at this time.
Also, I am sorry that my child is the one out of 8 for whom the techniques are not working to help him learn all the desired school behaviors. However, another reminder is in order to the effect that this is the issue with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Not everything will work for every child. There is no standard advice. [DuckyBoy] may be the first student in the Nest program to teach you this, but he will not be your last. And what works for him may not work for the next non-standard Nest kid.
Finally, while I know the end of the year is a busy time for teachers, I don’t hear anyone making allowances for [DuckyBoy] at this time – in fact, you seem to be leaning on him harder than ever to use every skill he has learned this year – so I don’t plan to make any allowances for you.
There. Maybe I can go to sleep now. Maybe. It's all I can do not to lie on the floor next to DB's bed and hope that even more love seeps into him than I can stuff in each day.
Birds, you do not fool me. You know as well as I do it is still dark out. Go back to sleep now, and so will I.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Ready to Be Six
DuckyBoy told me tonight he's tired of being five. He wants to be six.
You're five and three-quarters, I told him after doing the mental math.
But that wasn't good enough. Wonder what's up.
He had a great day today, went to Build a Bear to make what he calls his "Citizen Bear"-- reward for being Citizen of the Month last month. We meant to do it right after he got the award, but life happens. In-laws need to be visited before the jet off to Italy for a month. Boot camps start and finish.
Anyway, once it was belated, we decided to time it to coincide with the next citizen award ceremony (which was yesterday), to remind him that he hasn't lost anything by it being someone else's turn, that "Once a Citizen, Always a Citizen."
He wasn't upset by the selection of a new citizen... just uninterested in sitting through the assembly AT ALL. When I arrived to help with the end of the school plant sale, he was sitting in the lobby with the librarian reading a book. One kid out of a couple hundred, mine, is sitting in the hallway being babysat. Happy As A Lark. Later he told me he said the Pledge of Allegiance and then [insert a lack of detail as big as a black hole] sat in the hall with Mrs. L. I heard through the grapevine there was minor commotion involved, as in noise being made. Otherwise I got no details from anyone -- yet.
How is he going to survive the next 11 years of school when he cannot tolerate what does not interest him? (Or, should I instead be asking, Why do we all tolerate so much when it's possible to behave like him and not have to do it?!?)
Oh wait, I get it. He wants to be six so he can be Citizen of the Month again next year in first grade. Here's a hint, lovey: Try sitting through an assembly!!
You're five and three-quarters, I told him after doing the mental math.
But that wasn't good enough. Wonder what's up.
He had a great day today, went to Build a Bear to make what he calls his "Citizen Bear"-- reward for being Citizen of the Month last month. We meant to do it right after he got the award, but life happens. In-laws need to be visited before the jet off to Italy for a month. Boot camps start and finish.
Anyway, once it was belated, we decided to time it to coincide with the next citizen award ceremony (which was yesterday), to remind him that he hasn't lost anything by it being someone else's turn, that "Once a Citizen, Always a Citizen."
He wasn't upset by the selection of a new citizen... just uninterested in sitting through the assembly AT ALL. When I arrived to help with the end of the school plant sale, he was sitting in the lobby with the librarian reading a book. One kid out of a couple hundred, mine, is sitting in the hallway being babysat. Happy As A Lark. Later he told me he said the Pledge of Allegiance and then [insert a lack of detail as big as a black hole] sat in the hall with Mrs. L. I heard through the grapevine there was minor commotion involved, as in noise being made. Otherwise I got no details from anyone -- yet.
How is he going to survive the next 11 years of school when he cannot tolerate what does not interest him? (Or, should I instead be asking, Why do we all tolerate so much when it's possible to behave like him and not have to do it?!?)
Oh wait, I get it. He wants to be six so he can be Citizen of the Month again next year in first grade. Here's a hint, lovey: Try sitting through an assembly!!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Proudly Announcing...
DuckyBoy got the Citizen of the Month award today! Wahoo! He's been working so hard. And even this morning, and even mid-day after their classroom Writing Celebration, he was still down about assembly today, wondering when it was going to be his turn.
His dad and I hid when the K students went into the auditorium, and then he saw us a little while later. When the principal announced his name, he pumped his fists in the air and jumped up and down for joy! It was great.
Pictures are going up on FlickR momentarily...
His dad and I hid when the K students went into the auditorium, and then he saw us a little while later. When the principal announced his name, he pumped his fists in the air and jumped up and down for joy! It was great.
Pictures are going up on FlickR momentarily...
Friday, March 7, 2008
DuckyBoy and the Jar of Bottle Caps
DuckyBoy was very excited when I picked him up from school yesterday -- "My teacher has something to show you!" he said.
And sure enough, she did -- a large plastic soup container (like from a deli) with a few bottle caps (like from bottles of water and soda) in the bottom.
Each time DuckyBoy does a good thing, he gets a bottle cap -- teachers and classmates can put in a cap. And when the container is full, he gets to be Citizen of the Month!
He's waay excited. I'm impressed and delighted that they chose to start it the day before the next winner of the award gets announced (today); this way he has a tangible reminder that it can become real for him, too. I wonder if the winner today will be another of his friends -- that was really difficult for him a couple of months ago.
And what a stinker he is -- yesterday was the first day, and he got like 10 caps! When the behavior that needs to be changed is pointed out to him, and he knows and wants the reward, he KNOWS how to do the right thing.
The same with sleeping in his own bed -- he can stay out of my room for as many nights as it takes to earn whatever reward -- it used to be a trip on the AirTrain when his preschool was right there in Jamaica. But as soon as he got the reward, he'd revert to his old ways. Stretching it out too long didn't work -- he'd just forget, or give up. I hope that doesn't happen here. I bet it won't -- I think they've got a good plan.
And his teacher also said to him, when the jar fills up and he gets the award, they can work toward something else.
He wants one at home, too, "but not with bottle caps," he said. I was thinking maybe pennies. And I can think of a lot of things he can earn them for, too. But, now, what to work toward, hmm!
And sure enough, she did -- a large plastic soup container (like from a deli) with a few bottle caps (like from bottles of water and soda) in the bottom.
Each time DuckyBoy does a good thing, he gets a bottle cap -- teachers and classmates can put in a cap. And when the container is full, he gets to be Citizen of the Month!
He's waay excited. I'm impressed and delighted that they chose to start it the day before the next winner of the award gets announced (today); this way he has a tangible reminder that it can become real for him, too. I wonder if the winner today will be another of his friends -- that was really difficult for him a couple of months ago.
And what a stinker he is -- yesterday was the first day, and he got like 10 caps! When the behavior that needs to be changed is pointed out to him, and he knows and wants the reward, he KNOWS how to do the right thing.
The same with sleeping in his own bed -- he can stay out of my room for as many nights as it takes to earn whatever reward -- it used to be a trip on the AirTrain when his preschool was right there in Jamaica. But as soon as he got the reward, he'd revert to his old ways. Stretching it out too long didn't work -- he'd just forget, or give up. I hope that doesn't happen here. I bet it won't -- I think they've got a good plan.
And his teacher also said to him, when the jar fills up and he gets the award, they can work toward something else.
He wants one at home, too, "but not with bottle caps," he said. I was thinking maybe pennies. And I can think of a lot of things he can earn them for, too. But, now, what to work toward, hmm!
