5-7-09 - Today Show - Story of Inspriation

When the odds are against us... continue running the race!


http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/30579116#30579116

5-3-09 - STAR WARS

The most dreaded part of my year... annual standardized testing! In California these is called STAR tests.. which includes Content Standards Tests (CST) CAPA (for low level SPED children) and now STS (standard exams in Spanish speaking students who have been in the country less than 12 months... guess state doesn't care about other languages???) Although I am never at a loss of words to complain about this process, I must admit it is better than when I first moved to the Sunshine State eight year ago when teachers literally lost two instructional months to testing.

After eight years and thirteen revisions to the schedule this year, my boss and I finally worked what I consider to be the best schedule ever! Students were to report to school ONLY when they were testing... to avoid the mass check out in the front office because our students each year would convince their parents that they couldn't sit in a room and watch a video/study for an hour. And... since children now rule to world, parents would take off work and check them out by the hundreds so they wouldn't get bored. Not a fun moment for the office staff!!!

To avoid overlapping the STAR exams with Advance Placement Exams (AP) and/or make ups for California High School Exit Exams (CAHSEE) we opted to test at the beginning of the testing window... which meant giving up half of my spring break to begin the set up which usually takes at least six full days in THE HOLE. On the east side of our Multipurpose Room lies a dusty, smelly old textbook room I have claimed to set up testing each year. Because I literally feel banished from civilization during testing, I have loving named it "THE HOLE."

I was joined by my precious secretary, Debbie and our incredible lead campus supervisor, Helen to prepare for the monster exam. About 2000 students are provided a separate grade-level exam booklets for English and (11th grade social studies) as well as separate booklets for both science and math end of course exams. The 10th grade World History exam is in a separate exam booklet as well. In my wisdom, I suggested to the math and English departments to give benchmark exams to 9th graders since they did not take exams in social science which also have to be sorted and placed in the bins.

Now if this isn't confusing enough, our school prides itself as being student-centered... meaning we do what is right for kids! So... we found that for some students, the traditional two semester Algebra and Geometry courses were too fast paced, so we broke down Algebra I to Algebra A, Algebra B, Algebra C and Geometry to Geometry A, Geometry B, Geometry C. This is good for kids... bad for Pam!! This means each child's math exam must each be verified one by one. For example: if a student is in 9th grade and enrolled in General Math, Consumer Math, Concepts of Algebra, Algebra A or Algebra B... they must take the General Math Exam. If a student is a 10th grader and is in any of the previously listed math courses they do not take a math exam... because even with a perfect score would be rated is "Far Below Basic" because they are below the grade level. If a student is enrolled in Geometry A or Geometry B they must take the Algebra I exam even though they are currently enrolled in a Geometry class because they have not reached the highest level of the course. Probability and Stats students do not take an exam, but AP Probability and Stats take a Summative Math exam. ANY WONDER I GO HOME WITH A HEADACHE?!!!

Now remember that during the six days of setting up these "blessed" testing bins (total of 88 bins) they are packed with all the materials needed, including answer documents, exams booklets for each subject (student names attached with stickers on the exams), Directions for Administration book, pencils, scratch paper, etc... This is quite a monumental task!!!

And the most frustrating part of this entire process is the questions that occur during testing. Now I realize I am not the most patient person on the planet, but I train proctors each period all day a few days before testing complete Power Point handouts as well as time for questions at the end. I am so Type A, I even make a "Potty Break" schedule so everyone will know when their breaks are scheduled and who will be providing them. I printed the phone number to the Teachers Lounge at the bottom so that any one needing an extra break could call and someone was assigned to the phone as well as potty breakers "on call" for such emergencies. Knowing questions would surely follow... each day I provide a "QUICK INSTRUCTIONS" complete with the page to start reading directions and what time to begin each exam. Some questions are so frustrating to me that this year I posted the TOP TEN STAR QUESTIONS OF 2009 on my Facebook page:
1. Where are my answer docs?
2. Which Science exam are we giving on Day 1?
3. Why don't I get an extra break because I have 10th graders w/extra exam?
4. Do I have to stay in the teachers lounge why I am "On Call"?
5. What is the phone # for the teacher's lounge?
6. What if I am running late and can't get through to the switchboard?
7. Where do I bubble the version # for the English exam?
8. What page are the questions on again?
9. I can't find the Directions for Admin in the student books
10. Can I change my break schedule 30 mins earlier so I can go get a swim in before the aquatics class meets???

ARGH!!! After answering all of these questions during training (except the last one... didn't think of that one) it goes without saying that I am NOT a nice person during the testing process!


STAR testing (AKA STAR WARS) went well this year... with the possible exceptions of the staff member who left the popcorn in the microwave too long and set off the fire alarm in the middle of the math exam, and the teacher who sent the one kid who had not finished to the office because she had not finished the exam when everyone else did early - had to call the state over that one!

Friday finally arrived and all I had to do is sort the makeup exams for the following week. The task began at 9:00 AM, I finally finished about 5:45 PM! (This was just in time to go supervise a volleyball game which began at 6:00 PM) I walked in the gym to make sure the campus supervisors had my cell number and walked to the next building where "THE HOLE" is located. I looked up at the mound of testing bins that needed to be inventoried for shipment, took a deep breath and thought... I am exhausted, but I can do this! About that time there was a BIG JERK!!! The bins swayed and rattled around me... IT WAS AN EARTHQUAKE!!! It was over as suddenly as it came... luckily nothing collapsed on my head. I sat down in the broken rolley chair I had claimed for THE HOLE and began laughing. What irony... so much of my life is consumed by TESTING, how strange would it have been if come Monday morning, Debbie had to dig my life-less body from under a mound of testing bins???? Lord help us! I can only begin to imagine my epithet now!!!

4-19-09 - Parents

I sit here on the last day of Spring Break reflecting if I have spent my time wisely. As I age, I begin to see more and more the value of each minute on this planet. I have tried to pack my week with family, friends, work, chores, and a whole lotta nonsense. Although I never enough quality time with any of these, I have the feeling of satisfaction of a job well done!


My Uncle Clayton has always been a role model to me. Clayton, my father's youngest brother is the prankster of the family. I always admired my uncle, who always had an innate ability to balance his career (first as a school administrator and later County Judge) and his family. He has never lost sight of his roots and his rural upbringing. Although very different from my immediate family, (I am an only child) my Dad's family consisted of four brothers and a sister. It was always a treat to me to spend time with my large extended family of uncles, aunts, and many cousins. The Castleman family reunions are always filled with practical jokes, deep belly laughs and much love.


It was simply my delight when Clayton approached during the Christmas break with the suggestion of a surprise 70th birthday party for my Dad. The past few months I have the time of my life planning this event with my Uncle, my beloved Aunt Carolyn and cousin, Amanda (Aka Stinkerbelle.) From early morning calls planning the menu to the text messages about the special cake made for very special family memories for me. I often worried as a child, being an "only" how I would care for my parents as they age. I have been pleasantly surprised how my Dad now 70, and my sassy little Mother have been running circles around me! Attempting to facilitate that "role reversal" I find great joy in stuffing their Christmas stocking, sending them special gifts and planning special trips for them...a poor attempt to repay the spoil I received as a child.


During spring break I was able to play the Easter Bunny and leave chocolate bunnies (Mom's was sugar free) for them before Easter services. These two people have invested so much love in my life it brings joy to my heart to surprise them. My Dad has always been my hero, the knight in shining armor who was able to battle any dragon in my path and save his little princess. My Mother has always been my coach! She was never one to coddle me, but would kick me in the butt and send me back in the game! Making many sacrifices of her own, she fiercely defended me yet wasn't afraid to damaging my self-esteem to shape me into a strong independent woman! (This one attribute is greatly lacking in parenting today) She knew the meaning of "No" and wasn't afraid to use it. It was most difficult to conceal my Spring Break surprise from my Mother. You just don't put one over on Shirley!!

I flew into DFW (my airport of choice) late Friday evening... rented a car (NEVER ask for " an intermediate" it lacked a functioning radio and cruise control and the change oil light flashed the entire trip!) I stayed at the Omni Hotel (my favorite) and called my Mother and LIED! Pretending to know about the weather in California, I laid in the bed in Dallas Texas attempting not the spill the beans! All went as planned, I was able to get up and drive to southwest Arkansas (after a short shopping excursion in Texarkana.) I called and texted Amanda all the way. She has texted me a photo of the cake that she transported from her home four hours away... and make numerous threats of sticking her nappy fingers in the icing!


I arrived at my Aunt and Uncles home just in time. My Dad was in line to fill his plate with labours of Clayton and Carolyn's love, when I snuck up behind him for a BIG hug! Surrounded by about fifty of his family members, buddies from the mill, and church family he gave me a BIG grin that told me he was truly surprised. (Talking about your Kodak moments!!)





I spent a couple of days with my parents... then flew back home to uncrate 70 boxes of STAR exams that would manipulate my life for the next three weeks. Sitting on the plane as I reflected, I wished all children had the relationship with their parents that I have enjoyed. In my office I see too many shattered families. Many of them broken unintentionally due to a lack of time spent together and a genuine ability to communicate with each other. This summer I will be planning a 50th wedding anniversary for my parents. Trust me, if I have learned anything from those two people it is the ability to communicate! Although very different individuals they spoke their mind and worked out all of life's little issues which has kept them together for 50 years!


Parents... take time to communicate with your kids and your spouse. Kids love your parents... one day the tables will turn and it will be your opportunity to care for them. Get to know them, love them, learn what they love and what they despise. Parents slow down and let your kids get to know the "real" you. Don't be afraid to be the parent. I advised one father before break... to be the parent or suffer the consequences. When boundaries are not clear, children get confused and make stupid decisions. Love your children unconditionally, but tell them when they mess up and impose your values. This is not always a pleasant task. but a necessary one.



My sincere prayer is that families will slow down, communicate and grow together to strengthen those young characters that you are entrusted to build. God Bless.

3-21-09 - Every 15 Minutes

"Every 15 Minutes" a teenager is killed from a drug or alcohol related incident. We can't remind our kids enough the consequences of drinking or substance abuse. We have buried one or more students every year I have been an administrator here... now eight years. Our students acted in this powerful program for their fellow students and produced the video below:



Royal High School - Every 15 Minutes from Morgan Lott on Vimeo.

3-20-09 - The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day!

Before I finished my teaching credential I had the opportunity to substitute teach in my home town of Ashdown, AR. The experience was one that I consider one of the most valuable of my career, as it allowed me to sample all levels of world of teaching from kindergarten to high school. It didn't take me long to realize I was better suited for secondary education because I did not have the patience for the "It's my turn to be first today because I have a bear in my folder," "Miss, he's touching me" and " Little Johnny is throwing up on my book." High School is easy... no little bears and kids are pretty much mortified to allow any bodily function to occur. When I was teaching, if a kid misbehaved I would simply point to the door like the Grim Reaper and everyone knew what I meant... GET OUT NOW! Problem solved.

During my short tenure as a substitute teacher, I remember a book that I read to a 2nd grade class, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day! by Judith Viorst. In midst of life's chaos, this children's book has often come to mind. Today was one of those days! You know, the sort of days you know the minute the alarm sounds in the morning that you just want to pull the covers over your head and hide. I walked in the administrative building this morning and you could cut the tension with a knife. With pink slips floating around and fear of that the worst is yet to come everyone was on edge.

I trotted to my boss's office for a 9:00 management meeting. Arriving early I began to share my frustration that our time was wasted by giving a placement exam for one of the state universities. Surely, I remarked, they should be able to administer their own exams... this lead to a heated discussion regarding how we prepare our students to attend universities and honestly I really don't remember the rest. All I know about mid-way through yelling match for no apparent reason we started laughing and stated the obvious... I'm not mad, you're mad... No, I'm not mad you're mad. Which lead to, "Well... you are the most stubborn person I know!" No, you're the most stubborn person I know! " The fact of the matter is that both of us are scared to death not knowing what the future holds now facing huge cuts to the education budget. We knew that we were "safe" yelling at each other.

While our colleagues hid in the secretaries office lest they get pulled into the madness, I snuck to the ladies room to dry the tears seem to always roll down my face when I get frustrated. While attempting to restore my eye makeup I heard staff members in the lounge honoring our Computer Tech for all the incredible services he performs for our school family. Now too late to shift my focus... the tears began rolling again. All I could think about was that stupid budget and if the state cuts SIP "site" funding how would we be able to pay his salary... what would he do? Who would fix our computers and classroom technology? I attempted a second time to adjust my makeup and finally made it back to the meeting.

We had just shared some funny stories when my colleague's secretary walked in and summoned her out of the meeting. She shortly returned to share that a girl had reported that her parents had struck her arm and left a mark. As Mandated Reporters, we needed to interview the student and contact the authorities. This was a problem today, as all five of our Counselors were out... one had jury duty, two had comp days, and two had pre-paid for a conference. I suggested someone get our incredible School Nurse, forgetting how buried she was at the moment herself. I stepped out of the meeting to check on the situation to find our bubbly Nurse (aka patron saint of the down-trodden student) having a crisis of her own.

Although we "disciplinarians" do not always make the best comforters, I found my colleague with all under control. I returned to the meeting for the dim budget overview. I learned that any stimulus funds given to our state by the federal government has already been sucked up by the state and none made it to help the education crisis, the outlook for passage of the props in the May special election looks dim, and if they don't pass our $8 billion education shortfall will become $13.4 billion dollars. (Try saying that without a breath!) If this happens, our "worst scenario" will become the "best scenario." Surely the voters will come to aid of our schools... RIGHT?

It was now 1 pm and head hung low I walked to my office... only to find a referral on my desk. I called an irate campus supervisor to my office who had been cussed out by Truman. (You may remember Truman for Summer School blogs. ) Apparently today he opted to throw food at a visiting choir as they boarded their buses. This incident was reported to the Campus Supervisor who immediately went to him and asked for his ID. He refused to hand it over and told him, "Go F--K Yourself" and began flipping him not one, but two birds in the air! The Campus Supervisor demanded, "You have to do something with this kid"! So... I summoned "The Kid" to my office. Truman thought it was quite funny and chuckled that he didn't do anything wrong. I had him get his father on the phone and the minute I told his father he was suspended he jumped up out of his chair, slammed his fist into my door window, ran of the the office began kicking walls and cussing at the top of his lungs. I followed him out, and yelled for the secretaries to call the police and the principal . I demanded that he come back in the office lest the police "take him away." He walked back toward the office, then began kicking the golf cart and the brick wall. He then attempted to push the golf cart over. Now concerned for his safety, I knew I needed to restrain him. I had put my foot in position and grabbed his shoulder when my boss, who is a former college football player walked out of the office. Now out numbered, he began to calm down. With three police officers waiting in the hall, for the next hour and half I talked this kid through a maze of family issues that would make a trained therapist cry. His Dad was "too busy" to come get him.

It was now 2:30 and I walked down to my boss's office to eat my lunch. He thought he was funny as he announced me as the WWF champion. I had just walked out when the front desk informed me that a kid had their cell phone confiscated for the fifth time. (We suspend them after the third violation.) I had already suspended this kid twice and she wasn't getting the message. Her mother came and signed for it, I told her that if she was my daughter, she probably wouldn't be getting it back. Obviously, it didn't stick because she handed it back to her before she left my office. Come on Mom... make the kid do without for at least 24 hours!!!

I finally walked out the door, anxious to start the weekend and to end this awful day only to call my mother and argue with her about the benefits of becoming a member of Facebook... I hung up the phone angry. Good Grief! I realized the safest place for me is back in my bed with the covers pulled over my head... where I wanted to be in the first place!!!!

Is it Saturday yet?

3-13-09 - PINK FRIDAY!

Twenty-six years ago I graduated from high school on Friday the 13th. Even at that time, I knew I wanted to be an educator, even though at the time I was going to college as a psychology major it wasn't long before I came back to my first love, education. I say without hesitation that this week has been the worst of my professional career. My heart aches for those who have just entered our profession or have been in the classroom for less than three years.

Today was labeled as PINK FRIDAY by the CTA, the California Teacher's Association. Labeled appropriately, March 15 is the deadline that districts could present (postmark) thousands of teachers all over the state with pink slips. In our district alone, over two hundred teachers were given pink slips. I watched my principal fight tears himself all day as he gave notice to 20+ teachers that they too would find heart-break in their mailboxes. This week has been hell for all of us... those who anticipated the worst, the survivor guilt of those who have tenure as well as those of us who provided Kleenex to the steady stream of tears that flowed all week. Some of them new families with babies with both parents given "notice."

As administrators, we could provide little comfort, as we ourselves do not know what the future will hold. This current year's budget was only approved weeks ago, the Governor's revision is not expected until June/July, and the fate of our state educational system lay in the hands of voters in the May special election. Concerned that voters will not choose to increase their taxes in during these tough economic times we fear the current worse scenario will become the best. Not only do teachers have to fear being cut themselves, but becoming a victim of seniority "bumping" by other teachers in the district that was originally put in place as a safe-guard for professionals. As we enter into the spring semester, making scheduling decisions for the upcoming year are next to impossible as we have no idea what our faculty will look like for the upcoming year. I am sickened and angry that our society pays professional athletes millions, while unpaid educators are given a pink slips. WAKE UP AMERICA!

In our profession, this is truly the worst of times...

http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/dennert/archives/2009/03/pink-friday-ral.html

3-10-09 -- Everything's Amazing, No One's Happy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoGYx35ypus

3-7-09 - Raising a Generation of Clones?

Last week I could bear the constant stomach pain no more, so I actually kept an appointment with my Gastrontologist to perform an endoscopy. Now to most folks this is no big deal, but please bear in mind I still have my gall bladder, appendix, tonsils and wisdom teeth. The thought of "being cut on" and "put under" has always caused me much alarm. To the point I have advised those around me that when I croak I do not want to be pumped fill of formaldehyde and gawked at in a coffin. After all I am quite sure they will not get my hair just right anyway. Just throw me in a pine box and dump me in the ground!


OK... now that I have chased that rabbit down a morbid hole, let me follow up by saying I was not at all thrilled about being "put out" and having a camera stuck down by throat! My friend, Judie shuttled me to the surgical center... not only because they told me I couldn't drive afterward, but my boss thought I might back out of it and spend the day at the beach. Judie is almost as ornery as I am and he knew she'd make me follow through! We arrived early... too early because we both got a bad case of the sillies! We would watch good people being called back, but no one was coming out! I became quite convinced that they were piling up bodies in the back room and advised Judie to take a look at the map posted on the desk (not quite sure why it was there) and come grab me if she heard screaming! She would hit me every time the nurse called a name and I followed with a "Run Don Run" or "Tom is still standing at the door... do you think he's gonna make a run for it"? There was a gentleman wandering around the parking lot when we arrived who came in who later entered the waiting room and asked a man for a bottle of water. When I looked at her in the eyes and said... "See what I mean, look what they did to him, that boy just ain't right," it was more than she could take and had to go outside for a smoke!


When she came back, she giggled and told me to behave myself and think of something serious. So... I did! The night before I couldn't sleep and about midnight found an interesting program on the Science Channel (yeah I know I'm a nerd!) According to this program, the Japanese are contemplating building a huge pyramid. (the size of 55 Luxor hotels) in the ocean. This open-air mega-pyramid would contain a number of skyscrapers and a series of pods which would contain a mass transit system so people could more quickly from place to place. They are now consulting with environmentalists and engineers from all over the globe to work out the bugs in the project. The reason for the feat of architecture is to alleviate the population explosion which has occurred in Tokyo and excessive pollution that goes along with the dense population.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimizu_Mega-City_Pyramid




I watched in awe of how the Japanese were looking to the future of their country much like our grandparents did following the Great Depression. The single generational focus was "How can we make our nation a better place for our kids and their future." As a student of sociology, I am afraid that our country has lost that vision! I remember when I was in the classroom, being frustrated watching kids who I knew could perform much better, being quite content with their "C."

One day during a lecture on intrinsic motivation, I asked my psych students, "How many of you would like to ride with a pilot that lands a plane safely 70% of the time"? Or "How many of you would like to be operated by a surgeon who has a success rate of 70%."? They all laughed and said "No way," but that is exactly what we are perpetuating within our society. It seems the new American dream is to do the very least to make the most money for recreation. It grieves my heart that we are not fostering the work ethic of our grandparents. With the exception of a few scholars at MIT is there anyone seriously thinking about the America of the future?

I declared to Judie... "We are raising a generation of clones"! In the near future will our kids be building pyramids for the Japanese because they lack the intrinsic motivation to better their own society? After all someone will surely come along and bail us all out, won't they? With China being forced to dump billions of dollars in the American economy, is this our wake up call? Is it time to teach our children the value of hard work rather than hoping for the lottery?

As we enter into the most dreaded of weeks with thousands of teachers getting pink slips in our state, I have to stop and reflect... how did we get here? And do we have the ability to crawl out of this black hole which was created by our own hands? The future is in the hands of our children...

3-6-09 - Pink Friday

Due to incredible cuts to the state budget, next week teachers will be given pink slips all over the state of California. Please join us in wearing pink on 3/13/09, now named "Pink (Slip) Friday" to protest this travesty.

Education is now only allocated 40% of the state budget and it is getting cut an additional 60%. Surely our kids deserve more attention. California now ranks 50th in the nation in funding per/student:

http://www.pinkfriday09.org/

3-2-09 - Helicopter Moms

OK... I learned a new term today. I was sitting in my allergist's office attempting to look like I had something to do... you know no one is allowed to "just sit" anymore. I was fumbling for my Palm when I looked up and noticed an interesting story on the TV "health channel" in the waiting room... as I said, no one is allowed to just sit in the peace and quiet any more! The anchor was interviewing a "Helicopter Mom." I took a double take because I was totally out of the loop. I wrinkled my forehead and figured nothing good could be associated with this term. According to ABC news, a "Helicopter Mom" is a mother of the new Millennium Generation that constant "hovers" attempting to help (aka control) every aspect of their child's life.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=1237868

Now this goes far beyond June Cleaver being home for her boys, this mother emails to do lists, constantly checks on school work and even bank balances. I knew we'd seen some bizarre behavior at the high school level, but according to the university administrator's in this report, they are experiencing this nonsense as well. These mom's offer to come take notes for their college-age students, they ask who will be doing their child's laundry, and make multiple wake up calls to ensure their children do not miss class. At the University of Vermont, the phenomena has gotten so bad, they have now have classes for parents and send them home with refrigerator magnets that reinforce their hands off parent policy. Good Grief!

It is quite amusing to watch our staff attempt to work after 5pm each day while running to hide from the sight of parents who repeatedly bang on the windows demanding to get their child's confiscated cell phone that they can not possibly live without for 24 hours. Or... observe the line of parents who left work because their child texted them to pick them up from school immediately because they did not want to stay in school to watch the sixty minute video during a standardized testing break.

Last Friday I had my first experience with a "Copter Dad." Little Megan was in my office for the fourth time for a cell phone violation. I had just suspended her for a third violation, but it obviously did not impact her actions (or her fathers.) I was quite upset when I learned that she refused to give the phone up to the teacher, "because she would need it on the weekend." When I called her father to report the incident, his response took me by surprise... "It's my fault." I look a deep breath and asked, "How"? He replied that he calls his daughter between each class to remind her to get to class on time. Without thinking I responded, "You do what"? I had little success explaining to him the idiocy of this practice. After about ten minutes of "nonsense" I told him that it was her fourth offense and if she was my daughter I would seriously consider taking the phone away. He would have no part of that.

So... I suspended them both! Of course he was quite upset with the idea, but this time I would not budge. I dare not think of what shape this child will be in by the time she graduates. How do these parents think these children will ever learn coping skills to survive in the real world? Parent, please hear me...If you find yourself "hovering" over your child I have but one to say to you, KNOCK IT OFF! Or... you will wake up one morning and find a 39 year old unemployed moron perched on your sofa . Who would want to marry or even employ someone like this... for heavens sake folks, do it for the kids!!!!

2-27-09 -- An 8th Grade Final Exam

What it took to get an 8th grade education in 1895... Remember when grandparents and great-grandparents stated that they only had an 8th grade education? Well, check this out. Could any of us have passed the 8th grade in 1895?

This is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina, Kansas, USA. It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina, and reprinted by the Salina Journal.8th Grade Final Exam: Salina, KS - 1895

Grammar (Time, one hour)
1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.
2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications.
3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph
4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of 'lie,''play,' and 'run.'
5. Define case; illustrate each case.
6 What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.
7 - 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.

Arithmetic (Time,1 hour 15 minutes)
1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 ft. Deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. Wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs. For tare?
4. District No 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?
5. Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. Coal at $6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.
7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft.. Long at $20 per metre?
8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?
10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt

U.S. History (Time, 45 minutes)
1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided
2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus
3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.
4. Show the territorial growth of the United States
5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas
6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.
7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton , Bell , Lincoln , Penn, and Howe?
8. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865.

Orthography (Time, one hour) [Do we even know what this is??]
1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymology, syllabication
2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?
3. What are the following, and give examples of each: trigraph, subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals
4. Give four substitutes for caret 'u.' (HUH?)
5. Give two rules for spelling words with final 'e.' Name two exceptions under each rule.
6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.
7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis-mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.
8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.
9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane, fain, feign, vane , vain, vein, raze, raise, rays.
10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks and by syllabication.

Geography (Time, one hour)
1 What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?
2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas ?
3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?
4. Describe the mountains of North America
5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia , Odessa , Denver , Manitoba , Hecla , Yukon , St. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco
6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S.
7. Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each.
8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?
9. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.
10. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the earth.

Notice that the exam took FIVE HOURS to complete. Gives the saying 'he only had an 8th grade education' a whole new meaning, doesn't it?!

Author- Unknown

2-23-09 - Generation Y

Hmm, I've always wondered this myself. Now I know.

*The Silent generation, people born before 1946.

*The Baby Boomers, people born between 1946 and 1963.

*Generation X, people born between 1964 and 1979.

*Generation Y, people born between 1980 and 1995.

Why do we call the last one generation Y? I did not know, but a caricaturist explains it eloquently below...Learned something new!

Author Unknown

2-20-09 - Where are all the Homies?

Now let me begin by saying that when I refer to a "Homie" I am NOT using a racial slur. I have come to learn that today's teen uses the word, "Homie," short for "homeboy/girl" as a replacement for the word, "friend." The members of the discipline office Frequent Flyer Club know this word drives me crazy, so they use it in my presence every chance they get to hear me reply, "HOMIES? THERE ARE NO HOMIES HERE, THIS IS ..."

In my humble opinion, if you want to find "Homies" you need to travel to south LA and be careful to move quickly so you can dodge any stray bullet that might be fired between two groups of folks who prefer to wear different color handkerchiefs. Suburbia is NOT the place to find Homies! As a matter of fact, I have invested the last eight years of my life to rid our school of any illusion of "hominess."

Artist, Dave Gonzalez, has created a cute line of characters named "Homies" to celebrate street life. (http://www.homies.tv/homies2008/) These cute characters however are not allowed to adorn the notebooks of our students! Hard as I may try, there has always been a sub-group of the herd who are referred to as "the Homies" right along with the Jocks, Punks, and Skaters. Unfortunately, last week the "Homies" fell under some poor leadership and decided to "jump" a couple cop's kids for mad dogging them. NOT GOOD FOR THE HOMIES!

It is a pretty good rule of thumb, if you are going to assault someone, make sure that they are not related to the "Po Po." Needless to say, before the school day ended there were four "Homies" in handcuffs headed for juvenile hall. After a failed attempt earlier to disperse the group, they thought they could beat the system and settle the score by throwing the cop's kids on the ground and kicking them in front of their lockers. One of the boys ended up in the hospital.

INCIDENT REPORT:

XXXXX HIGH SCHOOL
STATEMENT OF
Pam Castleman, Assistant Principal

Re: Leader Homie, Smiley Homie, Angry Homie, and I Didn't Do It Homie

On February 13, 2008 at the beginning of 1st lunch (approximately 11:45 a.m.) I was alerted by Campus Supervisor, XXXXX, that Leader Homie and Cop's Son had faced off. According to the report, Leader Homie and his friends walked by Cop's Son and “mad-dogged” him. Cop's Son asked Leader Homie why they were giving him (and his friends) dirty looks and a verbal confrontation followed which the Campus Supervisor broke up and sent Leader Homie and his friends away.

A few minutes after I noticed Leader Homie and a large group of Latino males who were all wearing black and white begin walking south in the direction of Cop's Son and his friends, who were standing on the west side of the 8-building. The boys positioned themselves along the wall next to Cop's Sons' friends. I pulled the cart up in front of them so they knew they were being watched. When the bell sounded, I directed the boys to move to class. The group then dispersed.

Following lunch, I entered the Administration building and saw three students visibly injured sitting on the discipline bench. I later identified the boys as Cop's Son #1, Good Friend in Wrong Place, and Cop's Son #2. Cop's Son was unable to speak due to being kicked and hit in the stomach. During individual interviews the boys stated that Smiley Homie and Angry Homie approached them at their lockers on the west side of the 5-building and challenged them to fight after school. At that time Leader Homie and other Latino males approached, threw them on the ground and began hitting and kicking them. Teacher, XXXXXX and Campus Supervisors broke up the fight and escorted some of the students to the office.

We immediately called the police who arrested Leader Homie, Smiley Homie, Angry Homie and I Didn't Do It Homie who were identified by witnesses as those responsible for the boys’ injuries. the Police later transported the Homies to Juvenile Hall.

Respectfully Submitted,
Pam Castleman

Now as scary as this incident was, the humor of it all actually surfaced this week when we realized everyone was OK. My colleague walked by three lone Homies who were not incarcerated or suspended before school Tuesday and over heard one say, "I gonna mess him up." This was followed by his buddy stating the obvious, "You better not, or there won't be any Homies left"!!!! This one phrase has been my source of entertainment for the entire week! My boss was not at all amused when I asked if I could begin the expulsion hearing with a round of "Where have all the Homies gone... when will they ever learn, when will they ever learn"?

During lunch supervision today we were as jumpy as chihuahuas on caffeine when we couldn't find our three remaining Homies. We looked high and low, but could not find them anywhere. Their prime real estate (corner of Library) was as deserted as a ghost town. Now after a good laugh, I concluded that today must have been "Homie Ditch Day." I know I should not laugh at these young men's plight, however their ability to constantly raise my blood pressure coupled with their poor decision-making skills has left me a bit jaded for their well-being. I have no idea how I will spend my time now that we are "Homieless." But, hopefully I can find something to do... perhaps some "INSTRUCTUAL LEADERSHIP"?


(This one is for you Ana!)



Homies is © 2007 HomieShop LLC, MIJOS is TM HomieShop LLC, Hoodrats is TM HomieShop LLC

2-12-09 - RIP

He had a smile that would light the night... and a personality to match. He left us from an overdose of Xanax and the stupidity of his friends. I know how hard you tried my man, you will be missed.

We got that dipolma didn't we?

Love you,

Ms C

2-6-09 - The Return of Diego

Troubled teenagers and poison ivy have much in common, just about the time you think you are cured, another bump crops up! Diego came into our life two years ago (previous blogs 12/13/07, 1/24/08, 2/12/08) as a cocky belligerent freshmen. If the rules read move right, he was sure to move left then argue that you were out of step with him. He marched to his own drum and added a number of new gray hairs to my collection until he was expelled. We tried everything to reach this young man... attempted to interest him in the Marines, tried tough love, counseling, good cop/bad cop everything we could possibly think of, but always failed. He finally accrued enough suspensions that the School Board expelled him last spring.

Following his expulsion, he enrolled in a Los Angeles school district so we thought we had passed along our headaches to our neighbors over the hill. Hurricane Diego could now blow freely amongst the mass of other gang-banger wannabees along with the real deals. This lasted a couple months until... he was arrested for gun possession and was placed in Juvenile Hall.

After learning this, you can imagine how thrilled we were that he had now petitioned our own School Board and had convinced them that he was now "a changed man" and wanted to get an education. Last week his petition was granted. Now before we start judging our School Board, I have earnestly seen kids spend time in the hall or boot camps and come back more mature and ready to learn. After all a former student, Ming, re-enrolled last year after a period of time in a boot camp in the Central Coast, and graduated last year. Upon his return he presented a teacher with $50 that he had stolen from her classroom the year before, apologized to everyone he had wronged and he was a model to us all!

Unfortunately, this was not the case with Diego! Now in 11th grade, he had only been enrolled a couple days when his true "colors" came shining through. Yesterday a staff member turned in his notebook with tagging on it... this time a harder gang from over the hill. Before my colleague could call him in to discuss it, I found myself writing the following Incident Report:

XXXXXXXXX HIGH SCHOOL
STATEMENT OF
Pam Castleman, Assistant Principal


Re: "Diego"
DOB – X/XX/92

On Friday, February 06, 2009 at approximately 11:40 p.m., I received a radio call from a campus supervisor who stated that he needed an administrator for assistance. I looked up and noticed the campus supervisor attempting to stop student "Diego." According to the Campus Supervisor he had noticed that "Diego" had a drawing of a marijuana leaf on his notebook with the words “High Life” he had asked "Diego" to just tear that part off. He stated that "Diego" refused, said “F--k You” and attempted to walk away from him while he was speaking to him.

I asked "Diego" for the notebook and removed the paper myself. When I flipped the page over I noticed gang graffiti “XXX-13” on the back of the paper. I then asked "Diego" to step aside with me and asked him if I needed to contact his probation officer. He then remarked to me, “Don’t threaten me” and walked off. Under his breath he began cussing. I heard him being belligerent and told him that I was not threatening I was promising him that I would contact his P.O and we continued to exchange words. Once again he told me, “Don’t threaten me.”

I then asked a campus supervisor to escort him to the office for his defiance. In the office I asked him about the tagging and he stated that it stood for “XXXXX.” I also showed him additional tagging on his notebook that had been presented to my colleague the previous day by another school employee. Since I had many conversations with him prior to his expulsion for tagging on his notebooks and defiance to school officials I suspended him for three days.

Later that afternoon another campus supervisor came in my office to report yesterday "Diego" asked if “Robo Cop” (referring to another campus supervisor) still worked here, then commented… “I am going to kill the f--ker.”




Respectfully Submitted,
Pam Castleman

I released him to his parents, who once left the school told him he could not return home. We watched him walk down the street (opposite his parents) in the rain. Understanding that any tagging would be a direct violation of his probation, I tried for 45 minutes, and eventually got through to his probation officer in LA who wanted the incident report and tagging faxed to their office.

After I finished the report, I sat there sick to my stomach thinking of what was down the road for the young man. Once I got him to the office, he cried as he plead for me not to suspend him. As much as I knew that this young man was drowning in a chaos of his own making, my heart still ached for him. After a brief silent prayer in my head, I knew that I had to sacrifice the one for the good of the whole. Diego had returned to us the same way he left, and if I enabled him once again there would be no telling how many he would take along with him for his wild ride. I had a narrow opportunity to remove a cancer from our campus and I had no choice but to take action.

My prayers are still with this young man, for I fear the paths in which he is choosing is leading him to a place in which he will not be able to return.