I Already Need a Vacation

Jacob has been in school over a week now. Every afternoon he gets in the car and says, "It's four o'clock! I was at that school ALL DAY" I snicker at him because he's so funny about it, but he's right, he's there ALL DAY! This, though, is his only complaint about school.

I have a few complaints though.

1. Jacob came home two days ago with the pink portion of a triplicate form about dress code violations. He received a demerit for not wearing a belt. If he receives five demerits he could be kicked out of school. Three and we are having a heavy meeting with the big guns. The form stated in his teacher's fancy handwriting, that if he did not wear a belt the following day he would have detention after school for an hour. All school detention where he would sit with the high school kids as well. What will they do if he actually misbehaves you ask? Well...

2. The teacher's discipline plan is to move a child's paper bear on a popscicle stick to another can if he/she misbehaves. Anyone who has a bear in a white can at recess must run two laps around the football field. WTF? Although this might work for Jacob as there is no way in hell he will want to exert himself at all.

3. I am sick of the constant plea for donations. I pay plenty in tuition each month to cover all my child's needs. My child does not need a concession stand at the football field. I refuse to fund that and you can't guilt me into changing my mind.

4. A paper came home asking parents to sign up to teach an art project once a month. Isn't that what the teacher is getting paid for? I agreed to do one, but was told I would not be allowed unless I left the little ones at home. I won't be doing art this year.

5. We were required to attend an orientation last night at 7 p.m. The same orientation we got last year. The meeting where the headmaster lets you know that television watching is not allowed, you can only listen to Christian music, you should be feeding your children healthy meals, and the kids should be in bed by 7:30 each night to get enough sleep to have a good Christian school day. We were at that meeting until 10 p.m. With our kids. Thank goodness I had that Ipod.

6. After the late night orientation, I asked Jacob's teacher how he was behaving in class. She paused then said that he was very "enthusiastic". She didn't seem to like that he always has his hand raised to answer questions, even if he may not know the answer. Now, what's wrong with that? I kind of want my kid to have the confidence and self-esteem to speak up and take part. So what if he doesn't know it all, isn't that the point of school?


Yes, yes, I know. It's private school. They have to right to institute any and all rules they desire, but seriously. It wasn't this rigid last year. I liked it so much better last year. My child is six, not sixteen. School should be at least some fun. I have thought about removing him and placing him into our neighborhood school, but he would be heartbroken. He likes this school. His friends are there. He doesn't know that school could be that much more fun.

Only 172 more days to go.