The end of a first full week in school...and if the kids aren't worn out they should be, cause I know I am. And I think they are...each of them has snuck off to take a bit of a nap at one point since school started, I know this because the house gets really quiet during what should be homework time. Luckily, homework has been lite. But good grief, why oh why do they have to always ask for pictures.... baby pictures, family pictures, the pet, the hobby...and the list goes on and on. How about we put on the school list ink cartridges for the home, because guess who is always almost out of ink? Yeah, me. I can hear it now: "Lovely baby picture...um, were you sunburned?" No, that's the printer.
Anyway, to top of the week, I made the valiant; albeit, crazy decision to be a presence at the girls' school and I volunteered to help with PE Sales even though I did not purchase said clothes for my kids. Call me a non-conformist if you want, but the truth is, I get sick and tired of kids coming home in a set of gym clothes they can't even wear because they can't hold the shorts up and the shirts are at their knees. So not knowing if they would let my kids even have an idea if their clothes would fit them, I bought them plain black shorts and plain gray shirts. Now I just have to put a name on them and we're done....we'll get to that name thing in a minute.
As for volunteering...not sure if they'll call me back. I might have made an impression. :-D!
First day was pretty calm. I showed up and did my part, helped kids actually get a size they could wear today but also grow into. With frustrated mixed feelings I sent them to put their name on their clothes if they were ready and then sent them back to their PE Class. The name part bugs me. I like that the clothes get back to your kid if they get lost. I like that they know Bobby isn't wearing Billy's gym clothes and spreading whatever heinous disease Bobby might be carrying. I get it. But I refuse to allow my kids to have a first and last name on their shorts and shirts. Here's my issue: safety and the fact that they walk right by a main street where any crazed stalker could see them and have easy access to their first and last name for later use. I refuse to make it easy for him/her. I only make it easy for the Crazed Friends on my Facebook. HAH! So there! Whatever, the point is... Stranger Danger. So the compromise is first initial and last name. But then there is this, the teachers tell you that the kids can pass their clothes down to their siblings....great! What if I didn't give all my kids the same name? What if I was crazy and gave them different names and oh my, started them with different letters? EGAD! The chaos that ensues... Ahh, so I can't actually pass them down, I have to purchase more. Ah hah. I see the writing on the wall now and I get it, but I'm not a big drinker of the Kool-Aid, and teachers aren't thrilled when I show up with logic.
All in all, the PE teacher didn't throw me out. And the PTSC President didn't throw me out either, though she had a look of disbelief with a hint of disapproval as she checked me out...but that could have been just my perception. She and I met the second day and I'd already had a run in with the office, so I guess I was already not feeling the good vibrations so to speak.
So, first and third days I was there at 10:45 - you read that right, I went THREE days! But the second day, I went at start of school. Normally, the girls drop off around the corner from the office, way down by the gym. I was parked in the front so that me and my snazzy Terminator style knee brace weren't tracking a mile back and forth. One girl wanted to ask about volunteering at lunch, apparently the free lunch she gets is better than the ones I make. I'd be offended, but it's less work for me so.... gift horse! Anyway, the other girl had a check for Band to turn in somewhere in the office. So, volunteering hasn't started yet and of course my other one has to wait at some long lined window to turn her check in...I told her to do it later. I sign in and get my neon green Visitor sticker then say: "Can we go through here?" Because the door is locked.
The girl at the counter, and I say girl because I know she is younger than me. Goes: "Well usually the kids have to go around." All snotty, like her tone alone will make me send them on their way where they hopefully won't be late for school.
I just smile real big and say: "You all don't want parent volunteering do you." Perfectly willing to turn around and leave the office and head back home.
She stared at me with her mouth open and I just stared right back daring her to say anything. Another teacher came through then and opened the door and I ushered my girls through and walked with them to Madison's locker, kissed them both and sent them on their way while I went to the gym to help out.
All in all it was good. I got to help a bunch of terrified 6th graders get set for the year. I was there when some of the special ed kids came through and I got to look them in the eye, use their names, speak directly to them and put them at ease as they got their clothes too. Self advocacy at its finest. So I was glad I crossed the moat and entered the dungeon. I'm not afraid of dragons and I can defeat them a rather sharp tongue laced in honey, it's a gift, or so I tell myself. Mostly, I'm just done with petty nonsense, there are important issues that we need to handle and keeping the family safe and intact is much more important to me than anything. When I am there to help your school and it happens at a time when I am allowed under school rules to be on campus and with my kids before school starts...don't be stupid thinking you can intimidate me or block me...I have no problem going home and taking a kid with me. Push me too far and I can homeschool my girls. It's not like you are letting them participate in any extracurricular activity that they can't do at home. No Volleyball and no real clubs yet.... all that comes in High School, and if we aren't careful, they will be so out skilled by every other Private Middle Schools Volleyball players, they won't make the teams anyway. So Homeschooling is looking better and better and with a lot fewer boys and drama...don't tempt me people! I can make you lose your $150 per day for my two kids in a heartbeat.
I told Eric I didn't think I was going to get called to help launch the cookie dough fundraiser; however, Vision and Hearing screenings are coming up soon...I guess we'll see if I get asked to help out with that. :-) I'm thinking only time will tell.
