It's late

I burst into tears today, right in the front entrance of the school when all the counselor said was, "You look tired." I had just returned from a very hot, very exhausting, although mostly fun except for one incident, field trip with my fifth graders. Another fifth grade teacher had her class and mine in my classroom while I dropped off the one incident with the vice principal. The problem wasn't what happened but how the student responded. He had called one of the girls in my class some very foul names that had her running to her mom (who happened to be at the picnic) completely sobbing. When I spoke with the young man, I asked him if he understood how hurtful it felt when someone said such things to you and he responded, "But people say that to me all the time." He's been suspended for two days because this is hardly the first time this has occurred but you could see it in his eyes. Part of him could not understand what he had done wrong. It still make me sad to think of it.

In any case, for the most part, the day was fun. The parents who planned the event did a very nice job and the fifth graders had a blast. Tomorrow we are back to work. We haven't yet finished all the end of year benchmark testing but for today they just got to play. After piano lessons, the Stones (the family I teach on Wednesdays) invited me for dinner and I enjoyed a family meal for once. It was great. Then home to wait for my home teachers, after which a cool shower (finally the sun screen is washed off although the water didn't help the burn along my part!! I remembered the hat for field day, but not today). Now, as soon as this is published, I am off to bed.

I can't believe tomorrow is Thursday. It's been one of those weeks that alternately moves as quick as lightening then as slow as molasses. But, there's a three day weekend coming up, so all my planning for next week can take place then. I just need to get through TWO more days.