End of the First Week of School

Staff meetings are the same the world over. Want to fire up the staff? Bring up the topic of dress at school, especially the dress of the staff. A second topic that will bring the staff to their toes is the use of the copy machine. We saw shining examples of both this afternoon as plenty of discussion ensued. I do not know what was said in details, but having heard both of these discussions a number of times, I could tell you what was said. The staff began very calm again when matters of curriculum were discussed.

This week we began administering diagnostic test. The result of the lower level English classes made it clear we are NOT ¨unemployed¨. This is the first time I have seen cramming for a diagnostic test. Sort of defeats the purpose of the test. Actually, cramming didn´t help.

The issue is becoming crystal clear. You can NOT allow anyone who has the money to enter a private school, especially in the upper grades. We have several grade levels where the performance of students is clearly in two wide ranging groups. Allowing open enrollment based on a check book is a sure formula to mediocre academic achievement and a substandard academic reputation. The powers that be have some major decisions to make.

The end of the first week has everyone exhausted. Two little girls (sisters) sat across from me on the bus this morning. The first grade laid her head in the lap of her sister and promptly fell asleeep. I would have joined her except for appearances sake.