third grade

has been .. a journey.

we met with the teacher yesterday after a one week daily report sytematic approach to honing in on cam's behavior "blip". i call it a blip, because the reality is, it was a blip on the radar. but it was something to address.

the concensus was this: she was noticing some changes with his behavior in class. "arguing", pleading his case, eye rolling, and general attitude expression - testing the lines, in effect. typical nine year old stuff you say? yeah, us too.
however, the note home was taken seriously, addressed, daily reports began, and what do you know? the kid came back to the kid we all love and know. immediately. shocking, right? ;)

the meeting was positive, and generally uplifting for the little man. she complimented him on his academics (well deserved) as well as his leadership role in the classroom (well deserved). she also commended his ability to reach higher, and challenge himself to work harder at the things he likes (science, math, reading and writing). she was particuarly impressed with his innate, clearly natural, ability to comprehend reading in such a way that she's moving him forward in that level - again.
she stated, however, that his silliness gets in the way (as expected) and he tends to easily distract himself, which with his leadership qualities lends to others being equally distracted. (understandable). she mentioned that there are others (sean asked her if there were other children with similar issues on a daily report gig and the answer was a not-so-surprising yes) that are tending to follow cam's ideas, and giggle at him or with him.

so, we discussed with him several things so that she heard us, and understood that we were there to solve the problem, and there is a part that each of us take in that resolution.

we told cam that it isn't an easy job being a leader, and he's heard that quite a bit this year. he agreed, with a knowing smile to me, a melt your heart kind of acknowledging kind of smile, you know? on the ice, at school, at home, in the neighborhood - he's a leader, and he recognizes it. but we also know that he is naturally a leader, and kids *do* look up to him, so it is what it is. we assured him that doesn't mean he can't be silly, and he can't always be serious (because let's face it - when you're nine that could be a burden) but there is a time and a place for that sillybehavior. school isn't such a place - or at least in the classroom, anyway. lunch, recess, sometimes gym (but the new gym teacher is a bit of, er, a militant guy, sadly, so not tons of *fun* happening there)

we also told him that our expectations are to work hard, focus, and keep the attitude that he can get the work done in a timely manner (not speeding to get to the next thing, though!) and get it done correctly. we stressed to him (and she agreed, which was really nice) that he is a very smart kid, and he can do the work that is expected of him, with flying colors to boot.

we agreed that a daily report can be stretched to a weekely report if he can keep that focus, and understand that he is being "watched" a little more closely. he wanted to try the weekly report, and seemingly was pleased with the fact that we were proud of the turn around he made. he seemed to drink it all in, truthfully, and appeared to be very happy to hear the compliments, and the commendation. he was positively affected by the discussion, we both thought, and we felt positive about the discussion.

but - i still don't like her very much, and neither does sean. and i know, in our advanced age, here, we don't have to like her. and neither does he. but we have to respect her, and get through the year with his self esteem in tact, and his academic prowess moving forward. it must be a positive, enriching year, and one that will enable him to be successful for years to come.

so, off we went. we saw the principal on the way out, and she smiled her knowing smile, and nodded to cam a gentle, "i support you, and believe in you, kid!" kind of winking nod, and he turned a light shade of red, and bounced out the door to the car. there, he turns to me and summed it all up for us.

"mom, dad, you know, it's like this: i like hockey so much more than third grade this year"

to which we responded, "yeah, cam, that's okay, but you can't play hockey unless you do well in school and actually PASS third grade; and maybe head off to 4th grade, and who knows eventually find your way to college a few years from now."

so he follows up with this: "you know, some NHL players don't go to college, but i want to go to college."

yeah, reality. it's a twisted place in the mind of a nine year old, right?