Yesterday, as we were writing down homework and I was passing out the reading assignment for the night, Sherrina raised her hand. When I called on her, she simply said, "I-I know you're gonna have to talk to my mama, but you can't give me homework tonight." You can imagine the look I gave her. (I'm not very good at hiding my thoughts in the classroom) "What?!" I said. "You can't give me homework because I'm going to boot camp," Sherrina whispered. Of course, I did as all good teachers do....I ignored the comment and told her she WOULD indeed complete the homework no matter where she was going. And for that matter, she could do it on the bus! "But, I can't turn it in." So, I asked how long she would be gone. She replied, "A week." Again, I ignored the comment and went on passing out papers and answering other questions hanging off my arm, sleeve, and calling "Mrs. Johnson!" Afternoons are a little chaotic sometimes. A while later, as the students were waiting on the buses to be called, Sherrina waved to me from her desk and said, "I'm gonna miss you!" Okay...she got my attention! So, I called her over to my desk. Me: "What's going on? Where are you going now?"
Sherrina: (whispering in my ear) "Boot camp. My mama said she'd call but she forgot."
Me: "Why are you going to boot camp?"
Sherrina: "My mama...when one of us gets in trouble, we all get fussed at. And my brother did something bad and, now, we all have to go to boot camp."
Me: "What did your brother do that was so bad?"
Sherrina: "He cheated on his midterm with his cell phone. They took his cell phone downtown. And when my mama came home, she was fussin' at all of us. Me and my sister was asking, 'What did we do?' but she said we all had to go to boot camp. My brother's counselor is coming to pick all of us up this afternoon."
Me: "And you'll be gone a week? You can't be gone a week! We have nine weeks tests next week. You'll miss the review."
Sherrina: "Oh."
Me: "I'm going to call your mother and let her know that you need to be in school."
Sherrina: "Okay."
So, after school, I go straight to the telephone - freaking out about this review week - and called Sherrina's mom.
Mom: "Hello?"
Me: "Mrs. (Sherrina's mom), this is Mrs. Johnson - Sherrina's teacher. She said she would be out of school for a week?"
Mom: (doubled over in laughter) "NO SHE'S NOT." (still laughing)
Me: "Uh...okay."
Mom: "See...she, her brother, and sister have been playin' around and not bringing home good grades. So, I told them I was gonna send them to another school." (the mom wasn't going to tell me that she threatened boot camp...and I never mentioned it either)
Me: (laughing just a little - still confused) "Oh...okay. So, she will be here this week?"
Mom: "Yes. I told her not to tell anybody. I see how big her mouth is! I'm trying to make them start believing what I say...and make them start doing what they are supposed to."
Me: "Well, she definitely believed you!"
Mom: "I know. She wrote me a long note this morning." (still laughing)
After a little more laughter from both the mom and myself, I reminded her of nine weeks tests coming up, and how important it was for Sherrina to be here. Sherrina's mom assured me that she WOULD be at school. I was relieved, but still a little confused about the whole situation. That was such a detailed and long story for Sherrina to just be making up. She really thought she was going to boot camp. She was so serious and sad about the whole thing. It's really funny thinking back on it! I wonder if this will help Sherrina start believing what her mom says. Ha!
1 comment:
Ha, indeed!!
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