'09-'10 Stats

I guess I gotta keep the tradition going.

Supposed to have 20 students, but 2 haven't shown up yet and no one knows why. I have 14 everyday so far, but if those 2 start it will be 16 everyday.

Boys: 8
Everett, Peyton, Sam, Noah, Jack W., Jack D.(T/Th), Patrick(T/Th), Ethan(MWF only)

Girls: 10
Olivia, Mya, Eva, Noel, Abbey, Norah(T/Th), Ashley(T/Th), Ysabelle(MWF), Maddie(MWF), Bridgette(MWF)

12 white
2 bi-racial
2 Chinese
1 Korean
1 Jamaican
(the M.I.A. students, David and Sanika are African and Indian)

8 have infant siblings at home (4 very recently)
1 is about to have one.
6 have siblings in kindergarten (4 at our school)
2 have siblings in highschool or older (they were "surprises")

6 are the oldest in family, 4 are middle, 8 are youngest

Oldest student turned 4 in May, youngest turned 3 the week before school started.

11 attended the toddler program at our school last year.
9 attended all summer as well.
1 student is repeating the 3's class from last year, but a different teacher.

So, there you have it: this year's stats. We've just completed our third week of school and it has been quite the rollercoaster. I have 3 who are really frustrating, behavior-wise (defiant, throw fits, refuse to follow directions) and the rest are adjusting too, but are handling the transition a lot better. I have an aide this year because I have more than 12 students a day (the legal limit for one teacher), so that has been interesting. Last year there was an empty classroom next door to me all year, so this year since I have so many kids, I use my room as the school room and the other room as the play room and nap room. It's working out ok right now, though it's not ideal. I think it would have been better to make 2 small classes instead of piling them all into my class, but oh well...Some days I question why I decided to stay for another year and other days I really enjoy it and am thankful for the job stability when so many others are faltering. It definitely helps a lot to have done this last year. I can see the big picture of the whole year, have almost everything planned out, and remember what worked and didn't work. I have also been given a planning period everyday which has helped SO much and reduced my stress level significantly! I don't have to stay after school for hours anymore. The second year is also nice in that I already know how things work at our school and know the staff and I didn't have to move or set-up my apartment. So, things are a lot more stable and relaxed, albeit a little more dull and lonely.