Early Arrival

Christopher wanted to get to school early this morning so he could hang out in the sixth-grade courtyard. He also wants to get there early so there is no possibility of him being late to his first class.

I'm OK with him getting to school a little early, but not too early. Hanging out in the courtyard leaves open too many possibilities of trouble. Since I'm in charge of getting him there, it will be no problem to control his "early" arrival.

He's grown up so much it seems -- even in this one week. He's still concerned about being late for class and getting swept up by this team of teachers who put you in in-school suspension. He wasn't late to any of his classes this past week, so I'm not sure why the worrying. I think getting the right stuff from his locker at the right time for the right class still seems a bit overwhelming.

I continue to remind him that his locker is close to his classes and he can just be prepared each day, thinking through what he needs.

His response, which seems to be his mantra for the year . . .

"There's a lot to remember in the sixth grade."

First week by Chris

The best thing is I got to my classes on time.

The worst thing is I can't get my PE locker open.

CHAMPS by Chris

I got my PE locker. It's hard. It's impossible.

I don't want to wear my white shoes anymore because there are puddles in the stairs and they'll get all dirty.

I don't want to do CHAMPS again. It's been the whole week. CHAMPS, CHAMPS, CHAMPS. All the rules. Independent work, small group activity, fire drill, clean up, everything you name it. It's probably on there. CHAMPS.

(What is CHAMPS, Jill asked):

Conversation -- you know, like be quiet
Help -- raise your hand, ask the teacher
Activity -- "I don't know"
Movement -- don't get up
Participation -- participate
Special Instructions -- turn in your homework

Debate

This morning, while I drove him to school, Christopher said "Debate is fun."

OK.

He needs to bring magazines and newspapers to debate class. I'm guessing it is for debate content.

He didn't say anything else about it.

It's a good start.

Snack Bar by Chris

There wasn't a long line so my friend and I went to the snack bar. I had a spicy chicken sandwich, chips and a drink. I didn't eat all the chips.

I did good with my locker today.

I took my art supplies to Mrs. Fox this morning so I wouldn't have to get them from my locker after lunch.

Dress Code

Fortunately, Christopher dresses well. He wants to look nice each day at school. He likes to wear collared, polo style shirts with his neatly pressed shorts. He always wears an undershirt.

Yesterday, he told me "Everyone wears skinny jeans." What does he know about skinny jeans? I replied with "The girls?" No, he meant the boys. And, they aren't skinny like the fashion magazines show skinny -- they just aren't baggy. Baggy is what he's always worn.

I'm predicting we'll be buying a new style of blue jeans come cooler weather.

Today, we saw a goth-dressed kid walking to school. He had long stringy hair flipped to the side. Christopher said, "That doesn't look good."

I agreed and quickly said thanks that my son puts forth a good impression because he cares about how he is perceived -- oh, and how he looks!

New Schedule by Chris

My reading teacher gave me a new schedule today. I have art with Mrs. Fox. I had to buy supplies tonight. My mom and I found them at Target.

I wasn't late to any of my classes.

There wasn't a very long line at the hot lunch line. I drank white milk. It's good.

Schedule Change

Now, he calls me from home to tell me he received a new schedule today and he is in Art fourth period. No more band!

How that happened I have no idea. Christopher was told by his advisory teacher that no schedule changes would happen until next week. So I called the counselor today leaving a long ol' message about why Christopher needs to make a "lateral change" to Art.

Oh, I had already sent an e-mail to the counselor Saturday evening asking for the change. And, our friend, the Art teacher, knew of our dilemma. I had also written a note that wasn't yet turned in by Christopher explaining why he should be moved.

All this activity and his schedule was already changed by this morning.

Wait, I do know why it happened. Answer to prayer!

He still tells on himself

Today's phone call indicating he is on his way home included the soon to become usual "it was a good day" and "lunch was good."

It also included "Mom, I walked across the street when it was the hand because there were no cars coming and everybody else was walking."

He is not supposed to do that. It's a busy road. Is this peer pressure? Why couldn't he wait? We'll talk about this tonight on the way home from practice. His walking home buddy will also be in the car. We'll set it straight.

First Day by Chris

I was nervous this morning before I got to school.

I went to my locker and I had trouble getting it open.

Then I went to advisory.

I didn't get lost going to my classes.

I was a little late to PE.

When you are in middle school, your day goes by like that (a snap).

I texted dad and called mom on the way home.

"It was a good day"

I just received the first day phone call from the cell phone.

He's walking home, said it was a good day and then quickly asked can he go to his friend's house.

I'm thinking the first day is a bigger deal for the moms than the kids.

He won't do a schedule change until next week. He remembered to ask about it at school.

Day one, done.

Good Year by Chris

I hope I have a good year.

Starting Off

Christopher has a cell phone. We purchased it today. He paid for half of the phone and is paying $5 a month for texting. We pay for the monthly plan.

The phone is to be used for emergencies only as he walks home from school. He calls us from the home phone once he gets in the door.

It will stay off, tucked away in the bottom of his backpack during the school day. He can turn it on as he begins his walk home.

Today also marked organizing his clothes for the week. So we chalboarded it up and he has the five outfits ready to go.

He also has his backpack ready with his PE uniform, house key and school agenda. His schedule is in an easy-to-find spot.

He's ready for sixth grade.