Ugh. the ACT

Was just listening to a senior talk about her ACT score (a 16) and she has a 4.0 GPA. How is that possible? This girl is in all the advanced classes that our school offers and she goes above and beyond in class and yet she scores below average on the ACT.  I think the fault falls on a lot of people but obviously not the students. How are we supposed to tell this girl that although she is one of the schools star performers she still doesn’t qualify for any significant scholarships? So so so frustrating.

The good news is that my relationships with my students are constantly improving and the kids are no loner embarrassed to say they enjoy having me around.  I feel like a lot of these students are friends of mine, I miss them on the weekends and we never run out of things to talk about. (with some of the students, to get others to talk its still like pulling teeth)

Of course I know I need to be careful there is a fine line between mentor and friend and every once in a while I have to put my foot down. The job hasn’t lost its stress factor but it is becoming more and more fun!

Until next time

-Andy

rumors rumors rumors

So, the student I like so well that I thought had been dropped was in school today. I was pretty excited when I saw him and told him the rumors I had heard. "Nobody can keep me down Mr. V you should know that" was his response. We talked for a bit and he told me how his friend (another one of my favorites) was hit by a drunk driver while walking across the street over break. He will be ok, but out of school for 2 weeks recovering.

There are a lot of rumors of students who were shot over break, but I think most of them aren't true so I won't share any of those stories until I know the facts! 

back to the grind

Well I’m back at school, last week was training (well retraining) and a retreat at a place called camp Duncan. It wasn’t half bad. I was a little disappointed because there is a lake and from what I hear most years its cold enough that they play broom ball; a game that is like hockey only you play with brooms.  However, this has been such a warm winter it wasn’t possible.

Some sad news, a sophomore was shot and killed over the break in a gang related shooting, I didn’t know the student but news like that is never very easy to take. Another student, who thinks I am cool, therefore he is one of my favorites, was dropped from school. So it seems I will never see him again.   I really did like this kid a lot and I know he’s affiliated with a gang so I’m pretty worried about so if you all could keep him in your prayers (and everyone here for that matter) it would be greatly appreciated.

Other than that it’s business as usual around here.  It’s almost like I never left only now I actually feel well rested, I hope that feeling lasts me a little while at least! I miss all of you back home, the visit I had was such a tease :)

Love,

  Andy