Is It Christmas Yet?

What a day what a day.

I feel like I have this black cloud hanging over me. Last night was the Holiday PTA. PreK and K'ers were dressed as little bees. The overarching story was about these "share" bears and how one of them was a beekeeper and always gave honey to whoever asked. It wasn't over till 8pm. So 11 hours later I'm back at school. Yes, it was hard to get up this morning. I also had to dress up, put the pretty on. Holiday show for the school today, and Holiday luncheon for parents and relatives (decent food for a change).

Well one of the first things to happen today is the coordinator of our Secret Santa comes to me. It seems that the person to whom I've been giving items to, is creeped out by the fact the food snacks aren't individually wrapped. IE They said they like salt n vinegar chips. There are no small containers of those I could find, so I get a Pringles tube and pour half of the chips into a ziploc bag for the person.

This is one of those fundamental differences in people. It would never occur to me that it would creep out someone. I mean, this is a staff of teachers, we're NOT trying to poison each other. We are trained in sanitary measures. But because my identity is a secret, it's no good. Especially a guy. Stereotypes being what they are, it'd be easier for me to see a woman getting all super-sanitary about it. My hands never touched it! Ah well... anyway.

Before the holiday show for the school, I had to go with the AP and help determine if we had enough seats for the kindergartners that weren't performing. How should I know? All I wanted to do is get assessments done. But I went, guesstimated, and came back. Only I forgot to tell a coworker she didn't need to bring chairs for their students. They came late, and I'd already had to tell the cranky upper grade teacher that these seats behind me were for the other class. Then they came in with their chairs, which they ended up not needing, because I'd forgotten to tell them. So they looked foolish for not needing chairs, Our whole grade level looked foolish for not having its act together in front of the cranky teacher who's always complaining and dissing events - whatever those events may be.Then we weren't all in our bee costumes, and half the K audience stood up when the K'ers on the risers sang. The other half remained seated.

Then the dancers danced. I hated the song. I didn't like it last night when I heard it. I didn't like it (or the performance) any better today. The dance itself was uninspired. The song was a slow, soulful rendition of "Hark how the bells" by Beyonce or somesuch. I knew the problem was just with me. I get tired of what I perceive to be "black" songs always being performed. The logical side to me though points out the majority of the team are black, as are the sponsors. I guess I just wish there were more variety, or cultural diversity. Does this make me racist?

At lunch one of the girls brought to me a cell phone saying that it belonged one of our boys' mom. Said boy kept yelling at me to give it back to him. Mom didn't know he had it. Remember this is our holiday lunch. White tablecloths on tables. Plastic evergreen garlands with red fabric poinsettias. Parents, grandparents to arrive. And this boy starts crying huge tearful cries in the lunchline because I won't give him back the cellphone. I tell him to stop and get back in line. He doesn't. I ask if he wants to go to the office? No of course not. Then do as I say. On most children in my class, this would work. But this boy's too stubborn. He said "no!", and "Gimme!" So I take him to the office. Or rather, partway he resists, I let go and keep on walking. He chases me, still crying, still yelling. Eventually the principal talks to him and calls his mom to let him know. Granted, he was out of school the previous two days with an ear infection, so I know he wasn't on top of his game.

After lunch we go back to the room to start Math and continue assessing. While I try to start, a girl comes up to me saying that her head is itching really really bad. This is the girl who is always around and playing with the boy who had lice a couple weeks ago. I do a head check (with pencil) through the layers of hair. Sure enough, I see nits. The empty egg cases stuck to hair shafts. I keep looking. Then, to my shuddering dismay, I see the scurrying movement of a louse.

Sigh.

So I walk her to the nurse. Apparently they don't separate kids now or send them home when they have lice. Only in the case of several. To me of course, this defeats the purpose. It's like "we're not going to do anything to prevent a problem until there's a real problem" Sheesh.

I just feel very tired, and over it all. I'm stressed because these assessments aren't done, and I won't be here Friday because I'll be on a field trip.

Is it Christmas yet?