Re: Another year, a fresh start

Hey there...long time since we've chatted..... I love reading and re-reading your posts....because they do make a lot of sense....you and soul survivor..and one other whose name escapes me...possibly because im sitting here....with a healthy glass of wine or 2 or 3, looking forward to a day off tomorrow...
Yes...your suggestion makes a lot of sense....I have been trying to think of ways to distract them from their daily issues. My room has in a way become a haven for them, they know there are times when it is a place to just sit, relax, laugh, have fun, just let down and be a kid. Then we have times when it is work. Surprisingly, most of them are able to know the difference and like the continuity of the room. Even during the work sessions, they know that it can become the place to not work, a room w/ different themes, yet striving for a healthy outcome, a place of safety.

I will suggest some books for them to read. Some of the students have minimal reading skills, basically, for 12-14 year olds, the reading level is between pre-school to maybe 3rd grade. Then for the others, they read at or above grade level, so I will hunt to find suitable books for them. Oddly, for as much as they have said to me, and as well as I have gotten to know them, this is an area for me to explore.
I have a few new project students for this year, and I'm hoping to not get myself in trouble again. I'm not sure if you remember, or if I even said, but 2 of my students became highly mad at me, mainly because I was a safe one to get mad at. I did nothing wrong, but boy were they pissed. I'm glad my supervisor understood the situation and was able to eliminate the potential trouble I was headed for. I had to do a few child abuse reports, and while all were substantiated, one parent became highly upset, threatened to sue and/or kill me, and 2 students saw fit to bad mouth me to anyone who would listen. As the old saying goes...no good deed goes unpunished.
My students this year: well, we are trying to convince mom to allow this one student to enter drug rehab. But mom doesn't feel the drug problem is serious enough to send the student to rehab. Guess doing whatever drug they can find, whenever they can find it....from pot to heroin, meth, E....even that trusty ghetto favorite...crack. Sadly...the student is doing their best to avoid the people, and situations, but peer pressure and overwhelming sadness tend to overide the desire to stop. I was able to get this student into a grief group, since this student has seen way too much.....and last week, they witnessed a good friend get shot.

I just got a book that is an index of books that deal with assorted sensitive issues....so I will go through that and find books for my kids to read....
Thank you....you reignited my excitement for new and creative ways....and I used to be a photo teacher, so I will issue some cameras and direct them to go take pictures of various items, then discuss the shots with them.....
wow...thank you again....I will keep you posted on what happens.....