Today we had field day at school. Field day is always one of the craziest days of the year. The kids are so excited, the parents show up in droves, and it is always hotter than hades. I don't know that I am ever more tired at the end of the day than I am on field day. The heat just takes it out of me, not to mention making my legs hurt more. (I have fibromyalgia and my legs are the main point of pain for me.)
Well, today was the craziest I have ever experienced. Everything went really smoothly for our class as far as activities were concerned. It was just after the events that things went crazy. The kids were all soaked to the bone from the water activities and we had about 15 minutes for them to all get changed into dry clothing before we had to be at lunch. There were several classes of various grades trying to use one restroom (per gender) to get changed. The boys restroom only has two stalls and we were stressing to them that they HAD to go into a stall and not just change out in the open (to protect everyone involved). So this process was taking a while and was very stressful. I had run down the hall to grab clothes for the child that I shadow (they were in his brother's classroom) and when I got back apparantly the stress had gotten to him and he had gotten into trouble for cussing. So, I took him down to the nurses office to change in her bathroom and that way we could have a discussion on the way about his behavior. He was already remorseful and teary by the time we got to the nurses office. I sent him into the bathroom with his clothing and was waiting for him while I talked to the nurse. After a minute I heard him crying. No WAILING! I said, "****, are you okay?" his response, "Yeah, but I dropped my dry clothes in the toilet!" In a calm voice I assured him that it was okay (giggle giggle) I would find him some dry clothes. Pitiful voice, "okay". So I was succesful in finding clothes from the nurses stash. I went back to the door. "crack the door open so I can hand you these clothes." "No! I don't want you to see my naked body!" Me (giggle giggle), "I won't see you, I am just going to stick my hand in, not my head. Now unlock the door." "No, you will see my naked body!" This went on for about 5 minutes all the while I keep hearing loud cries. Also, all the while the nurse and I are having a hard time containing ourselves, not because he wouldn't open the door, but because of his clothes falling in the toilet! Well, eventually, I got him to open the door by telling him that I would close my eyes. Then the shorts I had found for him were too small! Luckily, his brother did not get wet so I could use the dry pair his mom had packed for him.
Anyway, by then I was laughing, but frazzled at the same time. Poor boy. Sat down with his lunch and just hung his head. He said he was sad. I asked him why. He said because the mothers that heard him say a bad word would think he was a terrible person. I almost cried! Poor thing! He really cannot help that he is autistic and can't always control his words and actions. I am proud though that he shows remorse. Three years ago he never showed remorse.
Well, his day got better and he was happy after lunch. But by the time I got back from my lunch break, another child in the classroom had gotten into a good bit of trouble. Then, the kids got their yearbooks and were as crazy as could be about getting signatures. They acted like it was the last day of school!
I love this class, don't get me wrong! But I love my sons and they drive me crazy too. I didn't think I was ready for summer vacation, because I was going to miss the kids too much. After today, I have changed my mind. After all, they will be there in August. And I am going to 4th grade with them. So what's to miss?
No comments:
Post a Comment