I cleaned out his desk

[rosyred45]

OMG, I thought I was going to lose it

Last night Mikey forgot his homework in his desk. Jeez, wonder how he got over with the staff of the program not checking to make sure he got it done before he played. >:(That's a whole other story.

Anyhow, I had to run back to the school and we went through his desk. Well, we found
-ALL of his art projects that he was supposed to have brought home since the beggining of the school year.
-the MIA parent folder that he told his teacher was at home
-notes from the first day of school >:(nothing important thank you
It was just a totally disasturous thing. I kow that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree on this, so I can't complain too much, BUT how on earth is he supposed to make sure of what is where in the class if he can't find anything in the desk

I left a note to the teacher that was wrinkled since it was JAMMED in the back of Mikey's desk. I asked her if she got it, and she said YEAH< WE HAVEN"T HAD A CHANCE TO DO A GOOD CLEAN OUT.

I thought when we were little it was like a monthly ritual. Get all off the stuff out.....put thje hard back books on one side, work books on the other, pencil in front.

Oh, I think I'm going to start a weekly thing of helping him clean out his desk. Unless my son's future plans include putting sardines in a can or something.

Is there any among us that have a tidy desk ???Anywhere, and if they do, give me your secrets, I promise I won't tell a soul, except Mikey and Tara who won't be listening

[catseye]

Sorry I cant help, and I seem to be a pain in the bragging department today!! LOL I was throuroughly impressed with sd's locker last night at conferences... The only things in there were her gym shoes, as it should be...

Now her back pack?? Whole different story, she brings every thing and anything home... Including BARK chips?? How insane is that? Strings, leaves etc messy stuff really... Yuck...

cat

[adhdtimes4]

After we had a similar experience, we established the same ritual as you - every Friday I would clean out his desk with him.

The things I would fine!

Boy does it help.

[rosyred45]

Well, you know we have to keep that rock collection up the is on the other side of the bad that mom can't see.

I think that's what I'm going to have to do, I would do it daily, but I think the teacher might think I was really wierd.

At least he had only his books in there, last year he hoarded books in his desk so that he could read while the teacher was doing her lesson on the board---to which he would follow and get the answers correct while reading

I just want to keep it from getting that way to begin with, ya know

[tridlette]

I don't know how you do it! The classroom's are OUT OF BOUNDS for parents. PERIOD. The desks are an unknown to me! I can only imagine what Shaun's looks like, when I see his writing, his backpack, his bedroom, his face, his clothes! IT MUST BE A SIGHT TO BEHOLD! I have the SLOB KING himself in my house. So, the teachers tell me this morning he should know how to organize himself by now! But when do they think he learned it! It certainly isn't an inborn trait in this family!

Thank goodness that my computer keeps all the posts on the screen, or my house would be an even greater disaster area! Can you imagine all this correspondence on paper, and trying to answer everyone without getting lost and confused? OMG. Praise be to he/she who developed data storage files!

[rosyred45]

fringe benifit of working at the school? nope, it's called go in after hours when the janitors are cleaning. As llong as you don't need them to open the door, they don't mind, then again this is Alloway

I don't see how you wouldn't be able to get into your kids desk ???It is you child for heavens sake

[Linda]

When Paul was cleaning out his desk in 5th grade at the end of the year he had 5 bags full of trash!!!!

[adhdtimes4]

Trid, how can they NOT let you in the school? I've always been told it is a parental right. Maybe it's just a state law, though.

[rosyred45]

I don't know if it is state law here, but I think it is. Or it might be boartd policy, we got a thing that came home with the kids that says we are more than welcome to visit, we just have to sign in-accountability on the part of the school in case something happens.

I usually just poke my head in the office and tell them what I'm doing, then when it's time to work, I'll pop in again and let them know I'll be in the library if there is an emergency.

I don't see how they CAN keep you out if it a public school------unless you went there one too many times with your broom and they have a restraining order on ya ;)Look and see what the board policy says.

[eaccae]

Kaiti - this was a HUGE issue for us. One of the "informal" accomodations that we had before we had the 504: the teacher (same time, same day each week) would "guide" or "remind" DS to clean out his desk so that he would get in the habit of doing this on a regular basis. She did it during a free block of time. If he did it every week it didn't take that long and of course if it was duirng a free block of time he didn't want to waste it cleaning so it was an incentive there too. I can't tell you how much that has helped. His desk isn't perfect now by any means - but it is "normal" - he actually has the stuff in his desk that he is SUPPOSED to have in his desk. We haven't had to do that for two years (not even with his horrible teacher last year!) I liked having the teacher help him (not me) because I felt it demonstrated more to him that it was his responsibility at school. Perhaps his teacher can set aside a time each week - during a free block - that he can work on his desk.

[rosyred45]

That's a good idea, thanks, I'll have to mention it too her.

I know that they have time here or there so, that might be what will happen, now just a matter of getting it to the back pack and home

[mothercat]

I dont know about the rest of you but there are federal laws that give you the right to be anywhere in the public schools with your child except locker rooms. With the new terrorist crapt you may have to get special permission or sign in at the office these days. My kids teacher cant wait to see me coming to cleanout desk and locker..it actually helps her to do her job. Also 504 's are really wonderful things aren't they?! They sure can be accomadating when they have to be.
One would think that ifit makes educating your child easier they would be all for it but you know what they say about spite and noses.

[Linda]

trid...they can not keep you out of the school....as others have said you have to sign in at the office...BTW...most schools love it and the kids too when you come up at lunch time.

[rosyred45]

I LOVE GOING DURING LUNCH TIME!!!!! They rearragned Mikey's lunch so that 6th graders are eating before him though >:(So if he starts getting into trouble right before lunch, guess I'll be complaining about that.

Anyhow, Mikey eats at about 11:40 and Tara's class comes in at 11:50, so I can start with him, and end with her. They just think it's the funniest thing, especially the SACC kids>
I SAW YOU AT LUNCH MISS KAITI

[camismom]

Well, since mine's in middle school now and a different class each period, we don't have the desk problem... but her trapper keeper? Watch out!! That thing is soooo disorganizedit is unreal. It's a wonder she can find anything in it, but funny thing is... she can. She knows where everything is. Her room is the same way. If I clean it, she fusses at me for messing up her "filing" system. hehe This year I have decided to back off and make her a little more responsible for it, but last night I finally broke down and decided to clean it out some. She still had her perfect attendance award from last nine weeks in it, her report card from over a month ago, notes from friends, drawings, etc.

Catseye you made me laugh and took me back with the bark. Cami used to do the same, plus rocks, sticks, and anything else she "discovered" on the playground.