• When your child comes home MESSY

    Red paint in the hair?  Blue paint on the jeans?  Sand in the shoes?  Peanut butter on the favorite shirts?  White socks that look brown?  Sleeves a little bit damp?

    Your child probably . . .
    Worked with a friend
    solved a problem
    created a masterpiece
    negotiated a difference
    learned a new skill
    had a great time
    developed a new language skills

    Your child probably didn't . . .
    Feel lonely
    become bored
    do repetitive tasks that are too babyish
    do worksheets tasks that are too easy
    do sit down work that is discouraging

    Your probably . . .
    Paid good money for those clothes
    will have trouble getting the red paint out
    are concerned that the teacher isn't paying enough attention to your child

    The teacher probably . . .
    Was aware of your child's needs and interests
    spent time planning a challenging activity for the children
    encouraged the children to try new things
    put smocks on the children
    was worried that you might be concerned    .

     

    The Star Polisher  (Leah Becks)

    I have a great job in the universe of occupations.
    What do I do?
    I’m a “star polisher”.
    I have a very important job.
    If you want to know how important
    Just go out at night and look at the stars.
    Twinkling and sparkling.
    You see, I’m a teacher.
    The stars are the children in my class.
    My job is to take them in-
    In whatever shape they’re in-
    And shine and buff them and send them out to take
    Their places as bright little twinkling beacons in the sky.
    They come in my room in all shapes and sizes.
    Sometimes they’re bent, tarnished, dirty, crinkly, and broken.
    Some stars are cuddly, soft, and sweet.
    Some stars are prickly and thorny.
    I tell them that the world cannot do without them.
    I tell them they can do anything they set their minds to do.
    I tell them they can be the brightest, shiniest stars in the sky
    and the world will be a better place because of them.
    Each night as I look at the sky, I'm reminded of my very
    important job and awesome responsibility.
    I go and get my soft buffing cloth and my bottle of polish in preparation
    for tomorrow and for my class of little stars.