Deep Thinking

With 4 teenage boys in the house, it seems my intelligence is decreasing. At least according to recent reports. If anyone can tell me at what age I will regain my previous degree of intelligence, please do so! I’d hate to stay this uninformed all my life.

Take #1 son. Last week Tuesday he came to me at 11:30 to remind me of his birthday on Friday. He did say, “You did remember my birthday, didn’t you?” As if any mother who had that much difficulty for 9.75 months (he was 3 weeks late), can EVER forget?! Then he said, “Since I turn 17 on Friday, will you take me in to the recruiters on Saturday so I can sign up for the army?” Army, infantry, Ranger’s Program, first in. Oo-rah. “No! I will not. I have to host a state-wide library meeting,” I informed him. Every day since then I have remained remarkably busy. His campaign for signing is increasing. One day it’s a reminder that he intends to do army in the morning, college in the afternoon. Another day it’s a reminder that after so many years he’ll receive free lasik eye surgery. I keep staring at him wondering whatever happened to college. He took a college dual enrollment class last year as a junior. I’m paying money for him to do it again this fall. Am I crazy in wanting him to keep all his avenues open instead of focusing only on one route?

This week I went against the official recommendations again. I think it’s more important for students to have books than it is to wait for the “pure and perfect” student database of records. With the difficulties we have every single year and every upgrade with getting our student program to work with the library program, I believe it is harmful to our students to wait to circulate. There is never an estimated time frame for fixing this. Last year we went months without correlations between students and their homerooms so we couldn’t print over dues. Yes, I have to write down some names - at the most 3 per class - during checkout but by simply telling them that they are priviledged to come in and check out early, they appreciate it far more. I believe I’m receiving deposits in the Emotional Bank Account right now. Teachers see me as a team player and willing to go the extra mile to help their classes. My principal is adamant that everyone (staff included) should be reading during D.E.A.R. time and that they need books. He supports me in my misbehavior.

While discussing this with hubby dear, he mentioned that I might like to invoke the pent up demand theory of economics next year and wait one week before checking out books. He tells me this theory means that they will emotionally be so frustrated at having to wait that this will all be pentup and their demand for books will be higher and stay higher. I just scoffed at this idea. My students had to wait 2 days (actually 1.5) and if you could have seen the enthusiasm of the first 4th graders to come in and check out, you would have been sure I was offering prizes. I guess I am. Reading is a treasured activity at our school and the students know that this is “their library.” Woe to administrators that try to slow us down.