Thursday, December 11, 2008

Thank you High Schoolers

It was a bad day at school for the Sweet-boy. Seems that some of the kids think that it is funny to tell on him after every recess. So today when they all came in after recess and started telling the teacher that he had hit them, she questioned how that could be when he had been in the class the whole recess with her. Turns out that they all thought that it was a great game to play, called getting SB in trouble. Let me just tell you that I have a zero tolerance for bullying, especially when it is my kids. So when he came home he was really sad - I do not blame him. But, luckily we did have something to look forward to, a local High School DECA and FBLA group had organized a "Read with Santa" event and 50 lucky kids from the district got to attend and Sweet-boy was one of them.
We arrived at the school and got signed in and then the anticipation for Santa to arrive and get this party going started. Sweet-boy led the cheering and he was so excited I thought that he would just burst. He was the first one to sit on Santa's lap and when Santa was going on about the cookies that Mrs. Clause was baking SB said, " Yeah, yeah, now I am going to tell you what I want for Christmas." To which the Santa replied, "Oh, yeah?!" I about bust a gut laughing over that one.
(sorry the pictures are blurry they are from my phone)

They broke the kids out into groups and all the centers involved doing something that in the end you got to eat something that contained at least 50% sugar.

Cookies and Chocolate Milk - Sugar!

Writing letters to Santa, then you got a candy cane and a pencil.
Candy Cane - sugar, pencil - not edible.

Then they took the kids to the school library where they got to read with a reading buddy.

Sweet-boy picked out his reading buddy cause he had yellow hair too. He also told me that he thought that was what he would look like when he was a big kid - maybe?


In the end the kids got a stocking bigger than them, stuffed with books, candy, a t-shirt, a stuffed animal, and a fleece blanket that the big kids had tied. But in the end, I got a kid that felt great about himself. He got to have fun, to be himself and the older kids all knew his name at the end of the night. He was the sweet-boy that I get to love and enjoy each and everyday.
What a great night!!!!

15 comments:

Rhonda said...

That's so cool! I love what he said to Santa, what a crack-up that boy is!

Elena said...

Oh, that almost made me cry. Why are kids so blasted mean to each other? Makes me insane! I love that he got to go have a great time. And that highschool kid looks very sweet. Hooray for sugar and highschool!

"The Queen in Residence" said...

It has been hard on my heart. You never want your kids to be mean but when they are singled out, what do you do? I just want to wrap him in a bubble and keep him safe from all the mean, cruel things of this world. But now that his teacher is on to the game maybe she will be more aware of it.

Wendy said...

Awww. Sweet boy. All the mother-hearts reading this are sending you hugs.

I have a personal zero tolerance for bullying, too, and have been lucky all along to have supportive teachers. While you're worrying about him, don't forget that your Sweet Boy has a supportive mom, and that's the best thing of all. He'll make it through, with you by his side. He will also have a heart that "knows how it feels" and will be a blessing to other kids going through this too.

I was so glad to hear of his happy Christmas experience later on! What a sad and sweet Christmas memory for you and him to look back on.

Thanks for sharing this!

Caroline said...

He IS such a sweet boy. That's so cute that he picked his reading friend based on his hair color. Sorry about the bullying - it's such a shame that children feel its cool to be mean to one another. Let me at them, I'll show them who's boss.

Heather said...

See, I knew I liked that Caroline. She and I together will whoop up on those mean ole kids.

Our city schools have a zero-tolerance for bullies policy. So far as I can see, it has been very effective. They have seminars for the kids about bullying, and the teachers have special training about how to deal with this epidemic issue.

Your post just breaks my heart for poor SB. I'm so glad the older kids made the evening so special, so he could forget about the bad day he had.

I know we should pray for the kids who find it easier to be mean than to be kind, but man, it's so hard to do. I hope things get better soon.

"The Queen in Residence" said...

It was another bad day for sweet-boy and I am very emotional as I think about sending my son back to that awful place for more torment. Thank you everyone for your kind words. I have been up most of the night pettitioning the Lord for help in understanding and help in knowing what to do and then I have just cried. No one could have prepared me for how difficult this parenting thing is and how everyday your heart walks out the door for the world to thrash.

Elena said...

Maybe you should go to school with him for a few days and see what the heck is going on. My best friend's little boy was being bullied really bad in the lunch line so she went to lunch with him one day. The bully came and tried to do his thing (he didn't know she was there), she gave him the evil eye and said, "Excuse me, I'm going to be eating lunch with my son today." and then just stared at the kid. He's never bothered Ryan since.

Elena said...

Okay, I can't stop thinking about this. It just breaks my heart. I think you need to stay on top of the teacher and ask her everyday about it. Maybe she can talk to the bullies parents? Or maybe go spy on the playground? Something, they are WAY to young to be doing this to SB.

Busy Lady said...

He looks like he had a great time that night. I'm sorry that he is having a hard time at school again. I would have to agree that maybe it is time to get the parents involved because someone has to straighten out these kids. Cute shirt on the little boy too! My boys have the same ones for scouts, where did he get it? Did they give them to you when you were a scout leader? They are so much easier than the uniforms each week. Hang in there with that sweet little guy!

This Mom said...

I agree keep bugging the teacher if that isn't working go to pricipal and ask to switch classes.

Though it does look like he had a great day with the big kids.

John Deere Mom said...

Kids are so mean...I am glad the teacher knows now that she can't believe what those other boys are saying...
Looks like you guys had fun! Great pics!

"The Queen in Residence" said...

I went to lunch with him on Friday and then next week Grandpa is going to meet him for lunch. So between us I think things will be better. When I was there I asked all the kids their names and found the one from the day befores apple sauce problem and I just glared at him. Then I let SB go out to recess and then I just watched, nothing happened but still I want those little snot-nosed kids to know that I am on to them. I am not worried about the teacher I think learning that those kids are liars was a big "A ha" moment for her.

Thank you everyone for your kind words, pray for the safety of our kids and that they will not be alone.

Jennifer P. said...

It was such a shock for me to see how MEAN little kids could be to eachother! I know my kids would have had to "get tough" sooner or later, but it just breaks my heart when they come home telling me stuff other kids did to them. They would never, ever think of being mean to someone--which makes it all the more difficult to conceive why others would act that way towards them.

I'm so glad SB has you as a mom. I'm so glad he got to read with a yellow haired boy. I'm glad he still has a smile on his sweet face :).

Tiff said...

We go through this game to...when the kids try to get Preston into trouble..I to am not a fan!

Your son looks like he had a really good time at this...love the pics! :)