Hello bloggy friends! I’ve missed you!
But more importantly, I am officially on vacation and we get three weeks off! The first two weeks are “normal” and the last week are the remaining furlough days that we took. Let me tell you — we cried and carried on about those furlough days because it equaled a 5% pay cut, but I am on board with the district now. My pajamas and I fully support the decision and we will back it up during the last week. 100%.
The last day was CRAZY.
Friday was our 11th annual School Sing Along. However, it has changed recently. I don’t like change. At all. Unless it’s the kind I find in my car and it’s enough to buy a chicken soft taco from Del Taco.
In the early days, we were a four-track, year-round school. So we only had about 750 kids on campus around Christmas time. The kids and the teachers would pile into the multi, sing one song per grade level, end with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and leave. It was actually one of my favorite things.
Oh, but that’s too simple and uncomplicated. My staff likes to argue and debate things. How about yours? And our principal LETS us argue and debate things and almost never makes a decision one way or the other. For example, at our PTT this week (the one where I got that not-fully-cooked pie), the topic of tardies got brought up. What is tardy? Does it mean they’re not in our line? Does it mean we’ve already made it back to the classroom? Does it mean the bus is late? What does it mean? Shouldn’t we all agree? What if one teacher doesn’t mark it and that student has a sibling and that teacher does mark it?
Kill me now. Why are we talking about this? WHY?
For the love of Pete, WHO CARES?!
Same with the Sing Along. Shouldn’t parents come? Shouldn’t we perform for the community? Shouldn’t we just keep it teachers and students? How should we do this? Should we still have it in the multi? What about in the quad? What about the weather?
Well . . . parents got invited. And they are very serious about watching their kid perform. It’s just one song. But they’re serious about it. News worthy serious.
1. The whole school piled into the multi. Except now we’re all here all the time and there are about 1100 of us, but we can subtract the 40 afternoon kinder kids if it makes you feel better.
2. The parents gathered around outside. Lots of grumping and complaining but they stayed outside. I was a smiling teacher. Others – not so much.
3. We watched each grade level sing.
Side note: The day before, our Kid Chorus performed (just for the school – I have no idea when the parents got to see it. Isn’t that ironic?). We are a public school. But we listened to some great songs, like Do You Hear What I Hear and Go Tell It On The Mountain. It was fantastic (although I was afraid someone was going to cut off our electricity or something because of it).
Then, the lights went low, a screen came down, and a 6th grade soloist sang “I’ll Be Brave This Christmas” while a montage played on the screen of soldiers coming home because the song is about being without your daddy during Christmas because he is fighting in the war and it is so sad. So sad. THO THAD. That last sentence is typed with a stuffed up nose because I was crying so hard. Plus, I was sitting next to my partner whose son is in Afghanistan this Christmas. I KNOW! THO THO THO THAD!!!! There wasn’t a dry eye in the house (okay, the kids weren’t crying but every teacher was. All the kids poked each other and told each other to “Look at Mrs. Oldham! She’s crying! Is she crying? Look!”) I could cry right now. The chorus sang back up and their part was “Praying Jesus keeps you safe”. Sniff. If you don’t know it, you should look it up. But be prepared for the thadness.
Recalculating.
After we all sang for each other in the multi on our School Sing Along day, we had to exit and let the parents come in.
Picture that. Holy guacamole. I think we needed the SWAT team and Security.
4. Kinder stayed in and were the first to perform.
5. First grade stood outside “in the wings” and waited for our turn. We waited with parents who couldn’t get into the multi because there was no room. NO ROOM.
6. Kinder came out and we went in. 150 First Graders gathered on the stage and the floor and the whatever and did our thing. Parents were going nuts.
“SIT DOWN!”
“You! With the iPad! MOVE!!!”
“Do you seriously have to video every.single.minute of your kid??”
“Stop pushing!”
“Hey, Santa Hat! SIT DOWN!!!!!”
It was MASS CHAOS.
But my kids were cute.
Then we exited so the second graders could come in. It was every man for himself.
As I walked found my kids back in the classroom, I could hear some parents telling their kids that they couldn’t see them and how ridiculous it was. So I invited the parents to stay and we sang just for them. It was quite nice, if I do say so myself.
Later, at our class party, some of the moms told me that several parents were ready to fight each other over seats and standing up and getting in the way and talking too loudly, etc. We were five seconds away from being on the news, people.
I would love to know what you do for Christmas performances! I could be wrong, but I don’t think our way is working. But it’s just a hunch.
Kelley Cirrito says
Omg!!! Three weeks! I am still not out and I still won't be out until next Thursday! Ugh 4 more day!
Mrs. B. says
We pretty much do what you do. I mean, we cram a gazillion parents in the woefully small auditorium and pray that no one gets trampled. Scary.
Kristen says
whoa nelly! We do not do a performance and for that I am grateful! It sounds like your original performance was loving (sans-extra songs and spectators). Happy vacation Kristin!!
Kristen ๐
Jill says
We had our Christmas program this past Tuesday. We have ours in the church – the parents sit in the pews and the kids all stand in front. There are only 75ish kids at school but it gets pretty crowded up there. Especially when each grade level is featured and has to shove through everyone in front of them to get to the microphones. Which were placed in front of the nativity scene…. so when the fourth graders sang, Mary and Joseph were nowhere to be seen. Sigh.
I don't think any parents can see their kids from the pews but they all wander around anyway!!
And I think that was nice that you had the parents come back and listen to your class alone!!! They probably loved that!
Marvelous Multiagers!
laughinbrunette (Jennifer) says
You are so funny! We don't do any kind of holiday performances (sounds like a good thing maybe…lol)…but it was funny to see you say, "For the love of Pete" …I say that ALL the time!! Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
Holly says
Arguing and debating would no go over well with my principal. This is my second year at my new school – we meshed three different staffs {is that a word?} together and a large number of us came from one of the closed schools. Our principal came with us {theirs retired}. We're still on our best behavior and getting to know one another so I suppose this could change – but it was pretty much the same at my old school too. Couldn't imagine that would really stress me out.
You don't have to answer this – but what do you do when people are arguing and debating? Do you sit back and listen, get involved, play peacemaker?
Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade
Little Learners says
3 week vacation?!? What is that??? I am SO jealous, I mean happy for you! I still have 4 days left and then we only get 11 days off. I feel like we need more time to regroup!
Our last day before break is Kindergarten rotations followed by a whole school sing-a-long. We are a small school (less than 500 kiddos) and so we all fit into the gym and then sing group songs that are being projected onto the wall above the basketball hoops. There are always a few parents that are in there, but I am not sure how they got there! It is a very fun group assembly before the afternon craziness of the Christmas parties.
Merry Christmas!
Reagan Tunstall says
1. I can't stand it when people argue for arguing sake. I can't stand when those in authority don't just make the decision. It's ok if people get mad…just make a decision and move on people.
2. Tho Thad is now totally in my vocabulary. I thay thorry all the time. And I lub you. Now I also thay tho thad. Thankyouforthat.
3. I missed you and kept hoping you would post even though I knew you were busy. I didn't post but it's no excuse for you not to post. I mean really. how selfish…
4. farley and I both shop (she even works/helps there) at a little boutique 30 seconds from my house. I just found that out today. OMG. we haven't been there at the same time to my knowledge, but then again…who can be sure.
5. I better get back to work…just kidding. Permanent jammies and living life without a lesson plan.
6. Did I mention I missed you?
7. that'sallfornowbye
Reagan
Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits
Janine says
This year was our 2nd annual Holiday show and after last year, I VOWED never to participate again. That really didn't happen, since my AP is my friend and sort of forced me into it because she didn't like the way the first grade song was coming along. The entire school prek through 6th had to do a song and the theme was our rendition of The Polar Express. This is the time of year where you find out who on your grade level really joins the team, as of last count, on a team of 14 teachers the grand total is: 3! Yes 3 of us cried and fought to get these kids to sing and dance through 2 school performances and one nighttime parent performance. You can still see my blood, sweat and tears in the hallway outside my room (aka rehearsal space). I promise that I will never do this again (unless I am forced to, lol).
faithfulinfirst.blogspot.com
oh' boy says
do you argue with them???
or make mental notes about…
how to blog this…
i kinda do this BUT my blog secret is out and now I have to filter… YUCK
**********************************
we have a tardy bell and any kids after that are TAR to the DEE
we even have a Tardy station where a para sits and fills out tardy slips for the kiddos who are late… the para is in charge of marking these kids tardy so there is NO sibling confusion…
***********************************
so jealous over your 3 weeks
way JEALOUS!!!
hope you have a GREAT break!!!!
Christie says
We have our program in the gym at night so all the parents can come. We had sets for each song, like the manger and inn for Away in a Manger. Our classes had assigned areas behind the sets and came out only when it was time for their song. Then they sat in an assigned spot in front of the sets so there was no chaos as other classes came out. The parents sat in the bleachers, and each class stepped forward as they sang so each parent could see, video, etc. It was smooth and organized, and not a single parent complained. Totally fabulous start to our Christmas break!!
Hope next week goes by quickly for y'all who are still in school (but not too quickly since I am on vacation! ๐
Kimberley Moran says
3 weeks, Crikey! I have to work all the way up to and ON DECEMBER 23! Really, no joke. I don't feel that sorry for myself though. Well, I do actually because I only have one week off in addition to having to work on December 23rd. That said, I only have 16 kids in my room and it's even, 8 girls and 8 boys. We only have 195 kids in the ENTIRE school. That's like practically just your class. We have a singalong too, but we (obviously) can all fit in the same room.
Kimberley
1st in Maine
Allyce says
1) I am also jealous of your three weeks! But I am also completely content with my two full weeks.
2) I agree with the comment about you writing a comedy series.
3) We do a concert in the evening. It was K-12 this year (only two buildings in our whole district:K-6 & 7-12) The concert was only 1.5 hours in the gym. I will say though that next year there will be a time for little ones to leave early and the aim will once again be 1 hour (according to the conversation I had with the k-12 music teacher-yes he does ALL music classes!)
Have a FABULOUS BREAK!
Kim says
Hi Kristin:
I used to check your blog each morning…
Now I check your blog AND the followers box. I am willing to stand on the corner and spin a sign if you want me to… I just want you to have those thousand followers you've been wishing for!
Have a wonderful break with lots of laughter and good times…
Kim
Finding JOY in 6th Grade
Traci says
Was thrilled about my 2 weeks… Now a teensy weensy bit {ok TOTALLY, MAJORLY} jealous over your 3!
We have a holiday program 1st grade puts on for parents centered around our Holidays Around the World Unit creatively joined with 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. We just did it Thursday night. EVERY SINGLE 1st grader has a part. There's dancing, singing, sign holding, all kinds of stuff. It's quite a production… a lot of work and far too many practices. I am always sooooo happy when it is over, but the kids and parents do love it. BUT there have been a few years where parents just talked through the whole thing! LIterally… yapped up a storm, hollered, and were simply belligerent throughout! Do they just forget about the children? I don't get it.
Missed you!
Dragonflies in First
Tricia says
We just had our Christmas program Monday night in the high school auditorium. The kids did a great job. They were actually better behaved then their parents. The kids are singing their hearts out. However, from the audience there were wolf whistles, screaming names and waving the whole time. Hello, folks my kids can't wave to you and sing at the same time. One mom in the front row (and you know she had to get their 90 minutes early to get that front row seat) was on her cell phone the whole time. You would have thought we were at a ball game rather than a Christmas program.
The next day I was walking out of a local restaurant when some guy started yelling at me from his big truck as he was driving through the parking lot. He rolled down his window and screamed, "hey, great program last night. My kid has been singing those songs for 2 weeks, kinda glad it's over."
Enjoy your three weeks off.
Erin says
For starters. Jealous that you have THREE WEEKS! I still have to go to work on Monday, Tuesday, AND Wednesday! But I can't complain. A neighboring district goes until FRIDAY! That's nuts!
Wow if I was at your school that day I think my anxiety and stress level would have led me to a meltdown. If they want to invite parents, sounds like it should be a classroom thing like you did at the end. Invite the parents in, sing your song in the classroom, and do your holiday party. Maybe on a different day do the whole school MINUS the parents!!
Hope you enjoy your break, although, I hope to be commenting on more great blog posts before we go back to school!!
Creating & Teaching
Patricia Rbar says
The tardies issue should be decided by the administration and then everyone will have to stand by it. In our school the bell rings at 8;45. .. any one who comes in between 9:00 10:00 is counted tardy. . . if they come in after that they were absent for the morning.
Our school divides our singing programs by grade level. Only 2nd graders sing at Christmas. We have it in the library, which is not huge, but cozier than a gym. One class sings at a time for 45 minutes. The parents are invited in and get hot chocolate and a cookie while they listen to their child sing. Every parent can see their child and all the others. (kids are standing on risers) In the Spring, the kinders and first graders sing at the high school gym with ALL kinders and first graders from the district (about 40 classes all together) Parents sit in the bleachers so they can all see. We call this the Spring Sing and it's a lovely presentation. . . but the parents do go Ape Sh_ _! Running down taking their childs picture during the program. . .hooting and hollering their child's name at inappropriate times. Whistling, screaming. . .for goodness sake. . .it's a program. . . act like an adult!!! Or maybe they haven't been taught! So our leader teaches them before it starts what audience behavior looks like! Can you imagine. . teaching parents who are adults how to act and behave like adults!
Have fun with your three weeks. . .I'm still teaching for 4 days this week. . . then I'll join you!
Erin says
I have given you the sunshine award! Head over to my blog to check it out!! ๐
http://creatingandteaching.blogspot.com/2011/12/award-slacking-thank-yous.html
Creating & Teaching
mbcialini says
This may make you feel better. At least your school embraces the real arts. My school, this year, for hte first time in my 20 years decides to skip the showing of the holiday concert by the chorus and band. Instead we assembled to watch the middle schools Lip Synch which is a fund raiser for the track team. Mind you I love FM radio and beebop along in the privacy of my car to the latest pop tunes, but to have my firsties exposed to the songs that have more than questionalbe lyrics was actually uncomfortable. And this was INSTEAD of watching our lovely chorus and band. Shame on my administaters for heis decision. I printed out he lyrics ot some of the songs and presented them to the old fogies in suits….they were surprised to say the least. What are we teaching our kids? Nopt to mention the middle school kids who were moving their lips to these songs. Yes, some were spliced as best that could be by th head music teacher, but some were not. Black Eyed Peas, KAty Perry, Nicki Manage(?) do not have lyrics that first graders should hear. What if a parent comes to me and asks..why was my child singing "I'm sexy and I know it?" Jeez, people! The union is sending a nice letter of disappointment inhopes that next year we can all go back to swaying and singing along with the classics done by our music program.
Have a wonderful Christmas!!!
Marybeth
mbcialini says
Sorry I did not edit this before posting…so many typos! I guess you can see I am enraged!
Marybeth
luckeyfrog says
Wow- your school is HUGE!
Our music teacher has started splitting up the performances. 2nd grade did a musical near Thanksgiving, 3rd does a Veterans' Day program, etc. Plus, it helps a little with parents making a fuss over Christmas/ holiday stuff.
Heidi Butkus says
I too am totally jealous of your three weeks! I would be more than happy to give up five percent of my salary for an additional week off! I have to work up to and including the 23rd, so I had to finish up all of my holiday preparations today. ๐
My Kindergartners do my "Gingerbread Man" play for our holiday play, usually. Though sometimes we do my play, "The Mitten." Both are musicals. No class has to do a performance at my school. We used to be required to do it, but no longer. In fact, I originally wrote the play because it was so hard for the kids to memorize all of the words to the Christmas Carols, so I wrote very simple songs to go along with the Gingerbread Man story, figuring it would be a whole lot easier, and in fact it was! ๐ Those plays, in addition to another one I wrote called "The Wide Mouthed Frog" are for sale on my website, HeidiSongs.com. But they take about 15-20 minutes to perform, so I don't know if they would work in your situation.
I hate wishy washy principals that can't make a decision! That's really a drag and wastes so much time!
Heidi
http://heidisongs.blogspot.com
diditeach says
Wow, I love to read that the crazies are out at all Christmas concerts, the parents are all behavin' badly…. 2 weeks ago, we performed a play with the older children with speaking parts and the primary classes sang a song each, short and sweet. But our parents are always ill behaved, wanting to leave as soon as their child performs, talking throughout, etc. As |I always say, there is no pretty way to run the show, 'tis the season…..
3 weeks off !!! I was excited about my 2….we go right until the 23rd….
Merry Christmas everyone, Kristin, you will still keep us company over the holidays ???, PLEASE….
Kim says
This is the first time I have felt like maybe my school is smart!! We do two Christmas programs for the parents. One in the morning, and one in the afternoon. We suggest parents with names ending in A-J come at 9:45, then K-Z come at 1:00. Each grade level learns two songs. While one grade level is singing on the the stage, the next grade level is waiting in the hall. We use two different doors in the gym so the enter/exit doesn't seriously injure a small child. Or small teacher. It works great! Good luck!