this is the time of year

This is the time of year that brings me stress.

It's almost April, spring break is in a few weeks and, before you know it, June has arrived and I'm a blubbering mess as I hug my kiddos good-bye.

So, rewind to that little 'before you know it' part. That's the source of the stress.

Because, despite after-school interventions, homework modifications, small-group instruction, behavior plans, conferences, parent support (or lack thereof) and a million other little things - some of my students will not be ready for second grade.

And that breaks my heart.

This is the time of year when well-intentioned individuals-in-charge decide to stop by, asking questions and commenting on my little ones.

"What's going on with that student?" (I wish I knew!)

"He misbehaves in the cafeteria everyday." (He does the same thing in class all.day.long.)

"She doesn't know her sight words yet." (She knows 6 more than last week. Progress, right?)

"What are you doing to curb the tattling?" (They're six...there is no curbing.)

"Something needs to be done about their recess behavior." (Suggestions are welcome.)

On and on, saying things I already know and already worry about.

This is the time of year where I meet with parents for the third, fourth or eighth time to 'check in' and see how they're doing with the at-home activities I suggested at our previous meetings. And for the third, fourth or eighth time, that meeting usually ends with a shrug and an excuse from the parent and me filling out more paperwork and offering to help their child after school.

This is the time of year when I need to remind myself that I am doing my best and trying to support these students. I need to remind myself that some kiddos catch on in April or May or over the summer. I need to remind myself that even though I love my job and couldn't imagine doing anything else, I still need to make time for the people and things that I love outside the walls of my classroom.

Anything can happen in two months, right? :)