Memo #3

 September 17, 2015

Thursday is department night for world language students at my school.  This is the time kids report to make-up quizzes, tests, or assignments.  I do not allow students to make up missed work during class time. I also encourage students to attend if they have questions, wish to review or just plain hang out!

Today I was not expecting anyone as the school year has just begun, the absence rate has been low and we have not yet had any assessments.  Due to lack of air conditioning and the torrid heat we have been experiencing, I keep the lights off in my class room.  Imagine my surprise when in walked my first customer of the school year! "Mario," a student in my Spanish II class, commented with surprise "Wow, I didn't think that anyone was in here. The lights are off!"  Yes, I was sitting in the dark by myself.

As students enter for department night, I direct them to the notebook I have strategically placed on a front desk. I ask them to sign their names and write a reason for attending in "mi cuaderno de vaca" (a.k.a. "cow notebook").  Records keeping is crucial- I find that if a parent/guidance counselor/administrator want to know if a student is attending, I have tangible proof.

This school year I have a large group of fresh faces.  I'd say that approximately 80% of my students are unknown to me.  Mario, is one of the newbies.  I have not had the time to yet form opinions of my new students, except now for Mario.  If he had not shown up for department night, I would not have had the opportunity to chat with him one on one.

In class, Mario sits in the last seat of the front row. The 11th grader is tall, has a little facial hair and a gentle manner.  I have never seen him interact with other students and have wondered why.  During class he is polite and reserved.  Is he perhaps too mature for the majority of his classmates?  After talking to him today, I found that he just moved to the city and has no friends yet.  He admitted that it is "tough" being new at his age.  Later on, I did a little investigating and found out that he lives with his aunt and uncle.  I do not know why he doesn't live with his parents.

Having a conversation with Mario was the bright spot of my day.  We did our review as he requested, although it was clear to me that he knew his subject matter.  Perhaps he came to department night because he was lonely? What I do know is that my second classroom is now open for business on Thursdays.