This week was Parent/Teacher Conference at the kids school. Sheldyn’s was first, and it lasted an entire 5 minutes. Sheldyn got all 3’s (meets standards) and two 2’s, but the teacher said they just started learning that last week…so all the kids got that. She said she is a pleasure to have in class, she helps other students when they need help, she’s a great listener. She basically told me everything a parent wants to hear about their kid.

Chase’s conference was today. Chuck came down for it, because he knew this one was going to be serious. I was dreading going, but I was still holding out that he would surprise us, and be doing fine. After all, he’s been doing his homework, and I am pretty sure he was turning it all in. The conference went how every other conference has gone since Kindergarten. Different teacher, same comment I hear or read on every reporting period.

 ”Chase is SO smart! He just doesn’t apply himself. If he would put out some effort, he could be getting mostly A’s.”

His teacher said how he doesn’t do the weekly writing assignments. It’s a worksheet & a small story handed out on Monday. Then he has to write about it. She gives them 15 minutes daily to work on it, and they are welcome to take it home with them. I asked what Chase does when all the other kids are working on theirs, and she said he sharpens his pencil, plays with his pencil or stares off into space. The frustrating thing about that is Chase is a fantastic write! He is SO creative, and there are times at home where he writes mini books complete with illustrations just for fun. Then he doesn’t write at school. I don’t understand it.

His grades were SO bad.

• Reading- D-
• Writing & Grammar- F
• Speaking & Listening- D
• Math- C-
• History-F
• Science- B+

In this situation, I really don’t know what to do. I don’t think grounding him & being mad at him is going to make him do anything different. Actually, I am positive about that. So, we talked to him about it, and explained to him things have to change. He’s going to go to Homework club every Monday when his teacher is there helping the kids. Then on Tuesday & Wednesday he’s going to stay after school in his classroom with his teacher and other students and do homework.

She said she gives them extra credit all the time. She gives them 6 options and they can pick one, and it will raise their grade and entire grade. Chase hasn’t partaken in that, obviously. He will now though.

Anyway, I’m seriously considering going and sitting in his class a maybe a few times. Maybe that will 1) Keep him on the ball in class & get him in a habit. 2) Embarrass him enough to where he does his work, so I don’t ever come in again. Knowing Chase though, I don’t think he’d be embarrassed with me there. I think he might like it. Which could be good too.

Sooo…I am going to have to really put out a major effort of being throughly involved. I’m involved, don’t get me wrong, but I rely on him a lot to do what he’s supposed to. I trust him, and I really want to be able to take his word for it…but I guess, I’m going to have to make him earn that now.

I might offer him $5 for every “A” he gets. He & Sheldyn have been into saving any money they receive. He’s got close to $200, so maybe that will be some more motivation.

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