The characters
The characters:
R-1. 17. Tried to enter as an 11th grader but got passed to me. Not much in the way of credit. Boyfriend of L. Baby on the way. Missed much school last year. Spent a lot of time locked up. On probation. Arms covered with tattoos. Asian Blood ties. Attendance is an issue. Gangbanging. Missing school. Quiet . Polite. My biggest concern is will he stick with the attendance and resist the pull of the homies. Makes good effort in his work.
A-1. 15. Started here mid-year last year. Presents as very quiet almost effeminate in his voice and mannerisms. Lives in foster care. Mother illegal status. He sees her on weekends but does not live with her. Still don’t know the full story. Has switched schools numerous times. Expelled from another last school for bringing a knife. Said he felt threatened by gangs. Low grade non-compliance. Behavior issues. Took and broke another students sunglasses at end of last school year. His foster dad made him pay for them. During summer school he burned a Jr. High kid on the face and arms with a lighter while sitting in the back of a car on a field trip. The kid he burned has a permanent reminder of the incident etched into his cheek.
K. 15. Hmong kid. Came in spring of last year. On probation for truancy. Parents don’t speak English. He has cultural conflict. Calls himself J. He wants to be an American gangster. Down for the Bloods. Would do anything to gain rep or rank. Can be engaging. Likes to do well and get praise. Quick to anger. He seems calmer and more focused this year. I am afraid he would pull a trigger to impress th OGs.
E. 16. Huge EBD file. Mental health issues. Depression. Medications. Past therapy. Started here last year. Quiet. Does not like to engage. Does not seem to know how to start work. Hates to write. Issue with his hat. Would wear a knit cap, folded and placed on top of his head. This summer he went off in a classroom and refused to leave. He kicked a chair across a room. Last year he faded out in the spring. Left early came late. Always some drama with his cousins or homies on the street. His parents seemed unable to help. They made good to stay in communication with us but the drama was too strong to stop him. Had to meet with parents before we let him back. So far so good. Underneath the anger is seething.
A-2 . 16. Started here in summer school. Earned 3 credits. In my interview for fall enrollment he said he left school last year in January and never returned. I asked his dad how that was and he did not have an answer. A. said it was irrelevant and that he was ready to try again. I insisted he tell us the story of how it was he missed half a year of school and what led up to that. He refused to speak when his dad was in the room. His dad went to another room and I left A. with L. who is family therapist intern who works on my team. I spoke with his dad. The dad said his son had mental issues and drinking issues. He did not understand how this came to be and why his son was so filled with rage. With his dad out of the room A tells L that the teachers bugged him and got in his business and did not know how to respect him so he left and never went back. I said he must go to the Crossroads and participate and go to group and that we might get in his business. He said he would not like that but that he would do what he had to do. So far A is quiet and motivated. He is here every day. I believe he is sincere. If he continues I will pass him through the Crossroads. So far he is the only candidate who might make it beyond the Crossroads anytime soon.
R-2. 16. Came here around mid-year last year. Long history of school resistance. Initially quiet and respectful but seething with anger underneath. Family of outlaws. His father is a Latin King OG. His mom is frantic, nervous, meth teeth, over bleached hair, clothes unwashed dirty fingers and nails. Nothing but excuses for everything that has gotten her son in trouble. They are all just out to get him. Bad attendance and little work effort were with us from the start. I grew tired of my attempts of gentle coaxing. Too many breaks. Getting nothing back. Finally after he refused to attempt some petty assignment I said he could not come back unless we met with his mom. This was in April. No response to my phone calls. Then the phone was disconnected. Then she would call and leave messages but no number. Finally in early June she calls with 6 million reasons why it has taken this long. By then he is being violated on his probation. His PO is on a mission. Again everybody is out to get her son. Late August she calls and wants him to come back. He’s been locked up. Completed treatment. Now he must be in school. On the phone she says he is a new man and ready to get serious. We meet. He slouches cap cocked to the side. Latin King yellow shirt and laces. He does not seem a new man at all. I take him.
N. 16. It took him a while to get here. His mom made several appointments but he was always rippin and runnin from the cops. Finally they caught him and after a little stint in JDC he comes in with his mom and his PO. He's got a thick file. Behavior. Fighting. Drinking. Not behaving at home or in the community. He's got a sarcastic wit and a vocabulary beyond ghetto-speak. How oxymoronic. He explained that word to the class his first day. He had attempted summer school but was involved in the incident with E. He was told he could never come back.But now he is back. His prospects are dim.
L. 16. He came last year. I was reluctant to even do an interview. His file was thick with incident reports of wacky behavior.Running around the building. Jumping on tables. He is behind on credits. He's long and lanky light skinned with braids. He lives with his father who says the last year was hard with the living situation. I let him start and he is overly polite and eager. Two days later he is pouty and difficult. For the rest of the year he is off and on. We meet several times with his dad who is always willing to support. Not much changes. He never completes a task. He fades away without earning credit. In August I tell his dad I will only take him back if he comes to the Crossroads. He does.
B-1. 15. When he came last year he was 14. He presents as someone much older. His face is pock-marked. He reminds me of a cross between Woody Allen and a young Dustin Hoffman. He has a world of issues. Truancy. He refuses to go to school. He is depressed. He is OCD. I try to ask him questions. His mother speaks for him. I try to redirect to him. Still his mother speaks for him. He burns her with his eyes and yells at her. We are getting nowhere. I tell him to leave the room. The mother pours forth her problems and his problems. She is part of the problem. After a while he returns and says he is ready. He hardly comes to school. He is on intensive probation. Court order. They lock him up. They put him in shelter. They put him in a group home. He comes for one day. He comes late. On and on we go. He is articulate and intelligent beyond his years. He is bored. He only cares about the sports page he keeps folded under his arm. His mother says that sometimes he waits up all night for the paper to arrive. That's why he can't make it to school on time. He goes to court again and again. They warn him and warn him. They cannot break him. Finally we have enough. Then in August his mother calls. He is fixed. He is on meds. He is helpful at home. He is ready to come back. Everything is great. We meet. He is sullen and mute. Dejavu. His mother is speaking for him. He glares at her. I ask why are you here. We have done this before. Maybe you should go somewhere else. He says no. He is ready to come back. He is at the Crossroads. Things will be better. He will fix himself. I say ok.
B-2.16. He came in the spring of last year. A big baby-faced kid. He has academic skills but does not like school. He was on probation for truancy. He is pleasant and respectful. At home he has issues with anger. Fights with his sister. Fights other kids. He's got drug and alcohol isssues. He continues to miss school even though his PO is checking on him. He gets locked up for weekends but still skips. He ends the year poorly. Too many days. Not much work. He and his mom show up on sign-up day. He needs to be in school. Still on probation. Crossroads is the only option. So far he has only missed one day.
R-3. 16. He was here all of last year. Lots of ups and downs. Asian Blood Rollin 50s Piru. He has skills. Sometimes he is erratic. Always late.He has cusses out teachers out of the blue. Then is apologetic the next day. Smoked weed at school. Caught twice. There were a lot of people living in his house. The homeless homies.Last year he tells us that when he was 8 he had a brain tumor and now he bares the scar behind his head. After the operation he had to learn to walk and talk all over again. His recovery seems remarkable. Now he is here. In August he shows up for sign-up 2 days late. I make him come back with his mother. He is a candidate for Crossroads. His mother agrees.
Me-50. Too jaded and cynical for my own good. I have done this a long time. I have shut my brain to new things. My colleagues embrace the new and move forward. I don't care. I can't focus on the detail. The"No Child" has got me reeling. I look too forward to summers off and Friday martinis served in tumblers.I tell myself that I do not want to go back. I say these things and think I feel them. But I don't. It is ironic that the data has driven me to think outside my box about the things I know. Keep it simple. I am at the Crossroads.
R-1. 17. Tried to enter as an 11th grader but got passed to me. Not much in the way of credit. Boyfriend of L. Baby on the way. Missed much school last year. Spent a lot of time locked up. On probation. Arms covered with tattoos. Asian Blood ties. Attendance is an issue. Gangbanging. Missing school. Quiet . Polite. My biggest concern is will he stick with the attendance and resist the pull of the homies. Makes good effort in his work.
A-1. 15. Started here mid-year last year. Presents as very quiet almost effeminate in his voice and mannerisms. Lives in foster care. Mother illegal status. He sees her on weekends but does not live with her. Still don’t know the full story. Has switched schools numerous times. Expelled from another last school for bringing a knife. Said he felt threatened by gangs. Low grade non-compliance. Behavior issues. Took and broke another students sunglasses at end of last school year. His foster dad made him pay for them. During summer school he burned a Jr. High kid on the face and arms with a lighter while sitting in the back of a car on a field trip. The kid he burned has a permanent reminder of the incident etched into his cheek.
K. 15. Hmong kid. Came in spring of last year. On probation for truancy. Parents don’t speak English. He has cultural conflict. Calls himself J. He wants to be an American gangster. Down for the Bloods. Would do anything to gain rep or rank. Can be engaging. Likes to do well and get praise. Quick to anger. He seems calmer and more focused this year. I am afraid he would pull a trigger to impress th OGs.
E. 16. Huge EBD file. Mental health issues. Depression. Medications. Past therapy. Started here last year. Quiet. Does not like to engage. Does not seem to know how to start work. Hates to write. Issue with his hat. Would wear a knit cap, folded and placed on top of his head. This summer he went off in a classroom and refused to leave. He kicked a chair across a room. Last year he faded out in the spring. Left early came late. Always some drama with his cousins or homies on the street. His parents seemed unable to help. They made good to stay in communication with us but the drama was too strong to stop him. Had to meet with parents before we let him back. So far so good. Underneath the anger is seething.
A-2 . 16. Started here in summer school. Earned 3 credits. In my interview for fall enrollment he said he left school last year in January and never returned. I asked his dad how that was and he did not have an answer. A. said it was irrelevant and that he was ready to try again. I insisted he tell us the story of how it was he missed half a year of school and what led up to that. He refused to speak when his dad was in the room. His dad went to another room and I left A. with L. who is family therapist intern who works on my team. I spoke with his dad. The dad said his son had mental issues and drinking issues. He did not understand how this came to be and why his son was so filled with rage. With his dad out of the room A tells L that the teachers bugged him and got in his business and did not know how to respect him so he left and never went back. I said he must go to the Crossroads and participate and go to group and that we might get in his business. He said he would not like that but that he would do what he had to do. So far A is quiet and motivated. He is here every day. I believe he is sincere. If he continues I will pass him through the Crossroads. So far he is the only candidate who might make it beyond the Crossroads anytime soon.
R-2. 16. Came here around mid-year last year. Long history of school resistance. Initially quiet and respectful but seething with anger underneath. Family of outlaws. His father is a Latin King OG. His mom is frantic, nervous, meth teeth, over bleached hair, clothes unwashed dirty fingers and nails. Nothing but excuses for everything that has gotten her son in trouble. They are all just out to get him. Bad attendance and little work effort were with us from the start. I grew tired of my attempts of gentle coaxing. Too many breaks. Getting nothing back. Finally after he refused to attempt some petty assignment I said he could not come back unless we met with his mom. This was in April. No response to my phone calls. Then the phone was disconnected. Then she would call and leave messages but no number. Finally in early June she calls with 6 million reasons why it has taken this long. By then he is being violated on his probation. His PO is on a mission. Again everybody is out to get her son. Late August she calls and wants him to come back. He’s been locked up. Completed treatment. Now he must be in school. On the phone she says he is a new man and ready to get serious. We meet. He slouches cap cocked to the side. Latin King yellow shirt and laces. He does not seem a new man at all. I take him.
N. 16. It took him a while to get here. His mom made several appointments but he was always rippin and runnin from the cops. Finally they caught him and after a little stint in JDC he comes in with his mom and his PO. He's got a thick file. Behavior. Fighting. Drinking. Not behaving at home or in the community. He's got a sarcastic wit and a vocabulary beyond ghetto-speak. How oxymoronic. He explained that word to the class his first day. He had attempted summer school but was involved in the incident with E. He was told he could never come back.But now he is back. His prospects are dim.
L. 16. He came last year. I was reluctant to even do an interview. His file was thick with incident reports of wacky behavior.Running around the building. Jumping on tables. He is behind on credits. He's long and lanky light skinned with braids. He lives with his father who says the last year was hard with the living situation. I let him start and he is overly polite and eager. Two days later he is pouty and difficult. For the rest of the year he is off and on. We meet several times with his dad who is always willing to support. Not much changes. He never completes a task. He fades away without earning credit. In August I tell his dad I will only take him back if he comes to the Crossroads. He does.
B-1. 15. When he came last year he was 14. He presents as someone much older. His face is pock-marked. He reminds me of a cross between Woody Allen and a young Dustin Hoffman. He has a world of issues. Truancy. He refuses to go to school. He is depressed. He is OCD. I try to ask him questions. His mother speaks for him. I try to redirect to him. Still his mother speaks for him. He burns her with his eyes and yells at her. We are getting nowhere. I tell him to leave the room. The mother pours forth her problems and his problems. She is part of the problem. After a while he returns and says he is ready. He hardly comes to school. He is on intensive probation. Court order. They lock him up. They put him in shelter. They put him in a group home. He comes for one day. He comes late. On and on we go. He is articulate and intelligent beyond his years. He is bored. He only cares about the sports page he keeps folded under his arm. His mother says that sometimes he waits up all night for the paper to arrive. That's why he can't make it to school on time. He goes to court again and again. They warn him and warn him. They cannot break him. Finally we have enough. Then in August his mother calls. He is fixed. He is on meds. He is helpful at home. He is ready to come back. Everything is great. We meet. He is sullen and mute. Dejavu. His mother is speaking for him. He glares at her. I ask why are you here. We have done this before. Maybe you should go somewhere else. He says no. He is ready to come back. He is at the Crossroads. Things will be better. He will fix himself. I say ok.
B-2.16. He came in the spring of last year. A big baby-faced kid. He has academic skills but does not like school. He was on probation for truancy. He is pleasant and respectful. At home he has issues with anger. Fights with his sister. Fights other kids. He's got drug and alcohol isssues. He continues to miss school even though his PO is checking on him. He gets locked up for weekends but still skips. He ends the year poorly. Too many days. Not much work. He and his mom show up on sign-up day. He needs to be in school. Still on probation. Crossroads is the only option. So far he has only missed one day.
R-3. 16. He was here all of last year. Lots of ups and downs. Asian Blood Rollin 50s Piru. He has skills. Sometimes he is erratic. Always late.He has cusses out teachers out of the blue. Then is apologetic the next day. Smoked weed at school. Caught twice. There were a lot of people living in his house. The homeless homies.Last year he tells us that when he was 8 he had a brain tumor and now he bares the scar behind his head. After the operation he had to learn to walk and talk all over again. His recovery seems remarkable. Now he is here. In August he shows up for sign-up 2 days late. I make him come back with his mother. He is a candidate for Crossroads. His mother agrees.
Me-50. Too jaded and cynical for my own good. I have done this a long time. I have shut my brain to new things. My colleagues embrace the new and move forward. I don't care. I can't focus on the detail. The"No Child" has got me reeling. I look too forward to summers off and Friday martinis served in tumblers.I tell myself that I do not want to go back. I say these things and think I feel them. But I don't. It is ironic that the data has driven me to think outside my box about the things I know. Keep it simple. I am at the Crossroads.
posted by mg418 at 12:41 PM
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