Angels and Devils

First, the devils.
This morning, while getting into line, one of my kids thought it would be a good idea to throw a handful of this chili-powder candy into the eyes of another kid.Good idea? Yes. If you want to get sent to the office and get in serious trouble. "I was aiming for his mouth," the kid said. Yeah. Right.

Juan: Miss J, I know you said mistletoe's a parasite and all that, but we should get them for the door, so when you come in--
Me: Juan, I am not making out with you. (class dies)
Osuna: BUT YOU JUST TOLD US YOU WERE A PARASITE! You JUST....
Me: Well, then I'd be a vampire, and in that case... you don't want me anywhere near you.
Osuna: Well...
Me: You're all gross. Stop.



The angels.
My homeroom decided to make me cards for my birthday in art class. One, impressively, shows a chromosome unwrapping into chromatin, and then DNA. In the chromatin, it says "Happy birthday." Creative! Then, on the inside it says:

"Happy Birthday Miss J. We know we are a little late and we're sorry. This year has been the best and we know you have problems in life but whenever you feel sad just think about the fun times you had with us, and how happy you made us. Thank you so much and have a happy holiday.

World peace and no nuclear power plants!!"

-- M.C.

A second one just said "Happy Birthday, Miss J". Stapled on the top corner was a packet of graham crackers. Below, was a picture of a radioactive cow dripping milk into an Erlenmeyer flask. Under it said "here's some milk to go with your cookies."

Hilarious.






And finally--
There is a kid at my school whose dad has a failing liver. His family fears that government cutbacks could set in at the time his dad may NEED a liver. This terrifies him. So, after watching the news, he learned about a man who couldn't get insurance because funding that had already been cut.

So, as a 7th grader... he has been standing on the street corners with a sign for a MAN HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW, to try and raise money to get the guy a liver. A dime at a time.

Then, he started a drive at the school. Now, keep in mind, this is Title 1. This is not a rich neighborhood by any means. It isn't even middle class for the most part.

One of my kids sent handfuls of change all over my table ("Osuna! Are you a leprechaun? Are you donating the treasure at the end of the rainbow?" "Yeah, Miss J, only it wasn't gold, it was COPPER!). Another kid, instead of going to HIGH SCHOOL that day (don't even get me started there), came back to my class, spent the day with me...and donated five dollars to the cause.

In one day, the kids as a whole raised $1600.


And Carlos is still on the corner with his bucket collecting change every day.

AND THIS HAS MADE NATIONAL NEWS.
Holy crap.




Sometimes, I want to shank a kid (namely in my last block) but sometimes-- I just love 'em.