School Class Lists Revealed

So, the class lists were released tonight. Here they just hang them up outside the school's office at 5pm. I'm happy about almost everything but, I'm very unhappy about one thing.

Jared's new teacher is Mrs. Newton the only 1st grade teacher I know anything about (and that's all from observation). She is really a fun, upbeat teacher who has lots of tenure and so I'm happy for Jared! There are 20 kids in his class. He has a few friends in his class from last year but, not his closest friend. He has two classmates named Jenna and one named Jenny. LOL!! Why do they do that to teachers??? I remember my 4th grade class had 5 Jennifers. YES, FIVE!

Caitln's teacher is Ms. Huang- I know nothing about her except her reputation for being somewhat strict- which is a student generated rumor. She wasn't Caitlin's first choice because she thinks another teacher is funny. Finally we have graduated from wanting the "prettiest" teacher to wanting the teacher with the best personality. LOL!! Anyways, Caitlin's teacher is probably under 30 and extremely pretty. Cait's friend, Jade, was in her class last year and she loved her! Still Cait was disappointed and was pouting somewhat about not getting in the same class as her BFF when the neighbor kid told her her new teacher is a little mean. (GREAT!! Thanks for your help- now GO AWAY!) I was still feeling somewhat okay with that especially after some of the girls in her new class started to arrive and they were excited that Caitlin is in their class. She became excited too and realized that she knows several of the girls. One is the PTA President's daughter and I have a sinking feeling that I'll be hit up for a lot of time this year. I'm going to be very selective. Serving on the PTA is NOT my favorite thing in the world. I hate all of that political stuff!

Then the bomb shell- the kid who bullied her last year was put in her class again this year! I don't understand what the school is thinking?! Or are they???? I mean, things got very bad last year to the point that the boy was expelled the last time. It really altered Caitlin's personality and affected her schoolwork. We had multiple conferences about the situation. He was suppose to move out of state this summer, I'm crossing my fingers that that is still true and he just hasn't been taken off the roster yet. There are 32 kids in her class. Another 4th grade class has 31 kids in it. The third of the 4th grade classes is actually a 4th and 5th COMBO class. I really want to avoid that one! I don't know what to do. Caitlin is begging us to not say anything, she thinks he will behave himself this year and that she knows how to handle it better. I really hate to go in there and whine about it! Nothing like establishing a great relationship with the new teacher. I also want Caitlin to learn to stand up for herself and not be a target. Besides that, Caitlin tells us that it is embarrassing and the boy tells his friends and it becomes a big rumor. Well, I'm sure it will all work out fine in the end. I hate that she (and we) are in this situation!

Well, enough complaining. Especially since I gave a mighty long lecture to Caitlin today about how when we complain we are not being grateful! So, I'll go eat my words now. Even though this problem seems huge! Sorry for the whine...