Selamat Hari Raya

I remember (in my childhood) .....

But now the only 'feel' of Raya is ......

Raya decorations in Shopping Complexes:

Is this 'sad' or what?????

Izma : Case Closed (?)

So... the case is now considered 'closed'.

Had a meeting with the HM, her 2 assistants, the discipline teacher and the school counsellor on Tuesday. Izma was not present, tho I requested for her to be there.

Cut to the chase : Izma has insisted she did not slap Stephanie repeatedly with a book. She just 'touched' Steph's shoulders with a thin book!

Well, anyway, HM said Izma has been given a show-cause letter, and they'll be keeping an eye on her. And to further explain their investigation (and protect her teachers, of course), she invited one of the assistant (A-HM) and the discipline teacher, DT, to give their reports.

The A-HM said she spoke to a few students from Steph's class, and they all confirmed that Izma did not hit Steph. Anyone could imgine how frightened a child would be to be called to the office and be questioned about Izma! (Steph told me later that one of the nice and dedicated Teacher asked those students why they did not tell the truth. The kids said that they did not dare as Izma might start hitting them too! I spoke to the Teacher, but she said that she's not allowed to discuss the case.)

According to DT, who consulted the few teachers who teach in Steph's class, Steph is a rude, disobedient child. He implied that because of Steph's behavior, she deserved to be hit (?). Oh, you could imagine my fury. I lost it it!!! Raised my voice and everything. Pointed out to them that since Year 1, Steph has been getting an A on her attitudes towards her studies and school in general. She might not excel in certain subjects, but teachers has always given her good remarks when it comes to her behavior and attitude. And now they (the HM, DT & Izma, at least) are implying that Stephanie is a 'discipline problem'?

As I was nearly screaming, the DT quickly added that Steph's 'discipline problem' is 'mild'. At this time, the school counsellor quietly said that "Stephanie is a good girl". (He has been on the investigation for this case and has spoken at length with Steph). That calmed me down, and the DT tried to climb out of the hole he dug himself by giving all sorts of nonsensical excuses about what he meant by 'discipline problems'. In the end he just trailed off......

Well.... anyway, Izma wrote an official apology "kerana menyetuh anak puan di bahagian bahunya dengan buku nipis". (touching your daughter on her shoulder with a thin book). Initially, I refused to accept that apology because Izma refused to acknowledge her wrong.

But my hubby, ever the calm, cool man, played 'good cop' to my 'bad cop'. He said of course the teacher will not admit in writing that she hit a student. That will be like handing over evidence of a crime. And since she has been given a show-cause letter, her career prospects has been much compromised. So we'll accept this way of settlement now. If it ever happens again in future, a lawyer will be involved!

So.... the case is now considered 'closed'..... until the next time (?)

Sweet Siblings

All his brother and sisters knew that kor-kor was stressed over his UPSR. Jo and and Jeremy woke themselves up before 6am and wrote a message for kor-kor on the white board in his room:

Teacher Izma

Last friday, Stephanie (my 10-year-old) was repeatedly hit in the face with a book by a teacher! Her offence? She forgot to bring her book to school!

This teacher is well-known for hitting students. She's about 40+, wears long fake eye-lashes with studs on them (seriously), thick make-up, long fingernails with a ring on almost every finger. For this reasons, we dubbed her Izma (from Disney's Emperor's New Groove):

(think about the above in baju kurung, and you'll get the approximate picture)

She has been terrifying the kids since last year! This year, Josephine (Year 3) has her for Maths and Stephanie (Year 4) has her for KT (Kajian Tempatan).

She's a slapper! She once told a boy "The next time I'm going to give you a tight slap!" and she immediately slapped the boy! What happended to 'next time'????

She once banged two boys' head together because they wouldn't stop talking.

She told Jo's class that if they don't get an A for Maths, she's going to 'whollop' them!

She has been slapping and hitting the students, but no one dare complain coz the kids are terrified for she had warned them "if you complain to your parents and I get into trouble, you'll be in bigger trouble!"

Some parents knew about it, but no one complained as most likely, parents are afraid their kids will be victimized if they complained. This has been known to happen.

I am a "fair complainer". But I am also an 'appreciator'. Teachers know me. After all I've 4 kids in the same school!

You can imagine how I reacted when Stephanie told me on Friday (after school) that Izma used a book and hit both sides of her face. I was furious! I went back to school immediately (school's just 3 mins away from my house), wanting to confront Izma. She left already, but the HM and assistant-Head were still there. HM not free to see me, so Asst-H took down my complaint.

When I asked her what actions will be taken, she said that they will investigate, but the school is not obliged to tell me what actions were taken. (This is what they always say whenever a parent complain about a teacher or a situation). I told her that if they don't tell me what actions will be taken, then I'll just assumed no actions were taken. I'll lodge a police report and then go to Ministry of Education. That got her attention! As she cannot make decisions, she told me to come back on Monday (today) to speak to the HM.

Cut long story short, HM promised to investigate, but with UPSR and etc, she'll need time.

Stephanie came back from school today pretty unhappy. She told me that Izma scolded her in front of the class. Told her off for 'squealing' on her and getting her in trouble. Izma claimed that she did not hit her face. She was holding a notebook, and was going to tap Steph on the shoulder, but accidentally hit her face. Huh? Accidentally hit hit both sides of her face a few times?????

Izma asked the class who she has hit before. A girl put up her hand and Izma told her to 'put down your hands stupid girl!" No one else dare to put up their hands. Izma also told Stephanie that if she's so 'precious' she should just get out of the class and don't study or change school.

During Math period in Jo's class, Izma scolded Jo for not doing her work properly and say "I'm going to whollop your face if you do this again! You are just like your sister!"

I am horrified! How can this mad woman be allowed to teach????? I will insist on her termination!! I won't let this go without a fight!

UPSR tomorrow

Finally, UPSR is just hours away! Damian has been counting down since the beginning of the school year and as the days pass, he got more and more tensed. We kept telling him to relax, but he seemed unable to do that. He tells me that everytime he thinks about UPSR, he gets stomach-ache and his heart beats faster.

Well... he doesn't excatly bury his nose in his revision books. In fact, I think he reads more story books than he does his school books. And he always gets good results - well, most of the time anyway, except for BM Pemahaman paper. That's the paper he's most worried about.

Hmmm.... we didn't have UPSR back then. We has something called 'Assessment Exams' in Standard 5. I was so lost during those primary years. I went to school one day and found out there's an important exam that day! Hahaha. I bet my brainy friend SY was prepared ages ago! (I mentioned SY here before.) I turned out ok. Didn't ace every subject, but I turned out ok.

But I know Damian will be ok. He'll get his 5A's.

What's the big deal about A's anyway?

Maids

There are 2 new maids at home .....

Because the 2 maids are new to the job, they're not used to hard work. By the end of 1 week, both were scheming about running away.

The kids were very sweet.

They helped to wash plates (after which Ginawati has to rewash, due to the soap and sometimes grease and food still stuck on the plates).

They helped to sweep the floor (moving the dirt and dust from one end of the room to the other end.)

They helped to wipe the tables (sweeping all the food residue and bones under the table.)

They helped to tidy up their room (dumping everything out of sight into the cupboards.)

They helped.

Thanks!

............................. I mean it!!!

* kisses and hugs for them!