Читать книгу Dance, Belle, Dance! - Beth Huffman - Страница 12

Brooklyn stopped acting like a bully. It wasn’t just with me either. She quit making fun of everybody. A few kids wanted to be friends with her when she started acting nicer. I didn’t want any part of it. I didn’t trust her at all.

The next two months of school flew by. It was getting cold outside and that meant it was getting close to Thanksgiving. That also meant it was time for parent-teacher conferences. Mom went by herself. She decided it would be better if Dad stayed home. That was the only way Belle would go to bed on time. She got back two hours later. I was already in bed but I was wide awake. I heard Dad ask her how things had gone.

Mom lowered her voice. “There’s a lot to tell you. I need to make sure the girls are asleep first.”

When she checked on me, I started breathing like I was in a deep sleep. I completely faked her out. As soon as she went downstairs, I slipped out of bed and crawled into the hall. I could hear everything.

“The first conference was with Miss Rex. She had very positive comments about Macey’s reading and writing skills. Listen to what she wrote the day after Belle got in trouble at recess. Their assignment was to describe how it felt on either a good day or a bad day. Miss Rex gave me a copy because she wants us to see how sensitive and protective Macey is when it comes to Belle.”

Yesterday was really bad. Belle could have been hurt. I hated it when kids started laughing at her. I hated it when they called her names. She climbed up the slide because it looked fun. She didn’t think about getting in trouble. I don’t know why. It’s just the way she is. I always have to look out for her. It makes me mad. It isn’t fair.

“Macey shouldn’t be feeling this kind of pressure, Jeff.”

“I know. We need to sit down and talk to her. What did Mrs. Heldman say about Belle?”

“My conference was her last one for the night and she spent nearly an hour with me. She writes a personal letter to parents at this point in the year and addresses their children’s strengths and weaknesses. This is what she wrote to us.”

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Andrews,

I enjoy having Belle in class very much. She always comes to school with a lot of energy. I appreciate her bubbly personality. The minute she enters the classroom, she runs up to my desk and gives me a big hug. She’s a lovable little girl.

I’d like to share some thoughts about her behavior. At the start of the school year, many kindergarteners are often immature. Some have a hard time paying attention and some are very hyperactive. Belle demonstrates all of the above. As a result, she has a hard time following directions and following classroom rules. Please don’t interpret this to mean that she’s a troublemaker because she isn’t. She’s a bright, compassionate child who is noticeably more immature and hyperactive than most of her classmates. Because she has such a hard time sitting still, it is disruptive to the others when they’re doing group work. When this happens, I work one-on-one with her.

As the school year progresses, the children’s behaviors typically improve. They become more attentive and less hyperactive. The change is more significant for some than others. I’m hoping that Belle will improve dramatically in these areas.

On a positive note, she excels in music class. Her teacher has said repeatedly that she’s amazed at her ability to hear a song once and retain the lyrics immediately. When I complimented her on this last week, she smiled and said, “I’m the best one in music class and I’m the best dancer in my ballet class.”

I look forward to working with your enthusiastic daughter and will keep you updated on her progress.

Mrs. Heldman

I quickly crawled back to bed before I got caught. I kept thinking about that one sentence that Mrs. Heldman wrote – the one where she said that most kids improve a lot during the school year. I was pretty sure that Belle wouldn’t be one of them.

The rest of the school year flew by. Kylie and I decided that’s what happens when you’re enjoying something – it goes too quickly. Neither one of us wanted 2^nd grade to end. We didn’t want to leave Miss Rex.

A week before school was out, Mom asked me what kind of gift I wanted to give her. I knew immediately. “I think a gift card to the bookstore would be good and some hand lotion that smells like lilacs. They’re one of her favorite flowers. Then I need some pretty paper to write her a note. I can’t remember what it’s called.”

“You’re thinking of stationery.”

“That’s it.”

As soon as Mom showed me what she bought, I went to my bedroom and sat down at my desk. I thought it would take a long time to think of things to say to her but it didn’t. She told us all year to write what we were really feeling.

Dear Miss Rex,

I wish I could be in 2^nd grade another year. I’m really going to miss you. You taught me so much. I want to do two things when I grow up. I want to be an author and a teacher. I want to help kids. I want to be just like you.

Love,

Macey

The next day, she received gifts from everyone in our class. She had tears in her eyes when it was time to say goodbye. “Boys and girls, this has been a wonderful year. I’m so lucky to have been your teacher. I’m proud of each one of you. No matter how old you are, you’ll always feel like my kids. I’ll never forget you.”

When we lined up to get on the bus, she stood by the door and gave everyone a hug. When it was my turn, I whispered, “I’ll never forget you either, Miss Rex.”

The bus ride home on the last day of school is an instant headache. That’s why I asked Dad if he’d leave his office early and pick us up. Mom couldn’t do it because she had a conference with Mrs. Heldman.

After we dropped Kylie off, I was anxious to get home. I wanted to ask Dad the question that had been on my mind for a long time. I knew I couldn’t ask it in front of Belle. So I went to the back patio where he was reading the paper.

“Dad, did Belle fail kindergarten?”

“No, she didn’t fail but she’s behind in some areas.”

“Then why is Mom at school right now? Tell me the truth.”

“Macey, you know as well as anyone that Belle has problems. We were hoping she’d be more mature by now but she isn’t. Mrs. Heldman is giving Mom some suggestions of things we can do to help her be better prepared for 1^st grade. That’s all I know at this point. I can tell you don’t believe me. What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking that you and Mom really don’t know how different Belle is from the other kids in her class. You should have seen her at recess. No one would play with her. She didn’t fit in anywhere. What if she never fits in?”

“Don’t worry, sweetie. We’ll get the help she needs. Things will get better.”

I wondered if Dad really believed that. I didn’t. It wasn’t going to make any difference how many suggestions they had to prepare her for 1^st grade. She’d never be ready. I tried to block it out of my mind. It was easier to think about the fun that Kylie and I were going to have during the summer.