“City Life Anymore…?”

This is too funny…I discovered my 3rd grade report card today and read just how bad I was! The year was 1992-1993 and my teacher was Mrs. Albert at Ranch View Elementary School in Ontario, Ca. I wish I had a scanner so I could post this thing as is, but I’ll try my best to write what it reads.

Besides the typical A,B,C,D,U scale (Us (Unsatisfactory) were given out instead of Fs), there was also an Effort scale: O=Outstanding, S=Satisfactory, N=Needs Improvement. This report card is for the year and is broken up into 3 trimesters. So let’s begin…

The 1st letter is my grade, the 2nd letter is my effort grade.
Language Arts
Literature: D- N, B O, C S
Written Language: C S, B O, B O
Spelling: D N, U N, C S+

Mathematics
Multiplication: C N, D N, C- N

Science
Science: C N, B O, B O

Social Studies
Social Studies: B+ O, C N, B S

The next section is based off the Effort scale only.
Language Arts
Listening: S, S, O
Speaking: N, S-, S
Handwriting: N, S-, S-

As for Physical Ed., Music and Art, I got Os across the board

Study and Social Skills
Exercises Self-Control: S-, S-, S
Works Cooperatively: O, O, O,
Works Independently: S-, S-, S
Produces Neat, Orderly Work: N, S-, S-
Completes Assignments and Homework: N, S, S
Follows Directions: S, S, S
Shows Respect for Others: O, O, O

Now the best parts of this progress report are the comments my teacher made about me. But be warned, this is an exact transcription and “Teach” made some spelling mistakes. Starting from 2nd Trimester, she writes:

Daniel often seems lethargic in class. He is easily distracted and is spoken to regularly for playing in his desk instead of pay attention to lessons. His work pace is slow. He needs to devote time daily to spelling and multiplication. He’s absences have appeared to make it difficult for him to stay with the routine of class and he is very unfocused when he returns to school. However, when Daniel is focused and interested, he is an active participant in class. He often shares funny poems with me in class and answers questions and offers comment.

3rd Trimester- Daniel needs to really stay involved in his school work next year. If he keeps a positive attitude, he will do well.

Well…where do I start? Let’s just say I always had a good image of Mrs. Albert in my mind up until now! No just kidding, I know she’s only doing her job. But it’s funny that I did so bad in Language Arts! Doing bad in math and science is typical of me as I dislike both, still. Social Studies I’ve always done well in and still love to this day, obviously. All these “grades” would end up being typical of me up until I hit college. As for the comments, I started laughing when she wrote that I often seem lethargic and distracted. Yes still to this day I do, yet the older I get, the more energy and focus I acquire. I still do everything slow, yet now I rarely miss class. I don’t know…I thought all this was too funny. If only now Mrs. Albert knew of my ambitions to work for UNESCO and of my immense interests in literature, writing and linguistics. She probably wouldn’t believe I’m the same person I was in 3rd grade…then again, I don’t think I am either