Andy's headache. Eddie's school assembly.

 


Tuesday, January 8

I experienced an unanticipated break in the work week yesterday. Andy woke up complaining of a severe headache. Actually, on Monday he spent time in the nurse’s office for the same reason. He said he couldn’t concentrate. I neglected to ask him if it was something his teacher noticed of if he simply asked to be excused from the classroom. The nurse obviously didn’t think that Andy’s condition was all that serious because she didn’t attempt to call JoAnna or me. and Andy spent the second half of the afternoon at the After School program, as usual. 
 
While Andy was still in bed, and while there was still time for him to get ready for school, I tried to talk him out of his sickness, but my words had on effect. Admittedly, I was a bit suspicious about his self-diagnosis; he has never complained of suffering from a headache before. His face looked a bit pasty, but putting a hand to his forehead indicated he obviously had no fever. I thought maybe he was trying to avoid something at school. Until yesterday, Andy hadn’t missed a day of third grade and, if I recall correctly, has missed only one or two days of school during his 3½ years at Elm Lawn. Andy missing a day of school is a very rare occurrence. His lack of any outward signs of sickness really made me question his motives, which I did periodically throughout the day. To no avail. He stuck by his guns all day. “I have a headache,’ he repeated to me each time I questioned his reason for staying home. I was almost tempted to call his teacher, but I didn’t want to raise a warning flag with her if Andy was indeed being straight with me. Today, of course, Andy was the picture of good health and full of enthusiasm for school. 


According to a note in his take-home folder, Eddie had a mixed day at school. The morning was not so good. His teacher reported that there were a few “unclear” recess problems – Eddie probably proclaiming his innocence of any and all charges combined with the fact that no adult actually saw him so anything – and some difficulty on his part in joining the group for various classroom activities. During the afternoon, his class – in fact, all of the kindergarten, first and second grade classes – attended an assembly (although I don’t think the schools use that term anymore) in the gym. The program featured an African-American storyteller. During the 45-minute presentation, Mrs. Policano, Eddie’s kindergarten teacher, reported that he was a 
fabulous listener”. At the end of the program, Eddie raised his hand and said to Mr. Finlayson, ‘You tell good stories and play the drums good!!” What a nice comment to make. He was very flattered and all the parents wanted to know who that little boy was who was so complimentary!!!” 
What a guy! The artist and performer in Eddie just had to share his gratitude for a fellow artist and performer. I find it amazing that Eddie would stand up in front of more than 200 people and offer such a comment. His teacher says that generally he’s shy and self-conscious during his classroom show-and tell presentations.

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