Today was the first day of the super high-stakes NYC English Language Arts exam. If kids don’t pass, they don’t go on to the next grade – regardless of trivial little complications like whether or not English is their first language or if they have a learning disability. No wonder two kids were in tears from the stress before the exam even began.

To add to the fun, somehow no one at the school noticed until this morning that we didn’t have enough test booklets for the seventh grade, and we didn’t have any booklets for the eighth grade. So the kids had to spend an awkward hour sitting in testing position while we waited for someone to drive to the testing headquarters, pick up extra tests, and drive back. Thankfully I didn’t have to proctor (and therefore keep occupied for that hour) a whole class – just four ELL (English Language Learner) students who get extra time. Once the test finally started, I got to read a book and occasionally update the time remaining on the blackboard. I wish we got to give standardized tests every day!

On an unrelated, yet hilarious, tangent, Ms. L intercepted what is quite possibly the best note in the history of middle school note-passing the other day:

Boy: How’s it goin? hmmm?

Girl: Good U?

Boy: Im fine so how ya day?

Girl: gud what bout urs Ms Ls class is f-ing boring

Boy: sumtimes its fun just not today and Im good

Girl: Ohh! LOL She tlkstomuch

Boy: lolz u think she got a bf?

Girl: Nahh no one gunna like her LOL!

Boy: lolz she will get drunk and still wont get lucky lolz

Girl: LOL! Yup Maybe a bum would date her

Boy: lolz he gonna want rocks instead of her lolz!!

Girl: Yup I noe

Boy: lolz so who u goin prom wit?

Girl: IDK my friends U?

You can see a scan of the actual note at Ms. L’s roommate’s blog, it’s currently on their refrigerator.