Lost at School: Chapter 9

I agree with Liliana referring to  "What it looks like in each school is determined by that schools administrators, teachers, students, and parents working together towards common goals". This is so important because this is what makes the school feel like a united community. When staff in a school are not all on the same page in regards to their goals, students success, and achievement, things are dysfunctional.
If the staff are not on the same page then they will not be able to support their students success, or build trustworthy relationships with the students parents. If everyone is not aware what is going on with students like Joey then the cycle of suspension, and detention slips will always be the end result. Having procedures, and a plan that everyone is following will help improve the situation.


Chapter 9: Lives in the Balance


What stood out to me in this chapter-


"Helping challenging kids has to become a priority in each classroom, each school, each system." (282)
- I agree, it is important to have functioning school systems that follow a similar plan and procedures for challenging students. I also agree that we should not waste the potential of these students. They deserve the right to have a chance. They are just waiting on the guidance from their teachers, parents, and supportive educational faculty and staff.


- I loved how Mrs. Woods told Joey she is going to miss meeting with him, and she would like for him to come visit every once in a while. (284)


- Glad that Mr. Armstrong has come to his senses regarding Crystal. He spent so much time trying to determine her future, and seemed like he already given up on her. Now at the close of the story I am glad he is noticing the reinforcement that the discipline group is doing for Crystal. Yes, she may have some ways to go- but there is potential there. The summer program seems like a great start. Since Crystal deals with issues of abandonment she seems to follow to the wrong crowd. I am glad that Mr. Middleton, Mr. Armstrong and the other faculty have began to find the source of the problem; they now can strategies around it.


Final Thoughts:
I thought this was a great book, however some of the content seemed repetitive. I wish we started off reading Lost and then maybe read Wonder. It was so much detail to digest, that I had to really set time aside- so I wouldn't just read it to get it done. I wanted to actually take my time, so that I could incorporate some of the author's advice and philosophy into my own.