The Final Straw

Good morning to everybody. Yesterday, my class and I did what was required of us and finished school for the 2008-2009 school year. Needless to say, I'm happy. I finally get to rest without having to get up at 5 in the morning to wake up, get ready, endure the hour long bus ride from my house to Sullivan, and go to summer school for 3 and a half hours until September 8 (on September 1, though, I do have to go to Sullivan to get my schedule for the 2009-2010 school year and have my ID picture taken). No more school work, either.

Anyway, I'd like to talk about how this school year was. It was enjoyable, humorous, memorable and yes, kind of hard (for me at least). It was enjoyable because I got to meet all of the wonderful teachers, staff and kids, especially my classmates in the Autism program. I remember being real nervous on my first day of school back on September 11, 2008. The bus came to get me at 6:36am, and when I climbed aboard, I was greeted by my very nice bus driver from the Latino Express bus company. I wasn't excepting a greeting from her because at the time, I thought all bus drivers were mean, due to the fact I had a jerk for a driver back at Monroe Elementary, but not her. She gave me a smile. I was also greeted by my bus aide, who is also a very nice, but no nonsense type, person. She welcomed me to the program and told me about it. Then I was greeted by the other students on the bus, who gave me a welcoming smile.

So then, we drove to Sullivan. When I arrived there, I was shaking a bit, not knowing what was about to happen. I was excepting the worst, coming from what was ranked the 28th worst school in the city of Chicago. Fights, people harassing me, etc., but NONE of that happened. Instead, I was greeted by a security guard at the main entrance. I also had various staff members to welcome me to Sullivan. When I got to the Autism room, I was welcomed by my classmates and teachers. I even gave two old friends (when I recognized them) of mine whom I know from childhood school a hug. Then we went to breakfast and ate. Then, my high school career really started. At 8:30, I went to my first class which was English. As I was walking there, I observed high school life. Kids talking to their friends, goofing around, heading to class, etc. The hallways were a bit crowded (I'm now used to that). When I got to the English class, I met my teacher and introduced myself to her. My assistant explained to her that I was from the Autism class and that it was my first day. The teacher understood. My assistant later told me that she explained because she thought the teacher would've excepted me to know about high school life more than I did. Then, a couple of kids in the class said hi to me. Needless to say, I felt welcomed on my first day of my four years (well, I plan on that, though I might have to go six) at Sullivan.

As the days went on, I experienced more of high school life. I got used to the different stuff that occurs in high school life. I also got used to all of the different kids. We had so many different kids, compared to Monroe, that it took me awhile to realize where I was at. We had (and still have) different groups of students who were interested in different things. We had various clubs and activities, which alot of kids seemed to enjoy.

One thing that surprised me, however, was the lack of assemblies Sullivan had, especially in the first few months of the school year. It seemed like every time you turned around at Monroe, we were in the auditorium (most of these were regarding all of the fights/violence occurring within the school). Totally not the case at Sullivan. But, in return for the lack of assemblies, when we did have them, they were a blast. The assembly I enjoyed the most was the African American assembly held back in February. I enjoyed all of the diversity of it from different racial groups, showing the rest of us their talents.

I remember all of the parties the school had for the various holidays, like Thanksgiving, Christmas, St Patrick's Day, etc. They were nice. I also remember when Oprah and her crew came to interview a few students regarding dating violence. It was cool to see our school on TV. More importantly, it felt good to know that there are kids out here who care about domestic violence.

I also remember getting the opportunity to do an interview with the football team in summer school. Even though I never got to finish the interview (I had the beginning pieced together but I did not ask enough questions and I didn't really have my questions ready, so you can say it was a failed interview on my part. I'll work on my questioning skills over the summer). I got to experience what they do behind the scenes in preparation of the games. Needless to say, in my opinion, they work really hard to be a good time and as the school year comes, I think they'll only get better.

Finishing up here on why my school year has been enjoyable. Well, the last thing I can say again is meeting all of my classmates, teachers and friends in the school year. At first, I didn't want to come to this program at Sullivan because since I was at a regular school for almost five years, I was starting to think kids with my disability were weird, but my opinion has totally changed. If any of you happen to read this, you guys are NOT weird at all. You are very smart. You have a bright future ahead of you, and I will be there to help you with anything you need help with. I have enjoyed being with all of you this year, despite the ups and downs we experienced in the program through the year. Next year, as we get new students, I will help them the best I can as well. But this is not all about the Autism class. I have also certainly enjoyed my time in the regular classes. It was nice making some new friends this year. And, despite the things I've said in my posts every Tuesday here on the Broken Heart of RP, there ARE good kids who go to Sullivan and like me, they want to make it better. And I have faith that Sullivan will get better as we will probably get more good kids next year. Also, just because we get fights at Sullivan does NOT mean Sullivan is a horrible school. There are alot of schools a WHOLE lot worser that I can think off the top of my head. That would include my previous school before Sullivan.

This school year has been humorous because of all of the funny things some of my aides talked about and did. It was also funny because of some of the things everyone did over the school year, such as the mini cake fight that occurred in the cafeteria back in February I believe. There were other funny moments which I don't quite remember at the moment.

This school year was memorable because this was my first year at Sullivan, of course. Things were much different than of elementary school, which is a good thing. I had more freedom this school year. This school was also memorable because of all of the great things I did with classmates, teachers, staff and friends. I remember the many field trips my Autism class took, which were good for the most part. I also remember all of the seminars we did in English class, where we talked about real life issues, and you got to say what you wanted to say. And you didn't appear stupid. These discussions showed me that we've got alot of kids who are smart, but they chose not to look smart. Hopefully, they will begin to realize, starting this upcoming school year, that being "tough" or "cool" does NOT get you anywhere. I used to, regretfully, act that way with my "friends" from Monroe. I used to get into fights regularly (mostly about the issue with the way I was treated, but some incidents WERE dumb, like the ones where I had to prove I was "cool"), hang on street corners a few times, etc., but it does not pay to do that. Coming to Sullivan has straighten me up. It showed me there's more to life than hanging out on the streets. And, there is not really a life to that.

Getting back to why this school year was memorable. Well, it was also that way because of all the nice, but firm, teachers I had who are also very good at their work. I remember all of the discussions we had regarding various stuff. Most of it was school stuff, but I also had discussions with my teachers regarding issues in life. We talked about funny stuff a few times, too.

This school year was also memorable because of all the great things our school did, anything from the parties to the classes. Alot of the things were great. It was also because of all of the activities the school did, too.

This school year was memorable because of you, the reader. I first appeared here on this blog in December 2008, where I wrote my observations for Craig about life at Sullivan. I remember (and do look back) all of the comments my observations had. Some of them were here to upset or anger me, but most were here to help me become a better writer, and a better person. It also told me how people felt about things that were happening at school. I am thankful that so many people have read my observations, whether they were happy, angered, sad, whatever by them. If you didn't like my posts, fine. If you did, that's great. I was here to inform everyone of the constant fighting that used to take place, but thankfully it did die down as the school year progressed. You guys are the reason that I will probably be in the Journalism class next school year, though. Writing on this blog has been great, needless to say.

This school year was kind of hard for me because it was my first year of high school, so I did not know alot of things (some I do know now, some I still do not. I will learn more next school year). The school work was way different from elementary school. It was also kind of hard to leave my last school (back then), but I am really thankful to be at Sullivan.

Before I forget, I'll tell everyone what we did today, my class and I did our school work for an hour and a half, then we hung out (talking, on the computers, etc.) for about a half hour while one of the aides was at Pratt beach cooking food for us. When he got the food ready, we all went, ate and had a good time. Then we went back to school, got our stuff and our progress reports, wished each other a happy summer, then got on the busses which took us home. As I got off my bus today, I wished the two other kids on it a good summer. I did not wish my driver a good summer because he has been a jerk to us (he's not a regular driver for Sullivan. He does Keller, a school in the Beverly neighborhood I believe, in the regular school year. Being on his bus made me miss my driver I had in the regular school year ALOT).

So, to sum this up, this has been an excellent school year for me, and for many others, I'm sure. I thank my classmates, teachers, staff and friends for being so good to me, whether if I were good to you or not. It has been wonderful to be with everyone at Sullivan. This is one committed school if you ask me. There is nothing like Sullivan, especially with it's Autism program. I allow myself to say it's the best program in the city. If you are a disabled kid reading this and will be starting high school, PLEASE, do come to Sullivan. The teachers and aides in our program are absolutely wonderful. They are decidated to us, and they will be decidated to you. In all of my years of going to school, I've never had such good teachers like I do now. A couple of times, I felt like we were being treated wrong, but if there's anything "wrong", it's for your own good. And the kids in the program are wonderful, too. You will feel like you're at home, or in your neighborhood, because they are so friendly. The kids enrolled in our Best Buddies program (regular students who work with us), are also wonderful. They really care about us. They are friendly as well.

Our school spirit is also wonderful. I have never attended a school with such hard working kids and teachers. For the most part, there are good kids who come to Sullivan. Some even come all the way from the other side of town just to come to this small, good school. If you ask me, this school has personality. Due to the population being small, you get the chance to know people much more than you would in a school with 2,000 or 3,000 kids. Our teachers and staff are wonderful, too.

Even though Sullivan is a good school, there are bad kids who attend. However, Sullivan is watching them carefully and will get rid of them, if necessary, if they do things to destroy our school spirit, as I like to say. My hope is for the bad kids to straighten up over the summer (if not, over the school year) and to come back with a good attitude. I have faith at least some of the bad kids will turn good as time goes on.

I am not writing this just to see an "article" of mine on a website. I am writing this from the heart and the soul. I mean all of the words I tell all of you this morning. Also, I am not writing this just to "falsely" promote Sullivan. I really mean what I wrote about Sullivan.

To my classmates, teachers, staff and friends: Have a great summer! Stay out of trouble and be safe. I will, God willing, see all of you back on the 8th of September. It was wonderful getting to meet all of you this school year.

To the readers: I hope you enjoyed this post. I will be lurking around here everyday still.