I recieved a new girl in my class who came from Lake Havasu City about 3 weeks ago. After a week of confusion because she has the same name as another girl in my class, I have given her the nickname Arizona - she even writes it on all of her papers now. So Arizona's mom moved her 6 children here from Lake Havasu because her fiance got a job here that pays well enough so that she will not have to work and can spend more time with her kids. The thing is, she had no idea of the state of public education in NO. Can you imagine...moving your family into the lowest achieving school district in the country and having no idea? The mom came in to talk to me after school during the first week and after about two minutes the tears were flowing - from her eyes and mine. I work here, so I should support this school, right? But how can I look at this woman and tell her it is going to be all right? That her children will be safe and challenged academically? I am here everyday, I know what its like. So I told her the truth. I told her needs to get her kids into one of the charter schools that is already seeing great progress. We researched the highest achieving schools and are hoping that all six of her kids will be placed for next fall. For now, I do my part pushing forward with adorable Arizona and the rest of my class.