Read Online Fuzzy by Tom Angleberger - Free Book Online

improving her academics
and
her attitude. With your help and support, I’m certain the child can accomplish both goals.”
    â€œMax has always been a good student,” said her father. “I’m sure this test failure was just a lapse. We’ll see that she studies more for the next one . . .”
    â€œAnd I’m certain there’s something wrong with the test grading,” said Max. “I’d like to have my test rechecked or even take a retest.”
    â€œWell, of course, a retest is out of the question, since that would be unfair to students who performed well the first time. However, I will be happy to have the test regraded. Errors do happen.
Very rarely
, but they do happen.”
    Well
, thought Max,
at least they’ll look at it
.
    But Brockmeyer was far from finished.
    â€œUnfortunately, it isn’t simply a question of the test scores,” she said, turning to Carmen Zelaster. “We have to look at the overall see-you-gee. Maxine has accumulated so many discipline tags. And then these citizenship scores . . . tut-tut.”
    Maxine couldn’t believe the woman had actually said “tut-tut.” It felt like her whole life was on the line here and this woman was saying “tut-tut”!
    â€œNow, I can tell already that Maxine is a fine young lady. I have reviewed the recordings of her discipline violations, and I think she just needs a little attitude adjustment.”
    Max’s mother looked at her with an
I told you so
look.
    â€œHopefully,” said Brockmeyer, “that adjustment can happen at Vanguard . . . and quickly. If not, the EC school specializes in precisely the kind of attitude adjustment that seems necessary here.”
    Now both her parents looked at Max with
I told you so
looks.
    â€œVanguard is a school that is laser-focused on academic achievement,” said Brockmeyer. “It’s a wonderful school. Just look at these charts of overall see-you-geeperformance. But it might not be right for every student. Some students need to try focusing on discipline first. That’s where the EC schools come in.”
    â€œMs. Brockmeyer, I really have tried,” Max said, finally able to speak. “I don’t know where all those discipline tags came from. I usually don’t even know I’ve broken a rule until I hear Vice Principal Barbara say it.”
    â€œWell, yes, my dear, of course. But that’s just it, don’t you see? The EC school would teach you to recognize school rules
and
understand their importance, so you won’t keep running afoul of them. That would help your citizenship scores, too!”
    â€œIs there any way we can appeal your decision?” Don Zelaster asked.
    â€œWell, right now it’s not a decision. It’s a suggestion. In fact, it’s not even a suggestion. It’s an option. However, if Maxine continues to fail tests or accumulate discipline tags, then it will become a mandatory option.”
    â€œSo I can stay in Vanguard Middle School?” Max almost shouted. She was surprised to find out she wanted to stay so badly. She guessed it was a combination of the dread of the EC school and not wanting to lose her friends: Krysti, despite all her teasing, and . . . Fuzzy!
    Ms. Brockmeyer spent a full minute scrolling her qScreen and looking at data.
    â€œYes, you can stay at Vanguard for now. But I have to warn you that at the rate you’ve been going lately, you won’t last long. You’ll really need to make some changes . . .” Ms. Brockmeyer’s speech began to fade into a “blah blah blah” recital in Max’s ears.
    Then Ms. Brockmeyer got to the bad part.
    â€œThere is one thing. Since your test scores are part of the problem, you will have to give up any extra school activities or sports. Vice Principal Barbara has made a note here that you’ve been working with the Robot Integration Program