Narcs

That's what we called kids who tattled in the 70's: Narcs! We have a few "informers" on staff who are union members who must be going right to Mr. Principal with every email I send. Or more likely they are trying to score points by forwarding to him every email I send. I think I'm careful about what I say in my emails, though, and don't make personal comments.

One email received from Mr. Principal had to do with the meetings. He began, "I've heard that there are grumblings about the number of meetings I have scheduled. The contract says I can have up to 8 a month..." Yes, Mr. Principal, we all know that because I have been telling everyone that. You are fine with the number of meetings according to contract. It's the four additional meetings that Ms. Education Assistant asked us to add to our plate (per your request, though, I'm sure). But you know darned well no one "grumbled" to him...They grumbled to me, and there were emails going out to staff from me about required meetings. Someone forwarded them to Mr. Principal, I'm sure.

In a way, why not? As long as I watch what I say, which is often hard for me to do when I feel wronged. I'm otherwise tactful and I don't like to hurt people's feelings or say things to offend. But I do believe in fairness, and the contract is there for a reason.

When I left school yesterday, I walked past Ms. Education Assistant's office. Mr. Principal was also there. I walked past, as it was late and I wanted to get home. Mr. Principal called out hello. So I said hello. We exchanged pleasantries. Then he hits me with, "Now, is there anything in the contract about when you can and can't conduct union business?" At first I thought he was referring to holding meetings, which I rarely do because they are poorly attended (we are meeting-ed out, and I can do it by email). But we do have a meeting scheduled for October 18 with our union president. I think it will be a bitch session (If Ms. Education Assisstant comes, there will most likely be less bitching...). I told Mr. Principal that I wasn't aware of anything, and that as far as I knew and had heard in the past, as long as it didn't interfere with our job, any time was ok. He shook his head and said boy, it wasn't like that in his former district (then go back, I wanted to say...).

As I drove home I reflected on that comment. Why was it said in the first place? What transpired to bring this up? Was he just referring to meetings, or to emails? I often send out emails if I sit for five minutes and can get one off. Did someone say to Mr. Principal that Ms. Building Union Rep is sending out emails during times when she should be teaching? I think that is highly likely. Ms. Education Assistant is a union member and so gets emails I send. And even though most staff doesn't like Mr. Principal, there are still those brown-nosers who are just trying to get brownie points.

That's why I quite Face Book. I'm unhappy, and when I get a glass of wine, my tongue gets loosened. Some of my "friends" from work may take advantage of that. I hope I can get through this year.

Those Narcs.