Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Crap!
And I realize that in my agitated state I misspelled "humorous" in the reply I sent. It takes away from the cleverness of it. Bummer.
P,S,
I did reply this morning to Mr. Principal. I said since I was most definitely not the first teacher in our building to use the 20 Awesome Tickets as a Blue Ribbon Goal, that it still made no sense why I was told by office staff that it was "in debate." But, I continued, this will make a humorous story to share around the Christmas tree...Then I used an exclamation mark.
Email Exchange
With every sip of wine last night I became more and more irritated with the whole Blue Ribbon-Gate thing. So I sent this email to Mr. Principal:
Last week my class earned our fourth Blue Ribbon
Goal by getting our second batch of 20 Awesome Tickets. This is indeed our
fourth Blue Ribbon Goal that we have met. I was told by the office that this
is under debate, since the
bulletin board in the office still shows me at three Blue Ribbons. I am not
trying to scam Blue Ribbons. Here are the Blue Ribbon Goals we have met so
far:
*For earning our first whole-class good behavior
award
*For earning our first batch of 20 Awesome
Tickets
*For over 50% of the class turning in their
Monthly Reading Log on time
This is our fourth Blue Ribbon that we have
earned this year. I feel disrespected that this is under debate, and amazed
that it is being debated. I would appreciate it if the bulletin board in the
office reflected our achievement. Thanks.
And here is is Mr. Principal's reply:
LOL No scamming going on. You are certainly at 4 blue ribbons. We will update.
I let the gals know because they were confused since Ms. Office Worker also does an award.
I let them know it is up to the teacher if they choose to use Awesome tokens as
a class goal as well.
Thanks for pointing this out! Have a wonderful holiday!
Huh. If his reply is true, then I should have seen that fourth Blue Ribbon on the bulletin board as soon as I pointed it out to the office staff. If his reply is true, then I wouldn't have been told yesterday that it was "in debate." If his reply is true, then this would not have even been an issue since every teacher at our school has claimed a Blue Ribbon Goal for 20 Awesome Tickets. Why was my choice to do the same being questioned all of the sudden? I smell a rat.
Last week my class earned our fourth Blue Ribbon
Goal by getting our second batch of 20 Awesome Tickets. This is indeed our
fourth Blue Ribbon Goal that we have met. I was told by the office that this
is under debate, since the
bulletin board in the office still shows me at three Blue Ribbons. I am not
trying to scam Blue Ribbons. Here are the Blue Ribbon Goals we have met so
far:
*For earning our first whole-class good behavior
award
*For earning our first batch of 20 Awesome
Tickets
*For over 50% of the class turning in their
Monthly Reading Log on time
This is our fourth Blue Ribbon that we have
earned this year. I feel disrespected that this is under debate, and amazed
that it is being debated. I would appreciate it if the bulletin board in the
office reflected our achievement. Thanks.
And here is is Mr. Principal's reply:
LOL No scamming going on. You are certainly at 4 blue ribbons. We will update.
I let the gals know because they were confused since Ms. Office Worker also does an award.
I let them know it is up to the teacher if they choose to use Awesome tokens as
a class goal as well.
Thanks for pointing this out! Have a wonderful holiday!
Huh. If his reply is true, then I should have seen that fourth Blue Ribbon on the bulletin board as soon as I pointed it out to the office staff. If his reply is true, then I wouldn't have been told yesterday that it was "in debate." If his reply is true, then this would not have even been an issue since every teacher at our school has claimed a Blue Ribbon Goal for 20 Awesome Tickets. Why was my choice to do the same being questioned all of the sudden? I smell a rat.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Blue Ribbon-Gate
I was totally excited today when I realized I have yet another "-Gate" story to tell...
At my school, one of the inumerable "programs" my principal has begun that we have to do is to set regular Blue Ribbon Goals with our students. The students work towards that goal, and when they meet their goal, the teacher sends out an email to the whole staff in celebration and recognition of this achievement. My class has earned three Blue Ribbon Goals so far this year: One for earning their first Good Behavior Reward, one for earning 20 Awesome tickets from various staff members, and one for over 50% of the class turning in their monthly reading logs on time.
On Friday my class, who is very well behaved, earned their 20th Awesome Ticket for the second time. I then sent out the email to all staff, proclaiming our good news, and bundled up the 20 Awesome Tickets, and turned them into the office. On Monday, a small blue ribbon with a "20" in the middle was in my mailbox. But, on the bulletin board in the office, where all can see everyone's total blue ribbons, there were only three Blue Ribbons after my name. I got back into class and sent our office manager an email, cc'ing the rest of the office staff, informing her that we had just earned our fourth Blue Ribbon, so it needed to be reflected on the office bulletin board.
Today, the day before winter break, I was told to lug all of my unsold coffee for the outdoor education camp down to the office. Of course, my 5th graders didn't sell any, or rather, the one student who did sell coffee got her coffee supply from the office, and not the classroom. Therefore, I had to lug 61-one pound bags of coffee to the office (why they couldn't have remained in my room, where they were safely locked up in a cabinet, is beyond me). As I was leaving the office, I saw on the Blue Ribbon bulletin board that there were still just three little blue ribbons for my class. I gestured up to the bulleting board, and said, "I still need one more ribbon up there. My class has earned four Blue Ribbons so far this year."
"That is still in debate," my office manager replied.
"What?" I asked, incredulously.
"Yes. It is still being debated by the Big Boss," she clarified.
Now wait just a frickin' minute. You really mean to tell me that there is a heated debate going on as to whether I really have three or four Blue Ribbons? Do they think I am scamming Blue Ribbons? Yes. You know I go to bed each night, plotting exactly how I can trick the office out of more Blue Ribbons.
Who the hell cares whether I actually have three or four? If I was respected, the fourth ribbon would be put up. No questions. No debates. This is why I'm going to try to get a job somewhere else after this year.
At my school, one of the inumerable "programs" my principal has begun that we have to do is to set regular Blue Ribbon Goals with our students. The students work towards that goal, and when they meet their goal, the teacher sends out an email to the whole staff in celebration and recognition of this achievement. My class has earned three Blue Ribbon Goals so far this year: One for earning their first Good Behavior Reward, one for earning 20 Awesome tickets from various staff members, and one for over 50% of the class turning in their monthly reading logs on time.
On Friday my class, who is very well behaved, earned their 20th Awesome Ticket for the second time. I then sent out the email to all staff, proclaiming our good news, and bundled up the 20 Awesome Tickets, and turned them into the office. On Monday, a small blue ribbon with a "20" in the middle was in my mailbox. But, on the bulletin board in the office, where all can see everyone's total blue ribbons, there were only three Blue Ribbons after my name. I got back into class and sent our office manager an email, cc'ing the rest of the office staff, informing her that we had just earned our fourth Blue Ribbon, so it needed to be reflected on the office bulletin board.
Today, the day before winter break, I was told to lug all of my unsold coffee for the outdoor education camp down to the office. Of course, my 5th graders didn't sell any, or rather, the one student who did sell coffee got her coffee supply from the office, and not the classroom. Therefore, I had to lug 61-one pound bags of coffee to the office (why they couldn't have remained in my room, where they were safely locked up in a cabinet, is beyond me). As I was leaving the office, I saw on the Blue Ribbon bulletin board that there were still just three little blue ribbons for my class. I gestured up to the bulleting board, and said, "I still need one more ribbon up there. My class has earned four Blue Ribbons so far this year."
"That is still in debate," my office manager replied.
"What?" I asked, incredulously.
"Yes. It is still being debated by the Big Boss," she clarified.
Now wait just a frickin' minute. You really mean to tell me that there is a heated debate going on as to whether I really have three or four Blue Ribbons? Do they think I am scamming Blue Ribbons? Yes. You know I go to bed each night, plotting exactly how I can trick the office out of more Blue Ribbons.
Who the hell cares whether I actually have three or four? If I was respected, the fourth ribbon would be put up. No questions. No debates. This is why I'm going to try to get a job somewhere else after this year.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
We Warned You...
Earlier this week, all staff in our district received an email from the district office. In the email, it explained that from now on, any computer/tech training for staff was no longer going to occur at the district offices where they had a lab set up. The email went on to explain that from now on tech training was going to happen at a computer lab at our alternative high school, which is open nights for evening courses for students. The alternative high school is located in an area that is known for crime and violence.
The email cautioned us to always make sure we wore our district staff badge, and we were told specifically where to park when we came to the alternative high school for training. But the worst part (and the part that I was astounded to read) was highlighted in red so that we would all see it. It said:
"...When you leave class, be sure to walk in pairs or small groups for safety!"
WTF? I read and reread this statement in disbelief. I wasn't sure what to be more shocked by: the fact that they are assuming our need for trainings and credits will overpower our need for safety? Or was it the somewhat callous way we were told that we'd be in unsafe situations? When I am raped or robbed or murdered as I leave my Smart Board training alone to head to my car that was parked in a lot not designated in the email, will they just shrug and say, "Well, we told her not to do that..."
Their concern for my safety is underwhelming.
The email cautioned us to always make sure we wore our district staff badge, and we were told specifically where to park when we came to the alternative high school for training. But the worst part (and the part that I was astounded to read) was highlighted in red so that we would all see it. It said:
"...When you leave class, be sure to walk in pairs or small groups for safety!"
WTF? I read and reread this statement in disbelief. I wasn't sure what to be more shocked by: the fact that they are assuming our need for trainings and credits will overpower our need for safety? Or was it the somewhat callous way we were told that we'd be in unsafe situations? When I am raped or robbed or murdered as I leave my Smart Board training alone to head to my car that was parked in a lot not designated in the email, will they just shrug and say, "Well, we told her not to do that..."
Their concern for my safety is underwhelming.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
More Morning Duty Tales
Yesterday was my turn for morning duty again. Otherwise known as "Keep the Kids from Killing Each Other Before School Begins!" But of course I'm just kidding...It's not that bad. No one kills anyone...
Actually, it was Pajama Day, and many kids and teachers were dressed in their pajamas. I was not. I sleep in thermal bottoms, a turtle neck, a sweat shirt, and wool socks. I don't really own pajamas. Besides, I hate to be cold, or to be a forced joiner.
But I saw an opportunity for a little fun. Those 1st and 2nd graders are so cute...So I'd go up to a couple of little kids dressed in their pajamas. I'd crouch down to their level, and motion them to come as if I had a secret to tell. They'd come over, and I'd say, in a serious tone, "I think you forgot something this morning..."
"What?" they'd ask.
"You forgot to get dressed this morning!" I whispered.
"But it's Pajama Day," they'd exclaim to me, over and over, as I would pretend to not even know what they were talking about.
"No!" I said. "Pajamas are for sleeping! We are at school to learn, not to sleep! You have to wear school clothes!"
"But it's Pajama Day! Mr. Principal said so!" a little girl said, sporting a toothless smile.
"Ok, if Mr. Principal said it was ok, then I guess it is ok," I conceded.
When I did this to one little boy, he then said to me, "And do you know what? I have my underwear on under these things!"
I told him I thought that was probably a good thing. At long last the bell rang. Morning Duty was over. A job well done.
Actually, it was Pajama Day, and many kids and teachers were dressed in their pajamas. I was not. I sleep in thermal bottoms, a turtle neck, a sweat shirt, and wool socks. I don't really own pajamas. Besides, I hate to be cold, or to be a forced joiner.
But I saw an opportunity for a little fun. Those 1st and 2nd graders are so cute...So I'd go up to a couple of little kids dressed in their pajamas. I'd crouch down to their level, and motion them to come as if I had a secret to tell. They'd come over, and I'd say, in a serious tone, "I think you forgot something this morning..."
"What?" they'd ask.
"You forgot to get dressed this morning!" I whispered.
"But it's Pajama Day," they'd exclaim to me, over and over, as I would pretend to not even know what they were talking about.
"No!" I said. "Pajamas are for sleeping! We are at school to learn, not to sleep! You have to wear school clothes!"
"But it's Pajama Day! Mr. Principal said so!" a little girl said, sporting a toothless smile.
"Ok, if Mr. Principal said it was ok, then I guess it is ok," I conceded.
When I did this to one little boy, he then said to me, "And do you know what? I have my underwear on under these things!"
I told him I thought that was probably a good thing. At long last the bell rang. Morning Duty was over. A job well done.
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