At Least You Have Some Decency...

Yesterday as my fifth graders filed into the classroom from their measly little 10 minute afternoon recess (which isn't long enough to let them burn off any steam), Cindy said to me, "Bobby said F.U. to me as he walked past me!" What? "Did he say 'F.U.' or did he say the actual words?" I inquired further. "The actual words," Cindy replied. I sighed. Not a good word choice for Bobby. "OK," I said to Cindy. "Please go to your desk and write a statement." Then I used my Very Scarey Teacher Voice (one I seldom use, and when I do, the kids know I mean business...). "Bobby, get over here." Bobby, who is a bit odd anyway, a product of he genes, I think, meekly comes over. "Do you know what Cindy is writing down right now about you?" He looked blank, but since that is a normal look for him, I prodded further. "What did you say to her?" He hesitated. Then he said, "I can't say that to a teacher..." That's about all I needed for an admission right there. I marched him to the office. At least he had the decency to not say it to a teacher. Perhaps there is some hope for him.

The Teaching Ties That Bind

I made this post on Facebook yesterday, and got many comments from other teachers: Me: Kid barfed in class today. I did not see that one coming. Third Grade Teacher: This year that has happened twice to me! Never had a kid barf in class before this year . . . Wonder what that says . . . Fourth Grade Teacher: I had one barf last week. Me: Yes, up til now, I've never had a kid barf in class. Who wants to smell it? If they say they are feeling sick, I send them to the nurse! But today's barf came from nowhere. No warning. Fourth Grade Teacher: Same with the student in my class. Explosive. Then he felt better. Me: Mine went home. I thought that was fine. Different Fourth Grade Teacher: Oh . . .the ole no warning barf Me: Ha, ha! Person who works in cushy office with computers and hour long lunch breaks: Who cleans it up? Me: Janitor, right Miss Janitor? Custodian: yes the custodian had toooo!!!!no one else would volunteer. yuckkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!! Me: But Miss J, you did get spontaneous applause from my fifth graders...not many get that!