2007, #6, Excuses

Last Friday was the last day one could change their schedule. This makes sense, considering we're now two weeks into school. Does that mean students are done asking? Of course not.

I actually approved one today, past the deadline, because honestly I don't think one could actually use this excuse without it being true.

A girl wanted to drop Geometry because it was too hard (how the hell is Geometry too hard?). She wanted to change it instead to a study period for credit. No place I know of has a study hall that actually gives one credit. This girl is in danger of not passing, so just dropping an elective credit (yes, Geometry would be elective for her because she only needs 2 years of math) would not be a good idea, but all this is beside the point.

She needs the extra study time to do her homework because she has scoliosis and has to spend a couple hours a night doing yoga.

huh?

I must admit, I understand that yoga is a flexibility thing, and she was probably telling the truth, but using it as an excuse to get out of school work has to be applauded. Granted, she really didn't have any academic classes outside Geometry, but I convinced the boss that this would be significantly more trouble to resist than to just allow to happen, so she signed off on it.

Today was also picture day, and I had a kid refuse to have her picture taken. There isn't much one can do, I wasn't around when it happened, and when I was available the girl was gone, so I went to the other VP to find out if this was out of the ordinary. She had never heard of it before.

No big deal, I can look up the legality of it later. About two hours later I got a call on the all mighty walkie talkie from a campus supervisor that I needed to get back to where the pictures were being taken. So, I go check it out. Apparently there is now another kid refusing to get his picture taken.

What the hell?

He insisted he didn't let people take his picture (despite the fact that his picture is on file from the previous year), so, rather than make a big deal out of it I said, "OK, get a note from your mom that says so and we can talk about it." Now I need to find out whether or not kids can refuse it. I really don't care, but for the sake of the confrontation I may have because the boss will likely want him to submit, I'll look into it.

Finally, one of the "bullies" from previous posts (I believe #3 from this series) may be at it again. The kid they pick on went in to see the other VP. Apparently one of them told him (no witnesses) that he stole his iPod and money last year. Is there anything to be done about it? No, of course not.

The other VP was relating this information to me and I said, "Does this kid have a spine?"

I absolutely refuse to go after a kid because some other kid says he's being picked on. I'll stop it if there is proof, but I won't punish a kid, even a shithead, for something someone says, especially if it's just to get a reaction. What ever happened to ignoring that type of crap?

OK, I'm heartless, whatever. I don't know if this part of that story is over, I'm sure the story still has a way to go, but for now, it's in some sort of limbo. I'm also not supposed to say anything to the bully because of fear of retribution, but yet I'm supposed to do something.

OK, how about I do nothing? Which for me, seems to be just what is required.

That last incident, along with a couple of other things that have happened the last couple of days have made me realize something about the other two in charge. I knew it about the principal, but I'm learning it about the other VP. They want to catch everyone doing everything they're not supposed to be doing.

I would love it if no one broke rules. But I'm not so stupid to know that everyone will be caught.

For example, if a person is smoking pot at home and I'm a cop, would it be a good idea to break down the door and arrest him? No, I don't think it would. If however, the person is smoking the pot in the parking lot of the local grocery store, the situation changes a little. I'm not out for catching everyone doing every little thing, such is impossible. It's like trying to please everyone all of the time, it's just not going to happen. To even try is to waste one's time.

Catch the stupid ones doing stupid things they know to avoid. Smoking on campus. Drinking on campus. Drunk at school. Other, smaller things they shouldn't do as well, or things that are just plain stupid. Yes, nail them to the wall for those things (figuratively, though literally may be an effective tactic). Kids that do stupid things (and minor infractions done openly can easily be considered stupid) should get in trouble, but sometimes it seems much more prudent, and a much more effective tactic to spend energy on things that really are problems.

Of course, I'm new to this. In a couple years my tune may change.

But not today.

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