for probably half an hour about what happened to Lexie. She was all
about 'the solution'. She said that "in special circumstances like
yours" we need to remind the children daily of their transportation
arrangements. She said "I'm not going to try and put the blame on
anyone." and "A weekly note sent to the school would help" and "it is
part of the responsibility of 4th and 5th graders to know their
schedule." I was getting hotter by the minute. She was
blabbermouthing things and making very little constructive sense. I
asked her if special circumstances was when a child is picked up
sometimes, and then on other days rides the bus. She said no, that
was not unusual. She said the words "in custody situations" several
times, and I kept thinking that really had absolutely nothing to do
with it. As a matter of fact, everything she said did not address the
issue, and it seems now it was just a smokescreen. She doesn't want
to get into trouble. She is covering her ass.
I got a phone message from the admin manager. She said basically the
same thing--obviously they have conferenced and prepared for this
beforehand. I'm not going to bother calling her back. I have a call
to the superintendent that I'm waiting on. My main points were not
addressed, only smoke-screened.
I see now where the mistake was made. It was allowing a 9 year old
child to be 100% responsible for their own safety and well being. It
was only for a few minutes...but that is all it takes. What if they
didn't know where she was for a few minutes and she was getting into a
strange car instead of on the bus on the wrong day?
The other point I made to her was the lack of concern that was shown.
She specifically asked me if I was referring to the secretary. I said
that it was her partly, but that the only person (including Lexie's
teacher Ms. White) who showed any concern was the councilor, Tanya. I
was not there, this was from my ex-wife. I told her the help that was
offered was "Here is your child's bus number, and this is the phone
number for the bus depot. You can call and see if they can find her."
I told her even if you are in a mere Wal-mart or Target store and you
tell them your child is lost--they shut the place completely down and
nobody gets in or out. I said "I know with bus schedules and parents
waiting in their cars that is not practical, but I would still expect
the same level of concern"--or even more concern. I mean, its NOT a
department store, it's a public grade school for Christ's sake!!"
Wouldn't they be MORE concerned??? "Be assured I will address that
situation." was all I got. Yeah, right. I have two little white
children in a primarily African-American school. Both of them have
African-American teachers. The principal is African-American. The
administrative manager is African-American. Now you have to ask
yourself, if the kids would have been African-American, would they
have cared more? Sadly, the answer is I don't think that made any
difference.
You don't become an educator for money. No teacher makes enough to
put up with 50+ screaming kids each day. You have to love it, and
love the children, and care with all your heart. If you do not, then
you are in the wrong profession.
No comments:
Post a Comment