I just wanted to fill you all in, especially since you were so helpful to me before when I was going through the mess at school.
The principal came up to me and apologized for not doing the right thing with the girls a few days ago. He admitted he should have listened to me, and sent them right back to class. He said he thought, at the time, that their theatrical hystrionics meant they were sincerely disturbed at things *I* did to them, and that he now knows better.
Of course, learning that lesson is costing him a bit. The girls are now placed in another class, and that teacher is getting paid for another class, (sixth period, no break). Thousands of dollars when it's all said and done, for three girls...
Now, another girl has joined the bandwagon. He's trying to get her back in class. I had a good talk with her the other day. She was listening to the "golden girls" and had so much misinformation. About her grade; about class requirements. She wants to hang onto anger; she completely shut down and stopped talking. I'm afraid we've lost another one, now...She wants to be with what she perceives to be the "cool kids."
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I guess nothing's really changed. Same shyte; different day. I'm not being constantly attacked anymore, but, the problem is alive and well.
We had a big meeting on discipline in the school yesterday. A professional facilitator came in to lead the discussion, and did a very good job. Many of the staff thought that it was foolish to have a facilitator; I thought it was a great idea. The principal needed to be free to *hear* what the concerns are. And of course the two deans were there. I had to contain my laughter and scorn when the first dean went on and on about helping our kiddies become responsible and make good choices.
Prior to the meeting, I had class meetings with my kiddies. I wanted to hear what they had to say concerning school discipline. These were my ninth graders. Their concerns and observations were dead on. I shared them with the principal afterwards. He wants to incorporate them into the discussion. We will all be meeting again with the facilitator.
This meeting caused me a bit of hurt, though. I was planning on going to Trish's (miracle's) funeral. Trish and I met at the SR Round Up in NYC last June. The meeting was called for a later date, and changed only this week for yesterday. It was a very difficult decision for me to make; I was quite torn. In the end, though, I felt I had to be part of the solution to the problems I experienced at work this year.
So, that's where I'm at lately. Once more, I want to thank you for all your help during this really tough year. And thanks for listening again... :>)
Shalom!