In an elementary school, I would Expect Valentine's Day to be celebrated. It, along with so many other holidays, is celebrated across the country in elementary classrooms for children to enjoy. Since it's on Saturday this year, today is the day of the big party.
In all of our excitement, we informally planned a little celebration. We asked our kiddos to bring treats if they pleased and planned a fun game to play for the last 45 minutes or so of class. It was to work out perfectly, celebrating the sweet holiday at the end of our day right before a week off. Well... I should never get pumped up for anything, because this school has the intention of ruining all happiness and sucking joy right out of our very souls. (I'm dramatic, but with reason.)
This morning, as the charms carried in their bags of snacks and treats, and piled them on the snack table, my supervisor entered the room and demanded I talk to her. She asked if our class had planned a party, and with a smile I informed her it was to be at the very end of the day. She got gruff with me and informed that we had not informed her of this party and now it would not be taking place. We didn't give her notice and our custodians had no idea, so therefore, we were not to have the party at the end of the day.
I apologized. I thought if I explained it had completely slipped my mind... I mean, we had gone to ask her permission for every other time we'd done this and she'd smiled and agreed without issue. Now, because we didn't give her the "power" she felt deserved, we were refused the party.
Furious at the thought... What did she think we would be doing today? Is she so dim that she forgot she works in an elementary school where the celebration of Valentine's Day and other such holidays brings great joy to children??... I mean, I couldn't have imagined NOT celebrating the holiday as a child (my heart would have broken). AHHH. This place makes me ABSOLUTELY CRAZY.
We hunted down the custodians, multiple custodians. We asked for permission and a few supplies so we could make sure to clean up after our party. They looked at us like we were nut jobs... what did they care if we had a party and why the hell were we asking them if it was ok? Frankly, it had nothing to do with them. It was a case of someone wanting to show off the power they have over us lowly teachers... I mean, we are going to be gone for a week... who's this person going to have to degrade for the week? God. I need this break. I'm going to spend the week forgetting how unbelievably horribly my school is... 132 days until summer.
6 comments:
:O
:/
:(
...I would feel the same way ...
u have a week off?
I think it will do good to you ...
:)
take care! and ... I hope things are not so bad when you go back ...
That REALLY sucks. It's amazing the kind of ego some administrators have. Good for you, coming through for the kids, anyway.
We are so totally not allowed to have parties or celebrations of any kind at my school. Seriously, my co-worker and I planned two different scenarios for last period today: if no administrator was walking around, we would let this poor little girl hand out her birthday cupcakes, but if God forbid someone WAS walking around the building (to check up on us and make sure everyone was doing what they were supposed to do), our 10-minute party would be kaput.
Are you sure you don't work in my school, a/k/a "PS/MS Where Fun Goes to Die"?
The power- it's all about the freakin' power.
So, did you have a non-party involving goodies and smiles?
Jonathan
It is sad that some administrators seem to enjoy their power a little too much. Working together and being there for each other works so much better. Today's kids need to have occasional parties and surprises so they will want to get up and go to school.
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