Thursday, May 18, 2017

Pointless Lie


When students leave their "home" schools and transfer to the continuation high school, they first take a class called orientation. It lasts about a month, and it covers how the continuation high school works. It's also an opportunity for them to earn other credits in various subjects. (They get sent to the continuation high school because they've failed several classes, so they do need these credits.)

As I've covered orientation many times, I'm familiar with the routine. So, when I noticed Kendrick was off task, I gently prodded him about getting to work.

"I only need five credits."

Yeah, orientation is worth five credits. But they can earn more if they put the work in. (They can earn less if they do nothing.) I explained...

"No, I only need five credits."

I was confused. There's no way the continuation high school would take a transfer from a student who was only five credits short. There's a waiting list for entrance. Besides, five credits can be made up in summer school or credit recovery which is offered before and after school at the high schools.

"I'm not new. I've been going here for years."

And only then did I catch on. He was lying to me.

I get lied to all the time. Blatantly, sometimes. About all sorts of things. But this lie caught me completely unawares.

I guess it was because it wasn't even a plausible lie.

I suppose he saw a sub, thought he could play it off like he was about to graduate, and figured he'd con me into letting him do nothing. Ah, how little he realizes how badly he misjudged the situation...

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25 comments:

  1. Alex J. CavanaughMay 18, 2017 at 8:04 AM

    Sounds like he might need another year or two.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ClickMay 18, 2017 at 8:49 AM

    I suppose he gets a C+ for effort, hehe.

    Cait @ Click's Clan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz A.May 18, 2017 at 9:01 AM

      Are you grading on a curve? That's a bit high...

      Delete
  3. Barbara In CaneyheadMay 18, 2017 at 8:52 AM

    I hope you wrung your hands together and cackled! LOL Poor dope.

    ReplyDelete
  4. PamMay 18, 2017 at 9:25 AM

    I can't handle folks that lie....my biggest pet peeve! Problem with schools now is that there is that thing called, "no child left behind"....haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz A.May 18, 2017 at 6:01 PM

      NCLB isn't as prevalent nowadays as it was 10 years ago. Now it's Common Core. NCLB had it's good points, but it didn't really address the actual problems.

      Delete
  5. bettyMay 18, 2017 at 9:26 AM

    They really think they can pull things on you, don't they? Too funny!

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  6. songbird's crazy worldMay 18, 2017 at 10:28 AM

    If he took the energy from creating the lie and put it into his work ...he wouldn't be in the continuation school.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz A.May 18, 2017 at 6:02 PM

      If I had a dollar for every time I made that argument, I'd be living it up on my yacht, never having to work again.

      Delete
  7. J E OneilMay 18, 2017 at 12:54 PM

    I'm sure your theory is exactly right. He never thought that you might know how the system works! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousMay 18, 2017 at 12:59 PM

    You're right though, that's such a crummy lie.
    I mean, how would he possibly be in ORIENTATION if he'd been there any length of time? Clearly not bright - he probably should be working harder because he needs it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz A.May 18, 2017 at 6:03 PM

      Oh, he tried to claim the class wasn't orientation. Even though the title of the class is right there on the roll sheets...

      Delete
  9. bookwormMay 18, 2017 at 4:00 PM

    This is someone who really needs to study. I always wonder why certain teens will expend so much more energy to get out of things than it would have taken to just buckle down and do what they should have done in the first place. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Susan KaneMay 18, 2017 at 5:37 PM

    Did he survive burning fires of hell?

    I so admire you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz A.May 18, 2017 at 6:04 PM

      I have a feeling we're going to be seeing a lot of each other (and then he'll realize how stupid telling *me* that particular lie was).

      Delete
  11. Darla M SandsMay 18, 2017 at 6:18 PM

    A month for orientation? I can only shake my head. Is that his real name? If so he does have one redeeming quality. ~grin~ Be well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz A.May 18, 2017 at 7:07 PM

      I never use their real names.

      I think the actual "orientation" lasts a couple days. The rest of the time is for them to earn credits, and they have counselors that come in once or twice a week. (They ended up there for some reason. It's good to have someone help them see that they can make better choices.)

      Delete
    2. Darla M SandsMay 19, 2017 at 5:30 AM

      I thought so about the names. Wise. ~nods~ I hope these kids get on a good track! Thanks for your efforts in this endeavor.

      Delete
  12. Anna (herding cats-burning soup)May 19, 2017 at 12:52 AM

    Oy. Just makes you shake your head.

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownMay 19, 2017 at 3:16 AM

    Oh Kendrick. You naughty silly boy. You didn't realise you'd met your match.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Tamara NarayanMay 19, 2017 at 6:44 AM

    I hope you put him in his place.

    ReplyDelete
  15. PaulaMay 21, 2017 at 12:24 PM

    I'm glad you caught on to him!

    ReplyDelete

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