Monday I was called to cover a Spanish II class.
Class had barely begun when a girl asked to use the restroom. (This is not unusual.) But when another girl and then another boy asked, I noticed that the first girl had been gone a while. (It's a one at a time rule, so they couldn't go until the first girl got back.) This was weird as the restrooms were about three doors down from the classroom.
Finally the girl returned about twenty minutes later.
Whenever a student takes forever, I note it. Some students use it as an excuse to roam campus, and they can get into all sorts of mischief (vandalism, disturbing other classes, meeting up with friends, or meeting up with boyfriend/girlfriend to do things they shouldn't).
However, this time the girl immediately apologized for taking her time. She explained.
Apparently, there's been "an issue", and she was afraid she'd get "jumped" in the restroom, so for safety, she had gone to the health office to use the restroom there. The health office was on the complete other side of campus.
There have been a lot of fights on campus lately. I can't fault her for looking after her own safety.
Although, she could have asked for a health office pass. I never refuse those.
Ah well. At least I know where she'd gotten herself to.
Sad they can't be safe in the bathrooms at school (or school itself). Did the other ones that had to use the bathroom to the health office too or use the restroom close to the classroom?
ReplyDeletebetty
That sucks. I can't blame her for doing that. Kids can be so cruel.
ReplyDeleteI never got jumped in school, HOWEVER I was afraid I would for something I said about someone! Yep, mouth took over and common sense went out the door. haha....but I also found, act tough and you end up feeling safer.
ReplyDeleteYeah, sometimes you do have to talk tough to get through.
DeleteGood for her for looking after herself (I'm assuming you checked that's what she did?). But better for all involved if she'd asked for the right pass at the start.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, she did the right thing, but should have asked for the correct pass
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely.
DeleteHi Liz - she seems sensible, and did the right thing ... life in your shoes is interesting! Enjoy the weekend ... Hilary
ReplyDeleteHow sad she doesn't feel safe. I got bullied, but never once felt in physical danger. Yikes. Be well!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if she was bullied or this issue is something ongoing with a particular group. I didn't ask for more details.
DeleteSad, to have to feel afraid and concerned about your safety.
ReplyDeleteYeah.
DeleteI feared getting jumped after school for some months back in jr. high. You'd think I was a marathon sprinter based on how quickly I was able to leave campus once the bell rung.
ReplyDeleteThat's not a great story. Kids can be so cruel.
DeleteWow, you work at an "interesting" school.
ReplyDeleteIt's generally not a dangerous place. There's something about teen years and fighting. I'm sure there are places where fights don't occur, but those are probably smaller schools.
DeleteI still there more good in world then not.
ReplyDeleteYou always have interesting stories about your class.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you teach in the year 2020 but I'm happy that you do and I don't know how people can continue to have children in this crazy world. I don't know that I would...
ReplyDeleteTeens get into these beefs... I don't get it.
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