Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Reasons

 

When I started this long term subbing assignment, I told the kiddos they could turn in late work. I wasn't sure what the actual class policy was, but considering everything, I figured being too lenient wasn't a bad thing. 

I did tell them that they'd lose points for late work. And then I didn't take points off when I graded and recorded late work. So many who were turning in late work needed the points, and their grades were going from Fs to Ds or Cs. 

So, when Greer asked me if she could turn in late work, I didn't even hesitate when I said yes. 

It was the honors class (read: the kiddos who usually get As). Greer had missed several days and hadn't turned in any work in a week. When she asked in the chat if she could talk to me after class, I wondered if I was in trouble. 

Once everyone else had left the meet, Greer asked about turning in late work. She apologized for not being on top of her schoolwork, and she said it wasn't that she didn't want to do the work. Then she dropped the bomb.

Her family had been evicted from their home, and she had been worried about that.

Um. Yeah. I can see how schoolwork might suddenly be hard to concentrate on.

Suddenly my not docking late work didn't seem like such a bad idea.

13 comments:

  1. Poor kid, that one would definitely be an exception no matter what.

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  2. Like you said, considering everything these kids are dealing with, I think leniency is an excellent policy. I'm glad you're doing that.

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  3. Geez, poor kid. Things like that have probably been happening a lot lately.

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  4. Wow. And their expected to still have access to the Internet for classes and all. Great you are the kind of teacher she could come to and tell this to. You should be proud of that.

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    1. The school provides a hotspot for them if they need it. They have to with the distance learning and all.

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  5. Your the good teacher and you'll be remembered for helping students with kindness instead of clinical rules and regulations. I'm sure folks appreciate this given the times were living in.

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  6. O, that's so sad! Nice of you to have shown that consideration.
    Coming to think of it, many such things around us become clearer only when we know the backstory, is it not?
    Hope she and her folks recover from the setback soon.

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  7. I'm so sorry for that young gal and her family. :( Your leniency is kind.

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  8. You know, that she's still worried about her grades when she has *that* to deal with shows she's a good kid. I'm glad she has you for a teacher.

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  9. Oh my goodness...that poor girl. It might be COVID19 related as I have had many clients who were evicted from their apartment or fell behind with their mortgage. Many did get compensation that they did not have to worry about being evicted but the landlords were out of money which hit them hard. I hope she talks to her other teachers and maybe a Counsellor as well because this is so tough.

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