This week's posts are from the week before the break. You may have heard about the TikTok threats on December 17th. While we're not a high school (the students all aged out of high school), we are connected to a sort of high school, and better safe and all. Precautions were taken.
Why would anyone make threats on the last day before winter break? I mean, seriously. It's a good excuse to take the day off, but many students already were. Attendance on this particular Friday is traditionally very low. Very few teachers had anything curricular planned.
Once I knew I was going to be in the class on the minimum day before winter break, I decided we'd have a party. It wasn't like we could really do work. I mean, we could, but why?
Because Covid, we couldn't do a potluck with food, so we decided to go out to breakfast (like we usually go out to lunch), and then we'd come back and do a White Elephant gift exchange. On Thursday we decided where we wanted to go, and I emailed the administrator to tell her where we'd be. She replied.
Then I arrived on campus on Friday and was told, "No one can leave campus". Oh no!
District decided that the best way to keep the students safe from the threat was to keep them on campus.
The students were not pleased. This was the second time I had to cancel an outing on them. And as we were planning to have breakfast, we were already hungry.
But then a neighboring teacher had a brilliant idea. Someone could pick up food. (Food rules are weird. We can't bring in homemade stuff, but we can bring in bought food.)
I have discovered that certain fast food establishments have online ordering. You can order your meal, pay online, and then just go and pick it up. So, that's what we did. Each student made their choices, and I input it into the computer.
As all the students had brought money anticipating eating out, they were all able to chip in their share. (How much does it cost for breakfast for nine students, two aides, and me? About $104.) An aide went to the drive thru and brought it back.
Of course, the time I was planning on having us out and about was not needed, so we had more time for our party. Yay?
(The day was just weird all around. But we got through it.)
A smart precaution considering we live in a country where you can't ban guns so school kids won't get shot.
ReplyDeleteOne has to be so flexible nowadays. At least there was a (somewhat) happy ending to this story.
ReplyDeleteWe got out early. We got to eat. Moderately successful.
DeleteI haven't been on tic tok but way to many angry people in world.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
My school district issued a warning that anyone making threats would be arrested. Do kids not understand even threats are illegal?
ReplyDeleteYears ago there was a bomb threat at a local high school where a girl I knew went. They told the students to stay there, but she lived close by and walked home. Her parents stuck up for her leaving.
I wonder if staying when there's a threat is best, instead of just cancelling the day all together. Especially that short day.
Glad they got their breakfast, sorry they had to eat in.
No. Kids are used to saying provocative things to get a reaction. They don't think much beyond that. It's the age.
DeleteKeep them from leaving campus on the last day before break? Someone's brain wasn't firing on all cylinders.
ReplyDeleteI can see the logic in it. Alas, it wasn't necessary for our students.
DeleteHere in NY we didn’t go on break until the 23rd, but because of Tik Tok, the schools were empty on the 17th.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you were able to get breakfast for everyone,
Ah. Then the TikTok makes more sense for out your way.
DeleteIt's a shame that there are so many threats against schools in America! It's good you were able to keep the students safe and come up with another way to get breakfast for everyone :)
ReplyDeleteHope that you are having a great weekend! :)
Away From The Blue
Our government has decided that it's more important to let people have guns than it is to protect children. This is what happens when money becomes the sole arbiter of what is "right vs wrong".
DeleteIt was very sad for students that new district rules stop them from going out from campus, but safety first. It was nice that you had more time for party.
ReplyDeleteIf I had known, I would have planned more for the party. Sigh.
DeleteI hadn't heard about the threats but linking over now. I'm glad it all worked out for you and the students. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
ReplyDeleteAnytime the routine is thrown off, it makes for strange days! I am glad going out and bringing in was the way you were able to go. I know the students prob like being able to do it either way....
ReplyDeleteThe students like the routine. Disrupting the routine throws them for a loop.
DeleteThat is so fantastic that you're looking out for your students. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about the TikTok rumour. How horrid. I wonder how it started and if they managed to track down the culprit/s?
ReplyDelete