Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Mistaken Identity?

Tuesday, fifth period. Chemistry.

In the normal chaos of getting things going at the start of the period, one of the security staff walked into the room. She pulled me aside.

Apparently, there have been some gang issues on campus, and she warned me about a couple students. She came in to ask me to keep the classroom door closed and that a couple students had been poking their heads outside when they shouldn't be.

I took note of the students she pointed out, and she left.

They were working on their final project for the year. They're doing presentations on natural or man-made disasters.

As expected, one of the students security had pointed out asked to use the restroom. As instructed, I acted as if he was on the floaters list (the list of students who have to be escorted by security to the restroom)

He was not happy about that. "Are you profiling me?" 

How do I explain? I mean, normally I wouldn't have questioned him at all. I've had him in class before, and he hasn't been an issue. He was not actually on the floaters list. 

So, I decided I'd tell him part of the truth. (I didn't say security had identified him as gang-affiliated, only that security had asked me not to let him out of the room without an escort.) He still wasn't happy about it. He decided he didn't need to use the restroom after all. 

Did security point out the wrong student? Did I identify the wrong student? (She pointed him out as the boy with the red shoes. He was the only student at that table with red shoes.) Who knows? 

In times like these at this time of year (the students get a little crazy once they can smell summer vacation), it's best to err on the side of caution. 

(I was surprised to hear of the gang issues. I mean, in that part of town, it happens. I did know about a couple gun issues and there have been way more fights than normal lately. It's been an odd year.)

12 comments:

  1. You can never be too safe with gangs, guns and the way the world is at this time. But, very interesting that he decided that he could hold it and not have to go to the BR. LOL....I remember as a teen how crazy the end of the yr would get. Spring would roll in and students just wanted to be outside.

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    1. Apparently, he didn't really need to go. Or, he wasn't planning a restroom trip, and being escorted would have put a damper on what he was actually planning to do. I don't know for sure.

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  2. Yikes! That kid knew the right word to use to make you second guess yourself and that is manipulative. I hate that.

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    1. Oh yes, they do throw that around. As I wasn't profiling him, the barb missed its mark.

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  3. They really should be more specific than "the kid with red shoes" in cases like these.

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  4. I worry about my grandchildren in school.
    Coffee is on, and stay safe.

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  5. Is asking profiling? I say it isn't.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, it's not. But everything is racially motivated, at least in their minds.

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  6. They know how to push buttons, don’t they?

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    Replies
    1. Oh yes. And they will hunt for those buttons...

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  7. A lot of concerning things going on in today's world and it seems teachers are exposed to much more than their share. Having said that, gangs were quite active in the New York City neighborhood I grew up in in the 50's and 60's, and even then, they could be very dangerous.

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    Replies
    1. I haven't been aware of gang activity for some time. I don't know what's changed lately.

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