I had a day like no other yesterday. I pulled nonfiction books for some 7th Grade classes, put up another book display (we have six displays running now, in addition to our regular displays of new books), helped my boss update an infographics presentation for students, and organized the board games. While doing the latter, I realized one of our Uno card games was missing.
I found it spread out over a bunch of shelves beneath the stairs where the seniors sit between classes, like someone flung the cards at the shelves and left them where they landed. I picked up all the cards, brought them back to the library and organized the two Uno games so that they each had the proper number and assortment of cards. I'm going to keep Uno behind my desk from now on; kids will have to check it out to play it. Otherwise it keeps walking away.
All of that was in addition to the normal checking out books, which is busier now because we're about to go into Thanksgiving break. We have two days of school next week (plus a half day of professional development for teachers and staff) and then we're out until Nov. 27. Some kids left yesterday, particularly if their families are traveling.
Also, I had an interesting occurrence with a group of boys. A high schooler came to me and said he couldn't get his book bag, which was in the library conference room, because the door was locked. Now, the door only locks from the inside. I asked who was in there and he hemmed and hawed, so I went to the door and through the windows could see about 10 boys sitting around the conference table. I knocked so hard I actually bruised my knuckles. I was steamed. I told them they were never to lock that door, and I'm still trying to decide whether I should report them for disciplinary action. After all, weren't they bullying that student by keeping him from his bag?
At least pulling the nonfiction books was interesting. One of them was a book about The Beatles. It occurred to me that John, Paul, George and Ringo must be ancient history for these particular kids, who were born in 2011 or so. The Beatles, to them, are like Al Jolson to my generation. (By the way, did you know Al Jolson was Lithuanian? A bit of trivia I discovered while writing this post!)
When I posted the pic of the five-eyed mug a couple of days ago, some of you asked about the bowl sitting next to it. Well, here it is in its entirety. As of yesterday morning, it was still sitting out on that wall. I didn't take it because it's seen better days, and it's kind of big and heavy and clumsy, but it's unusual. Looks like someone's craft project or maybe a travel souvenir.
Olga says, "Is there food in it?!"
(Top photo: A shadowy doorway on my walk home from work.)
So the brats in the library room didn't even unlock it when they knew it was you? Or they thought it was still the kid? Unbelievable. Thank god I don't work in a school; I would have no time for that kind of nonsense.
ReplyDeleteI love Olga’s expression by the ceramic photo. It does sound wrong for the kids to lock the door, they knew what they were doing they were deliberately keeping the boys property from him They were bullying. A school library was one of my favourite places. Looking back I don’t think we were allowed to take books out - we had to read them there - this was in the fifties. I day dreamed about being a librarian. Our principal was quite strict and she taught the English class -we had a substitute for a while and when the principal came back she was horrified at the book the substitute was reading to us and we never got to hear the end.
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I'm surprised any of the room doors can be locked other than with a key in the hands of an official person!
ReplyDeleteI keep forgetting it's an American school and observes Thanksgiving. Are your guests expats?
I'd call those kids bullies; taking someone's property and keeping it from them should not be tolerated.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine the words going on in your head when you were knocking on that door. In my opinion, they should definitely be reported for disciplinary action. And the lock on the door should definitely be switched out for one that you have a key to. That's a safety issue.
ReplyDeleteListen to me like I know what I'm talking about!
I like the photo of the doorway with the shadows and that weird green light above the red door. I'd have not only told those boys to never lock that door but I would have chastised them for their behavior...what's the matter with you. isn't there enough pain in the world without you adding to it.
ReplyDeleteThe red door really stands out.
ReplyDeleteWorking in a school sounds like it is getting tougher, Steve. It would be hard to be patient when they act like such jerks.
Enjoy your break!
You could clean up that bowl and use it to set an indoor potted plant in.
ReplyDeleteYou have some mischievous inmates when they trash games and find themselves a private room. I wonder how long they used the room before they were busted.
ReplyDeleteSince you usually walk home from work, I bet you see all kinds of shadowy things at this time of year. It gets dark so early these days.
ReplyDeleteYou had quite the day in the Library. Good thing a few days off is on the horizon.
You writing about the locked conference room so reminded me of all my years teaching middle school. I am so glad that is all behind me now, though I am subbing on Monday and Tuesday next week for the teacher that replaced me.
ReplyDeleteOoo I would have been steamed too. My problem is that I think people find it funny when I’m mad so they push my buttons on purpose.
ReplyDeleteSounds like bullying to me, yes. Do you find the students in your school to be a bit spoiled? I've gotten that impression before, especially from your reports of books that are taken out and not returned, but of course I am not there to see the whole picture. Maybe all schools are like that now. I do know that my mother saw an increase in undesirable behavior toward the end of her teaching career (which would have been in the mid-1990s) so I expect things probably are worse now. Parents started being less strict, and that carries through to school behavior. As others have said, that door needs keyed, from the outside only, for safety reasons. I hope your administration stands behind you on this.
ReplyDeleteLove the look on Olga's face. So focused on you in that moment :)
Kids like to cross the line and when it happens they need to be held responsible and reprimanded strongly, just as you did. First offense gets a pass but after that, they are on notice. Spread the word. That bowl could repurposed to a birdbath in the garden. A nice Thanksgiving break will be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThose 10 boys need an attitude adjustment, they were bullying that kid.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you let them play games like Uno in the library. Seems like it could get loud and rowdy!
ReplyDeleteI agree with others that the door needs a key for the outside. And I like the red door at the top!
I've had coffee recently with a couple friends who are still in education and from the stories they've told me about school, I'm VERY happy to be retired.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the boy who was complaining about the book bag had been egged on to visit your desk because the boys inside the conference room simply wanted another game of "Wind Up Reedy". Seeing you frothing at the mouth, your face purple with rage and your knuckles bleeding because of the hammering must have seemed like a huge "Win" to them - scoring a hundred points or more.
ReplyDeleteI Know That Look - It Is The WHY Isn't There Any Treats In That Bowl Look
ReplyDeleteLong Live Halloween
Cheers
P.S. Olga Girl Believes That That Was A Dirty Trick
Bring that bowl home. It would make a great bird bath!
ReplyDeleteThat's a very nice doorway.
ReplyDeleteIt is a form of bullying, and the student was too scared to tell you who was in there.
I'm with Debby. It has an interesting hand painted pattern.
Debby and Andrew have the same thought I had about that dish.
ReplyDeleteThose boys were definitely bullying and need to be told off.
Elle: No, when they saw it was me they unlocked it right away!
ReplyDeleteJean: I've never heard of a library where you couldn't borrow the books. Do you remember what book the sub was reading? I wonder why the teacher found it horrifying?
Boud: Yes, it's a twist lock in the conference room, so they can just twist the handle and lock the door. It's never been an issue until now!
Bob: I agree. I flashed back on my own experiences of being tortured by "Keep-Away."
Ms Moon: I think you're right. The lock hasn't been a problem until now. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't even check to see whether my key would fit it (or if there's even a keyhole). Must inspect on Monday.
Ellen: I wish I'd thought to say that!
Ellen D: Well, as disciplinary issues go, this is pretty mild. Kids are always mischievous.
Marcia: That's true, it would be perfect for a plant. I think Dave would kill me if I brought another thing home. Why doesn't someone else rescue it? LOL
Red: Well, I haven't prohibited kids from using that room in the past because they've never locked the door. I might prohibit it now, though!
Sharon: Yes, it's a shadowy time of year! Once again, I'm loving the low-light capabilities of the iPhone.
Michael: You are a glutton for punishment! LOL
Bug: Oh, I think the kids enjoy pushing me to see how much I'll tolerate. It's a constant test of authority.
Jenny-O: Many, but not all, of the kids at our school can be quite entitled. But they're good at heart, I think. In my opinion they don't get called out on their behavior often enough, and as you said, many parents now seem to instinctively back up their kids rather than the teachers.
Susan: I'd be afraid to use it as a birdbath. I don't know what that pottery glaze is made of. I wouldn't want to poison the birds!
Jim: The more I think about it, the more I agree with you. I'm going to follow up somehow.
Kelly: It CAN get loud and rowdy, but as long as they're in the central space it's OK. We have quiet spaces that are reserved for studying. Also, they can check out the games and take them home or to another part of the school. But the key is, they have to check them out -- they shouldn't just be walking off with them!
Margaret: I think public schools can be particularly trying, given the bureaucracy and the need to serve students who are contemptuous about being there. (That's not something we deal with -- our kids are pretty academically inclined, or at least understand the value of school.)
YP: That's a pretty accurate description of what I looked like! I wonder if those boys gave him grief afterwards because he came to me.
Padre: Ha! She got plenty of treats at home. She's not suffering. :)
Debby: See my response to Susan, above!
Andrew: I think he was surprised that I reacted that strongly, but I was just so shocked at the audacity of locking the door!
River: Yeah, I'll follow up on the bullying incident somehow.
Is your clientele mostly American? If so, their behavior makes sense as it seems to be atrocious everywhere. If not, then I have little hope for the future.
ReplyDeleteYes, bullying and not good.
ReplyDeleteThe bowl looks as if it has already been used to hold a plant pot.
It is intriguing...it doesn't feel amateurish. Simple decoration, simply done but skilful.
I like it
I love the shadowy doorway photo. And the bowl. I’m surprised (only mildly) you haven’t rescued and restored it.
ReplyDeleteI love the shadowy doorway photo. And the bowl. I’m surprised (only mildly) you haven’t rescued and restored it.
ReplyDeleteThat bowl is interesting. I like it. Probably smart to make Uno a check-out. Tough to know what to do with the kids who locked the other out. Poor kid.
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