1 post tagged “school system”

I'm sure that I've made it clear previously that I feel that the school districts down here, well, suck balls.  Let me relay a tale which proves this point.

First, let me say that I know that my child is not perfect.  She's a normal, sometimes forgetful 15 year old.  I'm over that part.  I'm used to reminding her of things a million times.  About a week and a half ago, she told me that she needed $5.  Of course, it's like pulling teeth, so I have to follow up with 'for what?'.  Long story short, the teacher "made" them all take at least one raffle ticket to sell. (it's a computer class and the raffle would benefit some school sports team of which my child is no part)  Needless to say, she didn't sell it.  This, of course, didn't stop the teacher from still wanting. her. five. dollars!

So, I figured that I would send a note asking why I should give up 5 bucks for something that had nothing to do with this class.  What follows is the teacher's response....I have not edited it at all except to remove my last name.

DEAR MRS. MiamiShyner

SORRY I COULD NOT GET BACK TO YOU SOONER, TOO MANY THINGS AT THE SAME TIME.

LET ME EXPLAINED TO YOU WHY CAYTLIN NEEDS TO BRING THE $5.00.
THE TICKET  IN QUESTION WAS A RAFFLE THAT THE SCHOOL WAS GOING TO HAVE TO LIFT THE STUDENT'S SPIRIT BY GIVING THEM SOME PRICES BEFORE THE F-CAT, AND A WAY TO GET AN EXTRA A FOR THE STUDENTS IN THE INDIVIDUAL CLASSES. CAYTLIN COMMITTED HERSELF TO SALE ONE TICKET. I GAVE ALL OF THE STUDENTS THE OPTION OF RETURNING THE UNSOLD TICKET ON THE DAY DETERMINED BY THE ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR, AND SHE AND OTHER STUDENTS DID NOT BRING THEM ON THAT DAY, I HAD TO PAY $160.00 OUT OF MY POCKET TO MAKE UP FOR ALL THE TICKETS THAT WERE NOT RETURNED ON TIME, AMONG THEM CAYTLIN'S.
SINCE THAT MOMENT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO COLLECT THE MONEY FROM THE STUDENTS THAT DID NOT BRING THE TICKETS, TO MAKE THE ECONOMICAL DEFICIT A LITTLE SMALLER.  AS YOU COULD IMAGINE, THIS WAS THE LAST TIME EVER THAT I WOULD GET INVOLVED IN ANYTHING MONEY RELATED FOR SCHOOL.
I HOPE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND MY SITUATION, AND I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN IT.

SINCERELY

MS GARCIA

Ha!  Are you done laughing yet?  Here is my response:

Ms. Garcia,
I appreciate the explanation.  It is my understanding that now you are in possession of the raffle ticket.  If this is correct, and I do believe that it is, despite any misunderstandings I cannot now give you the money for a raffle ticket for which I do not even have in my possession.
I have also been informed that you have now isolated Caitlyn (note spelling) from her friends in the class due to this issue about five dollars.  I find this to be highly unacceptable.  I am sure that, per your own note, there are other children who have not turned in the five dollars, and find it hard to believe that they are all receiving the same treatment from you.  If there is a problem with Caitlyn's classroom behavior, please make me aware of it and I will nip it in the bud from home.  If you feel that you need to discuss something with me, you will find my telephone number located at the bottom of this email.
 
Finally, for your own personal note, typing in all capital letters is equated with yelling.  I will assume that is not the message that you were trying to convey.  I do believe, however, that your means of response should be treated with as much care and consideration as your in-person interactions with parents, and that particularly, as a computer teacher, you would be aware of the social norms of electronic communications.
 
Again, you may feel free to contact me by telephone should you wish to discuss this matter further.
 
Regards,
 
Ms. MiamiShyner

Was I mildly bitchy?  Yes.  But over the top?  Nah.  Did I nearly jump out of my skin and want to slap the living shit out of this woman due to her response below?  HELLZ to the YEAH.

MRS. MiamiShyner

LET ME START BY SAYING THAT THE REASON WHY CAYTLIN HAS BEEN "ISOLATED" FROM HER FRIEND, IS BECAUSE SHE IS NO LONGER WORKING ON HER PROJECTS, SINCE SHE SPENDS ALL THE TIME TALKING TO THE GIRL THAT I MOVED AWAY FROM HER.
REGARDLESS OF WHAT SHE MIGHT THINK, MY PURPOSE IN SCHOOL IS TO HAVE STUDENTS WORKING AND LEARNING, GRANTED THAT THEY HAVE THE CHOICE NOT TO WORK, BUT NOT IF I CAN HELP IT.

ABOUT THE MONEY, THE TICKET THAT WAS RETURNED TO ME IS USELESS BECAUSE THE RAFFLE WAS OVER A MONTH AGO , AND AS I SAID, CAYTLIN TOOK UPON HERSELF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SALLING THE TICKET BY THE DUE DATE, AND SHE DIDN'T, THE TICKET COULD HAVE BEEN THROWN AWAY BECAUSE IT IS WORTHLESS.
CAYTLIN HAS MADE ME ASK HER FOR THE MONEY FOR A MONTH, AND I DON'T THINK THAT IT IS FAIR FROM YOUR PART TO MAKE ME PAY FOR HER LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY, BUT IF YOU WANT TO DO SO, THEN SO BE IT.

WITH CAPITAL LETTERS IS HOW I WRITE ALL EMAILS TO EVERYBODY, I CAN READ BETTER WHAT I WRITE.

I HOPE THAT CAYTLIN'S COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN CLARIFIED, AND MINE TOO.

AT YOUR SERVICE

MS GARCIA

Seriously?!?!

• I corrected you that it is MS not MRS if you paid attention.
• Kiddo has been in your class for nearly 27 weeks now and you still cannot spell her name right even though I pointed that out to you too?
• I'm sorry, but I don't care if English isn't your first language.  You need to get some classes under your belt about basic grammar.
• You type in caps because "you can read better what you write"?!?!?!  Are you fucking kidding me?!?!  Are we both professionals here?  Wait, it is obvious that one of us is not.

So, I think I'm just going to post this here and let it go.  Why, you might ask?  Because the person who supervises the teachers, whom I've had the pleasure  opportunity to meet, Dr. Diaz, is going to stick up for Ms. Garcia.  I still might respond though if I'm feeling especially bitchy.

Oh, and why don't you get on your bicycle and ride down the K-12 and see if your five dollars is at the bottom.

"Two faculty... One speaks no English, the other learned English from watching "The Wide World of Sports." So you tell me... Which is better, speaking no English at all, or speaking Howard Cosell?"