1 post tagged “some assembly required”

Administrative Educator's Handbook

With summer winding down, and me counting the days, I'm both anxious yet unprepared for another school year.  It doesn't help that last June, I received a notice from the school that my child had not returned a text book, and our options were either to return it as soon as possible to the library, or pay the $32 to replace it.  Upon questioning my son, he swore he turned it in and showed me the now-empty bookcovers which he used to cover said textbooks.  My son may not be the best student in the world: "forgetting" certain homework assignments, due dates and test dates, but I can certainly believe him when he tells me he's turned in his textbooks.

I called the number on the letter to discuss the issue with whomever could help resolve the situation.  First of all, the letter stated that the office would be open during certain hours while summer school was in session from June through July.  I made sure to call during those hours.  Imagine my surprise when I received a recording that the office hours were closed until sometime in August.  Wow, talk about confusing.  First, you accuse my child of not returning something, and then you don't give me the chance to resolve the situation in a timely manner?  This does not bode well for you, Administration Monkeys.

Fortunately, when I tried again the following day, I was actually able to speak to a live human being.  She explained that I would need to discuss the issue with the librarian, who would, conveniently not return to work until August 23.  I wrote down the date and made note to pay a visit to the librarian to settle this issue on that very day.  In the meantime, however, I was not to receive his grades as they are being held until the book is either retuned or paid for.  Also, he would not be able to register in the fall until the book is either returned or paid for.  As if it were any consolation, the live person on the other end of the phone said that they'd rather have the book back than the money.  This comment from the administration that's making all the children pick up their registration packets from the school because the district is too cheap to mail them out!  Somehow, I found that hard to believe.

Because I didn't want to waste any time on the morning of the 23rd, I decided to call the school again to make sure the librarian was indeed going to be there.  To my surprise, I spoke with one of the assistant librarians.  I explained to her I had received the letter, and the teacher vouched for the book's return and how I waited until now to talk to someone to resolve it, and she immediately jumped on my case about how they can't accept the teacher's vouching, and that the book wasn't returned and it needs to be returned or paid for before I could receive grades, etc. bla bla bla ad nauseum.  When I was finally able to get a word in edge-wise, I told her that, under no uncertain circumstances, I am positive he returned all his books becuase he showed me the empty book covers, not to mention I hadn't seen any random textbooks floating around the house over the summer and, frankly, I believe my child's word.  She finally backed off and quickly became very cooperative saying she'd look for it on the shelves and that she'd call me as soon as she finds it (or not). 

I must admit, I was getting rather nervous when I hadn't heard back from her until nearly 1:00 pm. this afternoon. She was very apologetic saying that they've been busy and she thoroughly checked the shelves, and lo and behold, there was the book he allegedly didn't return.  They must have "scanned it wrong" when he turned it in.  How about that?!  It was there all along.  Isn't that something?  Now I can receive his report card.  And, he can register for school.  Yeah.  All that hassle just to prove my case. 

The good news is that my son was right; I believed him and went up to bat for him.  The whole ordeal only added much unneeded, unnecessary and unwanted stress in my life (as if I don't have enough already)!  Besides, I had already seen his grades online.  It was less stressful not knowing.