So most people seem to think eighth grade promotion is a big deal. I don’t know; I don’t see it that way. But I know I’m different. So I’m willing to accept that to others, it matters.
That said, some of them sure choose strange ways to celebrate.
A father comes into the office at 8:45 this morning to complain that since his daughter got suspended last week, she isn’t allowed to participate in the ceremony. She can’t walk onto the stage and get her certificate. He’s very proud of her–she’s a smart girl, plays the violin and everything. He wants her to walk.
Unfortunately he’s so proud of her he’s stinking (literally) drunk. Can barely stand up. He’s so freaking proud he has to be taken off campus by the police, with his poor daughter trailing behind in her pretty dress, crying.
A mom comes in to sign her younger son out of class so he can watch older son walk. Problem is, mom doesn’t have the right to take him out of school according to our records. Dad has to give permission.
Dad knows this. Last week mom called, and I immediately called him to get permission to let her take the child. He sent her in to humiliate her–so I’d have to tell her no. So he could then come in and take care of it.
She still can’t pick up her children without his permission. He let the record stand as is. I wonder if he told her that.
And then there’s–call him Martin. Martin and his mom apparently were so astonished that he was actually getting promoted–not only that, but he hadn’t been in trouble for the whole nine weeks so he was able to walk!–that they had a party before coming to the school.
Martin was so effing shit-faced that his mom had to hold him up. So damned drunk he threw up, right there in the courtyard in front of all two hundred sixty of his classmates, their parents, his teachers…all of them. So freaking soused that when the pigeons, err– (euphemism ahead!) cleaned up his mess a bit, they got drunk. Passed out, possibly dead of alcohol-poisoning, drunk.
So much for Martin walking.
All I can say is…wtf?
o.O You have an “interesting” life. As in the (supposed) ancient Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times.”
*sporks idiotic humans who are making your life interesting*
I have never gotten the whole concept of eighth grade promotion/graduation either, but your celebration stories are definitely cautionary. The middle story makes me furious.
BG
I’m hoping that you notified the authorities about the 8th grader being drunk. It sounds like this family may need some CPS intervention and you would have been doing them a favor. I think in your shoes, I would have felt obligated to make sure this was addressed by the proper authorities.
Well, our police officer was a bit busy at the beginning of the ceremony dealing with Drunken Dad, but yes. He dealt with Martin and mom as well. Even after promotion, they are still “our” kids, and we’re going to do our best to look out for them.