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Over the Time-Clock
THE FOLLOWING TEACHERS ARE TO BE COMMENDED ON ACHIEVING 100% ATTENDANCE YESTERDAY:
None
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THERE WILL BE A FIRE DRILL AT THE END OF THE FOURTH PERIOD TODAY; PLEASE DO NOT GIVE ANY TESTS.
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CIRCULARS ON OPEN SCHOOL DAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN YOUR LETTER-BOXES. PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS.
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LOST & FOUND LOST: Man's black umbrella, wooden handle— LOST: One galosha, black— LOST: Paperback book: "How To Stop Smoking in 24 Hours."
FOUND: Blue ball-point pen—doesn't write—
TEACHERS WHO LINE UP IN FRONT OF THE TIME CLOCK WAITING TO PUNCH OUT IN THE AFTERNOON CREATE A CROWDED CONDITION IN THE DOORWAY. PLEASE WAIT UNTIL DISMISSAL BELL RINGS BEFORE COMING DOWN. JJ McH
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PLEASE DO NOT TAMPER WITH HAND ON THIS TIME CLOCK.
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THE OFFICE TELEPHONE IS NOT TO BE USED FOR PERSONAL CALLS. PLEASE USE THE PAY-TELEPHONE IN THE BASEMENT.
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TEACHERS' INTEREST COMMITTEE MEETING TODAY DURING LUNCH PERIOD IN ROOM 404. PLEASE COME PROMPTLY WITH YOUR LUNCH: LAST MONTH NO ONE SHOWED UP!
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PERSONALS Mr. Draper lost his father; funeral tomorrow. We express our regret.
Mrs. Jane Tessler, on Maternity Leave, had a baby girl, weight 61/2 lbs. She is at Rhodes Hospital.
Zena Hall, graduate of Calvin Coolidge, is currently appearing in the chorus of the new musical revue, "Once in Love."
Miss Sarah Daniels, who retired from school last year, is eager to hear from members of the faculty. Her address: Midtown Hotel, Room 611.
Open School
TO: PARENTS OF OUR STUDENTS
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO VISIT OUR SCHOOL ON OPEN SCHOOL DAY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, FROM 1-3 P.M. AND FROM 7-9 P.M.
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, YOUR SON/DAUGHTER HAS PREPARED A COPY OF HIS/HER PROGRAM, GIVING THE NAME OF EACH OF HIS/HER TEACHERS AND THE ROOM WHERE THE TEACHER MAY BE FOUND. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO VISIT THE SCHOOL, PLEASE ADDRESS YOUR QUESTION OR QUESTIONS CONCERNING YOUR SON/DAUGHTER TO THE TEACHER, ON THE ENCLOSED POSTAL CARD. James J. McHabe Adm. Asst.
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TO ALL PARENTS:
I AM CERTAIN AND CONFIDENT THAT YOU WILL WELCOME THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR CLOSER COMMUNICATION AND RAPPORT BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND THE HOME ON OPEN SCHOOL DAY. WE MUST ALL PITCH IN AND COOPERATE IN MAKING THIS A COMPLETE AND UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS, FOR ONLY THROUGH MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN PARENT AND TEACHER CAN THEIR MUTUAL AIMS AND GOALS FOR THE HIGHEST GOOD OF THE CHILD BE ACHIEVED.
MAXWELL E. CLARKE Principal.
TO ALL TEACHERS
I AM CERTAIN AND CONFIDENT THAT YOU WILL WELCOME THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR CLOSER COMMUNICATION AND RAPPORT BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND THE HOME ON OPEN SCHOOL DAY. WE MUST ALL PITCH IN AND COOPERATE IN MAKING THIS A COMPLETE AND UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS, FOR ONLY THROUGH MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN PARENT AND TEACHER CAN THEIR MUTUAL AIMS AND GOALS FOR THE HIGHEST GOOD OF THE CHILD BE ACHIEVED. MAXWELL E. CLARKE Principal
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FROM: James J. McHabe, Adm. Asst. TO: all teachers
BEFORE PARENTS ARRIVE, PLEASE MAKE SURE OF THE FOLLOWING AND CHECK OFF EACH ITEM:
MATERIAL PLACED ON TEACHERS' DESK AS EVIDENCE OF TEACHER ACTIVITY (BOOKS, ETC)
ROOM DECORATIONS (UP) WARDROBES (EMPTY) FLOORS (CLEAN) WINDOWS (OPEN OR CLOSED, ACCORDING TO WEATHER) CHAIRS (IN EVEN ROWS)
IN ORDER TO SEE AS MANY PARENTS AS POSSIBLE, TEACHERS WILL ALLOT NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES TO EACH. A LIST OF THE NUMBER OF PARENTS VISITING EACH TEACHER WILL BE KEPT IN THE OFFICE: THE TEACHER WHO SEES THE LARGEST NUMBER OF PARENTS IS TO BE COMMENDED.
THE TEACHER REFLECTS THE SCHOOL. JJ McH
TO: ALL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH
VISITING PARENTS SHOULD BE IMPRESSED WITH THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH AS A COMMUNICATIONS ART.
EXHIBIT OF PUPILS' COMPOSITIONS, MARKED WITH TEACHER'S COMMENTS, IS SUGGESTED, AS WELL AS BLACKBOARD OUTLINE OF MEANINGFUL LESSON.
THE TEACHER REFLECTS THE DEPARTMENT.
SAMUEL BESTER, CHAIRMAN, LANGUAGE ARTS DEFT.
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TO: ALL TEACHERS
PLEASE REMIND THE PARENTS YOU INTERVIEW OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUTRITION AND ACADEMIC WORK.
FRANCES EGAN SCHOOL NURSE
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INTRASCHOOL COMMUNICATION
FROM: H. Pastorfield TO: S. Barrett, 304
Dear Sylvia, Can you let me have a few of your kids' compositions for my bulletin board? I haven't had time to assign any yet—Thanks loads! Henrietta
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INTRASCHOOL COMMUNICATION
FROM: 508 TO: 304
Dear Syl— If you get into any difficulty, send me an S.O.S. You'll meet all kinds of parents. But the ones who should come, don't. Bea
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INTRASCHOOL COMMUNICATION
FROM: M. Lewis, 302 TO: S. Barrett, 304
Dear Sylvia, Do you happen to have a basin and a sponge? A rag will do. My clean-up monitor didn't show up and I have to do it all myself!
Mary
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INTRASCHOOL COMMUNICATION
FROM: P. Barringer, 309 TO: S. Barrett, 304
Sylvia! If any parents do show up, try to get rid of them fast, and meet me at the usual place— Paul
POST CARDS
Dear Miss Barett, I am the mother of Edward Williams but I can't come I've got my hands full his father is put away he's mental and it's very hard without more trouble from school. There's a lot of work for him to help out at home so can you let him out earlier? Mrs. G. Williams
Dear Miss Barrett, My daughter Vivian wanted me to come but I have my Monthly Social. You're her favorite subject. She tries to copy you tho what good will it do the way she looks. My other daughter is a completely different type. Please don't let her eat so much sweets, it breaks out on her skin and she gains and looks terrible. I keep telling her but it just goes down the drain. Sincerely yours, Elsie Paine
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Does the Board of Education know you let our children read filthy books on the outside like Catcher in the Rye? You should teach the Bible instead, but they outlawed it.
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Dear Miss Barret, It's not my son's (Lou) fault he failed spelling, he comes from a broken home. When he gets bad marks it only discourages him more and he starts cutting up. He's getting too big for the other lads in his class, so all the teachers said they'll pass him on. After all, it's only spelling. Mrs. Bess Martin
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My question is who is Linda running around with after school? When I ask she snaps my head off, but I know she runs around. Her father more or less beats her but she still runs around. Her two sisters went bad too after I sacrificed for them, so I'm worried. Can you do something? Mrs. Lucile Rosen
Dear Miss Barrett, Alice didn't want me to come. I hoped to see your face to make me feel better. I don't know why she's so moody. I don't know how I failed her. Mrs. Marian Blake
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My dear Miss Barret, There was no time to interview you because I was interviewing other teachers. It would have been a pleasure to make the acquaintance of such a lovely teacher like you. Harry A. Kagan, my son, always talks about you very well. I hope you continue to guide him in his career. Very truly yours, Alberta Kagan
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Miss B— I see by my son's work school hasn't changed. I used to hate it too but I know they need an education. I don't understand why Charles got only 68 so far. He needs at least an 85 average to get into the college I picked for him, even though he thinks he doesn't want to go. As a tax payer, please look into it. Roger Robbins
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Dear Miss Barnet, Thank you for the invite but I can't come to visit you and talk about my son Jose being that I'm on the night shift at the factory besides my day job. His mother can't come neither being dead. I hope you excuse it. Truly yours Raymond Rodriguez
You’re the Teacher
Nov. 12 Dear Ellen, Just got home from Open School session—and I must talk to someone! It was a fiasco, though I did everything I was told to do. I got fresh book jackets from the library to festoon the walls with and had my wardrobe cleaned out. (Why is it only one sneaker is always left on the closet floor? And the ubiquitous, tattered notebook? I found one belonging to one of my homeroom girls, Alice Blake, full of scribbles, doodles, and chaos.) I even made sure that the little flag stuck in the Calvin Coolidge Alma Mater ("Ye loyal sons and daughters"—a substitute for the unlawful hymns) was tilted at the correct angle. (The other day Admiral Ass found it drooping disrespectfully.) I see 243 kids daily: 201 in English (after dropouts and new registers) and 42 in homeroom—but only a few parents showed up; a few wrote cards; and the rest ignored the whole thing. The ones I had particularly hoped to see never came. I don't know why they hold Open School so soon after the beginning of the term, before we've had time to get to know all our students. The Delaney Book wasn't much help to me; it showed days absent, times late, and some checks, crosses and zeros —I'd forgotten for what. Unprepared homework? An insolent whistle? A four-letter word? One father came, in work overalls, hands patiently
clasped on the desk, out of some dim memory of his own school days. The mothers—patient, used to waiting, careworn, timid, bewildered or just curious—sat clutching their pocketbooks, waiting to plead, appease, complain or hear a kind word. A few were hostile and belligerent; they had come to avenge themselves on their own teachers of long ago, or demand special privileges, or ask the teacher to do the job they had failed to do. And I—who was I to tell these grown-ups anything about their children? What did I know? A few clichés from the mimeographed directives: "Works to capacity, doesn't work to capacity, fine boy, fine girl." A few euphemisms: "Seems to enjoy school" (the guffawer); 'Is quite active" (the window-smasher) . . . For a moment, the notion occurred to me to try to match the parent to the child; but they were strangers, looking at me with opaque eyes.
MOTHER: How's my boy doing? I: What's his name? MOTHER: Jim I: Jim what? MOTHER: Stobart I: Oh, yes. (Now, which one was he?) Well, let's see now. (Open the Delaney Book with an air of authority: a quick glance—no help. Stobart? Was he the boy who kept drumming with a pencil on his desk? Or the short, rosy one who reclined in his tilted chair combing his hair all the time? Or the one who never removed his jacket? I couldn't find his Delaney card; perhaps his mother would give me a clue.) MOTHER: About that F you gave him. I: Oh, yes. Well, he's obviously not working to capacity. (He must be the boy who got an F on his composi-
tion, on which he had written only one sentence: "I was too absent to do it".) He must work harder. MOTHER: Pass him, and he won't do it again. I: I'm afraid that's no solution. He simply isn't using his potential. MOTHER: You mean he's dumb? I: Oh, no! MOTHER: He's afraid to open his mouth. Smack him, just smack him one. I: He should volunteer more. MOTHER: I tried my best. (Helplessness, shame in her voice—and were there tears in her eyes?) Do me a favor—pass him. I: Why do you think he is doing so poorly? MOTHER: You're the teacher! I: He seems to be just coasting along. MOTHER: He can't help it, he was born premature. He won't do it again. I: Well, it's a good thing that we are both concerned; perhaps, with more encouragement at home? Can his father— MOTHER: That son of a bitch bastard I hope he rots in hell I haven't seen him in six years (said in the same apologetic, soft pleading tone). I: Well (five minutes are up, by my watch), it's been a pleasure to meet you. (But she doesn't go.) Is there something else? MOTHER: (Those weren't tears; anger is filming her eyes.) What does it cost you to pass him? No skin off your hide! I: I'm afraid his work doesn't warrant— MOTHER: Do me a favor, at least keep him in after school. I can't take it no more.
I: I'm afraid that's impossible; you see— MOTHER: But you're the teacher! He’ll listen to a teacher! I: We can both try to make him work harder, but he has so many absences— MOTHER: Maybe if you made Physics more understandable to him he would come more. I: Physics? I teach English! MOTHER: How come? I: What room were you supposed to be in? MOTHER: 306. Mrs. Manheim. I: I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding. Mr. Manheim is the man you want to see. I'm Miss Barrett, Room 304. MOTHER: Well, why didn't you say so?
Still, I learned a few things. I learned that the reason a student failed to bring his father's signature is that the father is in jail; that the Federal Lunch the kids are always griping about is often the only meal they have; that the boy who falls asleep in class works all night in a garage in order to buy a sports car; that the girl who had neglected to do her homework had no place to do it in. I have a long way to go. In the meantime, write, write soon. You too bring me a glimpse of "real life." One can get as ingrown as a toenail here.
Love, Syl
P. S. Did you know that due to the "high mobility" of families unable to pay rent, some schools have a turnover of 100% between September and June? S
TO: ALL TEACHERS
NOVEMBER 13
YOU ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED AND COMMENDED ON THE COMPLETE AND UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS OF OPEN SCHOOL YESTERDAY. IT IS THROUGH PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES SUCH AS THESE THAT CLOSER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE SCHOOL, AND THE HOME CAN BE EFFECTUATED AND ACHIEVED.
MAXWELL E. CLARKE, Principal
Date: 2016-01-03; view: 618
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