The Liar, the Parents and the Bribes

May 24, 2007

I gave my finals yesterday so it's all good. However, I am @ School doing some odds and ends. The official last day for all students is Friday. I could complain about the many trivial chores---we have to do. Check this, check that. BUT I won’t. (plus it’ll take too much time)

My real purpose of this journal entry is to vent and reflect

Today and Yesterday--I received gifts. Nice gifts from parents. Gift Certificates. WTH? I mean it’s always nice to receive gifts but come on.. I am NOT going to adjust your child’s average due to ‘nice gifts’. Are they trying to bribe me? Maybe I am over-analyzing things—which I seldom do. Moving on:

In particular, this one parent gave me a $25 gift card to Starbucks and an awesome mug. Okay, I don't drink coffee or visit Star Bucks BUT it's the thought that counts. I'll probably give it away (you know me).

Anyway, we had a parent conference months ago about her son's atrocious average. He was failing miserably early in the semester so I extended some due dates and gave him an opportunity to pull up his grade. Mind you—the failing was not from lack of comprehension. This kid didn’t do any work---literally. Plus he skipped my class. But, he did make it up--after numerous prompting -and received a 75 average. That's half-way--so he knew he had to step it up so he can get a B (80%).

Side Bar: Granted I was his only teacher to extend the work. All of his other teachers were not—hell nah he can’t make it up. I do not have a problem with a student making up work or giving an extension. If they are willing to go that extra mile—I’ll help them. Now, when my generosity is taken for granted and the parents and students feel –I SHOULD do it—when it isn’t written that I am required to do it beyond the regular make up period---that perturbs me endlessly.

I digressed but mind you--this kid lies. BIG TIME. At the parent conference--just looked the counselors and the teachers in our faces and lied. Just like that. He skipped my classes 3x one week and at the conference, he looked me in the face and said, 'Oh, you told me to go to the media center during class so I can concentrate'

Just like that. An Untruth.

I wanted to puke. I'm was like “HUH? Did I miss something? Come again?”

I would NEVER send a student to the media center during my class. I have computers in my class for research and my classes are very quiet--I don't play that..unless we're doing a group project or lit circles.

Anyway, the parents actually believed some of his lies and questioned us (teachers, counselors). The kid told the counselor that she never talked to him about his absences yet she had a log of their conversation. Straight poker face—the works.

I thought to myself—he could play poker and win some serious money.

To make a longer story shorter—I receive this gift from the parent and I knew the motive.

Before the Bribe—Currently, the student's average is 72--due to the same stuff; not completing his homework and etc. and he father inquired if his son could ‘get that 80% B that we discussed via the conference”

Okay, let’s get this straight—your son is clinging to a 72 and I am supposed to BOOST his average by 8 percentage points. Is he mad? Addicted to drugs? WTH? I kindly responded that the assignments have been turned and I was in the process of grading them and that most likely he will not make a 80% considering he received two zeroes. He’ll be lucky if he can hang on to that ‘C’

PUFF! The next day this gift.

What do you think?