The job of a school director or even of a school principal is definitely no walk in the park. These individuals deal with a huge variety of families, parents, and issues daily. They are rarely sought out unless a problem exists. Therefore, listening to and solving conflict is typically the story of their lives.
Besides hearing complaints, the director of schools also has to make many tough decisions. One such decision deals with the closing of schools due to inclement weather. Schools in my county have closed for ice, snow, flooding, and storms. We have closed early, closed completely, and came in late.
It seems though no matter what decision is made, someone will not be happy with it. Either we closed and the community could see no good cause or we did not close and the community complained about the dangers of sending the children on the bus. When the weather is riding the fence, the decision can be a no win situation.
Understanding these dilemmas, I could not help but cackle when I received an email from Valorie. Being an educator, she understands the need for humor.
It seems that one high school student was very upset about his county not closing for a snow day. Instead of complaining like most do, he took it a step further.
The seventeen year old student from Fairfax County, VA called the local director of schools. Upon no answer, the student left his name and number and questioned why the director had not closed the schools due to the approximate three inches of snow that had fallen.
Instead of receiving a returned call from the director, the director’s wife decided to step in. She returned the call and left a not so pleasant message for the student.
Her message contained wording such as below:
How dare you call us at home! If you have a problem with going to school, you do not call somebody’s house and complain about it. Get over it, kid, and go to school!
She also used the phrase “snotty-nosed little brats”.