School Daze

It's definitely time for Mardi Gras break. Today after a test, I put in a movie. We all needed a break. Suddenly a student came up to me and said, "Mrs. Ainsworth, I spilled some mints and need a broom. Do you have one?" I told him no and just to sweep them up with his hand. He got a funny look, walked away, and suddenly I heard, "Oh, crap!" By then all the other students started peering and checking out the situation. I became very, very curious at that point. I got up, went over to where he had been sitting, and realized my floor was covered with black specks. If you guessed he spilled chewing tobacco, you're right. I had him go get a broom and as he was sweeping, he was just crying rivers of tears. "It's my dad's. I didn't know it was in there. I'm going to be in so much trouble..." etc. According to school policy, I had to alert an administrator, and she came and got the young man. He was so upset. After he left, another student shared that this particular student's father was not such a kind man. Let's just say, I was told that this student had been given black eyes before. Get my drift? I've met the family, and I'm not sure how true these accusations are, but I had to report those, too. Talk about an uncomfortable position for me; I HAD to report this student, but I also don't want him to be beaten at home.

Then at lunch I ate much later than normal and stayed in the cafeteria. I got to witness some drama. As the final bell rang, I was finishing my lunch and heard our female administrator yelling at a student and noticed her stepping between 2 boys. Oh, I forgot to tell you that I had just finished a parent conference and the dad stayed to have lunch with his daughter. He teaches and coaches at another school in the district, so he also helped. One student called another young man a n***** and the other student was highly offended. I stayed where I was because as a pregnant female I was not going to be any help. The boys were finally split and taken off, the other students went to class, and I headed to my "hole" (my classroom). The students in my building have already lost break due to fights and trash and have been threatened with silent lunch. I'm assuming on Monday that we'll hear lunch is now a silent affair. Can't say that upsets me too much!