Back to School

Sales - new clothes - a new ink pen and a clean notebook - I always loved the rituals associated with going back to school. Guess that is why I became a teacher. I still enjoy these things - but I have come to hate this time of the year.

I work in the attendance department of a school system.

While attendance is not my job, during the back to school event, it becomes my job.

Every morning when I get to work, there are already families lined up in the hallway waiting to be served. Parents do not come alone. They bring all the kids, the neighbor and the neighbor's kids, along with their third cousin who is in town for an extended visit and all of her kids. Inevitably, the kids scream and cry - constantly. Or they whine. Yes, it is hot - what sea of humanity in a crowded hallway is not hot? Yes, there are no amenities. We are an office building, not a daycare center or restaurant. We will assist you as soon as possible, but you do realize there are about a hundred people ahead of you. I understand that you must get back to work after your lunch hour. I have the same problem. We have been working all summer - and had two months when no one came in the office and we could have processed your enrollment in half of your lunch hour, but you chose to wait until the day before school starts to come in. Yes, you must have all the required paperwork for me to complete your enrollment - and you may have to come back if you don't have it. It is the law - and I'm sorry, but I don't know you well enough to go to jail for you.

I managed to get home after only an extra hour at work today.

School starts in the morning - and I have been assigned to assist with enrollment at a high school with a new principal. Should be great fun. Can you tell I can hardly wait?