(no subject)
Yesterday sucked. I fact, except for some shining bright points, the last week or so has sucked.
As soon as I arrived at school, I found out that the 7th grade teacher had called out. She had a legit reason, and I've got no issues with her. But can we get a sub? No, not in DC. I was asked as soon as I walked into the building to cover her class.
I was typing out the details, but let's just say that this is one of the most challenging classes in the school, and I've been sick for a couple of weeks so I wasn't feeling my best. Whatever, I'll get over it.
But then, right before I was to sit down to lunch, I got word that one of my students was spotted in the neighborhood. She ran away last week after being suspended (don't get me started on suspension and what a fucking horrible idea it is to send home kids who need extra support in behavior and academics, rather than a two week fucking vacation - which is what suspension is.)
As soon as I heard, I bolted to my car and began to patrol the neighborhood to see if I could find her. I checked places I know she hangs out, I talked to some pot smoking gang members in the park who may have seen her and in fact, did know her but denied seeing her that day. I think they were lying, personally. I drove around for an hour and couldn't find her. Unless you've ever had to deal with a child who's run away, you really don't know the frustration, fear and constant nagging worry that runs through your head.
Eventually I had to pack it in, and went back to school. Before I went home, I called the City of Fairfax courts. I had a speeding ticket which I tried to fight and failed and so I paid it. I paid by credit card, but I got a notice in the mail that it was declined. And so they were sending notice to the DMV to suspend my license.
First of all, I double checked my card. The only reason it was declined was because someone there MISTYPED my card's 3 digit verification number. Second, they claimed they called me and got a busy signal. Busy signal?! What is this, the 1970s? Cell phones don't give busy signals. If I'm on the phone, it goes to voicemail. I didn't get any voicemail nor missed calls.
So now I have to go sort this out, taking time from work because the court hours are designed to be inconvenient to anyone with a job. Close at 4 and no Saturday hours at all, even for clerk's office. Fuck you, City of Fairfax court system.
As soon as I arrived at school, I found out that the 7th grade teacher had called out. She had a legit reason, and I've got no issues with her. But can we get a sub? No, not in DC. I was asked as soon as I walked into the building to cover her class.
I was typing out the details, but let's just say that this is one of the most challenging classes in the school, and I've been sick for a couple of weeks so I wasn't feeling my best. Whatever, I'll get over it.
But then, right before I was to sit down to lunch, I got word that one of my students was spotted in the neighborhood. She ran away last week after being suspended (don't get me started on suspension and what a fucking horrible idea it is to send home kids who need extra support in behavior and academics, rather than a two week fucking vacation - which is what suspension is.)
As soon as I heard, I bolted to my car and began to patrol the neighborhood to see if I could find her. I checked places I know she hangs out, I talked to some pot smoking gang members in the park who may have seen her and in fact, did know her but denied seeing her that day. I think they were lying, personally. I drove around for an hour and couldn't find her. Unless you've ever had to deal with a child who's run away, you really don't know the frustration, fear and constant nagging worry that runs through your head.
Eventually I had to pack it in, and went back to school. Before I went home, I called the City of Fairfax courts. I had a speeding ticket which I tried to fight and failed and so I paid it. I paid by credit card, but I got a notice in the mail that it was declined. And so they were sending notice to the DMV to suspend my license.
First of all, I double checked my card. The only reason it was declined was because someone there MISTYPED my card's 3 digit verification number. Second, they claimed they called me and got a busy signal. Busy signal?! What is this, the 1970s? Cell phones don't give busy signals. If I'm on the phone, it goes to voicemail. I didn't get any voicemail nor missed calls.
So now I have to go sort this out, taking time from work because the court hours are designed to be inconvenient to anyone with a job. Close at 4 and no Saturday hours at all, even for clerk's office. Fuck you, City of Fairfax court system.