Snitches get stitches

I hate being the bad guy. I really do. Today, in one of my morning classes, I had occasion to lean over and help several kids with something on their computers. I do it all the time- it's an occupational hazard.

When I reached about the twelfth kid or so, I smelled it. I wish I hadn't, really, but it was such a strong marijuana smell that no amount of Axe body spray could mask it. I'm actually mad at the kid a little bit for making me the bad guy.

If you reek of weed in my classroom, what do you think I'll do? I have to report it. Nobody smells like that by accident. So after the bell rang a few minutes later, downstairs I went. I found one of our security personnel and told him about my stinky kid. I had the kid's schedule in my hand. 

Security man had his marching orders. He was to go and investigate. The security man was off to find the kid, so I went back to my classroom. My work here is done. I snitched. 

After lunch, I got an email from another man who takes care of all the children confined to In School Suspension. My nose was correct, and it seems my student was guilty of more than smelling wrong. He must have had drugs on him. The email informed me and all of the  kid's other teachers that our student was headed to the alternative school. 

Like I said, I hate to be the bad guy. But, you really can't show up with drugs. Heck, you can't show up with booze, cigarettes or a lighter. You should have books, school supplies, and maybe, a lunch. That's about it. 

The kid is due to graduate in May. I hope he does his stint at the alternative school, comes back and makes it across the stage. I really do. Possession of marijuana on campus aside, he's actually a pretty sharp kid. 

Ah, adventures in teaching! 

And this is what greeted me when I returned from lunch today: 

That's one of my staff writers on The Hoofbeat wearing a short barstool as a hat. So, basically, it was a Friday in a public school. 

But no matter. I got home and picked up my Kindle. I am halfway through a library book, and I have nothing on the calendar for the rest of the evening. 

Book+wine awaits. But I did manage to make it all the way to my front porch to pick up the small envelope that the UPS guy dropped on the welcome mat. It's a charm bracelet I ordered when Zazzle was running a sale. Too freaking cute, if you ask me: