Being an employee at a public high school is an education in itself.  And being an administrator intensifies that because so many out-of-the- ordinary events require attention.

Here’s hoping you enjoy a few of my own experiences.

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One of our 9th graders walked into the main office after getting off her bus and promptly had a seizure.  Quick response occurred , including a call to our nurse and checking records for clarity on her condition.

When she revived, she explained that she had not taken her medicine because she did not have any breakfast.

I responded, ” Oh, no . I’ll go right now to get  you an apple from the cafeteria  and we’ll give you your medicine “.

And she said,  “Nope “!

Next suggestion ,  ” A pack of crackers  ” ?

” Nope ” !

And then ,  ” Perhaps a carton of milk ? ”

“Nope ” !

And then getting right to the point, she  clarified  ,  ” I HAD IN MIND A GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH  !!!  ”

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At one time during my tenure as an administrator at our high school we had two sets of identical male twins with the same names :  Donnie and Ronnie , Ronnie and Donnie.  Two were black and two were white.

One night I had game management for basketball and was seated on the floor , keeping an eye on the crowd of fans——-especially the student body.

Looking up toward the stairs, what did I behold but two of them , one white and one black,  walking down to the court !   Donnie and Ronnie ?    Or was it Ronnie and Donnie ?     Or perhaps Ronnie and Ronnie ?    Donnie and Donnie ?

I was clueless…………….

They approached me, saying  ” How are you , Mrs. Toney ” ?     I smiled a big smile and responded  ,   ” Hey, Honey “.

And I never knew.

 

Almost every day of every year that I was at the high school, I led the Pledge of Allegiance on the intercom first thing each morning.

One mid-day as I walked through the courtyard, a male student approached me and said,  ” Mrs. Toney , don’t you believe in God ? ”

I was , needless to say , appalled at such a question and responded,  ” Of course, I believe in God !  Why do you ask ? ”

His response,  ” You left out UNDER GOD in the Pledge this morning ! ”

I was 16 years old when President Eisenhower and Congress ADDED those two words in 1954……………….

Throwback to the original.

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Serving as principal at the high school,  I chose to keep the traditional day of the week for faculty/staff meetings :  Wednesday, better known as Hump Day, recognizing the significance of the third work day out of five.

During intercom announcements to the entire school  one Wednesday morning, I had a weak moment and referred to Hump Day ………My bad !

Several hours later, one of our young male teachers appeared at my office door with a big smile on his face , and said,

”  The kids think you’re really cool, Mrs. Toney ” !!!!!!!!!

Generational gap at its most obvious.

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But , for sure , public high schools are never dull  !

 

 

 

 

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