Sorry to be such a debbie downer lately, but here's another one...

saisongbird · November 2010

I just had ANOTHER psycho parent issue with the play. We have a parent meeting tomorrow night, on the first night of Hanukkah. I'm aware of it, and I'm Jewish - the meeting is a half an hour, and the parent in question is still able to go home afterwards to light the candle. So the parent emailed us and said "I'm sure scheduling for the first was an oversight. Please let me know when you are rescheduling the meeting for." Yeah...that's not happening. The entire reason we had to schedule it for tomorrow is that it is the ONLY night in the next 3 weeks that we could have it.

We emailed her back and explained the issue and that we understood if she couldn't make the meeting and that we'd be happy to meet with her at her convienence. She emailed us back and said that she couldn't believe that the first was the only date available, and that she'd be happy to see us on December 24th at 7pm.

::Headdesk::

We got the principal involved on this one. What else were we supposed to do? After meeting with the principal and our union representative and getting the principal confirmation that she's absolutely nuts and out of line (and showing the principal how long hanukkah lasted and how that would cut out the next week and a half) and the principal said to email her back saying no and to email her all of the pertinent information.

::sigh::

I hate the play. I HATE HATE HATE the play. I hate the way these parent interactions make me feel, or that I need to scream when i get home because I can't do it at school and the only one who hears it is my amazing husband and that it feels like I'm yelling at him when I'm not but I just need to get it out, and I hate the fact that I'm so stressed out that I'm drinking on a Tuesday night.

It's so NOT FAIR to throw the play on a new teacher. NOT COOL. And the worst/best part is that apparently, other teachers went to fight for me, saying that it wasn't fair of them to do this to me, before they'd even met me. ugh.

benmel31 · November 2010

Wow, that's all I have to say! Wow! Great that your principal has your back on this parent issue though!

As for needing the drink on a Tuesday, cheers! I get that feeling some days too!

akardisco · November 2010

Wow! I'm so sorry you're having to deal with all of that! I can understand why she wouldn't want to attend the meeting, but you gave her the option of meeting personally at her convenience. What more does she want?

Sending vibes your way that things start to look up. *hugs!*

GracefulMeadow86 · December 2010

wow! the nerve of that parent! im glad your administration is backing you on this one. its not like intentionally said...hmm...how can we leave out mrs. so-and-so. I KNOW! schedule it on dec 1st b/c of hannukah!

and vibes about the play...when are your shows scheduled? will it be all over by christmas so you can actually relax?

SAHM711 · December 2010

Hang in there! I have been the fall play director for 13 of my 15 years (assistant for 2) in education, and I have been an assistant director for our musical for the past 11 years at my current school. I have seen it all - the good, the bad and the ugly. One year was so bad we refer to it as "the show that shall remain nameless." One of the cast members from that show told us we ruined her senior year because she was the B cast lead instead of A cast (2 nights vs 4). One cast member (who was totally wrong for the part) had his parents go to the administration. Fortunately, it's not always like this. I hope that you aren't the only one who has to make these decisions, but if you are, it sounds like you have some support at least. Parents get crazy over musicals. Just remember you can't please everyone. Be as nice and diplomatic as possible while sticking to your guns when you know you've made a good decision. Work on getting the kids who are involved enthusiastic, especially focusing on your student leaders so that they can help you out. Rely on anyone who does have more experience in handling these parents - other teachers, counselors, administrators. If you are on your own, try to recruit some help. Try to enjoy the fun parts of the show. Feel free to vent to someone who understands. I'll pass on whatever advice I can.

saisongbird · December 2010

I appreciate the support, ladies! We had another incident today with a coach, but I just got home 20 minutes ago so I'll write about it another day. And Kim, the show is the end of March. Ugh!