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Monday, March 2, 2009

The Pros and Cons of Bookfair Week...

Pro:  I feel so relieved when it's finally over

Con:  I think I gained 76 pounds eating all the junk that it required to keep me awake and caring.

Pro:  I finally finished my state quarters collection!!!

Con:  My fingers probably still have a metallic taste from counting so much change!!!

Pro:  I get to hang out with some awesome teachers/PTA volunteers/parents

Con:  The "rush" immediately after school gives me an instant headache

Pro:  The school gets a BUNCH of good books out of the deal

Con:  I become a huge CYNIC about everything...

Really, it seems that there is always a kid in there trying to get away with something...  a 50 cent eraser or a $10 science kit...  I've seen them all try to walk out the door stuffed in backpacks, down pants, up sleeves...  and I don't LIKE being the suspicious guard of all things!  I really don't - which leads me to tell you my LEAST favorite moments  of the week...  While retrieving the $17 dollar digital organizer one "shopper" had shoved UNDER the bookfair shelves (for his friend waiting on the other side) another volunteer was helping the girl who was looking for a way to spend her $2...  (money apparently does burn holes in pockets) - all the while I've taken my eyes off of the main table where the other volunteer has left her phone... her iPhone...  her brand new iPhone which has just recently been programmed with all of her information and loaded up with good apps for her kids...

It's gone - poof!  We call it, text it, call it again... but it's just not there...  She texts a reward to her phone hoping that whoever took it will value cash over toy...  but  nothing...  It's not even MY phone, but I'm sick...  what's with this?

Long story short - the phone came back the next day - not voluntarily, but it came back... it will need a good cleaning out from all the playground sand but it should survive.  BUT - am I going to be a Cynic forever?  What's happened when I can't trust kids...  

Pro:  I now want to take that kid who stole the phone and just hug the snot out of him/her...  I won't go into the hows and whys...  and yes, they're still being punished for the theft... but this kid needs a good role model more than anything...

8 comments:

Becky said...

I'm glad you survived another book fair!

It IS sad that kids don't have good role models anymore. I hope my children emerge from childhood relatively unscathed.

just the five of us said...

I know it is so sad that we can't trust kids anymore. 2 teachers in our building have had their cell phones stolen. I keep my purse out of sight:D

Heidi said...

This I know: a cynic doesn't want to hug the snot out of any thieving kid. I think you're safe.

Anonymous said...

Popped in from SITS to say hi!

Unknown said...

Thanks for visiting my blog today!
I LOVE book fairs at school...and the ladies who work their tail off making them happen! :)

LC said...

Sad stories but I like how you brought some compassion into it. That is why they need you to be working your tail off over there.

Unknown said...

Glad I found you - great blog!

LBBlum said...

do you do this every year? I think I would load up on some happy pills- to work the week.

sounds awful.

Now I know why our school has bags left at the door.. two teachers by the door.. no bags or such in the library at all.. and KIDS have to be with parents..

They let the classes come in one at a time... I guess during school.. once.. but after school.. a parents has to come with their kids to buy.

glad you survived.