Principles of Principals

I got a report of a fight on the playground while I was away at a district meeting.  Standard protocols ensue, call to parents, and a promise to investigate upon my return to my office. Upon my return, I find on of the two 3rd grade boys who went at each other over who was faster in a foot race.  On the surface, a typical scuffle right? While waiting for Dad to arrive, Seth (name changed) tells me about his Dad's return from surgery, how excited he is to go camping so that they can get out of the shelter for a spell, and how he's having trouble with his Mom.  She's been knocking him down "...a lot more than usual."  Now...I have to call the police. I'm informed that Dad is up front, Seth leaves, quickly returning with tears in his eyes and a staff member in tow, paramedics have been called, Dad's having a heart attack in the front office. Contrary to stern advice, Dad refuses transport to the hospital, citing trouble with his wife hitting the kids ...

See the news lately? Sorry to hear that. I get caught up in the promulgation of enmity, just like you. I hear people say "Down with the evils of capitalism." whilst swilling Starbucks. I hear people say, "The news these days.", while quoting some talking head. Put down the cup - buy local. Put down your phone - look at me. Why do we prop up, and tear down, these false idols? With discernible patterns of lust and hate we vilify and praise our own personal heroes and sheroes. Then when they stop thinking like us, we cancel them, tear them down, or abandon them. I burned a poster of Lance Armstrong once. I still own all of his books. I'm just like you, maybe. Except maybe not. I do not watch the news.  I do not have social media accounts that are active (with the current  exception of LinkedIn). I loathe the need to be first, and politically correct  culture. It's global house gossip, like family members trying to be the first one to call everyone a...