Losing a super support..............................

Yesterday, my youngest got more paperwork from school. The lastest idea is to have the children arrive as scheduled on August thirtieth to pick up class schedules and get their picture taken. As my daughter is scheduled to work all day that day, she went over to the school to find out what she should do. She was told that they had yet to come up with an alternate plan for student's unable to get in that day.

I got on the phone to express my displeasure at their lack of planning with the principal, but of course he was on the other line. Though I can't prove it, I think the administration has figured out a way to circumvent my phone calls to a special phone. When this phone rings, the entire office has strict instuctions "that the principal, vice-principal, and a certain sellect group of teachers are "on the other line, and would I like to leave a message on their voice mail." They really don't want me leaving them a message on their voice mail, but I refrain from sharing this and state that I will call back.

About half way through last year, I discovered my own secret weapon to get around the phone system. I ask to speak to my daughter's guidance counselor. If she is not at her desk, she always gets back to me in a timely manner.

With permission I share with you that last year my youngest was going through some rough emotional times having to do with her absentee father. Before she figured out a way to talk about it, she tried what she had heard other girls did....... Cutting. Only she used her car key to dig her skin until it was raw and bleeding. Yes! I noticed, and yes she lied about having scapped the site or injured it while falling during a run. After the second time, one of her friends ratted her out to this counselor, and the counselor took her under wing and gave her a place to talk. In addition to that I forced her to go to the outside counselor that I had been suggesting she go to because she seemed to be sad and withdrawn but she kept insisting she was fine. I also told her in no uncertain terms is she continued to harm herself, I would take away her weapon of choice, her car keys. Might sound like tough love, but after she confessed what she was doing, there was only one set-back where she did it again. When she got the keys back after that time she was more respectful of their proper use.

I bring this up as background so you can understand the value that the school counselor was to both my youngest and I. She was a safe haven for my daughter, and an extra set of eyes and ears for me. When I couldn't get the principal yesterday, I ask to speak to her. After she told us what to do about getting the schedule, she shared with me that she was taking a new job at the college level and would not be working at my daughter's school this coming year. Since, in our state, one does not know from year to year if they will continue to have a job, I can't blame her for moving on. I am just fearful of the unknown, (I know so what else is new!) and about who they might hire to fill her role.

I also wanted to take the time to give her a big thank you and an even bigger (cyber) hug, for doing her job, and doing it so very well. It is not always the easy to work with teens, let alone earn their respect to the point that they will listen to what you have to say, and to the things you have to teach them. I think that she had two really important things going for her. One, she really respected the students that she worked with, and two, she really liked her job and wanted to make a difference in the world through her job. Both things served her well, and will continue to serve her in all of her future endevors. Best wishes Ms. ______, we will miss you!