{"id":7094,"date":"2024-05-12T07:06:47","date_gmt":"2024-05-12T11:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dahlman.online\/?p=7094"},"modified":"2024-05-12T07:06:50","modified_gmt":"2024-05-12T11:06:50","slug":"seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dahlman.online\/index.php\/2024\/05\/12\/seniors\/","title":{"rendered":"Seniors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This is another in the “Sunday Story” series – it’s a story about school, and substitute teaching, and seniors — always an interesting combination.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s Over<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s spring, and it\u2019s track season, and I really don\u2019t substitute school much this time of year.  But a good friend asked a while ago if I\u2019d sub-in for him in early May.  I didn\u2019t have a meet scheduled, and so I agreed.  Okay, to put it to you straight \u2013 I forgot.  May in the high school is no joke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I forgot that my friend teaches seniors. I forgot: seniors are almost done with school, even in the first week of May.  That fact is proudly displayed on his white board, THREE days left before their high school career is —- OVER!!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s an American tradition called \u201csenior attitude\u201d.  It\u2019s the same attitude \u201cshort-timers\u201d have in the military, or adults who are about to retire.  \u201cSenior Attitude\u201d is simple:  \u201cI\u2019m done, I do what I want, I don\u2019t have to worry about it anymore. Anyway, there\u2019s nothing you can do about it.\u201d   As a high school administrator, I used to wish we could just surprise them one day:  \u201cYep, it\u2019s April 29th<\/sup>. You\u2019re done – don’t come back.  There will be a picnic on  May 10th<\/sup>, an assembly on May 14th<\/sup>, and Graduation rehearsal in on May 17th<\/sup>.  If you want to \u201cwalk across the stage\u201d, be there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because they were done long before April 29th<\/sup> anyway.  It\u2019s just the truth.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

But here I am, a substitute teacher of seniors in class with three days left. Patience is the virtue I require.  I should have gone to bed earlier.  There\u2019s no such thing as control, or even progress.  Just hang on for dear life.  In one class I learned a new game, kind of a cross between lawn darts, cornhole, and the basketball game horse. The seniors used rubber suction cup tipped implements, that stick on desks, walls, whiteboards, refrigerators, and even the big screen TV.  Only when the words \u201c\u2026let\u2019s take this to the hall\u201d came out,  did I make a stand.  I\u2019m just glad they didn\u2019t suction cup me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I overheard a lot of plans, and a lot of conversations that only short-timers can have.  Stories of \u201cthe old days\u201d back in freshman year, or what\u2019s happening at work, or singing the “hippopotamus song”.   And there was lots of looking at  funny videos on phones (the school ban on cell phones doesn’t apply to countdown seniors, I guess).   And, of course, there was a fair amount of snoring going on.  I hope they don\u2019t drool on the desk.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, I know that\u2019s not what a sub is supposed to allow.   I know I should have somehow engaged them in some enlightened conversation about protests over Gaza or the powers of the President or what their post-high school plans might be.  But all of those things requires some buy-in from the students: and their buy-in is all sold out.  They\u2019re seniors, and it\u2019s almost over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bubble<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The only kids that care are the ones \u201con the bubble\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0Either due to low grades, or a huge disciplinary \u201crap sheet\u201d; they can\u2019t deviate, can\u2019t screw-up, even a little.\u00a0\u00a0They are on \u201cultimate secret probation\u201d until the last day, the last moment; a diploma on the line.\u00a0\u00a0Back in my day, I even suggested some seniors NOT come to school that last week.\u00a0\u00a0They were more likely to get suspended and miss graduation than learn anything.\u00a0\u00a0Better they stay out of trouble, out of school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe the few, the proud; those competing for valedictorian or the gilded 4.0 grade point average (not as gilded as it used to be in a world of higher than 4.0 course credits), are still worried about assignments. As for the rest, as Julius Caesar said; \u201cAlea Ecta Est\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0The die is cast; the work is done.\u00a0\u00a0All that\u2019s left is to get \u201cacross the stage\u201d, make Mom and Dad proud, hug your friends, and start on a whole new path of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who\u2019s Foolish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There was some conversation of putting up tents in front of school.  But it wasn\u2019t to protest anything, it\u2019s just the rebirth of the old \u201csenior campout\u201d.  I suggested that, here in western Licking County in our current political climate; the community might take a dim view of tents on a campus.  After all, Ohio State just cleared tents from their campus, done in support of Palestinians in Gaza. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Drivers down the National Road, (US 40) would be shocked to see students protesting outside of Watkins Memorial High School.  Of course, they wouldn\u2019t be protesting \u2013 it\u2019s a senior campout, hanging around a campfire in front of school, swapping stories of middle school love and maybe an illegal beverage (or smoke) or two.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recommended that the Administration wouldn\u2019t, couldn\u2019t, let that go.  I got a nod, and the back of the senior\u2019s head.  What did I know.  I\u2019m just a substitute, foolish enough to show up in a senior class in May.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations class of 2024!!!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sunday Story Series<\/h5>\n\n\n\n