Last month at work I had to do some investigating about a scuffle that happened after school, fill out some paperwork, and suspend a student. Sometime after that she left this handwritten (unedited) note in my mailbox:
To whom it may concern,
I just wanted to say I am sorry for what happened. I regret only one thing and that’s missing out of school for three days. I don’t regret hitting her. I regret being out of school. I’m sorry for saying tho but she got what she had comeing. I’m going to stay out of trouble for the rest of my time at high school. She knew that I have anger issues and she just continued to push my buttons and I couldn’t hold it in anymore I exploded. People didn’t know this about me but I have anger problems to where at any moment I can explode and sometimes I may not be able to stop myself. That time, I didn’t stop myself, someone else stopped me. She helped me from getting in major trouble and possibly getting arrested. But I just wanted to say I’m sorry and I hope it won’t happen again. Well, I will let you go. Have a nice day! I’m glad to be back!!
Sincerely,
(name redacted)
Freshman
p.s. I’m going to straighten my life up. I’m a good kid. Just bad behavior. I’m going to straighten my life up and that’s a promise.
November 21, 2008 @ 3:59 pm | Filed under Education | Permalink |
Yolanda Said,
November 21, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
I hope she keeps it. That promise.
Tina Said,
November 21, 2008 @ 4:30 pm
I sincerely hope she keeps her promise too.
Does anyone else hear a ticking noise?
Gregg Said,
November 21, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
It sounds sincere. Maybe some good can come from the fracas!
Tootsie Farklepants Said,
November 21, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
Yeah, she shouldn’t miss anymore instruction time.
And who DOESN’T have anger issues?
veep veep Said,
November 21, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
Hey, at least she missed school
Renée aka Mekhismom Said,
November 21, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
She certainly sounds sincere and she did not have to leave the note. I am glad that she recognizes her anger management problem, perhaps she can see the school counselor for assistance controlling it.
mommymae Said,
November 21, 2008 @ 9:01 pm
at least she recognized that she needed to be in school.
Sally T. Said,
November 22, 2008 @ 1:46 pm
This young woman is realizing that her actions DO have consequences & that she’ll pay the price if she blows up again. That’s a lesson that a lot of folks (regardless of age) still need to learn. She sounds way older than her years. I too hope something positive comes of it!
gorillabuns Said,
November 22, 2008 @ 10:33 pm
At least she was honest in her feelings.
MammaLoves Said,
November 22, 2008 @ 10:52 pm
Part of me feels bad for that poor baby. What has she been through to have those issues?
But there is the other part of me that wonders how she knows about “anger management issues” at such a young age.
I hate being a cynic.
anji Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 11:59 am
I’ve just finished my teacher’s college geared towards First Nations students. My professor gave me a quote, which I will never forget.
There are no bad kids. Just kids with problems.
This is proof.
Big Mike In Oz Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 2:52 pm
There’s always hope. If they can have a series of thoughts like that in hindsight, maybe one day they can process the same logic under pressure and free themselves from “anger issues”.
Cynthia Samuels Said,
November 25, 2008 @ 7:41 am
You know, on the days when you post your discouragement, and exhaustion, this sort of thing is what I think of because I KNOW that is what you bring to those kids. It doesn’t cure burnout to save teenagers I know but I hope it will at least extend your staying power. There’s an old Jewish saying that when you save a life you save the world. You’ve save a couple of galaxies by now.
Happy Thanksgiving - I’m thankful you’re on this planet.
Marmite Breath Said,
November 25, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
Aw, bless her heart. And I mean that in the nicest way possible, not the Southern way.
Ms. Bar B Said,
November 30, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
“There are no bad kids. Just kids with problems. ”
I agree with anji. You have to read between the lines with these things and that note is clearly a cry for help. Nobody truly knows the situation of someone else unless they take the time to find out or unless they’ve walked in the same shoes a time or two.
All I am saying is that pain is expressed in a plethora of ways and sometimes its important to take notice. It is evident that you do take notice Mocha, considering the fact that she left the note to you.