This is the message that the Pacific Palisades High School (California) staff voted unanimously to record on their school telephone answering machine. This came about because they implemented a policy requiring students and parents to be responsible for their children's absences and missing homework. The school and teachers are being sued by parents who want their children's failing grades changed to passing grades even though those children were absent 15 to 30 times during the semester and did not complete enough school work to pass their classes.
    This is the actual answering machine message for the school:
    "Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting the right staff member, please listen to all your options before making a selection:
    "To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1
    "To make excuses for why your child did not do his work- Press 2
    "To complain about what we do - Press 3
    "To swear at staff members - Press 4
    "To ask! why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyers mailed to you - Press 5
    "If you want us to raise your child - Press 6
    "If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone - Press 7
    "To request another teacher for the third time this year- Press 8
    "To complain about bus transportation - Press 9
    "To complain about school lunches - Press 0
    "If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework, and that it's not the teachers' fault for your child's lack of effort: Hang up and have a nice day!"
    For educators -- it is a thankless job at times, but seeing the seniors walk across the stage to receive their diplomas recognizing a major step in their lives is gratifying to those who are in the teaching trenches at various educational levels. Despite all the complaints that teachers receive -- we all owe a great deal of gratitude to those who have invested their lives into ours to help us have a better future.
     They provide words of praise when it seems no one else cares. That is the real value of a teacher....those who show compassion, care, and confidence in each student.
    Anway - I appreciate the teaching staff at various schools in our area and thank you for you dedication and hard work.
    E-mail: drdd@swbell.net
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