that we bring fried fish and cabbage, two of her favorites. So we did and luckily enough Tyrone was off from work today so we both got to go to her school. It didn't look like a lot of the other parents brought in food so I was glad we did.
After learning and listening to music it was time for the food. They were lined up by class. Haleigh's class stood for a few minutes then her teacher took them and left. It happened so fast I had no idea what was going on or I would have pulled Haleigh from the line. I asked one of the other mom's at the back of the line if she knew what was going on and she said she had no idea. So I sat there as all the other classes got their food, sat down and ate it or took it back to their class. Just as they were about to pack things up Haleigh's teacher brought the class back in. They were last and Haleigh ended up being last in line. To say I was mad is beyond an understatement. The kids weren't being bad so I didn't see a reason for them leaving. I went up to Haleigh because I didn't want her to get up there and be upset that there wasn't anything she wanted. There was very little left. I asked her why they left and she said her teacher was tired of waiting in line. SERIOUSLY?! I know you have to take what a child says with a grain of salt but why would she say this if she didn't hear it? I am just beyond frustrated. I told her there wasn't any fish and a tiny bit of cabbage but since she was last in line I didn't know if there would be any by the time she got up there. She got upset but I promised her I would make more at home. When we got up to the table the counselor and some of the PTO asked what was going on. I said that her teacher had pulled them from the line because she didn't feel like waiting then brought them back in last. I told them I was mad about it and had words. So many words. Haleigh ended up with two tiny pieces of chicken (think little nuggets from chick fila) and what I could scrape up from my pot of cabbage. They said they were sorry, that this was the first time doing this event and they didn't figure everything in. That's fine, it isn't their faults that the teacher was (potentially) impatient. What does that teach these kids? Also, a friend of mine said this "She shouldn't have to miss her one celebration of her beautiful black self at school." And that's true. SO true.
All the kids piled in and sat down. I've mentioned this before but every teacher has a chime and when they hit it, all the kids raise their hands and close their mouths. It's AMAZING. Anyway, once everyone was settled down someone got up and explained what soul food was and why they were having it. Then some older students sang a few songs and the music teacher talked about different types of African American music and how they came to be.
After learning and listening to music it was time for the food. They were lined up by class. Haleigh's class stood for a few minutes then her teacher took them and left. It happened so fast I had no idea what was going on or I would have pulled Haleigh from the line. I asked one of the other mom's at the back of the line if she knew what was going on and she said she had no idea. So I sat there as all the other classes got their food, sat down and ate it or took it back to their class. Just as they were about to pack things up Haleigh's teacher brought the class back in. They were last and Haleigh ended up being last in line. To say I was mad is beyond an understatement. The kids weren't being bad so I didn't see a reason for them leaving. I went up to Haleigh because I didn't want her to get up there and be upset that there wasn't anything she wanted. There was very little left. I asked her why they left and she said her teacher was tired of waiting in line. SERIOUSLY?! I know you have to take what a child says with a grain of salt but why would she say this if she didn't hear it? I am just beyond frustrated. I told her there wasn't any fish and a tiny bit of cabbage but since she was last in line I didn't know if there would be any by the time she got up there. She got upset but I promised her I would make more at home. When we got up to the table the counselor and some of the PTO asked what was going on. I said that her teacher had pulled them from the line because she didn't feel like waiting then brought them back in last. I told them I was mad about it and had words. So many words. Haleigh ended up with two tiny pieces of chicken (think little nuggets from chick fila) and what I could scrape up from my pot of cabbage. They said they were sorry, that this was the first time doing this event and they didn't figure everything in. That's fine, it isn't their faults that the teacher was (potentially) impatient. What does that teach these kids? Also, a friend of mine said this "She shouldn't have to miss her one celebration of her beautiful black self at school." And that's true. SO true.
I don't know. I am angry, maybe I will be less angry tomorrow but today I'm angry. Part of this experience was sitting with the community and eating their soul food and she didn't get that. I am just frustrated for my baby. I'm frustrated that I didn't see them leaving quick enough to grab her out of line. I'm frustrated the teacher just left knowing she had two parents there who brought food for the event and didn't bother to give us a heads up. I'm frustrated that Haleigh didn't get to enjoy that part. It wasn't soul food the experience left tears in her eyes. I'm not sure where to go with this. Do I just talk to Haleigh? or do I go to the teacher? or the Principal? I don't really want to go to the teacher so I'm just going to etch that out now. I'm frustrated and know that no matter what I do. I need to cool down first.
principal!! If it was last year, with the other principal I would say no, but this principal is much better with making sure kids and students are happy.
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