How To Host A Party

I wish there were no politics outside of politics. 

I guess that sounds a little ‘off’…but that’s really what I mean.  Our government is a political system and so it involves politics and politicking and politicians.  Ewwwwwwwww.  I write that whole business off as a necessary evil.

When it comes to my workplace, however – I HATE POLITICS.  The may explain why I have had some challenges in previous work places.  I don’t have time for the politics.  I don’t like the politics.  I pretty much refuse to participate in the politics.

Seeming to change subjects (but not really):

I teach a subject which is considered an “elective” rather than core curriculum.  There are other elective teachers at my school – Art, Band, Business Technology, Drama and Orchestra.  Often times, since we are “electives” we are overlooked and our actual contribution to the education of the students is minimized. 

By the way, I’ve just GOT to point out that in MY class the students learn how to apply real life lessons to all the book math, science and language arts.  Recipes require knowledge of measurement and fractions.  Cooking itself is a science lesson in chemical reactions, solutions, suspensions and the like.  You must be able to read and write to make sense of menus, recipes and instructions.  The other electives have similar “real life” and enriching application for our students.  I could to on and on and on about this…….but enough said.

Because we were feeling a bit undervalued and under appreciated we started looking for ways to bond together and make a visible impact.  One thing we decided to do was to take the annual winter Band concert and turn it into a winter festival of the arts.  Band, Orchestra & Drama would perform.  One hallway would be turned into an art gallery displaying the students’ amazing artwork.  My students would cook and provide refreshments.  Business Technology would print and provide the programs.  All of us working together to draw in more parents and increase our visibility.

I got edgy on Tuesday when the band director (a 2′ tall little Napoleon with a short man complex) sent out a blanket e-mail that invited the faculty to the “Fine Arts” production which would also have refreshments.  Hmmmmmmmmmm.  No mention of Business Technology’s participation or my kids.  Maybe it was just an oversight.

Last night was the production.  At the end, Mr. BandMan introduced himself, our principal, the Drama & Orchestra teachers and the Art teacher.  He asked everyone to go see the art and – oh yeah – eat the free food.  Again.  No mention of Business Tech or my classes.

I know that the performing students worked long and hard to perform their 3 pieces each.  They did a great job (well – one number was a little shaky….but overall it was great!).  The art students have spent 18 weeks creating amazing artwork.  You wouldn’t believe the cool stuff she had on display.  Wow!  And Business Tech has learned desktop publishing – no easy feat.  My kids have learned catering and presentations skills as well as cooking.  We spent a solid week making dough and an entire day doing nothing but baking.  They the laid out trays, set up tables, made tablecloths, decorated the area.  They made punch and served about 200 parents.  SO – was any one class’s contribution less important than any other?  NO.  HELL no.

I was one pissed puppy. 

We’re having a group meeting Monday.  He better bring body armour and ear muffs.