Wouldn't It Be Nice?

E-mail that made its way around school today. True, it's another one of those famous urban legends, but with all the other teacher-folk out there, and Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences looming large on my Monday night agenda, I thought I'd go ahead and share anyway.

"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 children's lack of effort . . . hang up and have a nice day!"