An Unwelcome Guest

I would typically say that there is no reason for any conversation or commotion during independent reading time, the most sacred ten minutes of every 75 minute class period. My period 1A struggles the most with this. Many of the individuals in this senior class have no problem antagonizing each other with snide comments during this time that is intended to be totally silent. But today there was an eruption of commotion that was completely justified, and in fact I was impressed by how quickly students settled back into their reading. About five minutes into the reading timer, a student leapt on her chair, screaming, "Step on it! Somebody step on it!"

No one was willing to step on it. Instead most students got up and moved to the other side of the room. I suggested to the kids they were welcome to try to kill the roach if they felt so called to do so, but hopefully it would just scurry away into the walls and we wouldn't have to deal with it. I thought about calling the office, but I didn't have much hope there. If they answered, they'd probably just tell me to ignore it. I asked the student who first noticed it how big it was. "Like the size of my thumb," she said. "No, like both of my thumbs." I shuddered and hoped it was gone. As I settled back into my chair, anger surged in me. Here are twelve kids who need reading intervention, and ten minutes every other day is all they get in terms of the most effective practice we have at our disposal. And they lost their flow today because the state of this building is so abysmally dirty that here in this place where children are meant to be learning and growing and developing, I saw the largest bug I have ever seen in my life.

When you imagine the basics of what a school should be, I would guess a roach-free school would not even cross your mind. It is unconscionable the conditions we are left with in neighborhood schools in Philadelphia. At this moment, trying to manage my reactions as my second period class comes in, hoping none of them notice the roach as it crawls across the wall so that we can stay calm and maybe learn something today, I am angry. My children and I deserve better, and maybe later I will regain my hope that we are moving towards better in this district. But right now, with my skin crawling, I am doubting that it's worthwhile to have that hope.

@theschooldistrictofphiladelphia @pleasegetittogether

Sincerely,

A very angry teacher-writer who loves her school very, very much

2.12.2024