For context: I teach kindergarten in a school with lots of behavior problems. Most school staff are burnt out and frustrated because of what we go through every day. Anyways, I always make an effort to have my room as clean as possible at the end ...
For context: I teach kindergarten in a school with lots of behavior problems. Most school staff are burnt out and frustrated because of what we go through every day. Anyways, I always make an effort to have my room as clean as possible at the end of the day to make the custodians job easier. I respect what they do so much, I absolutely don’t let my kids leave trash on the floor, make them put all chairs up, and have one of them put all the trashcans by the door. I even moved my carpet right in front of our projector screen despite it making my seating (and the kids) more inconvenient because she requested it. I always make sure to be friendly and accommodating because I understand it’s a difficult job. She has even said she’s sad I’m moving next year because my room is always clean! One day last week a few kids noticed their water bottles were missing. We put our water bottles on a shelf right by the sink and kids are expected to drink them over there. They weren’t a Stanley or anything but they were actual reusable water bottles. I had assumed one of the 3rd graders I tutor after school had taken them and gave them a rant. Apparently the custodian heard me and came to me the next day. She said that she took the water bottles because there was a wet spot on the floor and when that happens the floor cleaning mat she uses gets wet and has to take time to dry. I apologized and said I understand. I then asked where the water bottles were and she said she THREW THEM AWAY. I’m fully supportive of custodians throwing away things left on the floor but these were on a shelf. She then told me that the kids don’t need to bring water bottles to school and they can drink out of the water fountain. The issue with this is that our kids are not allowed to go to the drinking fountain on their own. They have to go with their class (again behavior school). Because we have a bathroom in our room and a wonky schedule, we almost never have time for a water break. She then stated “well they don’t really need water, right ?”. I’m just frustrated because I want to be accommodating but saying kids shouldn’t get water at school is frustrating. They’re 5 years old! And I’m also frustrated because if a parent asks about their lost water bottle I’m going to have to say it’s in the trash. I’m wondering if I’m overreacting to think it’s a pretty inappropriate response. submitted by /u/NecessaryQuirky7736 [link] [comments]