I’ve been following the saga of Mrs. Mimi, and her battle for basic needs in her school, such as a parking spot, in My Kingdom for a Parking Space. While hers takes the cake for wackness in education, I have to report that it’s pathetic that I can’t get a working printer in the public school on the cusp of 2009, especially when my job entails writing lengthy reports on whether or not kids have learning disabilities, Autism, ADHD, Emotional Disabilities, etc. etc. Not to toot my own horn, but I think it’s important for parents and schools to have a written copy of such things.
I wont go into boring detail, but on Tuesday, I almost lost it, in manner of the movie Office Space in which the guy freaks out because the printer keeps saying “PC Letter Load” and he ends up smashing the thing with a bat in a field after work. Since I have a nonviolent temperament, I will use an “I message” instead. *
Printer, I feel frustrated when things that should take 5 minutes, like printing a report, takes days because I have a laptop with no Internet or printer connector so I can’t print at school.** I feel sad that I have to drive 10 miles away to use the one printer that we have for the 40 psychologists. I feel angry when the printer wasn’t working, then it was, but then there was no white paper. I need A WORKING PRINTER.
The funny part of this story is that I used Twitter to voice my frustration, writing, “All I want for Christmas is a working printer in my school” and this morning, I received a notice that Riso Printers, Inc. was now following me on Twitter. Stay tuned, Riso.
*For those of you who don’t hang around the yoots, educators are big fans of the “I Message” in which you tell someone how you are feeling and what you need. Some of my little ones don’t quite get the concept yet, and say, “I hate you.” We’re working on it.
**Don’t say flashdrive. I forgot it that day.
Love the “I” statements! The printer thing happens to me all the time…e-mail the report to yourself (if you forgot your flash drive) and ask the office manager nicely if you can use her computer for 5 short seconds 🙂
Good tip! It is really important to have a good relationship with the office managers. They hold the keys, the info, and the working printers! My office manager is also teaching me Spanish. I have mastered, “Me puede prestar…” (Can I borrow…?)
I find it unacceptable that in my very modern and well built middle school there are often NO working printer/copiers. None. Sixth, seventh eight grade halls, office, media center and guidance all down at the same time. Why? And how? And I am not even a teacher, bless their hearts, who have to print many copies of handouts and powerpoint notes and grades. Hmm..trying to think of a positive direction to take this in – perhaps that the teachers have decided to email grades, which also saves paper??
Yes, the broken copiers are part of the master plan to save the environment! Good one!
I’m so sorry it took me so long to find this post of yours! Brilliant – I love the I Statements. I totally heart the I Statements.
And what is it about the printer/copier situation in schools? I’m not allowed to touch the photocopier and the tech guy rations out toner for printers like it’s crack or something.
sigh.
I love how they ration the paper too, so when you run out, you can no longer do your job. Awesome! We are told to print every report on pink paper and then subsequently have no more pink paper and are told that white paper reports are unacceptable. Riiiiiight…
Glad you found my shout-out, Mimi. 🙂