eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Sept 23, 2014 17:22:54 GMT
On the "level of livid scale" this is probably less than a one. But it frustrated me and I just want to whine about it. Tell me I'm wrong, it's okay, I know we have a lot of teachers here and if this is how it is at most schools I'll be shocked but understanding.
I went to DD's school for lunch to drop off cupcakes for her b-day. They pass them out after lunch, but while in the lunchroom. This is her first year at this school and my first time to visit during school hours. The teacher gave me the details last night during Parent's Night. She asked that I go about 5 minutes early so I could check in through the office.
I get to the school and go to push the button when this person with a badge steps in front of me and swipes it. She opens the door for me. I follow her, and take a direct left into the office. I walk in and 3 women are behind their desks. They never say hello, they never say welcome or even acknowledge my existence. It isn't a big space and the door wasn't quiet (i.e. they were aware I was there.) One woman was eating her lunch and was staring at me as she ate her spoonfuls of soup. There is a laptop to print stickers and since this was the protocol at our other school and the sign says "check in," I did. Nobody has spoken to me yet.
So I turn to leave. One of the woman comes up out of her chair, "MA'AM- WE NEED YOUR ID! YOU CANNOT LEAVE!." I turned and said, "Oh, you speak. I'm new here so I wasn't sure of the policy." I know, snarky, but I was really put off by nobody even acknowledging me being there. She said, "That's how we treat the people who don't know how to ring the bell." I said, "Pardon?" She said, "You came in without letting us know you were here." I explained how the person with the badge let me in (held the door!). She replied, "Yes, you should know better." The woman with the soup says, "We just need to scarf down our lunches too."
I hand over my ID and turn to walk out. The soup lady says, "You must put the sticker on. It's a sticker. You put it on." My hands are a bit full as I am carrying a tray of cupcakes, my own lunch bag and my keys. There is no room next to the laptop to sit this stuff down, I typed one handed. I pulled the label off the printer with one hand. I threw it on top of the cupcakes. I knew I'd be sitting down in a few minutes. I'm carrying a tray of cupcakes I doubt it is a mystery what is going on here...
I'm just shaking my head. This is supposed to be a "good" school and the way they preached citizenship and responsibility last night I expected more than this. It just dumbfounded me that their tones would ever be considered acceptable. Like it or not, they are the first faces one would see. A simple "hello" would have been nice.
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perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439 
Location: Idaho
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Post by perumbula on Sept 23, 2014 17:30:07 GMT
"This is how we treat people who don't ring the bell"  Did she think you were a kindergartener? I would have been annoyed by them as well. What kind of stupidity comes up with that response? And if they are so bothered by helping people during their lunches, why the crap don't they take turns so they can go to the teachers lounge and eat in peace like every other reasonably intelligent school secretary?? Sigh. some people only pretend to be grown ups. Way too many of them get stuck at the age of 13. So sorry your school has 13 year olds for secretaries. |
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,846
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Post by georgiapea on Sept 23, 2014 17:31:37 GMT
Wow, that was HORRIBLE treatment by the entire office staff. So all 3 of them have lunch at the same time? Either alternate or be prepared to fully respond to people coming in. The people working in any office are there to serve those who need serving. The 3 women you encountered today were not performing their customer service jobs. I would go next to the superintendents office and let them know how rude the people were. Enough people need jobs I'm certain some polite ones could be found to replace those 3.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Sept 23, 2014 17:34:02 GMT
Rude people suck  And rude people that are the face of any organization suck even more. I'm sorry you will have to deal with them while your child is at that school. |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Sept 23, 2014 17:34:39 GMT
Holy crap!! that's just plain rude!!!
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Post by my2apps2 on Sept 23, 2014 17:36:25 GMT
I used to work in a school where the office staff behaved in a similar manner. I have often wondered what happened to the part of training where they tell you to greet people, be friendly & helpful, and to eat in the break room!
Personally, I might send an email to the principal... Not so much to complain, but to let her know that not everyone who comes in is aware of the "protocol" and the office staff may want to be mindful of that when dealing with parents/people.
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Post by chances on Sept 23, 2014 17:37:09 GMT
I don't think you're over reacting. I would have said the same thing ( but I don't have kids, so I'm not sure of the repercussions in a school setting). It's frustrating when people assume their policies and procedures are common sense. No! You're just used to them. To a new person in the environment, posted instructions and God forbid(!) speaking to someone is necessary to explain how the process should work.
Why should you "know better?" Ugh. I really hate that kind of attitude.
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,503
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Post by MorningPerson on Sept 23, 2014 17:38:16 GMT
One of the woman comes up out of her chair, "MA'AM- WE NEED YOUR ID! YOU CANNOT LEAVE!." I turned and said, "Oh, you speak...." Definitely very rude behavior by the office staff! Kudos to you for coming up with the above reply. |
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Post by twinzmommy on Sept 23, 2014 17:38:47 GMT
That was beyond rude of them to treat you that way. I can't believe they would just assume that everyone automatically knows what to do. I am normally pretty kind to people, but I would have had a hard time biting my tongue with what they said to you. That is ridiculous. If I were the principal at a school I would be horrified to think my school was being represented that way.
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sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,574
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Sept 23, 2014 17:39:43 GMT
Yeah, that's bad. Not just mediocre attitudes, but hostile ones.
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Post by alibama on Sept 23, 2014 17:43:17 GMT
Yeah, that's bad. Not just mediocre attitudes, but hostile ones.  |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Sept 23, 2014 17:51:59 GMT
Very rude. Sounds like the former secretary at the high school here. she was super rude like that all the time. She made me so mad one time that I'd left and got madder and madder, drove all the way back just to yell at her and tell the principal they need to be running the school like a business and work on their customer service skills they were greatly lacking.
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Post by lbp on Sept 23, 2014 17:52:15 GMT
"HOW RUDE" in my best Stephanie Tanner voice. You handled it better than I probably would have. Do office staff usually eat lunch at their desks? When DS was in school and I volunteered there, they always went to the cafeteria during their lunch time.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 19, 2024 22:05:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2014 18:14:42 GMT
that is disgraceful. I would be speaking to the principal, superintendant and/or the board of education...
I don't do rude!
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basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,611
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Post by basketdiva on Sept 23, 2014 18:19:28 GMT
I agree the office was rude to you but the person you let you in was also wrong. I bet they broke school policy/rules by allowing you in and not escorting you to the office.
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Post by bc2ca on Sept 23, 2014 18:41:42 GMT
My first interaction with the kids elementary school when we moved was pretty bad too, but I tend to "kill them with kindness". Two of the four in the office responded and seemed embarrassed by their behavior, but two continued to be rude about me not knowing their system. I found out later that one was the Assistant Principal, so they had a top down, well established culture of rudeness. At this school, staff would eat in the office to visit with the employees working. Since they were on a break, they would just stare at you blankly if you asked a question, like you were supposed to know they were on a break (even if they weren't eating). I'd send the principal an email suggesting that they include access to the school procedures in the new family welcome letter.  |
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Post by gritzi on Sept 23, 2014 18:54:35 GMT
Wow, what rude asses! You answered her rudeness perfectly. Too bad you couldn't have added a "bless your heart". Save that one for the next time.  I have a feeling they're always that nasty. A note to the superintendent CC'd to the principal would be tempting. Very tempting! However, that is a situation that one must ask "do I rock the boat?". Why? Your child attends there X [HASH] hours a week without you present. Would their nastiness be projected to your child because you called them out on their behavior? |
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,759
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Sept 23, 2014 19:00:43 GMT
What's the betting that these ladies already have made a name for themselves with other parents? You don't get to be so rude overnight.
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,849
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Sept 23, 2014 19:04:19 GMT
Wow, that is really rude. They totally ignore you, then give attitude? They could have easily stopped their conversation and explained that you needed to be buzzed in for security purposes, then you could have explained how you got in. I would be mad too.
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,866
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Sept 23, 2014 19:11:48 GMT
I would be calling an administrator. I would also mention how unprofessional they ae by eating at their desks. Perhaps they could be made it rotator lunches to cover for each other so no one has to see their slurpy-asses eating their food and ignoring their JOB! @@
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,725
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Post by purplebee on Sept 23, 2014 19:24:10 GMT
Would not fly at my school. You need to email the Principal regarding their behavior. Pretty bad first impression, even if they knew you were "just" a parent. Common courtesy is fast becoming a thing of the past.....
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,693
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Sept 23, 2014 19:25:20 GMT
I am impressed that you handled the situation so calmly. My inner sailor would have come out for sure! |
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tiffanytwisted
Pearl Clutcher
you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Posts: 4,538
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Sept 23, 2014 20:17:04 GMT
I agree - beyond rude & disgraceful.
Not that it really matters, but what exactly were you supposed to do? Not go in w/the person who held the door for you? Call after them to come back and walk w/you to sign you in? And actually, the person who should know better was the one who let you in! Not that I find fault w/that person, either.
Oh, and how is the fact that they have to scarf down their lunches your fault?
Bitches.
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Post by Basket1lady on Sept 23, 2014 21:03:30 GMT
I would bring this up with the principal, either by email or in person. That's nuts and it sounds like the person who let you in committed a big sin. If that's their security system, it failed at the most basic point. I would lead with this information and then mention how rude the office staff were to you. It doesn't take any more time to be polite and to educate than it does to sit and stare and then act rude to a parent.
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,657
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Post by Rhondito on Sept 23, 2014 21:09:39 GMT
Over the years that my daughter has been attending school, I have found office staff, more often than not, to be nothing but bitches. There have been very few exceptions. No wonder kids seem to be getting ruder and more disrespectful - it's what they learn at school! |
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Country Ham
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,313
Jun 25, 2014 19:32:08 GMT
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Post by Country Ham on Sept 23, 2014 21:22:32 GMT
They were rude. You also didn't initiate conversation though. We walk through and sign a sheet and get a sticker too. The girl at the front desk may not speak if we don't say anything. She has her work to do and if speaking to everyone who entered the door was part of it she wouldn't get any paperwork done. OTOH if someone visited for the first time asked what the sign in policy was she would stop what she is doing and help them.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 19, 2024 22:05:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2014 21:26:41 GMT
I would expect the staff at a front office of a school to greet visitors in the office by saying, "Hi, can I help you?"
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Post by betsy on Sept 23, 2014 21:41:36 GMT
That's an unacceptable way to be treated anywhere, but especially at your child's school. These people are responsible for the care and guidance of your babies all day - and this how they treat other people? What horrible modeling!
It's not professional to eat their lunch at their desks, and then be argumentative with someone who comes in. I would speak to the principal. Assuming they are full time staff, each of those employees is entitled to a lunch break under federal law. There is always some sort of staff lounge where teachers and administrators can take a break. They need to stagger their lunches so someone mans the door and the phone at all times. It's not that hard!
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Post by cropduster on Sept 23, 2014 21:41:51 GMT
I have steam coming out of my ears reading your story. I would definitely email or meet with the principal. The staff most definitely needs to work on their people skills, especially since they are the first people visitors see. How rude!  |
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Post by Erica on Sept 23, 2014 21:48:01 GMT
Disgusting behavior. I would contact the Principal.
Makes me wonder how they speak to the kids.
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Did she think you were a kindergartener? I would have been annoyed by them as well. What kind of stupidity comes up with that response? And if they are so bothered by helping people during their lunches, why the crap don't they take turns so they can go to the teachers lounge and eat in peace like every other reasonably intelligent school secretary??
And rude people that are the face of any organization suck even more.
I have a feeling they're always that nasty.
