Teachers unite around this stupidity and try for another day not to leave the profession

[Fstt1978]

Came in today to an email from a parent. Student deeply upset as we did not get her flowers after she played the 'main part' in the 'show'
She is Year 7. The 'main part' she is talking about? The narrator in our form class assembly about climate change. We were on stage for 6 minutes. It's the done thing apparently- she's seen it on TikTok.
Just blast me into the sun now and be done with it.

😂😂😂😂😂😂
I think this wins the prize for the best yet! 🥇🏆

😂😂😂😂

Does it warrant a reply?

I mean, "noted" or if you wanted to push the flowers boat out "duly noted" would do?

"Thank you for your email of "whatever". I can confirm the school does not provide flowers to students."

Done.

There's nothing as queer as folk.

I would reply:

I'm so sorry she was disappointed but I've no idea where she got that expectation from.......we have never done that before and I'm not in a position to start these kind of precedents. I will reassure her that she did a great performance I'm sure you're very proud of her.

Wtaf!

The reply I'd want to send:

This was a class assembly, not a Broadway show. Giving flowers for saying a few words in an assembly is not a thing. Get a fucking grip and stop indulging your child with this kind of idiotic nonsense.

whattt, that is insane.

I love this!

I was about to start applying to teacher training colleges, decades ago, when I met someone who told me a horror story about their first teaching practice, which had just finished.

It was so traumatic that I instantly dropped all idea of teaching and took up a totally different career. A bit of an over-reaction, when I think of it now. But OMG, I have never regretted that split-second decision.

🌺🌷🌸🌼💐🥀 to OP and all teachers.

Oh no, do you think she's seen some children being given flowers and thought hers had been missed out?!! I think I'd ban the flowers for everyone, as it's causing issues!

Nice one!

nope. of course not. no one got flowers. They are 12 and at school

@Fstt1978
How about bouncing the email up a level or two...
Do you know what the school policy is for the provision of flowers to the students? Maybe this should be a thing. Maybe the Chair of Governors needs to scrap next years budget for equipment and set up an account with Bloom and Wild?
🍹 for you

Jesus.
My son’s a secondary school teacher and he sends me snippets from the teacher WhatsApp group.
You guys have my full support, I don’t know how you do it.

Incidentally, we were in Los Angeles earlier in the year, happened to walk past a building where a school show had just taken place and kids were walking out with flowers, so I assume it’s now a thing which has been seen on social media and is now becoming an expectation.

What a totally useless parent.

Sounds like the mum's in a Drama Department all of her own making.

'Thank you for your email. X did very well, along with her classmates at our short presentation about Climate Change. As I am sure you appreciate, the purchasing of individual gifts for students is not something the school would be able to facilitate at this time. or ever you muppet

However, in accordance with our behaviour and rewards policy (or whatever it's called), she has been given x achievement points in recognition of her participation in this class activity.

Regards, <name>

I’ll yeet that parent into the sun for you OP

Ye gods. What favour does that deluded parent think they are doing their child?! It's hard enough being a teacher these days without this sort of lunacy.

In all my days of both amateur and professional theatre (actual theatre, mind, not school assemblies!) I have only known two instances of flowers being presented. Once was Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber presenting a bouquet to Elaine Paige at the end of her final performance as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard in the West End. The other was a nutter at the end of Jesus Christ Superstar, running to the stage at curtain call to give a bouquet to the actor playing Jesus. Because she thought he was actually Jesus (I knew the actor playing Judas; they were all bemused by/terrified of her backstage).

Not only do I pity the teachers and school support staff having to deal with this batshittery, I feel for the children that will grow up as the victims of this nonsense.

Edited to say - although I occasionally had people at the stage door with treats for my dog, who played Bullseye in various productions of Oliver! Never flowers though, although he would've enjoyed eating those as well, no doubt.

Time for the drama dept to stop the flowers thing then, just tell the parents it’s a health issue, someone’s allergic to pollen!

as to that email dear god what will happen when the little darling gets 8nto the work place, in for a big shock

I’ve just finished watching Ginny and Georgia on Netflix and noticed that parents bought small bunches of flowers to their child's performance , so maybe an American tradition ??

but sweet Jesus ! How are you planning on responding to this

are you sure it’s the parent writing ?
is there anyway you can leak this out so that other parents get wind if it - shame them ??

Dear God… 🙄🙄🙄🙄
I feel for you and fellow teachers OP.

There's no shame anymore- the parent would be seen as boosting the kids esteem or making sure the kid knew their worth

Oh I have an idea!

Dear ms batshit ,

the tradition is the TEACHER receives the bouquet as a thank you for all our hard work and extra time, I have a penchant for orchids !

love and mwah kisses

Ms fart

That's so funny!! How did you respond? I'd have enjoyed phrasing that mail.

bad parenting - emails shout be vetted

I’d tell the mum to big the flowers if she thinks it’s necessary!

suggest to the parent that flowers are reserved for a good performance😉