I Read Banned Books

The deans’ office finished the first week with no MAJOR incidents and less than 10 minor ones. For the first time in my three years as an administrator, I felt like an instructional leader, visiting classrooms and getting to know the new “special” department I supervise. As I was able to work on reports and my to do lists and my to do lists’ to do lists, I had no homework all five nights this week. This, of course, gave me way too much time to be observant. Meet “the specials” I got to know this week. As I frequently do, I have changed the names to protect the innocent until proven guilty.

• Ice-T - He is not a real rap star, but his real name is one of a famous “thug lifer.” The oldest of three fetal alcohol syndrome, mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed children being raised by his g’ma since birth 11 years ago. He ran out of class nine times today, stating “they let me go home anytime I wanted to in lemontree.” Of course, they did not let him go home anytime he wanted to in fifth grade, but his confidential folder has countless entries related to him fleeing the school on a daily basis. Undoubtedly, I will be reporting on this student a few times this school year.
• Kenergy - I mentioned her in Monday’s entry. Her name starts with the letter K, and she has endless commentary, spirit, and energy — hence the name Kenergy.
• Zorro - He came to school with three broken fingers and his arm in a sling because he “fell down the stairs at home.” I don’t think he fell down the stairs at home, but I cannot report that he was pushed down the stairs unless he tells me that.
• Epi - She is severely mentally retarded with numerous physical ailments and suffers from seizures on a daily basis. Although she is not an epileptic genius (acutally nonverbal), she is a beautiful little fairy of a girl with cascading black hair and penetrating brown doe eyes. She had four seizures at school today (two of which were ten minutes before dismissal which meant no short bus ride home). I hope she gets some rest this weekend.
• Cracker - He is another fetal alcohol kid with numerous psychological disorders. He is as wide as he is tall and a racist. He eats out of the trashcan at lunch and calls every one of every race the N word. He cries when you look at him funny and hits himself in the head when he is frustrated.
• Teethboy - He is a Down Syndrome kid who is also nonverbal and carries a toothbrush around in his left hand at all times. I like this kid because he has a great smile and just enough spunk to break your heart. He picked up an empty water bottle off the floor in the cafeteria today and threw it a teacher assistant, hitting her square in the back of the head.

I learned this week that there is never a dull moment with “the specials.” I have so many stories to tell that I have to save some of them for later. Besides, you have not met their teachers yet. Trust me: it takes a special teacher to educate a special student (if you know what I mean).