Registering for middle school - now that was an experience. We arrived to a bustling cafeteria of parents and students. We scanned the room of snaking lines to see which one we were supposed to be in. I had my fingers crossed that it would be the short one. Luckily, I was right. Alas, it was too good to be true. When we got the front of the line after about 15 minutes, we were told we to go to the main office because Cubs’ schedule had not been printed – something about not having a physical (even though we provided that to the school earlier in the week). So, we proceeded to the office only to wait for about 10 minutes before I began looking for someone to help us. There was no one at the desk but there was a person in her office around the corner. I asked her if anyone was supposed to be working in the office – since no one was there. She wasn’t aware of anyone scheduled for the office. She said she would pull Cubs’ schedule if we could wait until she met with another parent and student. So, we waited…and waited…as scores of other parents and students were also directed to the same office. Finally, a teacher happened to wander in as he showed a parent the office (to see the only staff person working there today). He asked why we were all waiting in the office. As we all explained (all at once…) how we were directed to the office, he told us we were in the wrong place. He then directed us to the “correct” location. So off we went – only to wait again! There was a long line with only two staff persons printing out schedules. The students behind me in line told their mother, “Ma-ahm! It’s like this every year. It’s so lame. It’s always a huge mess.” Great – I get to look forward to this next year too. Suddenly, people further up in the line were yelling (they were near the front – why were they yelling?). Apparently, someone had cut in front of another person in line. Cross words were loudly expressed by the person who was supposedly wronged. She went too far though…making comments about the other person’s lack of English-speaking ability…and she was just out of line (pardon the pun). To make matters worse (or better?), another parent attempted to intervene verbally after she tattled to the teacher at the front of the line who was printing schedules. Really…I’m not making this up. The third person yelled to the teacher printing out schedules, “Ms. Smith! There is a situation back here that you need to handle. Ms. Smith!” The tattling did not improve things, so I guess she felt compelled to take matters into her own hands. I thought, “What good adult role models they are for all the students here. Look at how they handle someone cutting in front of them so maturely.” The kids just laughed as they watched adults. How embarrassing for the adults. Unfortunately, it was a case of frustration gone awry. Finally, someone came in to help (a school staff person) and had the foresight to start a sign-in sheet. That person then directed those of us who had signed in to be seated (thank goodness!) and then the teachers called the names of those persons who had signed in – in order of signing in. Now that made sense. We were called a few minutes later and Cubs finally got his schedule. It took all of 5 minutes. Then, we were off to the cafeteria (or the “zoo” as one staff person called it!) for the “locker line.” Everyone needs a lock, right? We had no idea what were entering into…it was truly the line to reach infinity! Seriously, it took us 1 ½ hours of standing in line to get a lock. There were 4 adults at the final table where the students signed in, paid their money, and were issued a lock. Once we made it to the table (after 1 ½ hours!!!), it took us about 5 minutes to get the lock. What a beating that was. There MUST be an easier, more efficient system. Most everyone in line took it in stride though. As always, though, there are exceptions. There were two adults (interestingly, they were both men…hmmm) who approached the line with their sob stories saying that “the person who was holding our place in line must have left.” The person behind me actually let one person cut in line. Sorry…I’ve been in too many long lines today – as have everyone else. Here’s what I think -teach your children to do the “right” thing…not how to take shortcuts just to get your way. Geez… even standing in long lines involves parenting. I’m exhausted. Let’s hope the elementary visit next week is MUCH shorter…and ditto for the lines.
