In the clasroom, students are waiting for the bell to ring and « Yeeeeeeey !!! » in the yard ! Fortunatly, Pierrick, the teacher, prevents the big students from rushing in the corridor. They are never tired of hearing him repeat it to them at every recreation time : « Beware! We do not push ourselves in the corridors! We do not run! We do not shout! We do not attack! We do not make fun of our classmates ». However, each time, a student asks the question : « Why ? » He explains: «You may hurt your classmates without any intention of doing so, and you don’t shout because, first of all, it’s not polite to raise your voice, and there are other classes that have not yet completed their classes.»
Soon after, the little ones start going out one after the other like ducklings, and I hear their teacher remind them: « Go to the bathroom! No one will be allowed to return to the classroom when everyone is in the yard! Don’t forget to wash your hands afterwards! Be careful! Don’t close any doors, it’s the adults who have to do it! » And the famous «Why ?» is heard followed by other questions. Some are more surprising than the others. Mrs. Josephine responds with a slight smile and casual features: « You have to pee before you go out because I can’t go to the bathroom with you! And leave the other little ones alone in the yard! I don’t know what could happen in my absence. »
– Why do we have to wash our hands?
– They need to be washed so as to clean them of the small drops of pee that remain on them.
– Never a drop of pee sticks to my hand.
– Yes, but you have to wash your hands anyway like all your classmates.
– shouldn’t I close the door while the adults have the right to do so?
– you might close it on a child’s fingers, and we’ll call the ambulance service.
– is the ambulance service?
– The ambulance to take him to the hospital.
– are they going to do to him?
– Come on! Get out! We’re wasting time! Come on, little wolves!
And the turn of the oldest students arrives then, and although they are a few years ahead of Pierrick’s students, they behave like little children. As soon as they leave the class and take the corridor that leads to the courtyard, the bickering starts. Then, teacher Aurélie repeats what she affirmed yesterday, the day before yesterday, last week, last month, and since the beginning of the school year : « You’re big enough! You need to set an example for the little ones. You don’t have to report anything to adults unless it’s serious. Do not push, annoy, mock, insult or assault your comrades. You will act with your comrades as you would like us to do with you. You do not come to school to learn only lessons with the teacher, but also how you should behave as a calm and wise person. You have the right to play, but you must not treat your classmates badly. You settle conflicts by discussing them calmly, and each must give the other time to explain themselves…”
– Teacher, Theo criticizes Justine …
– And we must never interfere between two comrades who have a misunderstanding!
The famous « why » is heard by a student who does not even know what it is.
– shouldn’t we intervene?
– In order for the conflict not to escalate. In some cases, an adult must be notified.
– Teacher, we are going into the yard, declares Arthur
– In addition, avoid saying unreasurable remarks. Come on! Go out; otherwise, you won’t have a break, and you better play without violence!
In the courtyard, all the instructions given by the staff are forgotten for the older students as for the younger ones, and the complaints arrive afloat to the adults standing prepared to solve the problems, to calm the tensions, and to recall the duties and rights.
– Teacher ! He pushed me.
– No, he pushed me !
Such a poor teacher! Who should she believe?
– Come on! Apologize! Ask your comrade for forgiveness!… And you ask for forgiveness! Go ahead! I’ll watch you!
And she turns her head to supervise the other side of the yard. She cries her head off behind the tree. It’s maybe a wounded child. She hastens her steps. It’s Emma, a big girl from Pierrick’s class, crying with her eyes full of grief.
– wrong with you?
– Lea is no longer my friend’.
– Don’t cry! Go wash your face! She will come back to speak to you soon.’
– Teacher !
A voice is heard a few meters behind her. She turns around and moves forward.
– Teacher, Jade has a candy and scissors in her pocket.
– I confiscate the scissors! it’s dangerous! And go to put the candy in your satchel! It’s forbidden to eat candy in the yard !
– Why aren’t we allowed to eat candy?
– This prevents you from eating well at noon, and you need to eat more fruits and vegetables than sweets.
– Teacher! Louise looks through the gate!
– Leave her alone! She’s not doing anything!
Pierrick, on his side, firm and smiling, solves the problems that do not end:
– He hit me in the stomach!
– No, he pulled me by the hood!
– He hit me!
– No, I did nothing but defend Matteo!
– He said a dirty word!
– No, I didn’t say anything. He’s talking nonsense!
And as soon as the master intervenes, they become the best friends again…
Teacher Nadège, very vigilant and attentive, watches those who make slips, those who are carrying the little ones on their way, students who infiltrate to retrieve something they forgot in class, and those who wade through puddles if rain. In short, she ensures that the rules of the school are applied.
Finally, the bell rings, and each teacher repeats to his students, «Don’t rush into the hallways! Go back to your classes in peace! Go pee! Wash your hands! Be nice to the little ones! Set an example!»
I wonder if it’s okay to force the teacher to repeat himself or herself all the time, if it’s polite to play hard in the yard, if it’s okay to say nasty things to your classmates, not to pee before you go to class, and ask for it only afterwards to disrupt the course. I also wonder if it’s nice not to give his/her teacher any respite to rest during the break?
Writter :
– What did you learn from what I have just told you, kids?
– Don’t yell when you go to recreation or when you go back to your classes.
– Do not bring anything back to the master unless it is serious.
– Pee before entering the class, and do not ask to leave unless you are sick.
– Do not push, shout, attack, annoy, insult, and no longer make fun of your comrades.
– Do not stop the teacher’s speech especially when discussing with a student’s parent.
– Don’t go into the class yelling while talking to your classmate out loud.
– Don’t take the chair for a swing.
– Do not take anything from the master’s office without asking him.
– Never put in your pocket what you find in the yard. Surely a comrade is looking for it…
