thoughts about responsibility in letter form...

Dear Student,

The deadline for your (permission slip, project due date, homework assignement, etc.) was given for a reason. You had enough time to get this turned in. You were given repeated remiders/warnings to get it turned in on time or face the consequences, whatever they may be.

I am not sure why you CHOSE not to turn it in on time. I certainly didn't want to have to administer the consequences for your failure to turn it in. Unfortunately, because you CHOSE not to turn it in, consequences await you.

Why, dear student, are you surprised that I am enforcing the consequences? Why do you think that deadlines should not apply to you? Why do you feel that you are entitled to exception after exception after exception? I am not heartless. I understand that, sometimes circumstances beyond your control occur and things don't get done. I am willing to work with that. You, however, ALWAYS seem to think that you can get away with doing or not doing what is required of everyone else and never have to pay the price.

So, no, you may not attend the party this week. Regardless of what your parents are/are not teaching you, it is my responsibility to treat you the SAME as everyone else in the class. Deadlines are there for a reason and it is PAST TIME that you learn that lesson. Be thankful that you are learning it now because it will help you when you are older.

Oh, and, just so you know, I AM doing this because I CHOOSE to LOVE you. I know you don't agree with that. To you, I am a mean (insert whatever word you would like here) and you will absolutely, positively, HATE ME FOREVER!!!!!! Ok. You aren't the first child to say that to me, and, guess what? You WON'T BE THE LAST. :) I will sleep tonight and you will get over it. Buck up buttercup.

Sincerely,
Your Principal

p.s. Dear Parent,
PLEASE TEACH YOUR CHILD THAT DEADLINES MEAN SOMETHING. QUIT FIGHTING THEIR BATTLES FOR THEM. YOU AREN'T DOING THEM ANY GOOD. YOUR CHILD IS GETTING THE ATTITUDE THAT THEY ARE CONSTANTLY ENTITLED TO EXCEPTIONS AND THAT THE RULES NEVER APPLY TO THEM. PLEASE DO US BOTH A FAVOR AND STOP TEACHING THEM THIS!!! thank you.