Last night was “back to school night” at my son’s middle school. There was another meeting beforehand that we attended, so we ended up spending more than 3 hours at the school. I’ve been feeling unusually out of it all day today and it finally occurred to me that my brain is fried…because of last night!
After sitting through an hour-long meeting about an upcoming experiential learning program, we proceeded to go through our kid’s schedules, literally. I’ve never tried speed dating, but that’s what I imagine it feels like, but 100 times worse. At least with speed dating, there is mood lighting and alcohol involved. To the contrary, back to school night didn’t so much as feature a single refreshment…of any kind. Also, I needed to, um, use the bathroom, but didn’t know where they were, nor did I want to re-experience a middle school bathroom (do they still smell like cigarette smoke and hairspray…or was that high school?). Plus, the night was so action-filled, there was no down time go to the bathroom. I guess that’s why they didn’t offer us refreshments.
Anyway, we went through his 8 classes, spending just enough time in each class to relive the hellish experience we call the “US public school system.” Except for two or three classes, the fluorescent lights were freaking blinding. How many fluorescent light bulbs does one ceiling need? Add sunglasses to the outstanding list of school supplies he needs. Then there was “passing time,” where they gave us 4 minutes to get from one class to another.
It was a bloody obstacle course. I wonder whose idea it was to stick various large “informational” tables in the hallways? Each transition was stressful…it was like being caught on the Capitol Beltway during rush hour, except the traffic was stopping because of the tables that were in the way as well as people stopping to take in the scenery. I had to laugh at one point when the people ahead of us stopped to greet someone they knew. I’m not sure what country they were from, but it was a three-kiss culture. Kiss one side of the cheek, then the other, then the first one again. If they didn’t look so happy to see each other, I would have been irritated with them.
I don’t know how kids make it through the day. So much noise…time is going by too quickly…or worse, too slowly. Trying to weave through unpredictable traffic in the hallways under time constraints. And the worst part was the lights. I am absolutely exhausted. I feel kind of guilty for sending my son to school in that kind of environment. I am lucky that I have an office…I never turn on the overhead fluorescent lights. Instead, I have two lamps with fluorescent bulbs (at least they have shades so I don’t have to wear them) and a series of about 7 small halogen lights. My office is very relaxing…and quiet!
Posted by Cindy Thomas 