How To Survive Your First

Trip to the Ofce

"If I could go back to that day, one thing I would do differently is listen and take in what
the principal said. I mean, I felt bad for squirting yogurt on the other girl, but I never wanted her
to feel bad. After all, I was like her best friend." said Lexy, a student who attends Bruce M.
Whittier Middle School who once had to visit the ofce in sixth grade. Another student, Jose
Wilcox explained, "If you're honest and can make good connections then you'll be ne, but the
most important thing is honesty."
Have you ever been in the middle of a long car ride? That kind of describes middle
school. You're cramped into a school with many kids and you're trying to t in, but you have to
hold on for the ride because once you reach a good spot, it'll all work out. Yet what happens
when you make a mistake? Well, you could possibly end up in the ofce. "It's pretty scary and
your rst reaction will probably be defensive," explained Lexy, "but you have to listen."
In the words of Shawn Vincent, the principal of Whittier, "If you're willing to take
ownership and say,'yeah I messed up,' and then you're able to process with me and show some
remorse then we could potentially have a positive outcome."

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1.) STAY CALM

Most of the time, your rst reaction is going to be defensive, but that won't get you
anywhere. You need to listen. If you're not listening then you're also not going to be receiving
respect from the teacher or principal.


2.) DON'T SET YOURSELF UP FOR FAILURE

This means, don't talk back in any way. You'll get your turn to explain yourself, but for
now, just listen. Take a breath and in the end, you'll come out ne.


3.) ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY

One of the most important things to do is accept the mistake you have made. If you do
this, you'll have a better attitude towards things and maybe the consequence won't be as bad.


4.) COME UP WITH A SOLUTION

When you've nished explaining yourself, you may not have the chance to help come up
with a consequence, but if you do have a say, be reasonable. Make sure you're always
accepting what you've done. "Almost every time, what I'll do is ask, 'okay what happened?'
'Alright now where could we have made a different choice that would've changed the outcome in
the end?' " stated Shawn Vincent.



What do you do if you feel as though you were sent for no
reason?


If you've been sent to the ofce and you're feeling like you have not made a mistake
then you still have to take it easy and stay on the down low. Staying on the down low means, try
not to put yourself out there yet, you should wait for things to calm down before you voice your
own opinion. Once you've been given the chance, be open-minded and take in what others say.
Overall, just make sure you're staying true to yourself and when given the chance; say what you
need to say, but be open to other comments.




What You Should Avoid

Ways to avoid being sent to the ofce, are easy. Always be careful with what is going on
around you. According to Shawn Vincent, the most common reasons most students are sent to
the ofce are because they have disrespected a teacher or peer. Also, refusal; refusal to do
work, or refusal to participate in class discussions. These are things you, as a student, should
try to avoid. Avoiding these behaviors will decrease your chance of going to the ofce.


REMEMBER:

-Treat Everyone with Respect
-Keep Your Hands to Yourself
-Do What Has Been Asked of You








Sources

"Moving to Middle School." KidsHealth - Middle School Life. Ed. Chris Cortellessa. The
Nemours Foundation, 01 Jan. 2012. Web. 19 May 2014.

"Acting Out in School: When Your Child Is the Class Troublemaker." Empowering
Parents. Web. 19 May 2014.

Grondin, Lexy. "First Trip to the Ofce." Personal interview. May 2014.

Wilcox, Jose. "How To React in the Ofce." Personal interview. May 2014.

Vincent, Shawn. "Most Common Behaviors." Personal interview. May 19, 2014.