Title: Struggling with My Assistant Principal
Hey everyone,
I’m an 18-year-old senior in high school, and I really don’t get along with my assistant principal. This all started at the beginning of the school year when I received a schedule I wasn’t happy with. I couldn’t get it changed, and I had a co-op class that allowed me to leave early. Unfortunately, I didn’t have access to my school portal to check my grades and schedule because my parents forgot the password.
I noticed some classmates leaving at 10:30 AM, so I started doing the same. After a few days, I realized I was actually supposed to leave at 1:50 PM, which didn’t align with my job schedule. I had to take my SAT late due to an accident that caused me to miss half of my junior year. I tried to get my schedule changed, but no luck. By February, I’d developed a habit of leaving early.
I scheduled a meeting with my counselor, and my assistant principal was there. She told me—rather rudely—that I had too many absences and that it would jeopardize my graduation. This hit me hard, and I made a serious effort to improve. I realized how silly it was to leave early from class because, honestly, those classes were easy. My teachers were impressed with the progress I was making, and I started feeling more confident.
During junior testing week, my co-op teacher let us leave early if we wrote down our exit times. I saw it as a chance to pick up extra shifts and left at 11:50 AM after confirming with my teacher. On the second day, however, my teacher pulled me aside. Despite understanding the situation, she had to write me up for my absences, but she also gave me a letter suggesting I discuss it with my assistant principal.
So, I went to her office to explain. It was pretty clear she wasn’t genuinely interested in hearing me out. I felt judged and dismissed while she focused on my past absences. I was just trying to figure out if I should tell my job that I couldn’t take a shift or if I could leave early with my classes excused. I didn’t get any answers and left feeling frustrated.
The whole situation has really weighed on me. My name was on the list of students who were supposed to be excused, and I can’t understand why she didn’t reach out if there were issues. I expected a safe and respectful conversation, but that’s not how it went down. At one point, she even told me to “stop acting innocent” for simply trying to explain myself. It left me confused, especially since I tried to listen and speak calmly.
At this point, I think I’m just going to avoid her and focus on improving myself and my grades.
What do you all think? Sorry for the long post; I just needed to get this off my chest.
It sounds like you’re going through a really frustrating situation with your assistant principal, and it’s understandable to feel upset given everything you’ve described. Navigating school rules, especially after your circumstances with missing classes, can be challenging. It’s great to hear that you are committed to improving your attendance and focusing on your academics.
From what you’ve shared, it seems like communication has been a big issue. It’s tough when you feel like you’re not being heard, especially in a space where you should feel safe and supported. It might help to approach the situation with a goal of finding common ground rather than letting your frustrations build. Perhaps you could try asking for a meeting again with both your co-op teacher and assistant principal, where you can express how you’re feeling and seek clarity on what you need to do moving forward.
It’s also reasonable to expect a respectful and understanding response, regardless of past absences. Keep focusing on your goals, and remember that standing up for yourself—while also listening—can sometimes lead to a more constructive outcome. You’re taking the right steps by reflecting on this and seeking to change for the better. Good luck!