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NS Guidance Department

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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
Here's the story. Keep in mind that I realize what I did was stupid, I'm just looking for advice/opinions. This is not a claim, because if it were, it'd be damn pathetic.

>Got mad at my crazy physics teacher for reasons unrelated
>Decided to pull a prank on her
>Put Alka-Seltzer in her gallon jug of water
>She tastes it with hilarious results
>Thinks her students are trying to poison her, gets an administrator and cops
>Cries and becomes extremely upset
>Cop threatens with Criminal Tampering unless someone fesses up, says he'll question everyone for hours and do investigation
>I own up to it to save my friends from being interrogated for no reason
>Be extremely cooperative with he principal/cop. They actually liked me and chatted with me about stuff. Said they'd work in my favor.
>3 day suspension

At this point I'm like, whatever I guess I got caught so I get what I deserve, it isn't that bad even though it's my first time ever getting in trouble at school.

Then I get home.

>Parents take it extremely seriously, like it's WWIII up in here and I don;t know why they took it even more seriously than the cop did.

I understand that Alka is techinically a "drug", but if anything I kept the fat bitch from having indigestion from all that cheese she eats while she's busy not teaching.

I was explained all the legal shit and she can press charges, even though I'm sure she wont. The only thing I'm upset about is that I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be kicked out of National Honor Society.

What I don't understand is why she took it seriously enough to cry endlessly and refuse to even talk to me or meet with me, and why the hell my parents just don't see this as a stupid prank. Everyone I've talked to that isn't directly involved in the situation thinks it's crazy, like dude it's just a prank. I fucked up, but in 20 years this shit won't even matter.  It's fucking high school, man.

/coolstory
Apr 18 2012 10:25PM
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soulskier
Posts: 17806 - Karma: 3,841
seems like you have it pretty well figured out
Apr 18 2012 10:26PM
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.Cinderella.
Posts: 110 - Karma: 29
burn down the school
Apr 18 2012 10:27PM
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Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,846
If it isn't too late you could act naive and upset that you were just trying to pull a prank and didn't realize it was so serious. Might get you some sympathy at least.
Apr 18 2012 10:28PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
fuck that land a smart bomb on that bitch's desk. then she'll know whaddup
Apr 18 2012 10:30PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
This did help, they realized this is my first ever offense in school, I have good grades, I'm in NHS, and I founded the High School Debate Club. Won't change that my teacher is emotionally unstable.
Apr 18 2012 10:32PM
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gotti
Posts: 4269 - Karma: 4,550
leave a steaming pile on her doorstep
Apr 18 2012 10:34PM
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S_Jenk
Posts: 345 - Karma: 92
I never cared much for it when I did it in highschool. Didn't even really help with applications for scholarships or jobs. The NHS is more of a name than anything.

You got off easy bro.
Apr 18 2012 10:36PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,137
Write your teacher a really, really nice handwritten apology. Undertake 8 hours of community service, and explain that you are doing this. Admit that what you did was juvenile and out of line, and you will not make such an error again. I personally believe your teacher has every right to be pissed at you.
Apr 18 2012 10:36PM
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Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,846
the principal and whichever cops/gov't officials in charge of the situation need to look past that,  and hopefully they are.   it wasnt a big deal and your teacher crying about it is not a reason for you to be punished any extra
Apr 18 2012 10:37PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
Already written. I felt it was a great letter. Very well thought out and I hit on 3 main points I wanted to stress very well. For some reason my parents disapproved of it.

1. What i did was irresponsible and uncalled for. A teacher should never feel uncomfortable in her own classroom.
2. It was never personal, i like her as a person, and i understand her displeasure and discomfort.
3. I am truly sorry, asked for forgiveness, and said i hope we can move past it and get back to learning.

It wasn't just that either. I filled a full sheet with well written, nicely organized straight up apology, sorrow, and knowledge of the situation.

I really do not get why my parents think it's bad.


And "has every right to be pissed" I fully agree with that. But to cry hysterically? I didn't see it, but the cop said she looked so stricken that he doubted she'd be ready to even see me/forgive me for a while. I just don't get that.
Apr 18 2012 10:55PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
Agreed fully, but this is the real world and shit doesn't always work out the way it should.
Apr 18 2012 10:56PM
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Parks.
Posts: 5612 - Karma: 1,093
hhaha my physics teacher is crazy too1 except mine is the funny nice crazy
Apr 18 2012 11:00PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,137
I'll shed a little light on it for you. She is most likely insecure and unhappy in life. She is very stressed, and has been having problems coping with the stress of teaching high school. She is worried about her lesson plans, budget cuts, and herself (physically, emotionally, spiritually, take your pick). There have been so many little things, from students texting in class to failing to put in the required effort. One tangible thing finally comes along that she can latch on to as clearly "bad" and "wrong," so she runs with it. You provided her a focal point upon which to focus all of her frustrations and problems. When she tells her friends about all the problems she has been having, she now has a very real example to provide, one which they will all sympathize with.
Apr 18 2012 11:18PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,137
To add just one more thing...She may not be right, but you were certainly wrong. In the world of parents, school officials, honor societies, and the real world, that is what matters. I imagine this will pass over without serious repercussions, and hopefully you will leave the youthful pranks behind and realize that your consequences have actions, not just for you, but for others as well.
Apr 18 2012 11:21PM
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HitTheJim
Posts: 787 - Karma: 399
Upstate New York has a knack for emotionally unstable physics teachers. My teacher walks into the closet, stays in there for like 3 minutes, walks out dressed like a princess. This is her method of teaching us metric conversions.
Apr 19 2012 12:05AM
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Yeezy
Posts: 1652 - Karma: 206
elaborate...
Apr 19 2012 12:20AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,411
And light it on fire
Apr 19 2012 12:28AM
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Ski_Alot
Posts: 5900 - Karma: 3,658
the only legitimate course of action is to pull a columbine...
Apr 19 2012 12:48AM
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paige.
Posts: 1932 - Karma: 924
If it makes you feel any better, back in high school we had a teacher screaming at us and burst into tears because she was convince one of us had stolen a pencil.
It had rolled onto the floor...
Apr 19 2012 12:57AM
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Yeezy
Posts: 1652 - Karma: 206
pee in her butt
Apr 19 2012 1:06AM
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c_roll
Posts: 584 - Karma: 246
too much my friend. too much
Apr 19 2012 1:19AM
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Davy.Crockett
Posts: 5373 - Karma: 324
i agree, and also i like your icon
Apr 19 2012 1:21AM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
OP kiss NHS good buy. I had a friend in NHS in high school. he went to another of our buddys house because he left his wallet there. used the garage com that he knew. homeowners gave it to many of our friends. neighbors saw him called the cops got arrested bc they couldnt get ahold of the our friends parent bc they were out of town. cleared on all charges cuz it was no big deal. booted from NHS
Apr 19 2012 1:23AM
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Triple_Strum
Posts: 6384 - Karma: 953
surprisingly good stuff here from Zimmerman and iFlip. As a former teacher and outsider here, I think you've done pretty well. I agree with you - I am not sure what your parents are upset about. I think you have done a pretty good job in being repentant over a seemingly small thing. If one of my students did that there would be no giant fiasco, I would just make him pick up trash and clean toilets for an afternoon and that would be it. iFlip's points should be appreciated; I believe he is 90% correct. You are just a trigger symptom to the greater issues in her life, sadly. I guess enjoy your time suspended? It was a bad idea, but you have your head on straight, kid.
Apr 19 2012 1:40AM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,684
>Parents take it extremely seriously, like it's WWIII up in here and I don;t know why they took it even more seriously than the cop did.

Your parents took it very seriously because that is there job. For the police, unless there is a criminal case, or a threat to social safety, they have better things to worry about. Your parents don't, their primary job as parents, is to ensure that you turn out half decent. Based on your actions here it seems like they have done a decent job so far. That said, their task truly never ends, until the day they die. They are going to make sure that you not only understand that what you did was wrong, but that you will both learn and remember the lessons here.

I understand that Alka is techinically a "drug", but if anything I kept the fat bitch from having indigestion from all that cheese she eats while she's busy not teaching.

Don't try and justify what you did.

I was explained all the legal shit and she can press charges, even though I'm sure she wont. The only thing I'm upset about is that I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be kicked out of National Honor Society.

Actions have their consequences. For what it is worth, I don't think I ever filed my community service requirement for NHS, didn't claim it, and have not had any problems down the road. This seems like a pretty light consequence from my end.

What I don't understand is why she took it seriously enough to cry endlessly and refuse to even talk to me or meet with me, and why the hell my parents just don't see this as a stupid prank.
While it was meant as a stupid prank, what it was to her, was an invasion of her personal life. It is crossing the line of the Teacher/Student relationship, and messing with something she actually ingests, is very different from glueing all the pen caps on, or some other simply annoying prank. It is in a way, assault.

Everyone I've talked to that isn't directly involved in the situation thinks it's crazy, like dude it's just a prank. I fucked up, but in 20 years this shit won't even matter. It's fucking high school, man.

/coolstory

You made a mistake, there are going to be consequences. No, it won't matter in 20 years, but that does not mean there should/will not be relevantly heavy consequences now. If there aren't you are much less likely to
learn from it. And while in high school this is a joke, in 5-10 years, it will be totally unacceptable.
Apr 19 2012 2:53AM
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Yeezy
Posts: 1652 - Karma: 206
tl;dr but your probably right about something given you wrote in green italics
Apr 19 2012 2:57AM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
If you think I was serious there, you have officially gone full retard. Wouldn't be your first time though.




The teacher guy above seems to have a good handle on it. Thanks for the words.
Apr 19 2012 8:53AM
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nickyp
Posts: 5673 - Karma: 215
If you're genuinely sorry, then you should let her know. Go to her office, or write her a letter or something. Let her know it wasn't malicious and that you understand what you did was wrong.

Best case scenario: she sympathises, realises it was a misguided prank, and she is clement.

Worse case scenario: no forgiveness. In which case you need to realise you've done wrong, and accept the consequences. Take your punishment like a man. Don't try and argue with your parents and teachers, accept it, and use this experience to make you a better person. Take a negative, and turn it into a positive change.

At the very least, telling her might make her feel better. You NEVER know what someone's thinking. She may be at home now, worried that all the kids hate her. Talking to her will only brings positives. Even if your still punished, you can take your punishment in the knowledge that you did the honourable thing.
Apr 19 2012 9:05AM
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Galaga
Posts: 409 - Karma: 15
You seem like a good kid man so it seems like you are liked by your other teachers. Just take the punishment man and everyone will forget about it in a week. As for NHS I really don't know what so say, maybe everyone will understand it was just prank and keep you on NHS. Good luck man
Apr 19 2012 9:30AM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
Well, parents refuse to use my well-written letter, made the right way with those three important items above. I wouldn't know how to write it any other way so now I'm stuck with no apology letter. Fuck this.


And I know what you're getting at up there and I agree with you.

Disclaimer: This stuff below is not justification, just information.

-All her students hate her. I have never met a kid who liked/learned from her class.
-She is by far the worst teacher I've ever had. She
teaches us by giving us packets with extreme amounts of work while she sits back and eats all class.
- Her grading style is even worse. I looked at some papers and if someone were to get everything wrong, shed technically have to give negative points. For example, we did a drawing activity with angles and stuff. My friend understood the concept fully and drew it perfectly. He forgot to label the lines and angles. He received a 1/40 on the assignment. This means that 39/40 of the points were all based on whether he labeled or not, while only one point included understanding the concept and drawing it correctly. She punishes learning. Her quizzes take 80 min. and her tests take 200 min. I have tried talking with her about it before, and I stated that I know nothing will change her "teaching"/grading style. She responded with "well at least you know nothing will change".

She is a teacher who simply pounds the formulas into your head like a machine, and no one ever leaves that class with new knowledge about physics. I came into this schoo lyear actually very excited to learn about physics. Within the first month or so, I had lost all interest in physics. She killed learning for me, and everyone else.
Apr 19 2012 10:27AM
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Mr.Turtle
Posts: 3690 - Karma: 96
poopsenders
Apr 19 2012 10:29AM
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JamesR
Posts: 3396 - Karma: -12
Your parents are being irrational and immature about it. You don't owe her a letter, don't worry about that. From what you said she's an awful teacher who takes out her issues on her students all the time, not just in this instance. So let's look at the scale here, alkaseltzer in water vs. damaging the minds of the young. Yeah, I think you're in the clear. Honestly man, forget pretty much everything anyone else has said, including your parents. You pulled a harmless prank. Other people's reactions to that are their own problems. I mean how great would it have been if you had gone home and your parents said that they heard about what happened, asked you why you did it, and genuinely wanted to understand where you were coming from. Instead, you're made out to be a bad person for a harmless prank on a bad teacher. From my view, you've committed the least amount of wrong of anyone involved with your situation.
Apr 19 2012 6:32PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
I agree with you mostly, but here's the thing. If she had been allergic to aspirin, I could have killed her and it was immature not to think about that. I wish more people would think like you and address that view, but they obviously won't because I'm a 17 year old in high school and she's a crying teacher.
Apr 21 2012 8:15PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
She really just needs to grow the fuck up. I rewrote the apology letter to satisfaction, and she absolutely refused to accept it and refuses to ever speak to me again. How does this teach me to be forgiving?

This situation ha turned out to be totally worth it. It won't be reported to colleges, I am (currently, for now) still in NHS, and I have a new physics teacher who loves kids, loves teaching, and makes class fun as fuck. I felt like i learned more about a topic in one day than I would have in 3 weeks with the bitch. Also, the new teacher skis and talks about skiing all the time.
Apr 26 2012 12:35AM
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Galaga
Posts: 409 - Karma: 15
that is rad as fuck
Apr 26 2012 9:19AM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
Your opinion is just straight up wrong.
Apr 26 2012 9:45AM
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Dr.Gonzo
Posts: 2552 - Karma: 87
your teachers a fucking tool, if she presses charges there's no way she's going to win the case, and if she does the worst you'll get is maybe a small fine but more likely community service.
Apr 26 2012 9:54AM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
^^When you tell someone they are wrong, you are supposed to explain why.

^By now the threat of her pressing charges is gone I'd say.
Apr 26 2012 4:22PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
SHE IS. I (a generally "smart" student who loves science, i was one of those kids who grew up watching "The Universe" on the Science Channel instead of Spongebob) went into this year interested in/excited about learning physics. Within 2 weeks she killed it. I along with the rest of my class lost interest, dreaded the class, and reverted to copying 95% of the assignments. She should not be teaching.

"Still older than you..."
Are you fucking kidding me? The notion that one deserves more respect simply because they've been alive for longer is asinine.
Apr 26 2012 5:41PM
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SteezyasPie
Posts: 1160 - Karma: 15
The idea that a person deserves to be given respect for being born before another is ridiculous. Respect is earned, not given. Survival is no longer an accomplishment worthy of respect in its own right.

That said, you often can learn something from those older than you, as they have more life experience by default. That doesn't mean you have to respect them though.
Apr 26 2012 6:31PM
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Radio
Posts: 946 - Karma: 12
i have the nicest ap physics teacher, she will let you retake tests in tutorial and tell you the answers. and she is romanian so she talks like a mad scientist
Apr 26 2012 6:43PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
yupp
Apr 27 2012 12:43PM
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lands11
Posts: 1818 - Karma: 1,677
Didn't read any posts, but I found this story pretty dam funny. Just some fat bitch physics teacher getting all upset from alka seltzer hahaha anyway I hope shit works out for you OP
Apr 27 2012 12:50PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021

This situation ha turned out to be totally worth it. It won't be reported to colleges, I am (currently, for now) still in NHS, and I have a new physics teacher who loves kids, loves teaching, and makes class fun as fuck. I felt like i learned more about a topic in one day than I would have in 3 weeks with the bitch. Also, the new teacher skis and talks about skiing all the time.

this was copy/pasted from above

Apr 27 2012 12:53PM
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daskis
Posts: 1828 - Karma: 356
I fricken hate my physics professor... I wish someone would actually poison him. I think your prank was worth what you're going through haha... except for maybe the NHS thing, because colleges love that shit. Your parents will get over it.
Apr 27 2012 1:00PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
1. Still not out of NHS (not asking any questions though)
2. Yeah they were mad for like a day then things chilled out big time.
Apr 27 2012 3:23PM
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Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,846
Click for larger image
Apr 27 2012 3:26PM
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tBatt
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 580
So THAT is why you said you're in a new physics class.

Mr. Cotts is literally the best teacher I've ever had, from kindergarten to my Sophomore year in college.

He broke his tele bindings my junior year, brought his skis in, and spent the first half of the block figuring out what the net resultant force was on the piece that broke.

Has he busted out the potato launcher in class yet? Officer Kelly fucking busted through our door when he shot that thing off.

Christian Foley said something about you getting arrested for trying to poison a teacher a couple weeks ago. Surprised I hadn't seen this thread sooner.
May 6 2012 9:57PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
This is what I hate about school. Everything is taken way too seriously. My uncles tell me about the crazy shit they did in school, and there were little consequences. In my school district, their policy on fighting is basically if somebody socks you in the face, and you hit them back, you get the exact same punishment as them.
May 6 2012 10:22PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021

he named one of his cats "tuckerman"

i really wish he was my teacher all year

May 7 2012 2:18PM
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