Actions and Reactions

I was reminded the other day, by our students, how powerful our actions are...that people always are looking at us. I know this is certainly true for teachers especially but also for life in general. Let me tell you the story.

Our seniors have senior lunch every other week ...its where they can skip the period before or after lunch and go off campus to have lunch.

Our current seniors had their first senior lunch last week and a bunch of them went to Sweet Tomatos in Altamonte. Lots of the boys had their football jerseys on as it was game day, and since Friday our students are allowed to wear any Orangewood shirt , the name of the school was fairly prominently displayed.

Long story short an elderly gentle man had come into the restaurant to have a nice lunch and when the kids came in he said he just knew it was going to be a miserable lunch.

Our principal asked the kids who had gone to Sweet Tomatoes to stay for a minute after we dismissed Morning Start. He asked them if indeed they had gone to Sweet Tomatoes. After they all said yes. He said he had gotten a message from a patron of the restuarant. Before he said another thing, he reminded the kids that no matter where they go, no matter what they do they are representatives of our school and of Christianity...ESPECIALLY when they are out and they have ORANGEWOOD CHRISTIAN emblazoned on their chests and shoulders.

The sense of dread was palpable in the gym. The kids were looking at one another. I could see them clicking through their brains wondering what they had done. They were very contrite looking and some did not even look up, but fiddled nervously with whatever was nearby or their shirt hems. They knew they were in trouble... that they had fallen short of the mark.

Then Mr. M told him that it had come to his attention through this man that they had been INCREDIBLY well behaved...that they were courteous to others, that they were nice to one another, that they were thoughtful to those around them, that they tipped their waiters...basically that they had been wonderful teenagers!!

There was a huge collective sigh of relief and giggling and "Mr M you scared us!!!" and lots of clapping and cheering. It was hilarious and precious all at the same time. He ended up giving each of them a movie gift certificate...nothing big...not necessary for sure, but the point was made. They had done well and they were being recognized for it. Its so important to catch the kids...our own or others...when they are doing something RIGHT!!!

As they tore out of the gym, Mr. M. looked at me and said, "You want to know the best part?? The best part is that before first period is out, that will be all over the school!"



And he was right.