Just Say Yes

by J. D.
(Canada)

This is one of the "sad ending" stories you mentioned. I was working in a school with fairly barren classrooms and suggested that we get plants for every class. That parents' group has agreed to fund the purchase of these plants.

Here is a transcript of my conversation with the principal when I asked permission to move forward on this idea:

Principal: But who will look after these plants? (I figured he was thinking that support staff would get saddled with this job.)

Me: The students! It will be a lesson in personal responsibility, and teachers can create a roster of who's to water the plants and when.

Principal: But what will happen to the plants during the summer holidays?

Me: Well, the teachers and students can take them home to "foster" them over the summer.

Principal: But what will happen if the plants die?

Me: That's the circle of life! A wonderful lesson!

We did not get plants in our classrooms. (If anyone has suggestions for how I could have presented the case for plants in the classroom better, I would love to hear them. I thought it was a no-brainer ... that everyone would welcome plants in the school setting. I guess I just wasn't prepared for so many objections.)