The Case of the Missing Pumpkin

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:33 am

I sauntered into my classroom this morning, happy as could be for a Monday morning, and had brought in a cool cowboy hat for our classroom pumpkin to wear today. I told you all how I was given the biggest pumpkin I have ever had in my whole life, more than a yard wide! The kids have oohed and awed over it for days, and are looking forward to dressing it up daily. Especially in a Raven's uniform, since they won yesterday.

Well, I open the door, turn on the lights-and the pumpkin is gone! An empty space on my lab counter. I rush over to take a look, think to myself, "I need my first diet coke of the morning," and no, it is really gone.

I run up and down the hallways until the teachers arrive, and finally my team leader says, "Oh yeah, I took it home and had a pumpkin party. We carved it up, and made some really great pumpkin pie out of it too. I knew you wouldn't mind!"

No, he said he carved it up really cool for the kids, but I do not think it was nice to snitch my pumpkin without asking. The kids will be here in less then 30, and I will have to tell them to wait until tomorrow to see what it looks like, but I think they may be disappointed. What could I say to my team leader, it's already all carved up!:-1

What would you do if someone snitched your pumpkin?

SuzyB · Post by **SuzyB** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:35 am

chonsigirl;445008 wrote: I sauntered into my classroom this morning, happy as could be for a Monday morning, and had brought in a cool cowboy hat for our classroom pumpkin to wear today. I told you all how I was given the biggest pumpkin I have ever had in my whole life, more than a yard wide! The kids have oohed and awed over it for days, and are looking forward to dressing it up daily. Especially in a Raven's uniform, since they won yesterday.

Well, I open the door, turn on the lights-and the pumpkin is gone! An empty space on my lab counter. I rush over to take a look, think to myself, "I need my first diet coke of the morning," and no, it is really gone.

I run up and down the hallways until the teachers arrive, and finally my team leader says, "Oh yeah, I took it home and had a pumpkin party. We carved it up, and made some really great pumpkin pie out of it too. I knew you wouldn't mind!"

No, he said he carved it up really cool for the kids, but I do not think it was nice to snitch my pumpkin without asking. The kids will be here in less then 30, and I will have to tell them to wait until tomorrow to see what it looks like, but I think they may be disappointed. What could I say to my team leader, it's already all carved up!:-1

What would you do if someone snitched your pumpkin?

I'd play a darn nasty trick on him and make sure he got no treats:sneaky:

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:33 am

i would tell him that you did mind that he took the pumkin without asking and you would appreciate it if he would replace it promptly. also ask him not to remove anything else out of your room without asking. (that was really a lousy thing to do)

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:01 am

i'd be really po'd if someone did that to me. I'd make him go home and get the pumpkin.

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:38 am

guppy;445063 wrote: i would tell him that you did mind that he took the pumkin without asking and you would appreciate it if he would replace it promptly. also ask him not to remove anything else out of your room without asking. (that was really a lousy thing to do)

Yeah

What The Gupster said :-6

Mystery · Post by **Mystery** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:45 am

That's awful! Now, the kids won't get to help! I'm thinking like everyone else. He should replace it!

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:37 am

He is bringing in the pumpkin tomorrow, but must have thrown the biggest party the Baltimore area has known for years-the theme was carving the pumpkin. I have had 10 teachers tell me what a cool pumpkin party he had-and I correct them and say, "it was my pumpkin he was carving, I know nothing about a party." They look perplexed, and then I have to explain what he was doing with my pumpkin anyway.

And they made yummy pumpkin pie out the insides, I think I deserve a piece.

The kids are upset, they are not going to decorate it.

It better look good when he brings it in tomorrow............................

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:38 am

chonsigirl;445162 wrote: I correct them and say, "it was my pumpkin he was carving, I know nothing about a party." They look perplexed, and then I have to explain what he was doing with my pumpkin anyway

Good for you Chonsi! :guitarist

chocoholic · Post by **chocoholic** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:42 am

guppy;445063 wrote: i would tell him that you did mind that he took the pumkin without asking and you would appreciate it if he would replace it promptly. also ask him not to remove anything else out of your room without asking. (that was really a lousy thing to do)

Hear Hear!, he had a bl**dy cheek!!:)

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:42 am

What a creep. Would like to hear an explaination of why he felt it was OK to just saunter into your classroom and take it. Would he have taken it if it was sitting on a neighbors front porch?

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:02 am

The more I think about this the more mad I get. He basically stole your pumpkin, what does that teach the kids? Also why weren't you invited to the party? That seems rude to me too.

911 · Post by **911** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:10 am

Well, if it were me, I'd let the kids dress him up everyday in a different outfit just as if he were the pumpkin and make him wear the costume all day!

Teach him to keep his hands to himself or ask first. MEN! :p

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:13 am

911;445229 wrote: Well, if it were me, I'd let the kids dress him up everyday in a different outfit just as if he were the pumpkin and make him wear the costume all day!

Teach him to keep his hands to himself or ask first. MEN! :p

Yeah

And then carve HIM up

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:25 am

guppy;445063 wrote: i would tell him that you did mind that he took the pumkin without asking and you would appreciate it if he would replace it promptly. also ask him not to remove anything else out of your room without asking. (that was really a lousy thing to do)

exactly! what an awful thing to do!

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:03 am

I cant imagine someone being this insensitive, therefore I think he has a surprise in store and everyone else is in on it. Then again he could just be a jerk.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:27 am

YZGI;445254 wrote: I cant imagine someone being this insensitive, therefore I think he has a surprise in store and everyone else is in on it. Then again he could just be a jerk.

I am hoping for that, YZGI. Maybe he will bring it into school, filled with candy for our students. But he left me holding the bag and stretching the truth everytime I'm asked, "Where's our pumpkin?" (And obviously about 10 teachers or more went to the party from here, yeah, I do feel old and left out......I am living for Friday, I see my #1 son then, he loves me.....................)

one more class to go, it is hard for me to answer their questions.....

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:32 am

chonsigirl;445264 wrote: I am hoping for that, YZGI. Maybe he will bring it into school, filled with candy for our students. But he left me holding the bag and stretching the truth everytime I'm asked, "Where's our pumpkin?" (And obviously about 10 teachers or more went to the party from here, yeah, I do feel old and left out......I am living for Friday, I see my #1 son then, he loves me.....................)

one more class to go, it is hard for me to answer their questions.....

they probably spent the night talking about their TV shows.....:yh_giggle

anyway, we all love you! :-4

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:34 am

:-4 And I love you sunny, and everyone here.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:12 pm

I'd lay it on really heavy with the guilt trip - "I'd been promissing them, as a special treat 'cos they'd been so good, that they could carve it and choose how to decorate it. I've had kids in tears all day" etc.

The fact he didn't invite you to the party (and therefore tell you what he was doing) shows he knew he was wrong before he did it.

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:17 pm

sunny104;445268 wrote: anyway, we all love you! :-4

Yes Chonsi

You are very well-loved by your Garden Family :-4

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:20 pm

What a bastard, seriously you want me to kick his ass ?

On the phone I guess.

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:21 pm

Nomad;445357 wrote: What a bastard, seriously you want me to kick his ass ?

On the phone I guess.

Now *that's* Garden loyalty for you :guitarist

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:54 pm

Thank you all, my dear FG family. I shall let you know what happens tomorrow when I return to school. I hope there is something nice for the kids, I was not my usual self all day so kids feel those things.

The science teacher who bought it for me said next year he will lock it up in his room until I come get it, he went to a lot of trouble to get one for me and the other 6th grade teacher. (the other pumpkin wasn't stolen at least, I am glad of that)

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:06 pm

I told the science teacher who bought it for me this morning, he came down at lunchtime, to see if the teacher had brought it back, decorated. Of course, it wasn't there. The science teacher said he would come down tomorrow to see it, and I think he will report him if it is not back and looking decent-or just out and out report him to the principal. (They know I am a little scared to make waves, I am taking Friday off for the conference and don't want any trouble about nothing. Sometimes I must go home in the middle of the day if there is a nursing situation, but only once this year)

This nice science teacher had totted 3 huge pumpkins-mine weighed about 90-100 pounds or more-down from Pennsylvania just for our science classes. It was for the kids to decorate, and he had brought about 100 of those little pumpkins too. It was a science day thing, guess the number of seeds on the little ones, decorate the big one. He did it today in his class, the kids were thrilled, the winner took the big pumpkin home with them to put on their porch. I was waiting for tomorrow to do it, but decorate the pumpkin in whatever the class voted on-it was hard to tell them all today the pumpkin was gone.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:13 pm

I will, dear snooze. I will post in the morning whether the pumpkin is there, and what they carved it into-I just know they did something with it. I hope it is something nice and the kids will like it.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:20 pm

Why is your light red bunny ? Thats not you, dont be a lurker please. Its creepy.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:33 pm

Here I am!:)

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:35 pm

Thank you for not being creepy.

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:48 pm

guppy;445063 wrote: i would tell him that you did mind that he took the pumkin without asking and you would appreciate it if he would replace it promptly. also ask him not to remove anything else out of your room without asking. (that was really a lousy thing to do)

Bryn Mawr;445307 wrote: The fact he didn't invite you to the party (and therefore tell you what he was doing) shows he knew he was wrong before he did it.

Oh Chonsi hunny how sad for you and your pupils! :-1

I can see why you don't want to make waves but I agree with guppy and bryn mawr. This guy shouldn't have taken the pumpkin without asking and he most certainly shouldn't have carved it without your permission! He knew exactly hat he was doing - knew he was taking the fun from your kids in order to satisfy his own wants - and as Bryn said. he knew it was wrong which is why you weren't invited to his party! This is wrong on all levels. Regardless of the fact that it was a pumpkin, it was also a gift to you from another teacher. What if you were given a gift of diamonds or a fancy box of chocolates and he took those for his partner to wear to a party or to taste for himself?

He's blustering and it all boils down to stealing. Even if he returns the pumpkin he wont return the contents - its like returning an empty chocolate box - he stole your gift and returned it damaged. And what if his carving is terrible or even pornographic in some way? Your kids will be doubly disappointed! Tell us your school and we'll all pretend to be parents complaining on behalf of our/your kids! Or tell us the name of your local paper and we'll write letters of complaint!

He needs to learn this isn't a funny joke! It's arrogance and it's theft and he should apologise to your class and repay them!

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:21 pm

You said he made pumpkin pies with it. How much did he carve out, because it's the white flesh you use to make pies.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:33 pm

Oh, wow, I did not think of that. I wonder if it is all gone? I know we always made pumpkin pies after Halloween, with the leftover pumpkin.........................

chrisb84uk · Post by **chrisb84uk** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:37 am

Oh I'm really sorry to hear about this Chonsi, it just goes to show you how awful some people can be, and I bet the worse thing in his mind is that he probably doesn't even think he did anything wrong, despite the looks on all the kids faces, when they heard this news. What a ass!!

Well I hope you have better news for you today when you show up at school!!! :-6

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:26 am

SnoozeControl;445732 wrote: I'm waiting to hear the latest... this guy better make good or I'm coming to Maryland to kick some wimpass in the nads.

Snoozie

You are very very cute when you're angry :-4

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:16 am

I'm here early today, and waiting....................no pumpkin yet.

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:18 am

chonsigirl;445779 wrote: I'm here early today, and waiting....................no pumpkin yet.

We're waiting with you, Chonsi :-4

chrisb84uk · Post by **chrisb84uk** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:18 am

Bummer!

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:37 am

No pumpkin, but I honestly told him the truth-that he stole my pumpkin, and I didn't know what to tell the kids today. He felt bad, as he should. ZHe said he didn't understand-he knew it was a gift from the science teacher.

I have to go out to bus duty, I love you all.

chrisb84uk · Post by **chrisb84uk** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:46 am

chonsigirl;445795 wrote: No pumpkin, but I honestly told him the truth-that he stole my pumpkin, and I didn't know what to tell the kids today. He felt bad, as he should. ZHe said he didn't understand-he knew it was a gift from the science teacher.

I have to go out to bus duty, I love you all.

That's a real shame, and it must be such a huge disappointment for you and the kids for this to happen. I know you say that he is sorry for what he did, but it's far too late to be saying it now in my opinion, and he really should be ashamed for stealing your pumpkin for his own greedy purpose!

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:02 am

chonsi-i really hope he replaces the pumpkin. if he doesn't you have learned a valuable lesson about this man's character, or lack of. i hope you end up having a good day. dont let the jerk take you down. :-4

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:12 am

He went home to get it while I was outside on bus duty-so it is cut like a regular jack-o-latern, and he understands he hurt my feelings. (of course, it was cut about 3 days ago, so it is old)

I do not think he even thought of it before, I explained what would I tell my students, I fibbed to them yesterday? He did not realize it, I do not know why he didn't..............

snooze, I will think about the e-mail, I am fearful of keeping my job. I would hate to change schools for some reason.

chrisb84uk · Post by **chrisb84uk** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:28 am

Well at least he replaced it in the end, even though it's certainly not as special as you would of liked. I really wouldn't go anymore on this, as we certainly don't want you to go getting yourself into trouble, because of this incident.

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:16 am

chonsigirl;445835 wrote: He went home to get it while I was outside on bus duty-so it is cut like a regular jack-o-latern, and he understands he hurt my feelings. (of course, it was cut about 3 days ago, so it is old)

I do not think he even thought of it before, I explained what would I tell my students, I fibbed to them yesterday? He did not realize it, I do not know why he didn't..............

snooze, I will think about the e-mail, I am fearful of keeping my job. I would hate to change schools for some reason.

Chonsi, I really feel he should get some comeback on this!

I understand your worries but could you not tell us the name of the local newspaper for your town? Then we could write to the paper and say how disappointed our child/ grandchild was because their pumpkin was taken. We wouldn't have to give either your name or his name. But I'm sure the principal would become aware of it and this teacher would get his knuckles rapped - as they should be! He still doesn't seem to appreciate just how extremely thoughtless and unkind he has been! :-5