Sad situaton

This post is not about running.  And if you're a teacher I'm sure this story will be no surprise to you.  Which is sad.  It's sad that kids grow up in these kinds of environments.

Last year I was a Big Sister to Shaynice.  She was a great girl.  Definitely in need of the BB/BS program, for sure.  At the time she was in the middle of sixth grade at a school a "charter" school in town.  Since I'm not a teacher and don't have kids I had to look up what exactly that meant.  Their website describes it as a "no cost" public school with volunteer enrollment.  Sounds great on paper!  I know that all the kids are inner city kids (because if you live in the suburbs with a good school system why go somewhere else in the first place?).

In trying to get Shaynice more involed and excited about reading I found that she only reads on our about somewhere in the 1-3 grade level.  The school's website also touts parental involvement and lots of other encouraging, great educational things.  Well, I get the feeling that most of the kids are from situations similar to Shaynice's.  And let me tell you - in her situation there is no parental involvement, and no parental encouragement concerning education, let alone most of the other fancy things on the school's web page - in which they try to promote the school.  It's sad for a whole lot of reasons...

But at the end of the year I decided not to renew my participation in the program.  It was a hard decision.  There was no denying that Shaynice needed a positive influence in her life.  But I just couldn't give it 100% of my attention and that wouldn't be fair to her or me.

So, I think I probably have already told you most or all of the above story.  But I've got a bit more...

When we parted ways I told Shaynice that she was welcome to call or text me.  Or heck, write me a letter.  She had my information.  Earlier in the summer I got a letter form her that was short, truly sweet and also included her new address across town.  They had moved apartments.  I really hope it was better than the one in which they were living.  Of course it wouldn't take much at all to move up in circumstances...  I sent her a card back saying I hoped she was looking forward to eight grade, which she was going to be starting at the end summer (which had just started).

About a month ago I got a text from her.  It said "hi J. how r u? parking lot pimp"

What?  Really??  I could only wonder who she'd been around to start talking like that.  I was so disappointed I didn't immediately respond.  And honestly, I then forgot about it and didn't respond at all.

Today I got another text from her.  It said " Hi J. just wanted know what ur doing Da badest bitch"

Really??  This time I owed it to her to tell her why I wasn't responding.  I replied "Shaynice - I'm disappointed that you used this kind of language in this text and your previous one.  I expected better of you.  If you want to send me a text please send me one from the young lady I know you to be."

Her response was "Im sorry thats my mom signature Da  badest bitch"

*shakes head in disbelief*