Up The Down Staircase

38. Unfortunate Incident

Dear Miss Barrett,

Thank you for everything ….. It’s not your fault ….. I wish you all the happiness and joy you (der) deserve …. Some day they will all know ….. Be well and take care of yourself …..

I hope I didn’t inconveniance You.

Alice Blake

* * *

INTRASCHOOL COMMUNICATION

FROM: H. Pastorfield, Room 307

TO: S. Barrett, Room 304

Dear Sylvia,

Can you spare some chalk?

What's all the commotion outside?

Henrietta

* * *

INTRASCHOOL COMMUNICATION

FROM: Mary Lewis, Main Office

TO: S. Barrett, Room 304

Sylvia— How awful! How perfectly awful! We've never had anything like this since I've been here. Where is Paul? His time card is punched in, but no one can find him. How awful that it happened in his room!

Mary

(The office is Bedlam. Finch is in hysterics—never saw her like this before!)

* * *

INTRASCHOOL COMMUNICATION

FROM: Marcus Manheim, Room 306

TO: Sylvia Barrett, Room 304

Dear Miss Barrett,

They need me as a witness, although I didn't really see it—I was just passing by 309. If you're not teaching, can you cover my class for a few minutes while I sign the papers and forms? Thank you.

S. Manheim

* * *

FROM: JAMES J. MCHABE, ADM. ASST.

TO: ALL TEACHERS

ALL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WILL PLEASE REMAIN IN THEIR ROOMS, DISREGARDING THE BELLS, UNTIL THE AMBULANCE ARRIVES.

JJ McH

* * *

Dear Miss Barrett,

Please send down Health Card for Alice Blake—Urgent!

Do you have any blank Accident Reports? I'm all out—Urgent!

Do you know where Mr. Barringer is?—Urgent!

Frances Egan

School Nurse

* * *

INTRASCHOOL COMMUNICATION

FROM: 508

TO: 304

Dear Syl—

It's ghastly, I know, but try to keep the kids busy.

Can you reach Paul? It seems she left a letter for him on his desk.

Bea

* * *

FROM: JAMES J. MCHABE, ADM. ASST.

TO: ALL TEACHERS

AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED. YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO DISCUSS IT WITH ANY POLICE OFFICERS IN THE BUILDING OR ANY OUTSIDERS. WE MUST NOT ALLOW THE PUBLIC IMAGE OF OUR SCHOOL TO BE DISTORTED UNDER STRESS.

JJ McH

* * *

Dear Miss Barrett,

Please initial the entry: 'Jumped or fell' over the red line on the enclosed PRC for Blake, Alice.

You will note that her CC's for the last 4 terms indicate excellent adjustment:

Term 1: Nice & helpful

' 2: Leadership potential

' 3: Reliable—blackboard monitor

' 4: Lovely girl—polite

It's most atypical for a girl with her stable PPP to have done what she did, but there are factors beyond our control.

Ella Friedenberg

Guidance Counselor

* * *

Dear Miss Barrett,

Please fill out the enclosed Emergency Form: