The texts started coming early on Ewing Young Principal Scott Henderson’s first day of school, Sept. 5. Although he started working over the summer, it was his first official day as principal, and his staff had a surprise in store for him.
Almost all of his staff texted that they wouldn’t be coming to work. At first, the texts got his heart pounding, but when he dug into each message, he realized that it was an elaborate prank, and he responded accordingly to some. To others, there was nothing to do but laugh.
Excuses included a lot of hair trouble and some animal encounters. Here are several example texts:
- Mrs. Currier: I’m so sorry! I was on my way to work but realized I have to decorate for National Rotisserie Chicken Day! I’ll try to be in tomorrow!
- Mr. Henderson: I beat you to it. I already have my chicken costume on.
- Mrs. Hardy: Scott! I’m having the worst hair day! Can’t make it in! Hope the first day goes well!
- Mr. Henderson: Same with me. I think I’m just going to shave mine off, go bald.
- Mrs. Kelley: Scott, I can’t make it in to work this morning. My dogs are depressed and asked me to stay home with them.
- Mrs. Moore: I can’t believe this happened on the first day, but I’m going to be super late. My son has his driver’s test today but he doesn’t know how to drive so I am going to teach him real quick and then I’ll be in. We will drive really fast so it shouldn’t take long.
- Mrs. Lampkin: Sorry for the late notice ... One of my chickens lost all of her feathers this a.m. Luckily, I have them numbered for just such an occasion. I’ll have her put back together in no time and be at work as soon as I can.
- Mr. Henderson: That is my worst nightmare. We have a feather poster at home and I have them all numbered for that reason.
- Ms. Lang: OMG, I just opened my door and got sprayed by a skunk.
- Mr. Henderson: I have skunk spray.
- Lang: Wait, is this a skunk? (Sent picture of a cat.)
- Mrs. DiStefano: Hi, sorry to do this. This new Oregon self-serve gas didn’t work out well for me this morning. I filled my car up with gas from the green nozel, apparently, that was the wrong one ...
- Mr. Henderson: I did that too, I got towed now walking.
- Mr. Taylor: My friend Summer called and said they are not ready for me to FALL. Sorry, I won’t be in.
- Ms. Radzio: I’m sorry I can’t make it in today. I woke up in a good mood and didn’t want to ruin it.
- Mr. Hampton: I feel terrible about this Scott, but I won’t be able to come in today. I was cutting my hair this morning and the guard fell off, and now half of my head is bald. I’m horrified and am combing the internet looking for rapid regrowth spray.
- Mr. Henderson: My hair is getting shaved off as we speak. My kids got gum stuck in my hair last night.