If I had known about the extra paperwork involved in getting a bandage for a student, I would never have allowed my classroom supply to run out. I would have made a special trip to the store, just to pick up another box of Bandaids.
I keep a large supply of bandages in a pencil box my classroom for minor bumps and ouches. I have an open policy for their use. The students are allowed to go to the cupboard and get a bandage, without asking me, anytime they feel they need one. This reduces class interruptions to deal with hangnail issues and itchy mosquito bites.
It’s a way to keep the little ones happy and secure, knowing their ouches have been properly bandaged. Young students are of the firm belief that everything can be fixed with a bandage.
One bright Monday a student picked up her homework packet and the edge of the staple pricked her finger. She worried about it, and squeezed her fingertip until it turned white, trying to draw a drop of blood.
She approached me in front of the class.
“Could I please have a bandage?” she asked, holding her finger out to me for examination. The look on her face and the condition of her finger showed she needed comfort and support in her time of pain, more than simple first aid.
“There aren’t any more in the cupboard,” she told me. I saw tears threatening in her dark eyes.
“I’ll write you a pass and you can go to the office to get a bandage,” I told her as I reached over and pulled an office pass from the clip on the wall.
“Can my friend come with me?” she whimpered.
“Certainly, she may.” I filled out the paper and sent them to the office.
The two girls came back a few minutes later, smiling and happy. My student was clearly on the mend from her tragic incident. She handed me a paper.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“I don’t know. The lady at the office said you have to fill it out.”
I looked down at the paper. It was an accident report. For a staple prick. For a bandage on a finger.
With a sigh, I began filling it out.
Question: “Did you see the accident?”
Answer: “No, I was passing out papers.”
Question: “Who was with the student?”
Answer: “Myself and thirty-three other students.”
Question: “What caused the accident?”
Answer: “The student picked up her homework packet.”
Maybe I should stop assigning homework, I mused.
After signing and dating the form, I sent it to the office to have the principal sign it. After that, it will be copied and filed in the nurse’s office, and who knows how many other places.
On the way home from school that day, I made a special trip to the store. I picked up two boxes of bandages. One for the cupboard, and another for a backup supply in my desk.
Just in case we ever run out again.
Just in case another student gets an ouch.
Just in case I’m not so patient about silly paperwork next time.
Just in case.
Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: accident report, bandages in the classroom, bandaids for students, paperwork in schools, too much paperwork
