As I walked through the intermediate wing and turned the corner there it was - this odor that may not ever be able to describe with words. It hit me like a slap in the face. I am not one to be meek with strong odors, but this one took me out at me knees. I see my principal and we lock eyes, I am fighting back the gagging reflex, but I can't even make it to the next connecting hallway. I made a break for the door, I had to step outside to catch my breath. My principal makes sure I am ok and hurriedly walks to find the custodian. I asked her to double check the sewer isn't backing up!! I am then greeted by the gifted teacher with a look of horror on her face. The horrible smell is unavoidable, we make a break for the front foyer and are overcome with the smell of Lysol. That seals it, we dodge back out of there and seek a new retreat.
I see a different teacher headed in the direction of where I just came from. She approaches me with worry asking if I am ok. I continue to fight off the gag reflex and all but have tears streaming from my eyes. I warn her, “don't go that way - DON'T DO IT!” I grab my next social work group, stop by that teacher and offer to deliver her paper. Really there was no need for her to suffer too, I HAD to go back that way anyway. By the time that group ended, life was back to normal. Come to find out it was a little one who had diarrhea...they entire way to the office - POOR KID. It honestly was the most wretched smell I have ever encountered in my entire life!
11 Comments
3/8/2019 02:19:12 am
That is one stinky slice! Good on you for taking one for the team and trying to spare others. I was equal part smiling (from the safety of Australia) and grimacing in recognition.
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Shelly
3/11/2019 09:45:06 pm
Oh no! I wasn't wasnt searching for it, I was trying to escape it! LOL I just happened to be headed in the same direction of it! Poor Kid of your to be sprayed by a skunk!
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Lynn Grainger
3/8/2019 04:47:10 am
You certainly described the situation so clearly I felt like gagging. Unfortunately in the elementary school, nearly all of us have had a similar experience.
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Shelly
3/11/2019 09:45:49 pm
16 years in and that was a first of that magnitude! :-)
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Teri Keys
3/8/2019 05:42:00 am
I was in the foyer with that poor child. One of the few times I enjoyed stepping out into the frigid air with no coat.
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Shelly
3/11/2019 09:46:15 pm
I can only imagine!!
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3/8/2019 06:33:57 am
Oh, Shelly! You were quite good ay describing this - I would have been gagging, too! This is a sensory experience from elementary school - along with vomiting (which can almost be worse) that most of us have experienced. We can relate to your story! I am not sure I want to say thanks for sharing it?
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Shelly
3/11/2019 09:47:18 pm
I needed others to understand my pain.... jk
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Sara T.
3/10/2019 10:05:50 am
(enter war scene)
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Shelly
3/11/2019 09:48:07 pm
I'm so glad you were there...others may not have believed me!
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AuthorI have worked in social work for over 25 years. The past 19 years have been within an elementary school setting. Archives
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