Q&A for How to Survive a Trip to Your School Principal

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What do I do when it's my turn to see the principal?

Katie Styzek
School Counselor
Katie Styzek is a Professional School Counselor for Chicago Public Schools. Katie earned a BS in Elementary Education with a Concentration in Mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She served as a middle school mathematics, science, and social studies teacher for three years prior to becoming a counselor. She holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling from DePaul University and an MA in Educational Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University. Katie holds an Illinois School Counselor Endorsement License (Type 73 Service Personnel), an Illinois Principal License (formerly Type 75), and an Illinois Elementary Education Teaching License (Type 03, K – 9). She is also Nationally Board Certified in School Counseling from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Katie Styzek

School Counselor

Expert Answer

Just be as respectful as possible. Say hello, then answer the principal's questions truthfully, thoroughly, and in an even tone.

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Question

If you don't do anything bad and another kid tells the principle you did, how do you survive that?

Community Answer

Just stick to the truth and try to get other teachers or students who may have seen the situation.

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Question

How do I forget about the trip to the principal's office if I feel bad about it?

Community Answer

Accepting your fault and committing yourself to being a better person will make you feel better.

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Question

What do you do if you cry?

Community Answer

If you have to cry, let it out. If you're embarrassed about it, excuse yourself to the bathroom until you regain your composure. If you cry in front of your principal, it will show them that you take the situation very seriously.

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Question

One day, another girl beat me up to pieces and when I went to tell the teacher, she lied about what she did. Her friends backed her up so I got all the blame. How do I prevent this?

Community Answer

If you have visible injuries, you can show them as evidence. If the abuse continues, try recording her with your phone or get your friends in the area so that they can back up your story. Continue to tell the truth and eventually, it should come out.

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My teacher is going to give my school laptop to the principal tomorrow for playing a game during class. What should I do?

Community Answer

You knew that you weren't supposed to play games, and you did anyway so you need to take your punishment. The best thing you can do is apologize and promise never to do it again.

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What can you do if you get badly scolded for something which wasn't even your fault, and the principal doesn't even listen to you?

Community Answer

The only thing that you can do is keep telling the truth and try to find other classmates who saw the situation.

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Question

How do you tell your parents the truth?

Community Answer

Part of this is not being afraid of what they will do to punish you. Simply explain the situation to them in your perspective and be ready to take some of their advice once you tell them.

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Question

I was forced to bring alcohol to school and was caught what should I do?

Community Answer

At this point, you need to take responsibility for your actions. Unless the person threatened to hurt you, it was your decision to bring in the alcohol. Be truthful and talk about the pressure that you felt to do it.

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What happens if I slap a teacher on the face? Will I get in big trouble?

Community Answer

Yes. This is a crime and is called assault. You can actually go to juvenile detention or prison for such an offense.

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Will the principal forget about it so you don't have to go in there?

Community Answer

No. The principal knows who is in trouble and the school office keeps a detailed record of things that happen in and out of school.

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Question

What should I do if I disrespected a bad teacher in a very bad way and they tell the principal about me?

Community Answer

Take responsibility for your actions. If you think there's a teacher doing the wrong thing, you can always report them to the office or tell your parents. Disrespecting them is not the right thing to do in this situation.

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What to do if someone falsely blames you for bullying?

Community Answer

Stick to your story, but also keep in mind that they may have perceived your actions as bullying even if you feel like you weren't bullying. Think about what you said to them, and think about how it may have made you feel if you were in their shoes. If it wasn't bullying, but just a comment, then explain that to the principal. If they totally made up the story, stick to the truth.

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