Upon walking into any classroom, under list of rules or procedures, there is always one about bathroom passes. Now, my district wants us to avoid giving these out in a liberal manner. I am sure to prohibit students from making daily trips. I am sure to say, “no” to those students who smile at their crotch during class; this is a direct result of them looking at their cell phone during class time. I then wonder what would be the purpose of that trip to the bathroom; to actually use the potty or to as a modern-day phone booth?

Over the course of my 14 years of teaching, I have become a professional at reading students’ expressions. I can tell if a kid is lying, if he is telling the truth, and even if she really does need to use that washroom. Apparently, there comes a time, or even times, throughout our career when we mis-read a student. In this particular classroom, a female student waited until the last five minutes of the final period of the day to request a pass. The male teacher told her that they had to finish the task at hand, which would not allow her time to be excused from the class to take care of her personal business. Well, that teacher has now regretted his decision to say no. As soon as the bell rang. As soon as that student stood up from her seat. As soon as she changed position, her bladder felt it and released the flood gates causing her to urinate all over herself and the floor right in the middle of the doorway to this classroom.

I encountered this student as she rushed down the hallway, as all students were dismissed for the day, she frantically asked where the closest bathroom is and if I had anything she could use to cover herself up. Needless to say, her jeans were completely soaked to the point that the denim in her inner thigh was a darker color than the outside of her jeans. I pointed her in the right direction, which was just down the hall, and told her that just walk straight in there to clean herself up. I advised her that she would draw attention to herself if she did use something to cover herself. She did eventually call her mom, informed her of the situation, and requested that she be picked up. I felt so bad for this student. I would hope that in the future, if a teacher denies her bathroom request, that she leave the classroom anyway and explain herself afterwards.

Now I wonder how will this teacher handle this situation tomorrow?

To follow up...even a few days later, the student has failed to return to class.