Monday 17 October 2016

Memorandum Monday - the circus edition

It's been a bizarre old week.
If someone had told me that one day I would be helping distribute a memo to be read out to all students in our school that included the words

'can reassure you that no clowns have been seen on, or around, the school premises'

I would not have believed them.  In fact that is something new that I had to do since last meeting for Memorandum Monday (as organised by the lovely Sian over at From High in the Sky). 

It was also the first time that an email was sent to all parents which ended with a comment from the local police:

They recommend that if anyone sees any clowns they should call 999 immediately.
  
Out of context, and if you hadn't heard about this latest craze on the news, these communications seem very peculiar but oh yes, our town is - along with many others - plagued by rumour and speculation that we are about to be ... visited by clowns.  I hope they know that if they come in their tiny yellow and red cars with the doors that fall off they will have to arrive at our school after 10am because before then they won't be able to park in the road because of local parking restrictions. 

There was a false alarm at breaktime on Friday and about 150 girls ran screaming through reception and down the front path because someone 'thought they had seen a clown'.  150 over excited, high pitched screaming girls.  I can still hear it ringing in my ears!  Hence the memo.  Because some of the younger girls are genuinely scared.  Some honestly believe that something bad and scary is going to happen.  People I work with who have younger children are having to comfort and reassure them and calm them down as they wake from scary clown filled dreams.  We are living in strange times.

Now for my other 'first'  - and I know I'm late to the party with this one, but this weekend I

received my first new £5 note

It feels very weird, like it's made of plastic but I think I do prefer it to the scrumpled up, torn and tatty old ones that I've been getting in my change, and it does feel like it will survive a quick washing machine adventure without needing to be pieced back together as it dries out. 


You can almost sense Winston's disapproving 'I won't take any nonsense from people dressed up as clowns.' look.

So that's my firsts for this week, head on over to Sian's to see what everyone else has been doing.

9 comments:

Ruth said...

The whole clown is very weird, isn't it? Thankfully, it doesn't appear to be having any impact at TBC's school ... yet!
I like the new £5 note, so much so that I've kept the first one I received as a memento!

Patio Postcards said...

Ah the clown craze - people with too much time on their hands. Locally we have been told NOT to call the police as they are busy with real police work. Ummm not sure I like that message. I am not a clown fan at the best of times. 150 screaming teen girls, no not a fan of that either. 5 pound note, I am a fan - & yes Winston does look stern ... Happy week ahead & may it be filled with the receipt of lots of 5 pound notes & no clowning sightings.

helena said...

I can just imagine the noise made by 150 screaming girls!! I haven't seen on of the new notes yet but can testify to the washing machine stability of polymer notes having retrieved Australian dollars from a new laundered pocket the last time I was over there. Have a good week

Sian said...

The clowns thing is bizarre. I haven't heard of any here but if I saw one I'd be strongly tempted to march him right home. Idiots!

We did have plastic notes here before, but they were taken out of circulation again. I don't know why.

Wishing you a scream-free week :)

alexandra s.m. said...

I cannot believe that clown craze has crossed the pond! What a pain in the neck that must be for teachers and school officials!
My DD is bringing home some new notes so I can touch them ;)
Hope WEEK 42 is quieter for you~

Barbara said...

I am hoping the clown craze will go away soon- goodness all those girls screaming!
I haven't seen any of the new £5 notes yet.

alexa said...

Gosh, yes, what a weird message to have to deliver! Would make a good scene for the opening of a detective novel:). Not seen any clowns here - I'm with Sian on giving them a good telling off in a 'for goodness'sake, just go home and grow up' sort of a way. Not seen any of the new notes either ... Hoping you have a restful week and those screaming teenagers find something else to do ...

Sandra said...

I honestly don't understand the whole 'clown' thing. I mean what is the point? And what do they actually do? Am I meant to be scared of them? Seriously I'd laugh at one if I saw one and tell them to get a life!

Now I'm in the love camp of the new £5 note ... I've kept my first one, but I saw today on IG someone is looking for a charity to donate her first one too. I think I'll do that too.

Susanne said...

I've heard about the clown thing, but don't know where or how it started. I pretty much ignore Halloween anyway.