Monday, February 22, 2010

Skool Nerse Time

This is Mrs. Grumpy.

I'd like to tell the unknown persons who broke in and stole a bunch of my school's band's musical instruments last night that you are complete utter worthless asshole scum.

The school is too poor to buy replacements. Those were bought several years ago on a fundraising drive from the band, and have been carefully kept up since then, at teacher and student's personal expense.

I know that in a world of crappy economy, a horrible earthquake in Haiti, wars, and famine, a few instruments in a school for underprivileged children (many of whom live in shelters) are minor compared to the big picture of human suffering.

But to some of the kids here, they were everything.

And I hope you rot in hell.

40 comments:

Maha said...

WTF??? I'm so sorry that happened. Stuff like this really makes me hate people.

Anonymous said...

School Nurses ROCK!! I hope you catch them and if you need any assistance with justice, give me a call. I'm your man!

Doris said...

How awful!

I know you are concerned about privacy and all, but I suspect many of us Grumpy readers would be happy to donate something to the cause to replace those instruments.

If you can figure out a way to do it that preserves your privacy, please let us know.

Doris

Harry said...

Don't sugarcoat it. Tell us what you REALLY think.

Mrs. Grumpy said...

Doris- Thank you. I'm not looking for donations, I'm just pissed.

Anonymous said...

You find out who did it, I'll whack them for you.

Big Louie

Joni said...

Mrs. Grumpy,
UGH! I don't even know what to say. Besides you tell 'em! I agree with Doris on the donations. There are plenty of us who would be happy donate if there is a way to also preserve your privacy. This is just plain sad. Why would yout ake fomr already underprivlidged kids? Haven't they been through enough already?

Shoebee said...

This is why I generally don't like people!

Anonymous said...

I know you're not looking for donations, but I do have my piccolo from junior high school. It's in excellent condition and I would gladly donate it to your school. It is small and easily sent.

Theresa said...

Amen!

bobbie said...

I would love to send a donation to help replace the instruments...
Please let us help ~~~

Stacy B said...

Mrs. Grumpy,

I agree with Doris and Joni. As soon as I read your post, I thought: Hey, I wonder if I can donate to replace those instruments? I know you're not fishing for contributions, but there are those of us that would like to help.

Stacy B (long-time lurker)

Mrs. Grumpy said...

Thank you.

Donate to your local schools. They'll appreciate it, and maybe one of them will be mine.

stewbert said...

oh no! That's just horrible. :( I'm so sorry. I know our school band would have been crushed had that happened to us, though we had a corporate sponsor who purchased and replaced things as needed. The school and kids just couldn't afford it. The owner of the company had kids at that school, but not a single one played in the band.

Any chance the school can look for a corporate sponsor for replacements?

Jenn said...

As a musician/band director and future Neurologist's Wife (Neurology is currently his chosen specialty), I just have to say "Thank You" for standing up for what's right, the students, and band. You ROCK!

Anonymous said...

So sad....as a music lover that just hurts!

Unknown said...

Being a band geek myself, and my Dad as a band director/music teacher, I know how much something like this can suck for the kids. I think my Dad mentioned something like this happened at his school recently, too.

To be honest, though, I was actually waiting for a time when enough people actually caught up to the fact that the metal the instruments was made out of is relatively valuable and that the cost of instruments is higher than a lot of people may realize, even student versions. I do wonder if they were taken for the purpose of reselling (unlikely), or for the metal contained within the instruments themselves (which seems to have only grown in value as of late). If the dirt-sucking scum bags are ever caught, I'd be interested to know. I also hope that by the time they're caught (if they're ever caught, that is) that said instruments can be returned and are in playable condition.

Could be time for band departments around the country to start locking up the instruments, as sad as that is. I sincerely hope that the two I've heard of don't become mainstream and that they're unrelated. I'd hate to hear more of this. Music and arts education is more valuable than a good amount of people give it credit for.

Kimbra Kasch said...

That is horrible.

I wanna give you some good news - so check out my blog on Thursday - I'm gonna give you an award ;)

Kat's Kats said...

We were fortunate to be able to rent to own my violin in elementary from my teacher who owned a store with her husband. They gave a great rate to students because they knew how important music is for children. It raises math scores, helps with self-esteem, and I could just go on and on.

In high school I was just in the band flag corps where we made our own uniforms. The band uniforms were ancient and we were still marching with steel poles & double polyester flags when everyone else had aluminum and 'silk'. So I know about not having money to replace instruments.

Is there any chance that the school can get new instruments from the Mr. Opus program that provides instruments to schools? Regardless, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Kitty Horde stands ready to go after the jerks who did this and broke the hearts of deserving children.

Kat's Kats said...

P.S. I hope that when they are caught they will let you use your first aid kit on them. muahahahahahaha!

terri c said...

I'm so so sorry. Suckitude.

Anonymous said...

Mrs. G. Get this out to the media in your town. Seriously. You never know what person with a big heart and an even bigger bank account (or a bunch of big-hearted people of smaller means) might be listening.

Reality Jayne said...

Amen....sister

RSDS said...

Maybe someway to donate can be arranged through Dr. Grumpy's store?

wv: grastato - some relation to the Gestapo? the organization that should be sent after those thugs.

Anonymous said...

may I suggest a Paypal tip jar?
That should be nicely anonymous on both sides.
:)

Cheryl said...

I agree with salegamine - Grumpy can you do this?

Celeste said...

I'd be watching the local Craigslist to see if they turn up for sale.

Jo said...

Let me at 'em. I'm a neuroscience nurse--I *know* where to hit.

Moose said...

The tales of thefts I've been hearing lately just boggle my mind. This is horrible.

Around where I'm living now the latest "thing" is for thieves to steal catalytic converters from cars left in parking lots.

I could go on a rant about what will likely happen to the person(s) who are found to have done these things, but I'm just really too fed up with humanity.

Carol S. said...

Spinal taps with no anesthetic for all those freaks!

Signed,

a marching band geek and a proud Mom of a band geek..just passing on the family love/tradition.

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking the school should have insurance for this. Do they??
It still sucks though.

Anonymous said...

"Donate to your local schools. They'll appreciate it, and maybe one of them will be mine."

That's very gracious of you.

But I know some of the regular readers can afford to and would like to help your school's musicians out in addition to what we give to the charities we regularly support. Bloggers make some things "local" to people who live far away from them.

So if, as have been previously suggested, you want to offer an obscenely overpriced "collector's item" from the Dr. Grumpy store, or if you want to post a PayPal link ....

Anonymous said...

Hello-
Longtime lurker-- but this heartbreaking post pushed me to comment.

As mentioned numerous times before, I'd be more than happy to chip in a few dollars to raise some funds for replacement instruments! The idea of a tip jar is perfect.

Dana said...

As a former USA band geek, I wanna do really mean and evil things to the person who stole from kids. I loved my music. Band was one class that I ALWAYS looked forward to because we were gonna play music.

I now live overseas, but I would also love to help those kids replace their instruments. However you guys decide to do it (and there have been some good ideas in the comments), I will be helping. Music should be for everyone.

Anonymous said...

Check out your local pawn shops in the area...they may have sold them for a quick buck.

That is how we found some of our stolen instruments.

:)

Mrs. Grumpy said...

Thank you all.

The school Principal is talking to local music stores, and hopefully we will be able to get replacements. I'll let you guys know what happens.

The Good Cook said...

Let us know if you do decide the school needs donations to replace those instruments. Or maybe to hire a thug to teach the thieves a lesson....

TracyKM said...

It's hard to believe someone could be so desperate to steal instruments, considering all the other items of value in a school. I'd be watching the local craigslist, kijiji, cheapcycle lists closely; hope all the serial numbers were recorded. Music was SO important to me growing up!

M said...

Seriously Mrs. Skool Nurse,

Many of us have instruments just waiting for a much needed home. I have 2 guitars badly played by me, who would much prefer the loving abuse of a child. We just need an anonymous place to send them. Think about it....

student dr. blaze said...

why does it always seem like the people who already have been through the worst crap get hit with more crap like these kids have?!

*sigh*

i'm with everyone else--i don't have much, but i'll add to a "tip jar" to help.

 
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