Empathy No. 030

08/15/02, Redgrove central off. 8:15 AM (approx)

PRINCIPAL NEWMAN: There you are, Roderick. Don't worry, this will only take a few minutes, you won't be late for class.

RODERICK: Is there something wrong? Uh...something with my schedule?

PRINCIPAL NEWMAN: Not at all. Although...are you satisfied with your schedule?

RODERICK: Yes, it's all right, it suits me.

PRINCIPAL NEWMAN: Good. Well, sometimes we do call in students, mainly those in special circumstances, just to make sure that everything is going well. You're new here, and there are some things that we didn't have time to discuss with your mother.

RODERICK: Okay.

PRINCIPAL NEWMAN: So, your stepfather made some arrangements, so you will be allowed to leave your final class every Wednesday for your appointment. Mrs. Massey already knows you'll be leaving but not why, you don't need to explain yourself to her or anyone else. Wednesday afternoon, you just don't need to go to that last class. Allison will pick up any assignments for you.

RODERICK: That's fine.

PRINCIPAL NEWMAN: Good. Now, there were a few snags and hangups when we brought you on board, the whole process...well, it was a little quicker than we would have liked. That doesn't mean we haven't yet set you up in the gifted program.

RODERICK: That's okay, I don't need that.

PRINCIPAL NEWMAN: Well, I understand that you were always in the gifted programs in your other schools.

RODERICK: I was, but it's...it's really not necessary, I hadn't even been going regularly.

PRINCIPAL NEWMAN: Very well. Of course, Redgrove also offers a wide range of extracurricular programs. I'd give you a list, but I suspect that people are going to be approaching you.

RODERICK: I'm not really interested in extracurricular programs, either.

PRINCIPAL NEWMAN: Really? That's a little unusual. Your achievements are very well known.

RODERICK: It's not...This is a pretty big school. You must have a lot of smart kids.

PRINCIPAL NEWMAN: That's true. Would you like for me to arrange for you to meet some of them? You know, just so you'll have some people of like mind to talk with.

RODERICK: I appreciate that, Mr. Newman, but it's okay, I swear.

PRINCIPAL NEWMAN: Roderick, I know you had some problems at your old school. We just want you to feel comfortable here, comfortable and safe.

RODERICK: Yes, I understand, thank you.

PRINCIPAL NEWMAN: You're not obliged to take our help, but if you do have any problems with students or staff, you can come to me and we'll address it. Also, we do have a regular counselor on staff. I know that you do have a therapist, but if you have a need to speak with anyone during the day, we can help you.

RODERICK: Thank you, sir, I'll remember that.

PRINCIPAL NEWMAN: Okay. That's it, you can go to your first class now. And don't worry, you'll like Redgrove.

RODERICK: I'm sure I will. Thank you.