Ask Agnes...  

  

 

 

 
   
Who is Agnes? Agnes is a fictional person that is here to help you with your problems! All you have to do is write your question on a piece of paper and place it in the "Ask Agnes" box located on the table outside of the Middle School Office, or you can click on the link below and ask your question! The whole thing is confidential, no one will know that it was you who asked the question! Click here to enter a question.

 

Dear Agnes,
          I noticed that my friends have been making bad choices that could really mess up their lives. What can I do to help by not making them angry?

  Sincerely,
  Friend Protector

Dear Friend Protector,
          Unfortunately, you can't force people to make good decisions. However, you can try to lead by example. You can also talk to them. If they are truly your friends, they will at least listen to what you have to say. Let them know that they are important to you and that you don't want to see them hurt. It's good to emphasize that you're not passing judgment on them - in other words, you're not saying they're bad because they've made bad choices. You're just telling them that you care about them and that you see that these choices are causing them harm. And the last thing you want is to see them hurt. Then you have to hope and pray that they take your advice. If not, just be there for them when and if they need your support. Like Stevie Wonder said, "That's what friends are for!"
  Good Luck,
  Agnes

                                 

Dear Agnes,
            I have always been really close to my best friend, but now this other girl is stealing her away from me! I don't want to hurt either of the girls' feelings, but I want my friend back! I tried being friends with both of them, but I feel like a third leg! What do I do?

  Sincerely,
  Sad Friend

Dear Sad Friend,
         Have you tried talking to your best friend? Communication is very important to ALL relationships - whether it be a friendship, a romantic relationship, teacher/student relationship, or  parent/child relationship. Talk to your best friend and let her know that you feel like a "third leg" when you hang out with both of them. She may not realize that you are feeling that way. She may not even realize that you feel like you've "lost" your best friend. Who knows - maybe you'll end up with two best friends!

  Best Wishes,
  Agnes


 

Dear Agnes,
       I hate when kids take gym too seriously! I am not the most athletic kid so I hate when people get on me for not doing well. How can I get them to back off?

  Sincerely,
  Gym Hater

Dear Gym Hater,
         If you know that you're doing the best you can, that's all that counts! Tell them that you just weren't born with "athletic genes." You can always butter them up by telling them that you admire the fact that they are so passionate about sports and that they are so good at sports. And then ask them if they could take the time to teach you how to be more athletic! If you speak to them in a nice manner without getting angry and if you compliment them, they will feel pretty bad for being so mean to you for not doing well! Perhaps they'll even be more sympathetic and more supportive the next time gym rolls around!

  Good Luck,
  Agnes

Dear Agnes,
          My teacher is really mean and it's hard to focus! Whatever should I do?
                                                                                             

  Signed,
  Mean Teach

Dear Mean Teach,
          Define "mean." Is this teacher mean in the sense that he/she is strict with the rules, or does he/she call you names and say bad things about and to you? Sometimes students think teachers are mean because they try to teach them right from wrong and how to follow the rules. That's not mean - that's caring. Teachers don't want to see students in trouble, so they try to teach them how to follow the rules and stay out of trouble! If this teacher calls you names and says bad things, perhaps this is something you need to bring up with Mr. Fargnoli. A teacher is supposed to be supportive and encouraging. They aren't supposed to put students down - they're supposed to build students up! If you are going to accuse a teacher of saying bad things and calling you names, make sure that you have witnesses to this. This way there will be no questions about this teacher's actions. It won't be your word against his/hers. I truly hope that this is just a misunderstanding and that your teacher is truly trying to help you out! But again, if that's not the case, talk to Mr. Fargnoli.

 
  Best Wishes,
  Agnes