Ask The Mask, Vol. 2, Issue 8

Before we reveal this week's new letters, it's time for a new teacher problem for you to solve! Here's Ms. Osorio:

If you have advice for our friend in the front office, please fill out this form. If we like your response, we might include it in our next issue! You can also continue sending The Mask letters about your own problems using the original form. Last week, Mr. Leonard and Ms. Self asked us for advice on how to help students who might be disappointed upon learning which role they have been assigned in a play. Thank you to everyone who submitted ideas! Here are our top five:

• "I would tell people getting the cast list to be happy with whichever role they got." ~ Lydia
• "I think you should say they were perfect for that role and they were the only one for the role, and that's why they got that role." ~ Maddie
• "Each role is special in its own way. For example, if Ariel did not have Scuttle then she would not have made it to shore, and don't forget that if Cinderella did not have her mice then she would not have a dress to wear to the ball. Every role plays a big part in every story." ~ anonymous
• "Announce the cast list online on a Friday night. That way everyone can cry all weekend and be ready to rehearse on Monday." ~ anonymous
• "Just tell them the cast list was randomly generated on a website and you didn't choose it (but you actually did and you're lying)." ~ Frank

Okay, now for our new letters:

Dear Mask,

My older brother keeps punching me and won't stop. How do I beat him up as payback?

Sincerely,

Lil Bro

San Jose, CA

Dear Lil Bro,

Some very old and wise philosopher once said, “Treat others how you want to be treated.” Do not, I repeat DO NOT, beat him up as payback. This inevitably will lead to more violence. If your brother is really punching you, tell a parent or other adult about the matter. When you find him at your throat, sometimes the best thing to do is just walk away and not give him the satisfaction of your fear or anger. I hope your situation improves.

Nonviolently,

The Mask

Dear Mask,

I get really frustrated when my friends say they like a teacher just because they get more free time in that class or the teacher doesn’t check their homework, or that they don’t like a teacher who gives actually difficult assignments. I think it’s unfair to the teachers who put so much effort into making a challenging and compelling class, because students just like the teachers who don’t teach them anything. I try to tell them that the most lenient teachers aren’t always the best, but they still prefer classes that give them more time to chat with friends. Are my friends right? Am I a teacher’s pet?

Sincerely,

Teachers’ Pet

San Jose, CA

Dear Teachers’ Pet,

Your friends are wrong; you’re not a teacher’s pet. A teacher’s pet is a person who tries their best to be looked favorably upon by the teacher to get a better grade. You, however, simply enjoy the challenge of a hard class. Some people prefer hanging out and being in a social atmosphere more than solving math equations and finding chemical formulas, and that's okay. Instead of trying to convince your friends to like different teachers, you can start conversations about the challenging and compelling topics you’re all learning about in your classes, and maybe they will come to appreciate it as much as you do.

Quizzically,

The Mask

Dear Mask,

I always feel left out, whether it be at lunch, in group projects, or sitting on the bus. I feel like my friends are always ignoring me. What should I do?

Sincerely,

Lonely Loser

New York, NY

Dear Lonely Loser,

I know what it’s like to feel invisible or ignored. Before you beat yourself up, please talk to your friends about how you feel. If that is too awkward, try to speak up when you are feeling left out and see if they can include you in the conversation. Sometimes when I feel like this, I realize I need to include myself instead of waiting for them to include me. I am sorry you feel excluded and I hope things turn around.

Inclusively,

The Mask

Dear Mask,

What do I do if homework gets too hard?

Sincerely,

A Little Busy

Dear A Little Busy,

Well, there are a lot of things you can do. One is to ask for help! Try talking to your parents about any questions you might be stuck on. After all, your parents were in the same grade as you at some point, so they may know a thing or two about what you are learning. If this doesn’t work, you can always ask your teacher. It’s your teacher’s job to help you, so they should be very understanding and help with whatever you need. If none of this seems like a good option, try doing your homework with one of your friends, and hopefully they can help you get a better understanding. Your school also might have a math help program that you can go to during lunch or recess.

Patiently,

The Mask

Dear Mask,

I’m new to my school this year and I can’t make any new friends. I mean, I have friends, but it seems like they all have their own groups, and I never hang out with them because I always feel like they will make fun of me and say no, but I always see them hanging out with other new kids and I feel so left out, but I don't know what to do. I think I might just be overthinking, but I feel like they are always judging me because I hear them talking about other people. What if they talk about me that way? I don’t know what to do. Please help.

Sincerely,

Overthinker

San Jose, CA

Dear Overthinker,

I have started at new schools many times in my life, and I know it can be rough trying to fit into social circles that people have spent years establishing. It can be kind of scary, but I think you should try to hang out with your new acquaintances. If they make fun of you and say no, then they are not worth being friends with. Trust me, everyone feels like people are judging them from time to time, but the truth is that people are always a lot more worried about what other people think of them. The trick is finding your people, even if it’s just one or two. Once you do, try to arrange times to hang out outside of school so you can really get to know them. Things got easier for me, and I bet they will for you.

In friendship,

The Mask

Dear Mask,

Last night, my mom found a Victorian cookbook and decided to make one of the pies. I really liked it, and it’s my new favorite food! I asked her what was in it, and she said pig blood. Ew! Now that I think about it, ever since I was born, I’ve always hated the sun. I used to bite my little sister… a lot. Anyway, I think I’m a vampire, and I don’t know what to do. I want to tell my family, but what if they don’t accept me for who I am?! Help!

Sincerely,

Quirky Vampire, San Jose, CA

Dear Quirky Vampire,

This is a fang-tastically horrible problem! You certainly seem to be a vampire. The first thing you need to do is watch your family very closely. Be sure they don’t have any garlic, and check if they are vampires too. Perhaps blood-loving is in your genetics! Make sure when you wake up to feel around your mouth to see if your fangs have grown in. Once they do, be sure to keep your mouth shut. And if you learn the other members of your family are not vampires after all, be sure to keep them safe. Keep your fangs to yourself! 

Thirsty,

The Mask

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Almaden Country Day School. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion, and are not intended to replace parental or professional advice.