A Message from the Principal

Illustrated by Tim Heitz

"**A Message from the Principal**" is the second chapter of *Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger*.

## Synopsis

The students listen to Mr. Kidswatter's announcement, but he goes on a little too long.

## Plot

This chapter begins with Dameon running upstairs to Mrs. Jewls's class, though he seems to have forgotten just how high up the thirtieth story was. By the time he gets there, his legs hurt, his side aches, and there's a blister where his sneaker rubbed against his ankle, but he's still happy to see his favorite teacher. Mrs. Jewls welcomes him back, though Dameon notices that something seems different about her, but he doesn't know what. Mrs. Jewls asks him if he can grab her pencil, which she left in the office, and he turns around and heads downstairs to help his favorite teacher. Everyone staggers into Mrs. Jewls's class out of breath, though they are all happy to be back, shouting with joy. Mrs. Jewls holds up two fingers to settle down her class (probably because she's unable to use her cowbell anymore). At this signal, the kids stop shouting, including Joy.

Before getting back to work, Mrs. Jewls takes a moment for the class to talk about what they've been learning while they were gone. Mac is the first to volunteer, and he remarks that he learned about civilization. Mrs. Jewls asks what he could tell the class about civilization, and Mac isn't sure, but he knows he learned it. Rondi mentions learning about evaporation but seems to have forgotten what it is. Dana remarks that she learned about exaggeration and starts exaggerating how much she learned about it. Mrs. Jewls remarks that Dana learned her lesson very well, Dana not realizing that she did. Mrs. Jewls announces they will get back to work where they left off, when Mr. Kidswatter's voice booms over the P.A.

Mr. Kidswatter says good morning to the students, and expects for everyone to say it back, but no one does, and Sharie goes to sleep. The principal welcomes everyone back to Wayside School, and states that he is glad to see everyone again. He talks about today's lunch, which was actually cooked before the break, but he assures it'll be as tasty as ever. He also reminds the students of an important rule: to stay to the right when going upstairs, and to stay to the left when going downstairs in hopes that no one will bump into each other. Mr. Kidswatter remarks that everyone should have a good day, and that they are all friends, which Mrs. Jewls finds nice. However, having forgotten to turn the P.A. system off, Mr. Kidswatter suddenly goes onto a long rant about having to return to the school from his extended vacation in Jamaica, and how no one in the school is really his friend. Someone tries to get Mr. Kidswatter to stop, with him being unaware everyone can hear him over the intercom. They remark for him to press a red button, but Mr. Kidswatter remarks that there is no red button. He finally finds the red button and cuts his rant short.

## Characters

* Dameon
* Mrs. Jewls
* Joy
* Mac
* Rondi
* Dana
* Mr. Kidswatter
* Sharie
* Miss Mush
* Myron

## Trivia

* This chapter is referenced in *Wayside: The Movie*, when Mr. Kidswatter holds a similar rant after Todd arrives at Wayside School. "The Rat Truth" also references this chapter, as Mr. Kidswatter refers to the students as "snot-nosed brats" in that episode.
* The gag where Mr. Kidswatter asks students to stay to their right when going upstairs and stay to their left when going downstairs actually appears to originate in Julie Brinckloe's illustration for "Dameon," albeit, the other way around. This possibly marks one of the only times in which the illustrations inspired the text of a later book.

## Gallery

Joel Schick illustrationAdam McCauley illustration
### Foreign editions

Peter Allen illustrationUnknown illustrator (China, Traditional Chinese)