Laxatives?

Unfortunately, not every conversation with a student is a funny one.

About a month ago, the ballet teacher (we'll call her Miss Plie') at the dance school approached me in the staff room to ask my opinion regarding a particular student. The student is a sophomore in high school. Miss Plie' had suspicions that the student is bulimic. She said the student asked to go to the bathroom, was there a while & came back complaining about stomach issues.

After her ballet class, the student comes into my room for jazz & tap. While I'm taking attendance, the students in the class usually tell me something about what's going on in their lives.

I've taught this kid for a few years now & I've heard from her a few times that she's doing the newest fad diet with her mother. This kid is not overweight. She's short (less than 5 feet) & has very muscular legs. I figured if she's dieting under her mother's supervision, then I'm not going to worry too much.

Yesterday, she was outside the classroom & she knocked over her drink. One of the other students asked what she was drinking & she replied tea. Then she said to me, 'when I was making this drink, I accidentally grabbed the tea with a laxative in it'. I asked her to drink water instead. We have a water cooler in the lobby. She said she likes the taste of the tea better than water.

I just sent an email to the director & the ballet teacher regarding my concerns for this student. I'll keep you posted.