Every school has that story — the one passed around like a ghost tale. Sometimes it’s a rumour from the summer before; other times it’s a legend that’s survived decades. Either way, every school becomes known for something strange, wild, or downright scandalous. And that’s what we’re here to talk about.
My school’s story is about a fateful tetherball accident. A kid in my older sister’s grade was playing at recess when the tetherball rope wrapped around one of his fingers…just as his opponent whacked the ball as hard as they could. The grip of the rope, combined with the force of the hit, caused it to (yep, you guessed it) cut off half of his finger.
Cue his English teacher driving him to the hospital, his parents on the other end of a cellphone, and his fingertip in a bag of ice. Think Chandler Bing losing his toe at Thanksgiving in that Friends episode. Unfortunately, just like Chandler, the poor guy didn’t get it sewn back on in time and was left with one finger much shorter than the others.
And from then on, our school became known for its deadly tetherball. Did we get rid of it? Nope! It was still standing when I graduated seven years later. Aside from a person breaking into the school and falling asleep in the music room, that was the story whispered to every class for years to come.
What’s your school secret or rumour? Did the secretary and gym teacher have an affair? Did a student suddenly drop out and vanish, sparking years of speculation? Was there a ghost roaming the halls, leaving a signature sign to prove its existence? Did a parent bribe a teacher for better grades for their child? Whatever it is, I want to hear it.
Share your story in the comments, or if you prefer privacy, use the anonymous form below. Just keep it light — nothing too depressing, like child neglect or abuse. I don’t need a reason to randomly cry on a Monday morning.