#139, Code
"Julian Singh," he said, extending his hand. No one (a) introduces himself and then (b) extends his hand to be shaken while (c) wearing shorts and (d) knee socks and (e) holding a genuine leather book bag on (f) the first day of school.
-The View from Saturday (p. 66)
Julian Singh, a character from E.L. Konigsburg's The View from Saturday, is the newest student at Epiphany Elementary School. And the unfortunate youth breaks several parts of the school code before he has even stepped foot in school. Ethan Potter, a student who is clearly very knowledgeable of Epiphany's code, precisely lists each of Julian's violations in the quote. There is not a school meeting in which this code is specifically discussed nor a sheet paper in which the code is listed. Nevertheless, most students are aware of its existence (except poor Julian).
The code at Epiphany has several dimensions.
extends his hand to be shaken → Do not shake hands to introduce yourself (You fool!)
wearing shorts → Do not wear shorts. Wear pants. (You dolt!)
the first day of school → Do not introduce yourself on the first day of school (You goober!)
Over time, the unwritten code at a school or job gradually reveals itself. Conversations and interactions with one's peers or co-workers reveal hidden information that organizes itself into a code. At your school, there exists a code just like the one at Epiphany Elementary School.
To complete this Journal response, address the following:
Imagine that Julian will start attending your school in July. Write a letter to Julian that describes the code of your actual school.
e.g., Dear Julian, Listen up new kid, I'm writing this letter so that you survive your first day at Daechi Elementary. I hear you're from England. You may have a cool accent, but that won't save you from jerks like Hamilton Knapp and Michael Froelich. Here's the deal...
Comment on a peer's response.
-Brenden Lee Teacher