Superintendent uses Taylor Swift song titles to warn students not to skip class: 'It's me, hi...'

A Tampa, Florida, superintendent warned school students not to skip class for a Taylor Swift concert as she performed in the city over the weekend by channeling his inner Swiftie. According to PEOPLE, Hillsborough County Superintendent Addison Davis sent out a letter with 27 song titles from Swift's discography to parents and students on April 12, warning off any students considering staying out late at night for the concert and skipping school on Friday. “There’s a Delicate situation we must discuss. Are you Ready For It? I understand there is a rather big concert taking place in Tampa this Thursday, Friday and Saturday,” Davis began.

“In my Wildest Dreams, I never thought I’d be sending a communication saying this, however, This is Me Trying to be the best Superintendent I can be without creating any Bad Blood between myself and our amazing students,” Davis continued. After pointing out that there is a big concert in Tampa over the weekend, David added: “Students, You Need to Calm Down. Under no circumstances will Friday be an excused absence because you were having an Enchanted evening under the Starlight at Raymond James Stadium. I understand I am the Anti-Hero here, and Call It What You Want, but You’re On Your Own Kid if you think being a Swiftie is a good excuse for missing important instruction."

"You know All Too Well you Should’ve Said No to attending a Thursday night concert. Especially one from an artist who is known for putting on a 3-hour amazing show,” Davis wrote in part. “You may think you're Out of the Woods since it is the fourth quarter, but make no mistake, if you miss an important lesson, you will not be able to Shake it Off. Your report card could be Treacherous because you refused to Stay, Stay, Stay in class. I know, I know, You're Not Sorry for attending such a Gorgeous concert, but I promise you, this is not a Hoax.”

He added: “All You Had To Do Was Stay in class. I hope there is not a Blank Space in your seat on Friday morning. It could be a Cruel Summer if you prioritize being a Swiftie over being in class. You Belong With Me, Me!, in school.”

This hilarious message was a genius way to spread the word about not skipping school among Swifties, and the best part is that Davis himself is a proud Swiftie. “This was our idea, in Communications,” Davis’ media director Tanya Arja told the Tampa Bay Times, adding, “Of course, he loves Taylor Swift.” His admiration for the twelve-time Grammy winner did stir a conflict of interest for the district head. Arja said this message was the best way to show his love for T-Swift and stay firm with school rules.

“Of course, he wants kids in class,” Arja said. “But this is a fun thing. He knows it’s a big thing going on in Tampa this week. It’s just a fun little thing we did.” While it is all fun and frivolous, many parents and fellow educators in the comments criticized the strict nature of the message. "Please don’t. Let kids have a night to be kids. They’ve lost so much in the pandemic; don’t take more away from them. And I say this as an educator. Kids miss school all the time for so many reasons and I always get them caught back up. Life is bigger than the classroom," tweeted @MadiSP4321, an ELA teacher.

"HARD STOP. Kids have had a rough couple of years. I hope they go to the show and have the best night ever," asserted @kristyMFG. "I'm taking my 13 year old to see Taylor, and if I had tickets to a Thursday show, you can bet I wouldn't hesitate to let her sleep in on Friday. Life is short, sir," added @scib0rg.