WHEN the announcement was posted on the bulletin board of the pending arrival of the school photographer, the older girls buzzed with excitement planning what they would wear. I assured them that the photos would be head-and-shoulders shots, so there would be no need to get dressed up.

The next morning one pretty, blonde student came to me in a state of great agitation. "Look at me," she wailed, indicating her faded blue jeans and scuffed runners. "You said they would just take pictures of our heads, but they're going to take full-length photos. It says so right on the notice."

We made a quick trip to the bulletin board, where with a look of utter despair she pointed to the line .."Photos will be taken of the entire student body."