Tattling Troubles

I think there's really some kind of dark magic that happens at the end of January every year.  Something in the air changes... and so do my students.  We were all getting along pretty good until a few weeks ago.  Then, the tattling bug hit full force.  You all know that specific whine...Mmmrsss. Greeeen?  or TEEEAAACHERRRRR!  which is followed by a most important tattle.  My head was aching and students were getting less and less work done because they were so busy being nosey.  Well, I had to solve this persistent problem.  One of my colleagues suggested that I have the students tell the President.  Light-bulb!! So, that is exactly what I set up.  I set an empty dishwasher tablet container in a basket with a stack of paper slips.  I posted a picture of the U.S. President along with a list of tattling rules.  Voila!  No more tattling to me!  Of course the excitement of this new avenue to tattle was a little disruptive at first as they all ran to "Tell the President", but it is slowly waning and the two or three that really have to tell everything are the only ones who really post any more.  When I get that whine, I just say, "Is this something for the President?"  and they do an about face.  I read through the tattles each Friday and address concerns with the class. They feel like they've been heard and we can discuss ongoing problems as a class and not fifty times throughout the week to everyone individually as they tattle. Here's a FREEBIE of the rules and picture of the President that I posted. I'd love to hear about your tales of tattling in the comments below!