Taking Back What's Ours

These past few weeks in the media have really brought things into perspective. The violence that takes place in our schools everyday has finally gotten the attention it deserves. Ironically, the whistle blower was a student who thought it would be fun to videotape a teacher being beaten by a fellow classmate. Well, joke’s on you because now you’ve given a face to what many of us have been talking about for months. On behalf of the teachers I know and work with daily: Thanks!!! You’ve done us a huge favor.

Sadly, I’ve had to watch my colleagues leave our building because they’ve suffered major anxiety attacks, nervous breakdowns or injuries caused by flying books. The teachers at my school are fed up and we’ve decided that we are not going to take it anymore. Our students have believed that their actions can go unpunished, but we have turned the tables on them and instituted our own form of justice: we’re taking away the things that mean the most to them.

As class advisors, we are responsible for planning the many major events for the students such as class trips, dances, etc. These are staples of the high school experience, but why should the students who are continually causing the problems in the school and depriving their peers of the education they deserve be allowed to participate in the fun? We say they shouldn’t. They have their “fun” daily when they verbally and physically assault our teachers "just because". So as a staff, we have come together and formed a united front. If you treat my colleague disrespectfully, you will be reported to your designated class advisor and you will lose your opportunity to attend the prom or whatever other activity we decide. Is it harsh? Perhaps. Do we care? Not really. Until they are able to see true and tangible consequences for their actions, they won’t have a reason to care about the things they do and how it affects the school as a whole. The administration has shown us that they are not prepared to do anything, so we’ve taken the initiative to say enough is enough. How far does it have to go before these kids see they can’t do what they want to do to us and get away with it?

A student at our school has cursed all of her teachers and went so far as to claim that one touched her inappropriately (which she later said was “just a joke”). What was her punishment? A note of apology. Are you kidding me? She could have caused this person their life and all she has to do is write a letter? But the hammer came down on her this week as she was barred from attending the Senior Class trip, a decision that was made (and not supported by her administrator, who thought the punishment a bit harsh) by the class advisor. Sweet hallelujah!!! I think she’s gotten it now. Maybe she hasn’t, but I believe it’s a step in the right direction. At this point in the game, I’ll try anything.