http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_stud.html
Look at the above website and read about cases that directly affect students. After looking at the site, please respond to the following questions. Also--post responses to TWO other students. All of this will be due by 9/21/09 at midnight. Be sure to put your FULL NAME and period # on the 1st line of the post.
1. Review your school handbook and highlight particular rules that you find objectionable. Are they Constitutional? Why are these rules a problem for you?
2. After reading about the Pledge cases online and in the text, how do you think schools should handle the pledge?
3. On 9/23, Youth Alive is sponsoring the See You at the Pole activity. On Friday, the announcements mentioned the objective of asking God to watch over our country. Should these activties be allowed or restricted anda detail where you think the line is in regards to the Establishment v. Free exercise clause in schools?
4. As detailed on the website, the school has the job of loco parentis. Does DHS police the students properly? Should the school exercise tougher controls over the student body? Should locker searches be done more frequently? Do you agree with school ids. Finally, if students believe that administration has gone too far, what mechanisms are available to address student concerns? Are they effective?
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Posting from the fireside in Cumberland County:
ReplyDeleteBeing a (reasonably) good kid, I have little problem with most of the rules in the handbook, even though I don't know why we need to have one in the first place. Can't the rule "Leave other people ALONE!" cover most everything? But, I digress.
I guess some of the freedom of expression (Consitutional, of course) rules might offend me. Being libertarian, I don't particularly care what anyone else does around me, as long as I'm not made mentally or physically uncomfortable by their actions. So some of the rules against that type of thing seem kind of pointless, in my opinion.
This extends to the Pledge thing. If someone doesn't wish to pledge to the flag, it's not my concern, nor should it be anyone else's but themselves.
The See You at the Pole thing should be allowed, being 100% voluntary. No one's forcing you to go. It belongs with the Free Exercise clause, because it isn't organized by the school itself and isn't really during the school day.
Sadly, I believe the school system will eventually turn into dictatorship, like the government will eventually do. The rules are already draconian enough; I hope they don't take it any further.
I think, surprisingly, that locker searches are OK, as long as it is infrequent. They are technically school property, so they have the right. (They DO NOT, however, have the right to search my person or my personal property without due cause.)
On the ID issue: If they want us to show them in the morning to enter, fine. However, being required to wear them all day seems kind of pointless. (does anyone wear them all day, anyway?)
Finally, I really don't think we can do much about anything, unless somehow everyone can band together for a cause (and in our apathetic state, doubtful). Sure, we could talk to some higher ups, but they're TEACHERS, remember. They know EVERYTHING. So be quiet and study like good little boys and girls.
~Heather "It's the monster Rodan!" Williams
Robert Schmuck, Pd. 4
ReplyDeleteAs far as the handbook goes, I'm pretty much in the same boat as Heather. I've never had any conflict with any of the rules established in the student handbook, and as such I have no real objection to any of them.
I think that the way schools are handling the pledge to the flag is generally fine. If a student doesn't want to say the pledge, that's their prerogative. Besides this, I'd just like to point out that the pledge of allegiance doesn't really mean anything to most students anyway. It's simply a phrase that has been ingrained into our heads since we were in elementary school. And personally, almost anyone who doesn't say it is either just lazy or wants to be a rebel or something dumb like that. But to answer the question, yes, the few who do actually consider its meaning should be entitled to decide whether they wish to recite it or not.
I think that activities like "see you at the pole" are perfectly acceptable. Like Heather said, it is completely voluntary and doesn't encroach upon school hours. I don't believe it falls under the establishment clause because there is absolutely no "establishment" or rule stating that activities such as this must be favored by the students or school administration.
Personally, I think Dover does police the student body fairly well. If anything, I think they could be even more strict. A little discipline never hurt anyone. As far as locker searches go, I think the school should be entitled to search as often as they want. Though I may be somewhat biased considering I never use my locker, but still I find it hard to believe that anyone would keep any compromising personal information in their school locker. Much like the issue addressed in the topic about warrantless surveillance, if you have nothing to hide, then you shouldn't be concerned about locker searches. The only ones who would be affected are those who have drugs or weapons in their lockers, in which case locker searches would only have a positive impact on the school. Concerning ID tags, I am pretty much indifferent. Checking them at the door is perfectly fine, but beyond that their essentially pointless. The only positive thing teachers have been able to come up with about them is that if they want to write up a student they don't know, they can simply look at their ID rather than ask their name. The fallibility with this is that a student could simply not wear his or her ID, in which case that teacher would have essentially to power to punish them since they couldn't get the student's name. Lastly, if a student had a problem with the administration, one of the only things they could do to potentially have any impact is tell a parent. It would then be the parent's responsibility to address the situation, but their is still no real guarantee the student's concerns will be taken care of.
Annelise Williams, pd.4
ReplyDelete1. I think the handbook is fine. There isn't anything in it that's unfair of unconstitutional, and it's pretty easy to obey the rules. I must admit that I feel that the handbook is insulting our intelligence by putting 'ID Badge' under Level 1 Violations twice, as if we would have forgotten after the first time we read it. Not all students are goldfish! (Okay, so it's probably just a typo, but I felt like yelling about something.)
2. I think the policies are fine as they are--a moment to say the pledge in the morning is given, but saying the pledge is not required. That way, no one will accuse the school staff of being America-hating Commies or forcing their kids into religion by saying the 'G' word. Everyone wins!
3. I think "See You at the Pole" is fine. It's not during school hours, and it's totally voluntary. Now, if Youth Alive put up posters that said things like "See you at the pole or you'll rot in Hell (you America-Hating Commie)", then we'd have a problem because not only would the Westboro Baptist Church be attending our school, but they'd be using threats and scare tactics to get what they want. I'm pretty sure Youth Alive wouldn't do that though.
4. I think Dover could afford to be a little stricter. Many classes that have "bad kids" in them are met by inept teachers who learn to deal with their bad behaviors instead of punishing them, which allows them to continue with their rudeness. I'm fine with locker searches as-is, since they are done infrequently and are mainly looking for drugs (which shouldn't be at school anyway). I look at them as a "Nothing to hide, nothing to worry about" deal.
I do not like IDs, mainly because they play a huge part of school days even though they're only important for the beginning of the day. If we had a scanning device that you could scan your ID (and also add you to the attendance list), then they'd be awesome (even though it would probably slow down mornings). But when students don't go to school because they don't want to receive detention for not bringing their ID, it's a bit ridiculous.
Tell your parents that you don't agree? There's really nothing you can do, unless you can get everyone in the school to sign a petition. Even then, it's a bit of a stretch--and there will always be someone who won't agree with you.
Katelyn Owens, pd. 4
ReplyDeleteI really don’t have very many problems with the handbook but one thing, the cell phone rule. I believe that student should be able to have cell phones in school. They must either be kept on silent or on vibrate though. During class you can’t answer calls but if the teacher is not in the middle of a lesson you should be able to check and send text messages. In between classes and at lunch I think you should be allowed to receive and make calls. If people were permitted to have cell phones and they know when they are allowed to use them, then there would be less kids disrupting class to try and hide that they have a cell phone.
It’s your own personal choice if you want to recite the pledge of allegiance. But it is a promise or oath of loyalty to the United States of America and to its national flag. Just putting that out there. But I still think that if you really don’t believe that you should say the pledge that’s your opinion and your right.
The Youth Alive, See You at the Pole should be allowed. No one is forcing anyone to go and plus it is before school hours. It’s your own individual beliefs and that should be allowed. If someone doesn’t want to take part in it they don’t have to.
I believe locker searches are ok as long as there is a reason for the search. Like Rob-o said if you don’t have anything to hide then you shouldn’t have a problem with it. I believe that if they are done from time to time that’s ok. They should be done like fire drills, no one knows about them until in the middle of the day. But if they are done every day I think it would just be a pain for the people searching the lockers. Also students would find away to get around them if they were trying to hide something. ID’s are ok to enter the school, but to wear them the whole entire day they are just annoying and pointless. Also I believe that if you forget your ID you shouldn’t be punished so severely for forgetting it. I think detention is a little much for only forgetting your ID. If a student has a problem with the school administration it seems that they don’t have much say in what they think should be changed. The process is very long and most times is drug out. The students could tell a parent or teacher to tell the administration about what they think should be changed but there is no real assurance that the student’s request will be made.
Abria Donato pd#4
ReplyDeleteI think that the school rules are reasonable and constitutional. The problem lies in, as always the interpretation of said rules. Some of the teachers go over board and snap for things that are minor or aren’t even in the rules, in which case, personal beliefs get in the way. I have absolutely no problem with the rules. The way I see it if you have a problem with the rules then you’re probably doing something immoral and/ or illegal.
I think that there is no problem with saying the pledge of allegiance or not saying it. Half the student body is merely reciting it because they have been doing so since kindergarten and don’t really give it any thought at all. Students who don’t say it are simply lazy, rebellious, or are trying to make a statement. The school should simply leave the matter alone. There is no reasonable reason for punishing a student’s lack of expression of patriotism. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
I don’t see any problem at all with Youth Alive praying around the flag pole in the morning. What could they possibly hurt? No one is being forced to pray or praise. These sorts of activities aren’t under the Establishment Clause because the activity is voluntary. Students aren’t forced to pray and there is no official religion of the school.
Dover does a fine job of policing its students. Sure we have problems, but they’re all minor. Nothing overly horrific happens and the students are still happy. I don’t see the problem with locker searches; after all, the lockers are part of the school. Having the students come in with the ID’s for identification and safety purposes is all well and good, but getting detention or ISS for something so trivial is ridiculous. If punishment is to be handed out, it should be for being unreasonable, not randomly forgetful. There isn’t much that we can do as a single student, but as a group, perhaps we can change any problems that we have.
Tasha Karl
ReplyDeleteprd.1
I think one rule that kindof gets me a little confused is the whole freedom of expression in the school. Now you can only express yourself in their rules. It doesn't technically bother me, but what if you were like um...like goth/punk. And I do believe that they wear spiked chokers, well they wouldn't be allowed to wear them because it would be a distraction. I find it odd that they can't wear things that they wished. I do believe that it is unconstitutional, simply because they can't wear things that they wish.
I believe the school shouldn't make anyone say the pledge. I know only two people clearly speak the pledge in my homeroom. The teacher is of coarse included. But everyone else either mubles it or says nothing at all. I think that if you don't believe in what that flag stands for then you shouldn't have to do what the government wants you to do.
I really don't think that we should just abandan all the Christian activities. Simply because they aren't making anyone to go and stand there and pray. So I believe that it is fine because they aren't making anyone do anything against their will.
I believe that the school does not act in loco parentis. Simply because all the school does is send the bad kids to the principle's office. Back in the day, the teachers were able to spank their students whenever they had trouble with them. I would say that students need a little more punishment because they keep doing whatever they are doing. They never learn. I really don't think that loocker searches would help. We all carry everything around with us. School IDs are the worst thing ever. Honestly, I don't wear mine, simply because I have to wear it. If you wanted people to do something, tell them they don't have to do it. I believe that the only way to tell the school about their problems is in a physical way. I do not mean by fighting, but protesting. Standing outside with pickett signs and yelling your concerns. Now I take the Jr. High as an example, the students were not allowed to wear zip-up sweatshirts. The students did not shout or protest, but they voiced their oppinons to their teachers. Their voices have been heard, they are now allowed to wear sweatshirts.
Zachary Hivner pd 1
ReplyDeleteI don't have a problem with the rules in our school, mainly because our school doesn't really enforce a lot of rules. I mean besides the language teachers who else has stopped us for not wearing our id's. There are of course stupid rules in the agenda but normally the stupid ones are the ones that aren't enforced. It says in the agenda that we can't leave the cafeteria without permission. When was the last time you asked to leave? By the way why is hacky-sack banned out of all things?
I think it is being handled correctly. As long as it is optional I don't see any problem. Yes I understand that there are people who might find the one nation under god thing a violation of church and state but as long as it is volunteer I think it is okay.
I don't have a problem with the "see you at the pole" event. It is not mandatory so those who don't believe in it doesn’t have to go. It also never specifically mentioned a religion so it is not specifically for one religion. The School it self is also not saying supporting it they are just holding the event. As long as the school doesn't say believe in this religion, that religion, or no religion I think it is all right. They are not forcing us on anything.
No I don't think the school is properly using loco parentis. They are strict on some laws that are unimportant but tend to ignore some of the important ones like drugs in our school. Everybody has heard about someone doing drugs during school at some point shouldn't they take more time to investigate such things or the bomb threats we had. How much time do we have to waste over bogus claims that they could have prevented if they caught the kids the first time they did it and made an example out of them. They should be stricter on laws that endanger us, like the weapons, drugs and alcohol, and theft, but not the ones that don't harm anybody. The dress code, electronic devices, and the water rules are all examples of ones that don't really need to be enforced. Yes I think that the lockers should be checked more often simply because it is their property not ours. We may claim them as our own and decorate them but really we give them back at the end of each year. If someone is doing something illegal at school I expect the school to know about and rectify it. This includes illegal items in lockers. I can understand id badges but I think that they should not have to be shown. They should just require the to get in during the morning. If they did a decent job checking the id's they would never have to worry about them showing throughout the day. There really isn't anything that we can do to fix the problem. I guess we could tell our parents but that doesn't mean that the school could change it.
@Heather
I completely agree that the school has the right to search our lockers but not our book bags and private belongings. Our stuff is ours and the only way that I think that we should have to let them check our stuff is if there is police they’re telling us to like back in eighth grade.
@Katelyn
I agree that the id's shouldn’t need to have to be worn throughout the day. I think it would be okay if we just keep it in our wallets and book bags. There is no reason that we should have to keep it around our neck and visible at all times.
Abby Eldredge pd 1.
ReplyDeleteOk this is starting to sound like a broken record. But, I also have no problem with the handbook. I have never read the whole thing and still have never had any problems abiding by it. I think common sense states how people need to act. Don't be touch other people because it's creepy and don't wear inappropriate clothing because no one wants to see that much skin. That's all there is too it. But on the basis of being unconstitutional I would agree that a lot of it is. So most people would object that it is against their freedom of expression, but if they knew the particular rules in place for schools they would know that schools have to right to make particular decisions
I believe the pledge conflict is honestly stupid. People get all crazy because of one word. It's simple and it has been fixed if you choose not to say they pledge then don't. It's as easy as that. Anyone has the right to say they don't believe in it. It's too early in the morning for most people to care anyway. However I never thought that it was much of a problem in our school so we seem to be handling it fine.
I believe, as hoover said in class that it is fine to have this special day like that because it is voluntary. The school is not making a huge deal over it and they aren't making anyone do it. However I do believe that our school tries to deal a lot with only one particular religion so maybe to deal with the protestors they could start groups for people with other views. As to the line to be drawn it is hard to say because people will no follow it anyway. The line needs to be set so that students do not run amuck. It should keep most people in line so that there is order but not so strict as to make no sense to anyone. Such as it should not be so strict that there is a hair length restiction. That is way far off.
I believe our school does a very good job of keeping people in line. We are not crazy and doing whatever we want. However there will always be those people that will never listen to the rules but you cannot stop them. I do believe that in some cases the kids that have bad reps do get special treatment. I have noticed how certain kids known for getting in trouble seem to get positive feedback and almost a friend relationship with some of the higher administrators which is very odd. It's almost as if they are trying to fit in with the kids who ruin our school. Anyway, with school IDs, I'm not really sure what the point is in having them. It is fine for safety so that no one gets into the school who we do not want there, but what is the point in wearing them all day? We honestly are not going to be any safer having ugly badges hanging from our necks. I believe administrators think Ids are the fixer to our problems since the bomb threats but it doesnt stop anybody. They went a little bit far in that respect. I do believe that our concerns aren't heard very often either. the higher people always do what they want even if the students have a different opinion. Overall our school is not so bad that we cannot function.
@Tasha- The school is just helping eliminate mall goths who think Hot Topic is a beacon of light (dark?) to make them instantly rebellious. Banning tacky spike collars will help wean them out of their allegiance to the store and help them explore the other realms of goth/punk. I have just dropped an argument bomb and will be ripped to shreds in 3... 2... 1...
ReplyDelete*ahem*
To be honest, though, studded collars are allowed. The reason spiked ones are banned is because they can be used as weapons. And they hurt. I speak from experience.
@Zachary-
"They are strict on some laws that are unimportant but tend to ignore some of the important ones like drugs in our school. Everybody has heard about someone doing drugs during school at some point shouldn't they take more time to investigate such things or the bomb threats we had."
THIS. THIS. 100X THIS. I think the school is too obsessed with small things like bomb threats and everyone wearing their IDs and all the lunch tables having eight chairs instead of worrying about things that make an impact on our school. This worries me.
-Annelise Williams, pd. 4
@ Zach I agree with the Id thing. I think teachers even agree for the most part, that we don't need them all day. They are pointless to wear at all times.
ReplyDelete@ Katelyn I totally agree with the cell phone usage. I think we can use them in down times where we have some free time in class, or in between classes because it is not interrupting any learning time. It would make students happier too because we already do it so if you allow it we don't need to hide it.
Lamar Lehman Pd 1
ReplyDeleteOne rule I find objectionable is the hallway pass rule. Do you need a pass to walk down the street in the real world? No, so why do you need one in the hall. Also, the school should not be allowed to limit the expression on the clothing of the students or ban the confederate flag because we have freedom of expression. These rules are a problem for me simply because they violate our rights.
I think that the schools should continue to recite the pledge and it is up to the student to say it or not. The Supreme Court has already decided that students do not have to recite the pledge so they shouldn't have to do it and it should be their decision.
I do not really have a problem with this whole See you at the pole thing. It's really not that big of a deal.
I think that the school does a decent job policing the students. However, I think that if they continue to come up with more and more rules, more people will break them, its just humanity. I think that if you give kids more freedoms and respect, than they will return the favor and behave. No, the school shouldn't search the lockers more frequently, because come on, who is really gonna store something illegal in their locker, I'd estimate that only half the school uses them anyway. I do not agree with school id's. I can see where they're coming from but come one. We live in Dover, you recognize about everyone and its not like kids can't get into school without them anyway. It's also stupid that we're required to wear them all day. No one even enforces it, so it's a waste of time to even produce these ids. If a student has a problem with a rule, I guess they can go to the administration or the school board, but we all know this isn't going to be very effective because were just kids who don't know what were talking about
@Tasha
I completely agree with you about the expression thing. Since when can they limit a student if they just want to express themselves, it's what America is all about.
@Annelise
I disagree with Dover being tougher enforcing thing. I honestly believe that if you give kids more rights and freedoms and are cool with them, than they are less likely to misbehave. I've seen more kids flip out on a teacher when the teacher has a power trip and tries to pull the "listen to me im a teacher" crap, I just think kids should have more freedoms.
Megan Stewart pd 1
ReplyDelete1. Alot of the school rules are common sense. like with not harrassing people, no drugs or weapons,wearing inappropriate things, etc.. but some of the other stuff like not being able to wear a jacket during class or getting a detention for forgetting your id thing. that's just unconstitutional. what if your cold? well, you cant wear your jacket. anyway, the rules dont bother me that much.. like i said alot are just common sense.
2. I read about the violations of free speech.. i think they should just let the students speak as they want, but if it turns into a problem or protest or whatever it may turn into then they should enforce it to stop it. but a student should be able to express something in a school newspaper if theyd like to without an adult editing it.
3. I think it doesnt matter what people say or talk about, if they want to ask god to watch over the country then they can.. it doesn't mean everyone else has to feel the same way or believe it. If it's not something you believe in, ignore it.
4. I think DHS is fine with the loco parentis. I mean, yeah it could be better, there could be more searches and stuff, but only if theres a suspicion or something. not just randomly to invade privacy. As we learned last year. we had ids last year and kids still got in. what does that tell us?SCHOOL IDS DONT WORK. but i dont have a problem with it cause we dont have to wear them on us this year.. we can just have them in our bags. Lastly, telling a teacher you trust or parent or adult would be a good thing to do if a student has a concern about the school administration. it can be effective if you tell the right person i guess.
Tasha: i agree with you.. bad kids do need more punishment. its like the same kids down at the principals office. apparently they're not learning. and students speaking up does help. like with cell phones. we can have them a little more this year.. like in the morning and at lunch just because kids made such a big deal about banning it last year.
ReplyDeletelambs: your right.. we dont need a pass to walk on the streets in a real world. good point. But i disagree in the fact of the confederate flag thing. if kids were aloud to wear it, there would probably be fights.
Nathan Flory Pd. 4
ReplyDelete1. I don’t really have any problems with the handbook either. The one thing that annoys me is that they got rid of the work cited directory.
2. I think that the pledge policies are fine. If people want to say the pledge they don’t have to. To me saying the pledge is a habit more than anything. I’ve said it every school day since I was at Leib and I understand if someone doesn’t want to say the pledge they don’t have to.
3. The see you at the pole thing is perfectly acceptable. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to and do they need to be restricted? I don’t think so as Angst said they’re not telling people they are going to hell or anything if they didn’t go. The one thing I think they should say is that it’s open to people of all faiths. So people who are Christians and who are Buddhists, Jewish, or Hindu, will go and pray. I don’t think that the establishment clause comes into play. I haven’t attended the meet you at the poll thing in either of my two full years attending DHS and no one really seemed to care at all.
4. Personally, I believe that Dover could up it a bit. Although the additional strictness and random searches might seem quite annoying for us to go from the level of almost unnoticeable to somewhat noticeable. They only time I’ve seen a teacher look in a locker is when my homeroom looks in my locker to see that it’s clean at the end of the year. I want to play the devil’s advocate for the “You shouldn’t care about locker searches unless you have something to hide” people. I personally only put my coat in my locker during the winter, if I need it, but what I’m debating are the principles. What would be the first thing in your mind if they were going through your locker or for many people what if they were going through your band locker or drum case? Most of us would be completely flabbergasted, I’m sure there are some people in our class that would be making a scene out of it. Personally, Heather I think you would be the funniest though. The school can have a great time looking through my locker and I hope that they find the people who have contraband. I think that the IDs are annoying. Unless you’re in the language hallway most people don’t care if you’re wearing your ID or not. I walk down the hallway while twirling my ID around my finger and walk by teachers who don’t even say hi to me. The penalties for forgetting your IDs are ridiculous why should anyone get a detention for forgetting their ID? Some people are just forgetful and a detention isn’t going to make them less forgetful. I think that the huge change for the student body is being able to listen to our iPods in class. Finally, I believe the only way to change the policies is to petition the school board or just issue so many complaints that the administration moves to have a rule changed just to stop the complaints.
@ Katelyn
ReplyDeleteI don’t think we will be able to use are cell in class for a long time. Even if it’s just when we have free time to work in class, some people have almost no free time in class whereas some people may have a half a period to do their homework or a paper in class. Also if you’re at lunch get up and talk to the person. Besides, I think this should be a poll question, how many people have their cell phones off and away during school? This wouldn’t be enough for some people and they would push to be able use their phones for any purpose at anytime during the school day. Abby your idea about using it between periods is a great idea and then it should definitely be allowed but some is not enough if people want to text in class they will. Sorry Katelyn this is a lost cause.
@Katelyn again
The pledge being an oath of allegiance is true but do most people don’t care what they are saying at all. If weren’t for us saying the pledge every day since elementary school no one unless going into the military or in political office would say it. People don’t take the pledge seriously and after they get through HS do people still say the pledge every day? Hey great for you have a bit a pride in what you say every morning.
@ Angst
I agree with the bomb threat thing, they are at this point a case of someone calling wolf and well we all know the moral of the story. I was in Central’s Middle school and to get into the rooms or bathrooms you had to scan an ID card and if they always know if you were in hallways or not or his in the bathroom when. If they care about use having IDs fork up the cash and have that system.
@ Megan
I agree about the confederate flag thing we don’t need any more fights in school. Someone is going to take offense to it and that little bit is going to start a small something that may easily become a huge battle royal.
@Lamar
We should be allowed to wear whatever we want to school but some things are going to make people act like idiots. I have a shirt that says “Are your cats old enough to learn about Jesus” I don’t wear it to school because someone would most likely take offense.
With the Yin comes the Yang.
Stephen MaGilton pd 1
ReplyDelete1. hoover hoover hoover we are honor/ap kids.. that means we are perfect angels that never get into trouble which means the handbook is obeyed ALL the time!! obviously sarcasm but really i dont have much of a problem with the handbook. the only people that have problems with it are rebels that are just stupid and immature. the rules are common sense. going by what abby said, i have yet to read a single page of the handbook but i havent broken the rules (well gotten caught..)
2. some people think they dont have to say the pledge which is up to them. it is a free country and they can chose. to most of us it is just a meaningless phrase that we have mumbled since kindergarden for a few seconds. its not really a big deal. kids that dont want to say it wont no matter if you are made to or not. just be respectful and stand when everyone else does. the way the school does it now is fine in my opinion.
3. well going back to the intelligent design.. haha jk. no one in the school is making anyone do anything concerning god or religion. youth alive and their activities are optional and only for the kids that want to do it.
4. yeah i think that the admin. polices us enough. and they already have locker searches with the drug dogs throughout the year. anyone that has something to hide would be concerned and against locker searches. really why would you hide something in school?? one thing i dont agree with is the id's. i guess they are more lenient since i have yet to wear mine and still havent gotten caught. i still dont know why a little card with my name and grade will keep me safe. i think dover should have our own court with the students being the judges so we always win.
@ schmuch
i agree with that only people having a problem with the rule book are rebels
@ abby
i have yet to read the handbook also and havent gotten into any serious trouble..yet... (i used yet cuz i do have wagman afterall)
Taylor Shenberger Period 1
ReplyDelete1. I don't think that I find any rules objectionable. Most teachers are pretty leniant with them anyways. A lot of people get upset when they're caught kissing in the hallway, but that's not meant for school. It's pretty disgusting with most people anyways.
2. It's America. I think everyone should have to say the pledge even if the Supreme court doesn't agree with me.
3. I think that as long as you can have more than just a certain religion in school, that a religous club is okay. If someone wants to create a jewish club thats fine. If someone wants an athiest club, thats fine too, as long as they are all allowed.
4. I think that DHS does police the students properly, even though some of the fines or punishments might be a little much. I think that tougher controls are not needed. I don't think locker searches should be done because no one would be stupid enough to store drugs in their lockers if they have any. School ids are whatever, it's just another waste of DHS money. Student council can talk about rules that they think are unfair. They got cellphones allowed during lunch, and the mp3 players during class.
Taylor Shenberger Period 1
ReplyDeleteLamar- hallway passes are good because of the kids who try to skip class. That's why we need those. That's a pretty good rule.
Megan- Yeah I don't get the jacket rule either. Trenchcoats maybe. We don't want another columbine massacre. But coats? I wear a coat to school and then freeze in class because I'm not allowed to wear it. It's stupid.
Alex Hamm pd. 1
ReplyDeleteAddressing the handbook issue, I have yet to come into conflict at all with our student handbook. The rules are the same for essentially every school, private or public, and are nothing out of the ordinary of today's society.
I have found that most students are rather indifferent to the Pledge of Allegiance. It's pretty much something that we've been taught to say every morning and has little meaning. I think that if a student truly objects to the meanings of the pledge then the student has the right to not say it. However, if the student does not say the pledge out of laziness or a rebellious nature, then the issue of whether or not to say the pledge is how the student feels on a specific day, not how the peer actually feels about the pledge.
I believe that the Youth Alive prayer flag thing should be allowed. My main reason for believing this is the activity is completely voluntary. No one is forcing any one student to pray in the morning.
I think that the school does police student fairly well. The IDs and locker searches are done primarily for student safety. The frequency of the current locker searches is at a level that is acceptable for both safety and privacy. Students can take complaints to the school board and administration. However, it takes a good bit of time to get anything done through these devices.
@ Katelyn
I believe that cell phones should be allowed in schools, however, I do not see the rule being changed anytime soon.
@ Zach
I agree with the ID issue. They are not necessary and pointless to be worn all the time.
Grant Brown, period 1
ReplyDelete1. After "reading" through the hand book, there really isn't anything that I "object" to. There is plenty of stuff that I find stupid (i.e. ID's, which in my opinion are only to cover the District's butt if someone ever did bring a weapon in via the large & innumerable amount bags we can bring in...) but over all, I think the stuff in the handbook is really just meaningless things that we’ve accepted as part of what we get every year [I mean, our principle doesn’t even write a different introduction to it every year, the dates are just changed for the school year]. If teachers don’t take it seriously, why should we? But then again, in all honesty anyone who actually reads it isn’t going to break any of the rules, and anyone who breaks rules isn’t going to read it. To me, I classify it with the ID’s as something the District does to make themselves look better on paper. But I digress…
The only real rule I could have a problem with is the no cell phones rule, but honestly, I text in school now without getting yelled at, so I don’t really see problem with it. And I can definitely see the other side of letting kids text each other, how tests would be taken, etc. (however, that might raise our test scores…hmmmm….)
2. I personally don’t have a problem with kids not saying the pledge. As many people have mentioned it really doesn’t have a significant meaning to anyone anymore, its just become something we do; we go through the motions but don’t really mean it. However, I think if you don’t want to say it, you shouldn’t be loud and rude during it. Both sides should be respectful of each other (although that’ll never happen…) and just suck it up when the pledge is being said.
3. I think that “See you at the Pole” should be allowed, because like many people have said before, it’s voluntary. No one is forcing you to stand out there and listen to people say “God”. Secondly, as also mentioned before, it isn’t during the actual school day that it occurs, which in my mind makes it even more “okay” because students won’t even necessarily be there for it, and if they are its just passing it walking in to the building.
4. I think that depending on the teachers you have you’ll answer this question differently. I think that some teachers will stop you daily in their hallway to check for your ID, while others will just say “put it on” and when they see you later with out it they don’t really care. I think that locker searches are becoming unnecessary with the decreasing number of people having them (did anyone actually chose to get one this year??) but I think that when they happen it’s perfectly fine. You’re storing your stuff IN the school, on its property; it has a right to know what. About ID tags…assuming you read my rant in the first paragraph, I’m pretty sure you know where I stand with those. All in all, I think that DHS could enforce the rules more and be a little stricter, but honestly are the tough rules going to be enforced then or just the easy ones? Lastly, there really isn’t a whole lot a student can practically do. Get their parent to write an e-mail to stop Obama from being shown giving a speech at their child’s school (and we all know how well that worked…)
@ Robert-
I liked what you said about locker searches; if you’re got nothing to hide then why are you concerned? And really, if you’re hiding your drug stash in a public school, maybe drugs really aren’t your thing. Try renting a locker at a police station next time; they’ll be safer there anyway, that’d make much more sense.
@ Zach-
I absolutely loved what you said about the rules they chose to enforce- I like how I can bring whatever I want into the school without any questions being asked, but the minute I have 9 people all eating lunch at the same table, that’s just not safe or right!
Jamie says:
ReplyDelete1. I don't believe that there is any rule in the handbook that jumps out at me as to being a problem. This may have to do with the fact that most of the things in there are well, normal rules that most people would follow. As in I would not punch someone in the face and not expect punishment. I don't know, it just seems silly when people have huge problems with the handbook.
2. As far as saying the pledge in the morning, I'm thinking that it should be left alone. I mean, it's optional and therefore I don't see the big deal. There are some out there who believe that the pledge is good and some that don't....so why don't those who do say it, and those who don't...welldon't? It just seems as though we pick fights for no reason. It's optional, so let's leave it at that.
3. The see you at the pole thing is not during school hours, and is not a manditory "meeting". Therefore, there shouldn't even be a possible ban to the matter. This program is fine in a sense that it is totally up to you whether you go to it or not.
4. I'm suprised with our school to be quite honest. I don't see why so many people believe that the school is so..hmm strict? When in all honesty, we're not strict enough. The only reason I'd consider us strict is because our schoolpicks the wrong rules to be STRICT about. I hardly ever hear about locker searches, and yet all the time I hear about kids that have crap that they shouldn't have. So therefore, I say more locker searches. See, we hardly have any of those, therefore, not strict at all. The ID badges are a waste of time because of one reason, the fact that our school is not strict on them...and only a few teachers or staff members are..therefore nothing will ever be consistant and kids will continue to ignore wearing them. I had no problem wearing mine all day, but then stopped. Why? Because no one wore them. And none of the teachers made them wear them. I don't think that any of this is going to change practically because no one is on the same page. We could be stricter, but what's that going to do? If not everyone stays strict. Heck, even being easygoing doesn't work right..because even when you have a group of easy going you'll still have those few TOUGH strict people. Sigh.
@ Heather,
I agree with you 10000 percent on the see you at the pole. It's not harming you if its not forcing you to go. I think you hit this dead on.
@ Zach,
I agree with you about the teachers not inforcing the IMPORTANT rules. It's silly in a way to think that someone could pratically KILL someone, and get away with it..but yet (to use someone elses example) if we seat one to many kids at a lunch table we'll go into lockdown.
Just to chime in at this early stage----I know that you are AP kids and have been successful at avoiding "da man" and getting in trouble BUT, there must be more than the cell phone rules. I still think hacky-sack should NOT be singled out anad oppressed.
ReplyDeleteI also want to comment in general on enforcement. Most people will stop a behavior if they know they will get in trouble. For example, after writing a few parking tickets, most students display their parking permit and park in the right place--BUT, maybe the teachers AFTER us are weaker--and kids figure out that it pays to come later.
Can I be the first one to say "HELP HELP I'm bein' repressed!" End Monty Python references. For now.
ReplyDelete@Nate
Oh, so JUST because I'm an insane libertarian and would defend people the ACLU wouldn't touch and would get the 1st Amendment tattooed on my forearm if I was just a bit crazier... I would make a scene if my stuff was searched. /sarcasm
@Zach
Great point about the rules they choose to enforce (or not to enforce). I'm at my own table at lunch reading my own book (Akira, Vol. 1, if you must know) minding my own business, not bothering anyonGET YOUR FEET OFF THAT CHAIR!
@Lamar
The "teacher pulling a power trip thing" you talked about... I totally agree with you. Honestly, I'll listen to you, the teacher, just give me a compelling reason to (other than "I said so").
@Hoover
I actually DIDN'T have my handbook with me when I wrote my first post... shhh, don't tell anyone. Just flipped thru it now...
"...any disruption to the smooth and efficient operation of the educational program."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
~Heather "Godzilla is inside each one of us" Williams
@ Katelyn
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't have a problem with students using cell phones, but who's to say where the line will be drawn? It changes with every teacher. One teacher may not care at all, but another may take offense to the fact that their students are texting one another rather than do the work the teacher wants them to do. And if the teacher wanted to continue a lesson after giving the students time to work independently, most students would start texting, which would be a distraction, which would make the work take longer, which would waste class time, which is a "disruption to the smooth and efficient operation of the educational program." And how many kids do you think would wait until the teacher's done talking to text? If someone is allowed to text in class, they're going to do it when they want. There's too much discrepancy as to when is appropriate and when isn't. If anything, it should be left up to the teachers, not that I think the rule's much of a deterrent anyway. But honestly, is it really that hard to survive a few hours with texting?
As to the topic of punishment of IDs, try looking at it from the school administration's point of view. They have no way of knowing whether a kid legitimately forgot his or her ID, or that they simply don't feel like wearing it. If the punishment were significantly lessened, the students would soon realize that they have no real obligation to have their IDs. And again, its really not that hard to remember your ID.
@ Lamar
I disagree with you concerning the creation of new rules. For one thing, with the increasingly new ways to cause problems, such as improving technology, new rules must created to insure a somewhat disciplined atmosphere. And with new rules and regulations come new punishments. So if creating more and more rules causes more kids to break them, more kids will be punished more and more. Eventually, the kids will either drop out or realize that all they have to do is follow the rules. This inherently creates a less hectic environment to work in. And since rules were not meant to be broken, but rather to be followed in order to maintain a more effective and ergonomic environment, getting rid of rules in order to give students more freedom will likely not inspire respect (though it may in a few students), but rather give students a diminished obligation to act in an appropriate manner. Why do you think parents who never punish their child and give them whatever they want end up with a spoiled brat?
Kenneth Wisman(Or is it?) Period 1
ReplyDeleteTo be completely honest I find that none of the rules in the handbook bother me what so ever becuase the rules in it are rules that evrybody in the real world should follow. I wouldn't go around the school using profanity just for the hell of it...oh crap. Seriously though, these rules are simple and easy to follow, and I don't know why anyone fusses about the handbook. But yes having one is kind of weird though...
Ahhh...the pledge, the one thing I will always remeber when I leave school, how pathetic. I mean really, we said it every single day since I could remeber and that's pretty lame, but I still think that students shouldn't have to say the pledge if it offends them to the point that they would do something stupid because the schools don't have the right to forcing a certain religion upon you.
The See You at the Pole activity should be allowed because no one is forced to go, making it completely voluntary because nobody cares if your not there. It isn't organized by the school, making it OK and its not manditory so it really shouldn't be a problem in anyone's book.
To be honest, the school's lack of faith is disturbing...hehehehe...DARTH VADER REFERENCE!!!! But really, they don't exercise their control over students AT ALL! Ok, the occasional profain word does get punished, but the rest all slide. Teachers don't really watch for ID tags either........except for the dreaded language hallway. CURSE YOU FOR YOUR EFFECTIVENESS! But otherwise teachers really don't care for the rules and don't enforce them. I don't care if the school has mandatory weekly checks at all, and do you know why? THERE'S NOTHING IN MY LOCKER AND I HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE! IT'S ALL IN MY BOOKBAG SUCKERS! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...*whew* But anybody else with a locker might protest but they have no right to because the lockers are technically the school's property and they are just doing it to protect the students. If they try to search my bookbag though, now that's just pushing it because my personal belongins are in there and I don't want them to be looked at for fear it could cause a scene. The ID tag issue is just stupid because why wear it when everybody knows you by a stupid nickname anyway. *ahem* You should only need to wear it to get in and to get lunch, but nobody wears it anyway except for the goody-goodies...hehehehe. Finally, we the students can't really do anything about unfair rules because we're 'immature and don't know any better' and that's not true for some but the only people we could tell would be teachers and what good would that do. HA! NOTHING THAT'S WHAT!....I'm done now I guess.....
@Alex HAMM
I agree with your statement about the locker searches only being done for protection because it's true. No official would get into your personal stuff if they didn't have agood reason...hopefully.
@Heather
I agree with your See You at the Pole post because it's not mandatory and no one expects you to be there...or do they? Hmmmm.
Kyle Huntsberry
ReplyDeletePD. 4
1. To be honest, I really don't find any rules to be objectionable. I think that all the rules in the handbook are actually reasonable. Cell phones are stupid in my opinion so I do think that there should be a rule against them.
2. I find it funny that people have nothing better to do than to complain about something so stupid. I mean really? Fighting over whether we should say the pledge or not is just plain asinine. We should just say the pledge in the morning and be done with it. It is optional so those who don't want to say don't have to. Is it that hard?
3. I am totally for this event. I think that it is FINE that we mention God in our announcements. Our country was raised and based on God, therefore it should be fine. One little person opens up their mouth about not believing in God and everyone goes berserk. "Oh my! We must take God out of our schools!" Bull shit! (forgive me for the language MC HOOVA) But that is just ridiculous. If you don't want to participate in See You At The Pole, well then you don't have to, don't complain about it. It's a simple choice. I hate people who make a big deal out of something that is so little. If they had a little meeting for Buddhists before school and mentioned it over the speakers, I would give 2 cents...
4. Ok, I have to go with Jamie on this one. Basically everything she said is how I feel. Our school really isn't that strict if you think about it, but it IS strict on stupid things. In my opinion the ID badges are stupid. Our teachers know who we are and who we aren't if they're stupid enough to think a 46 year old man is a student then they deserve to be fired. I mean come on, a teacher sees me without my ID badge but i have her 2nd period everyday, shes going to know who i am. It's really simple, if you can't tell a kid from a terrorist, then you must be a terrorist yourself. :) Now some people may attack what i just said and say well it's for protection, what if it is a kid but from a different school, or that cuz teachers wear them we have to too. These are LIES! I understand if its so other students from other schools dont get in but for the latter reason, thats just ignorant. As a teacher you must wear them yes, but that is part of your JOB!!! You need them for other reasons, just because teachers wear them, doesnt mean we kids do.
@ Jamie
AMAZING! I love all the points you stated. I actually agree with you in every aspect. WE ARE ONE!!! XD
@Lamar
I do and i dont agree with you on the hall pass thing. Yes they are stupid but i see the reasons why they are needed. Also I like what you said about the confederate flag. That should not be banned. Not to sound racist or stereotypical but if an african american child wore a black panther party shirt nothing would be said. And i can seriously say this, because our school actually has done this many times. I've seen other races of people (other than white) wear highly offensive shirts, and nothing was said, but god forbid if a white person wears a flag on their shirt!
Tasha Karl
ReplyDeleteprd.1
@Kenny
I agree with you completly with saying the pledge. I think that people should want to say the pledge, not having to do it because they have to.
@ Kyle
I agree with you there is a complete double standard with the black and white people. I don't want to saound rascist because I'm not, but I sometimes wonder if they are getting their attention because they were slaves for a period of time. Now don't get me wrong, yeah I do look at them and think about their horrible past of the ancestors and such, but sometimes I feel like they don't get yelled at because of their skin color.
Danni Barlow
ReplyDeletePd. 1
1. well i dont really have a problem with the handbook. I mean if you really think about it most of the rules are simple common sense. Like I mean I look at it like if you wouldn't do it around your parents then why would you do it in school? Umm one of two rules that i just dont like is the affectionate behavior rule. That rule is fine to a certain point. Like hugging should be allowed and "embrassing". ANd the whole not being able to use cell phones even during free time kind of bothers me.
2. I think schools just need to leave the pledge as it is. All in all the kids themselves dont really have a problem saying it. I mean come on we have been saying it for wow who knows how long. And in reality how many students ACTUALLY recite the pledge anyway?
3. I think the See You At the Pole should totally be done. It isnt like you are forcing the school to all go out, stand around the flagpole, and pray.
4. I think it does police the student properly when needed. I mean like what school couldn't control their student body a little better. I really dont believe locker serches daily would make much sense because if you think about it if a studetn has something that they arent supposed to in school they'll catch on to the searches and not put the item/items in their locker. Oh wow school ids. Well i believe that when they were thought of that they were a good idea but come on seriously why make a big deal out of something when you dont even enforce the issue. If you tell us we need to have ids then make us wear them all the time. And i don't know how many times ive gone to come in the building in the morning and the teachers standing outside haven't looked to see if i had an id. All they seem is the lanyard (spelling?) in my hand an assume that i have an id. I dont believe that as a student you can really do anything about unfairness.
@Kenny- dude i totally agree with pretty much everything that you are throwing out there. Especially with the part about us bein "immature and not knowing anything."
@Grant- Regarding the whole id thing and the teachers. I mean yea it deoends on the teacher but even some of the teachers that were like mega strict with this seem to be letting it float to the back of their mind
Tahi Khan Pd. 4
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of Student Identification Cards. It's a pain in the butt to wear them AND clashes with our outfits. If I were to say this from Shuman’s prospective; it’s constitutional and it protects our safety. Other than that I get along with all the other rules in the handbook since I’m a nerdy AP student.
Personally, the Pledge is no big deal. The Supreme Court ruled that students weren’t forced to recite it. It was up to them. It’s a tradition to recite the Pledge at school, so there’s no need to get rid of it.
Again, it’s no big deal with the announcement at ‘See you at the pole.’ It’s before school hours and no one is forced to go. It is upon one’s will to go. I will be honest and say it was a little weird to hear, “…let God pray for our country,” since most of the time our school is so hush hush about things like that. It doesn’t pose a problem though.
Dover High could be a little more effective in policing it’s students. It has improved over the past years because there aren’t as many bomb threats or such. Dover does a crappy job with policing the students as a matter of fact. Our school has a reputation of having “bad kids” and if the school cared enough for the students as their motto “DHS cares” says, our students would be a little more behaved. DHS needs an organized way to handle situations and needs to be less apathetic. I don’t have a problem with locker searches, but it does invade our privacy. On the other hand, it’s for our safety (thinking in Mme. Shuman terms); so I’m so-so on that. AND ID badges…I despise them. This year, they aren’t too strict on forcing kids to put them on; either way I’m a b.a. junior and I never wear mine. I guess students would take it to the Board of Education if they think the administrations have gone too far. I’ve never done that so I’m not sure what they’d do. Most students are too lazy to do even that so they don’t bother with the long process, and in most cases the student’s concerns remain silent.
@ Annelise
I agree with you in your first paragraph when you discuss our ID badge rule.
@Taylor
In your third paragraph, i agree with you. Schools can create Jewish clubs and Athiest Clubs and whatever clubs the STUDENTS want. It's one of those things that if students want to join, they join...and if they don't join, well they don't joins. S*** happens and people will move on.
Jeff Harman, Period 4
ReplyDelete1. I find that in the handbook there isn't really rules that i find are exceptionally bad and should be removed. The rules in there are pretty much accepted by the students and they know what i can and can't get away with. I do think that the ID tags aren't a very good idea especially since the rule isn't even enforced.
2.I believe that the pledge should be required by every school. The pledge is to show your patriotism to our country. If you don't like it then you don't have to live here.
3. I am fine with tthe See You at the Pole activity. As long as it remains voluntary I don't think they are doing anything wrong with their announcements.
4. As of now I believe that the school does a decent job in policing the student body. Of course there is always room for improvement in everything and we can continue to take small steps forward. As for more frequent locker searches I think it could be ok. As of now we only have one or two searches every year. In my opinion I don't think it would be a bad idea to have a few more searches added, but not so many that it would feel like the police were always in the school watching. I think that the idea for the ideas was originally an ok idea for our safety, but now since the rule isn't being enforced it isn't effective. I remember last year when three kids got into our school and the ids didn't stop then from getting in so whats the point of them. The only way students can help unfairness would be taking it to the school board which is a lengthy process.
@ Taylor
I completely agree with you about the flag. As Americans we should all do the pledge to support our country.
@ Grant
I think your right about the id thing. It was the schools idea to cover themselves of an intruder with the ideas. You made a very good point.
Josh Firestone Pd. 1
ReplyDelete1) I guess ill start out the same as everyone else by saying I don’t really come in conflict with any of the rules in the student handbook because I’m a “GOOD” student. While looking through the handbook I found one rule in particular to be objectionable and possibly unconstitutional. The rule is a student may not wear the Confederate flag on any garment or gear. I believe this rule is objectionable/unconstitutional because what if the student is using the symbol to promote their ideas (speech)? Whether their ideas are considered right or wrong by not letting the student express themselves their right to freedom of speech has been taken away.
2) I believe that schools are currently handling the pledge in the right manner, they are making it mandatory for schools to do the pledge or sing the national anthem, but a student may choose not to participate because of religious or political ideals.
3) I think that on all of these issues it should be the students choice what they want to do, and if the school is going to speak about god or any political issues they should address all sides and let the student choose what they feel is best/right.
4) Schools have to abide by loco parentis regarding students, and I believe that DHS is doing a decent job in guiding students in the right direction with education, taking good care of them, and most importantly keeping students safe. I don’t think schools should have tougher controls on students because if the students are safe and are getting an education why turn school into a prison like system where students definitely won’t want to come. I really wouldn’t care if the school did/more frequent locker searches because I don’t use mine. That said I think it would be a waste of time and unnecessary to do full out locker searches, I believe locker searches should only be done when a student is suspicious of having something illegal in their locker. I think that school ID’s should be used in order for a student to get into school, but once they are in the school they should not be required to wear them, because in my opinion once your in you don’t really leave an come back plus its not like its easy for someone to sneak in the school (plus those people who do are usually easy to pick out). A student can address a concern with teachers, counselors, principals, or the school board and ask for a concern to be dealt with or changed. I doubt that this is effective unless a student gets a lot of people behind them or an angry parent the concern will go in one administrators ear and out the other (sadly).
Josh Firestone PD. 1
ReplyDelete@ Harman
I agree with your stand on "See you at the pole, and the announcements," theres really nothing wrong just let the students make up their own minds
@ Kenny
How can you say that saying the pledge every day in school is pathetic. Thats pathetic and stupid that you said than i mean come on you can't spend 30 seconds a day honoring the great country you live in. Thats just UNAMERICAN!
Abria Donato pd4
ReplyDelete@ Jamie
Agreed, the rules are completely reasonable. If someone has a problem with the handbook, they’re probably doing something bad.
Again, I agree. Why would people have a problem with the pledge? If people don’t want to say it, they won’t.
Once again, agreed. They aren’t hurting anything and it’s not during school hours.
Exactly! The school does pick the wrong rules to highlight and stress over. This may be due to certain teachers or perhaps just paranoia. There are other safety issues that they could, and should worry about.
@ Hoover
It’s true. When a rule is in place and strictly enforced, kids won’t do said forbidden activity if they are truly getting in trouble for it. The problem is, as you mentioned, when new teacher come or teacher begin to slacken on the rule as time wears on, kids will find a way around the rules or cease obeying in a discrete fashion.
@ Stephen
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that how are ID’s suppose to keep me safe. Most teachers no don’t look to see if your picture matches your ID. Also they don’t stop you and question you on if you’re really that person ID tag says you are.
@ rob-o
I still must disagree with you bout cell phone use. What happens if something argent comes up and your parents or friends need to contact you really quick? It would be so much easier to just receive a text from them saying what is going to happen. Trust me I’ve come from experience of this happening. Yes I know you’re going to find some other way for them to contact me but this is the FASTEST way to contact a person nowadays in school.
Corey Pool Pd.1
ReplyDelete1. On page 19 under the student expression section it states that it is against school policy to advertise goods or services for the benefits of profit making organizations. I find this slightly objectionable. I think that as long as so called advertisement of goods or service is not disruptive and does not cause harm to students or staff then why shouldn’t it be allowed. It could be seen as unconstitutional if you use the vague point of it causes the disruption of the pursuit of happiness. I don’t affect me in any way.
2. I think that the school should handle the pledge the way it is now. You have the choice to say the pledge if you want to. If you find it offensive of whatever you do not have to say it. But I will say one thing, the idea of saying the pledge was not intended to be thought of as a pledge to God but a pledge of patriotism to our country. It just happens that our country was founded by men the forged the country with Christian morals.
3. This see you at the pole thing is the same as the pledge. You have the choice of doing it or ignoring it completely. It’s not like they are forcing you to stand out by the flag and praying. These activities should be allowed because there are those who take religion more seriously. As long as it is separate from teaching students during class I see no problem. There is a very fine line between state and religion. I think the line is where as long as the idea of practicing religion is a choice. For example the see you at the pole, it is a choice, it isn’t a teacher in the classroom teaching some faith, or a person preaching in the hallway where kids are exposed to without choice.
4. I think that DHS is doing fine. All kids get away with things that parents don’t agree with, so are students at the school, it’s just bound to happen. I think that locker searches should only be done with certainty. The school ideas are not necessarily bad. At first everyone hated the idea. It’s not a huge thing; it would have eventually happened anyways. The only thing is sometimes they are a hassle remembering to bring to school. Students are very limited in mechanisms against the school. Such include petitions, maybe rallies, and showing up at school board meetings. Most of the time they don’t work.
Alex Cost period 4
ReplyDeleteI would say that the only rule i really disagree with in constitutionality is the loverly PDA rules. Now i'm not saying that i wanna walk down the hallways and see everyone making out (not like i don't already) I'm just saying i think getting yelled at for a simple friendly hug is slightly stupid.
I think the pledge isn't an issue at all. I think making it mandatory to announce and optional to participate in is totally A-OK
I think that the school is doing an ALRIGHT job of policing the student body, i think more frequent locker searches should NOT be performed under any condition however because that is a serious invasion of privacy, though i don't use mine, i know some students that have things that, though not against the rules, are rather embarrassing.
@ Grant
As we, like the nerds we are, always talk about, i think you're totally right, all the id's really are is so that the school can say, "hey we took precautions don't blame us!"
@Zach
I don't think it's certain rules they enforce, I think it's certain students. if a good kid does something slightly bad we are slammed down, if a bad kid successfully goes a whole day without ripping out someone's spleen he's congratulated.
Caitlyn Yetter, period 4
ReplyDelete1. I find none of the rules in the handbook to be unconstitutional. It’s not that hard to follow them. They’re only there too keep everything moving, relatively, smoothly in the school, even the ID badges. Though they’re rather failtastic to wear, the reason we have them is to ensure safety, by making sure the students coming in are actually students of this school.
2. Personally, I think to say the pledge is a person’s own concern. If they want to say it, okay, if they don’t, okay. It’s a person’s own choice to say the pledge.
3. The See You at the Pole activity is completely voluntary, and falls under Free exercise clause since it’s not during the school day. Ergo, it shouldn’t be restricted. There’s really no reason. It’s not really bringing religion in school; it’s just reaching to people who wish to come to the activity. (And, who honestly listens to the announcements anymore?)
4. I think Dover could be a little stricter with discipline. Some kids can get away with practically small thing, if they’ve been in trouble before and administration takes pity on them for whatever reason and is lenient; take another kid that has no record and does the same thing, they’d be written up in a second.
On locker searches, I say whatever. It is the school’s property, anyways, and the locker searches don’t mean that the police are rooting through your stuff with no reason to. If they are rooting, something’s up… But, if you have nothing to hide, why worry?
I think the IDs are good for the morning when you come in, but wearing them all day is a bit excessive. If you’re in the school, chances are you have stayed in the whole day, so there is no change in who you are. Though they are useful for discipline, as teachers can just look at the ID and get the student’s name, wearing them all of the day is a bit much, as just requiring students to carry them at all times would work just as effectively. It’s really hard to run from a teacher, as there’s hardly anywhere to run. (Take Mrs. Wagman for example. SHE WILL HUNT YOU DOWN. Seriously.)
Finally, I just say shut up and learn. That’s the entire point of schools, isn’t it? There’s not really any way to change the way the school works, unless there’s, like, a mass movement/rebellion (Chances: slim to none). There’s no point in causing trouble for the schools. Yeah, it may suck, but it’s only temporary. You WILL get out eventually.
~Caitlyn
P.S. I still don't-OH FORGET IT.
Drew Holtzapple / Period 4
ReplyDelete1. I don't have a problem with any of the rules in the handbook, except for having to wear your ID Badge at all times. I believe that you should only have to wear it to gain entry into the school and then not have to wear it afterwards. That would prevent anyone suspicious from getting in. If you get in, in the morning what's going to have changed during the day that would require you to show that you are a student? And even ID Badges don't work that well,
people from a different district got into our school last year... It is constitutional though because it enforces security and the school's loco parentis.
2. I believe it should be handled how the court depicted. Students should not be required to say the pledge, but anyone that wants to may. It shouldn't be required because of the beliefs of students or student's customs/traditions.
3. I think that activities like "See you at the pole" should be allowed as long as they are optional and are not represented by the school. If they were then that would imply that the school is supporting religion and "church and state" are supposed to never be intertwined. Also because this has to do with the beliefs/customs/traditions of students it must be made optional so that it doesn't defy a students teachings. I believe that as long as the event is separate from school and optional it is acceptable and does not cross the line.
4. I do not think that the school polices students well enough. Many students can get away with doing naughty and disruptive things without being punished or even caught. The discipline should also be significantly stricter to teach kids a lesson. Staying one hour after school may take away some of their free time, but that's not going to correct them. Just go straight to I.S.S. However don't punish trivial things as strict such as ID Tags and being late to class one time. As for locker searches, only search if you have a strong reason. If kids bring things like drugs or weapons to school, they're going to keep them on their person, hidden, not in their lockers where they can be searched easily. IDs are virtually pointless after the morning announcements, they confirm that you are a student and let you in. During the day your not going to become someone else, you will still be a student. If students have concerns they should take it to court, because whining to their parents will only get the parents crazed and it only gets worse from there. It is effective because judges are chosen upon their decision making ability.
@Harman--- What about the people that are forced to live here? That aren't living here by choice? Or that have different beliefs? They pledge should be optional. It's optional now for a reason Jeff.
@butthead--- I agree, most students are too lazy. If they have a problem with how they were treated or disciplined they just whine and don't take any productive measures at all.
Corey Pool Pd.1
ReplyDelete@Katelyn
I agree with you about the cell phones to a point. It would be nice if we could check them as long it doesn’t bother the teacher. But with the limited freedoms of cell phone use we have now, there are still a lot of problems with them in class. Just because we could use them in the hallways or lunch, nothing is stopping them from class.
@Taylor
I slightly agree with you about the pledge. It would be nice if everyone said the pledge and be patriotic but what you said can be used in the other way. This is America, the land of religious freedoms and freedoms of expression. You see what I mean, it’s just a giant loop.
Caitlyn Yetter, Period 4
ReplyDelete@ Drew Holtzapple
I do have to agree with you on the ID rule. It does seem excessive. And their only true use is to get into the school, anyways. There is no requirement to use them in the lunch line.
@ Corey Pool
COMPLETELY agree with you on the pledge. How people bring the fact that the pledge says 'under God' under scrutiny is ridiculous, because the pledge is most definitely not about God or any religion of any kind; it IS only patriotism. And if you want to express your patriotism, go right on ahead. If you don't, then don't.
Nikki Elicker Period One
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a problem with the handbook, other than I feel it "babies" the high school kids. Most kids wouldnt have to be told not to cheat, lie, or steal, but then again look at other students, who, even know they are told not to beat other students, swear at teachers, or skip school do it anyway. I guess unless some kids at DHS get their heads out of their @$$e$ we're always gonna have a handbook that insults our intellegence
I don't see anything wrong with the way the pledge is today. I feel that you should have the choice to say or not say the pledge, or skip parts you disagree with. I think people make the "one nation under God" line a bigger deal than our founding fathers had intended it to be. If you disagree with a little 4 word line, then skip it, don't make a big fuss about it and try to start a lawsuit.
I believe "See you at the Pole" is a great thing for religious students at DHS. Not only is it for christians, but it's for any religious student. When the announcements said about asking God to bless our country, they never stated the Christian God, or the Muslim God, or the Jewish God...it just said God. So it's up to your interpretation to which god they ment and which god you want to pray to at "see you at the pole". Or you don't have to pray at all, no one is making you.
I've come to the realization that if i don't like something at school...i suck it up and deal with it. No matter what any one says, i'm just a student and no one cares about my complaints. What is the administrator gonna do if i'm feeling harrassed by a teacher with tenure? Talk to them, and then what? The teacher is even more ignorant to me because i got them scolded. I feel that no matter what, not everyone is gonna be happy. You'll always have that one miserable parent, students, or teacher that will hate life even if money started falling from the sky. I feel locker searches are unnecessary, unless they have reason to believe there is something in the locker. I feel the ID's aren't that big of a deal (it's not like they check them anyway). I've forgotten my ID before and carried in a business card, it's not like they check...just another way for dover to spend unnecessary money that we don't have.
Nikki Elicker Period One
ReplyDelete@ Drew
I totally agree with you about see you at the pole. As long as it's optional i don't see it as a problem. We're not pressuring kids to go and pray, and we're not punishing kids who don't go. It's totally optional.
@ Kenny
Ok i see where youre coming from about being pathetic by saying the pledge every day. It does get to be a repetitive thing, but this is an amazing country and it's just 30 seconds (if even that). Let's send you to Iraq for a month, and let's see how you feel about this "One nation under God".
Savannah Gilmore Pd. 4
ReplyDeleteNone of the school rules particularly offend me, but perhaps my knowing that most of the rules are not strictly enforced allows me to be more neutral. The ID tags, for example, aren't really forced to be worn all day. The handbook is much more restrictive on paper than in reality.
The way the pledge is handled is fine. If a student is offended by the pledge, he/she reserves the right to not say it, which is how I believe it should be. The "Under God" thing seems like a strange thing to put in a pledge to me, but once again if one disagrees with it, it does not need to be said.
The Youth Alive event seems like it could be pushing some boundary regarding keeping religion and school separate, but I guess it really isn't and I see no reason why it shouldn't be allowed. It's not in any way mandatory, nor are students in any way being pressured to do it. Honestly it's a small minority that will participate in the event, and it's not large enough to particularly offend anyone.
This year the school seems to have taken a less severe attempt to control the students (IDs are not as heavily regulated, neither are hall passes). I think this approach is much more preferable and also equally efficient. As far as locker searches go they seem generally unnecessary. I can see where the idea of having IDs to enter the building is a good idea, but it isn't enforced very well so they're also pretty unnecessary. The students would have to be really determined to get something change. I think if all the students banded together for a similar cause the administration would be forced to pay attention, but the likelihood of this happening is not very strong.
@ Jamie
I like what you said about the teachers not being consistent with enforcing the ID tags. I think that pretty much sums up the problem. Why bother if there's nothing that will be done about it?
@ Abby
Yeah I agree with you where you said that the school deals a lot with one particular religion, but there's not much of a Jewish or Hindu population so I suppose that would have something to do with it.
Brook Warren
ReplyDelete1) Honestly most of the rules in the handbook don't seem to objectional to me. I mean there's of course the whole ID rule. Like how are we supposed to be safer in school by wearing ID tags? I mean I don't even wear mine half the time and no one enforces it. I just think that its all kind of pointless.
2) With the pledge to the flag, I think some people make it too much of a big deal. Honestly why wouldn't you want to pledge alligence to the country you live in. It's done alot for you so why can't you show a couple seconds of respect. If you don't like it here then leave.
3) I definently think "See You At The Pole" should be allowed. It's a completely voluntary event to go to if you decide you want to. It's not like Mr. Miller's going to every class saying "you all much go to see you at the pole at 7 am and sing worship songs and pray to God." If you don't wanna go then don't! But those who want to worship have every right to do so.
4)In all honesty I think the teachers are doing a fine job in helping to enable us to learn and to keep us safe while we do this. How ever I don think they are doing a mediocre job with anything disciplinary. I mean I hear stories from friends about people who do ridiculous things in and during school and there's no outcome. While something pointless can draw all the attention away. I definently think the teachers could be some what more strict. Not become more mean and abrasive or anything like that, but maybe more observant because they miss alot. With ID's its just really pointless. We show the teacher it at the door, we get in the school, we put them back in our backpacks. They have done absolutly nothing that I have seen. Locker checks are something I don't mind. I don't use mine so it's not a big deal to me. And honestly if your worried about what someone might see in your locker, then it probably should be searched! Lastly, with the whole, what can you do if the school upsets you idea, the only thing you can really do is just tell a parent. There isn't much we as students can do on our own.
@Jeff
I totally agree about the whole pledge thing. I mean whats the big deal saying a few words in the morning for the country we live in. If you don't like it, then get out.
@Robert
With the locker seach, that makes total sense. I doubt someones gonna find anything detrimental in your locker, and if they would then you should be busted.
Casie Strausbaugh pd.4
ReplyDelete1. I honestly like how our handbook is designed, except for some of the rules concerning cell phones. I understand that we shouldn't be allowed to use them in class, but in the hallways is a different story. In today's society you can't go without you phone the whole day so I don't see the issue with using them between classes or even lunch time. That is my only revision to the handbook.
2. I don't see anything wrong with how the pledge is handled. If someone doesn't want to say it then they aren't forced to, but otherwise i think it should be said every morning even if it can be a hassle and kind of annoying.
3. I see nothing wrong with the "see you at the pole" activity. You aren't being forced, and if you don't like the phrasing they use on the accounments then ignore it. It is just how a certain group of people worship in our school and it doesn't mean the other religious groups can't worship by doing activities as well.
4. I thing DHS polices the student body pretty well. The only problem i see is how long it takes for administrators to actually punish students. It sometimes takes weeks or even months. I see nothing wrong with locker searches. It isn't going to hurt anyone to have someone look inside their locker for one minute. I think by doing searches a lot more people could get caught with weapons and drugs. I think ID's are a good idea, but the hassle to cause can be annoying to both teachers and the student body. However, I think they are necessary in a way. I don't think administrators have gone to far. I think that we are good right where we are.
Casie Strausbaugh pd. 4
ReplyDelete@ Brook
I so agree with what you wrote about the pledge. People really exaggerate it, and i think that the true meaning behind it is way more important then one little word that upsets a few people.
@ Nikki
I agree with your paragraph on the "see you at the pole" activity. It is just an invitation but it doesn't mean you have to come. It is just a nice idea to try and get people involved and I like that.
@Chester
ReplyDeleteStupid nickname? For you? Preposterous.
@Nikki
I agree 9000% with your last paragraph. What's the use complaining; we only have to put up with this ridiculous, vacuous, obscene, labyrinthine bureaucracy for 4 years. (a little less than 2 to go)
Then we enter the real world.
~Heather "you flip the tortoise on its back" Williams
Rachael Paules, Period 4
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I agree with the majority of the classes saying that I find the school handbook completely reasonable. Most rules aren't hard to follow and many of the students rarely come in conflict with the school rules. As long as one behaves respectably throughout the school day there will not be a need for any action to be taken against them.
The Pledge has become such a large conflict amongst so many people, and I believe people are getting too worked up about it. Those who don't agree with what the pledge states shouldn't have to say it, and most don't. Those who are patriotic and agree with it should be allowed to say it, and do. I think it's as basic as that.
The "See you at the Pole" gathering should definitely be allowed. It all comes back to the freedom of assembly. Those who want to go and pray for our country should be allowed to pray. It's not hurting anything. Those who don't believe in what they are doing don't have to go. No one is being forced to do one thing or another.
I believe that Dover does the right thing by calling the police to the school because of students actions. Whether the person'saction is major or minor, it's still wrong and being addressed by the police could be a good thing. I think that more frequent locker searches could be a positive thing. Of course, I wouldn't be affected by this because I haven't used my locker since beginning of freshman year, but those who would be affected deserve it because they most likely have drugs, weapons, etc which should be taken seriously. I think ID tags are ok. It's kind of a good thing considering you need them to get in school, yet the people who check the doors just leave the students who don't have their ID's in so they can get a replacement. It's easy to sneak by without stopping at the replacement ID table and go throughout the school day without an ID. So, to a certain point, they are pointless. I mean, after all, last year we did have four people from Maryland come into school and they obviously did not have a school ID. So how effective are they? It would then be the parent's responsibility to address the situation, but their is still no real guarantee the student's concerns will be taken care of. Finally, if a student has a concern about the administration, I think it would be very hard for them to get there point across to the administrators to address them. I would simply tell my parents my concern and they would then call in and make this apparent to the district. Other than that, I believe our voices are rarely heard.
@ Robert
It's completely true about the pure laziness or rebellion of the people who don't say the Pledge in the morning. If they don't say it because of one of those reasons, they shouldn't have the right to decide whether they agree or disagree until they actually consider the words and meaning involved.
@ Grant
I believe what you said about the cell phone rules and how they're practically ridiculous. We get away with so much now as it is. I mean, there is a time to text and a time not to text. If you're in the middle of a test, you shouldn't have your phone out, or if you're taking notes and listening to an important lecture from one of your teachers, then you shouldn't be texting. There are ways, however, to avoid situations like that that would interfere with the learning process.
Jenny Napierskie Pd 1
ReplyDelete1. One of the rules I happen to find unconstitutional is the banning of water bottles. Why is this rule in our handbook? Because in a rare event, people sneak alcohol into school. Okay, how often does this happen? Obviously only one event causes a whole new rule to be put into place. Countless trips to the water fountain when you're sick or what not are highly unnecessary.
2. The pledge is a small thing students say every morning. What's the big deal? Are people really that offended or are they just lazy. I think the proper way to handle this is for those who want to say it should say it, and those who don't want to, then they shouldn't.
3. Groups that are formed in school like Youth Alive and such are formed because activities can't be performed unless they are under these groups. Simply enough to say, I think these activities are perfectly fine. If students do not wish to associate, then they simply don't have to. If they do wish to participate, then they can.
4. There are a lot of dumb kids in our school, but only a small percentage of the student body are these hooligans. The rules dealing with searching lockers and students are a good idea, but it seems like things are taken over the top. Our school isn't an airport, it's a "haven of learning". Sure kids do stupid stuff, but we're not the mafia over here. Funds are wasted on police men and such. Why can't we save our money and stop wasting it on false threats all the time?
Casie- I completely agree with your opinon dealing with the pledge. It's a simple equation, say it if you want, don't say it if you want to.
ReplyDeleteAlex- The whole deal with PDA rules is stupid, and I agree with you. Oh no! I might get hurt by hugging someone!! NOT.
Mariah Snyder, period 4
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a problem with any of the rules in our school handbook. Only a few of the rules i don't really agree with, for example, cell phones and jackets. If someone is cold i don't understand why they can't wear there jacket they brought to school? And with cell phones, if it is not used during lessons and while the teacher is talking, then i don't get why we can't text during class. If it causes a distraction, then that person should be punished for it. Otherwise, i think we should be able to use our cell phones during class when it is not interupting anything.
I don't see why people have such a problem with the pledge. Seriously, it kind of offends me when people don't respect our country and just sit there. If you don't like our country and don't want to represent america, then leave. I just don't see why people make such a big deal out of it. This might sound harsh, but come on. Some people just need to grow up and stop complaining about everything.
I believe "see you at the pole" is perfectly okay. I'm for it, but then yet again i am very into religion. I don't see why someone who doesn't believe in god or in religion would have a problem with the statement they made because they don't have to participate in it if they don't want to. I think they were perfectly fine on saying what they said, because they are just informing people what is going to happen at "see you at the pole" In no way are they making people pray. This is more of a free exercise clause, not an establishment clause because it is not mandatory in school.
I think DHS handles the student body pretty well. Yes, they could be even more strict. But honestly, i don't really think it will do any good. People who truly do have a hard time with their behaivor need to be talked through it and helped, not just given a bunch of punishments. Yes, i believe in getting ISS and all of that if you truly do something bad, but i'm just saying it will help the kids who truly need more attention. I honestly don't care about locker searches, because i'm not hiding anything. It wouldn't offend me if they did locker searches more often, and i think it might even make people feel safer. I also think school id's are a good idea because people can't get into the school without their id and they can't lie about who they are while getting in trouble. It also makes lunch go faster just scanning your id. If a student thinks the school administration has gone too far, they can address it at the school board meetings or talk to the principle, or guidance counselor. I think if it is truly an issue, it will be effective.
Claire Bleecker Period 1
ReplyDelete1. No rules in the student handbook offend me as a student in any way. They all seem like good safety measures and prevent the disruption of the education process.
2. I am pretty apathetic about the Pledge issue. It's a tradition, like a holiday, and you shouldn't be required to honor it, but it should be available to all students. It doesn't directly harm anyone at all, and there are more pressing issues to argue over.
3. I think the See You at the Pole event is great. It's students making a statement about what they believe in and representing hope for a safer country while not being pushy and not infrining upon any other nonparticipant's rights. Like everyone else said, it's voluntary and in no way that I can think of, offensive.
4. I feel that the school does an overall good job of setting rules for us to follow. What I have noticed though is however harsh the rulemakers are, many teachers will still use their own discretion in the end.
I don't think locker searches need to be done more frequently but definitely should be done when something is suspicious.
I agree completely that we should have school id's and it should be very difficult to enter the building if you forget yours. However, having to have them visible all day is ridiculous. It's impractical and the good reasons for it do not outweigh that fact.
I honestly can't think of any good way for a student to change something that has gone wrong with the administration other than telling their parents and having them make a fuss about it. I guess we're suppose to go to student council and then they are suppose to address our concerns in meetings but who really ever does that? I think that the student body has basically no power over changing administration by themselves.
@Savs
Good point about the enforcement of the handbook. I think I would object to many more of the rules if they were actually enforced as the handbook says they are to be.
@Jamie
I like what you said about the Pledge issue. Now that it is legally not a mandatory thing, why are we still fighting over it?
Nicole Lucas. Period 4.
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a problem with our school rules, I just stay out of trouble and follow them. One that is kind of odd is that you can't wear hoodies(or shouldn't wear hoodies) during school. They say anything with a zipper is a jacket and must be kept in your locker, that rule is stupid. And so is the rule about not being able to show the Confederate flag, it's just a symbol people wear, there's nothing wrong with it.
I think that the pledge shouldn't be mandatory, that school's should still have it. If you want to say it, go ahead and say it, but if you don't want to, then just stand there and say nothing.
I think the See You At The Pole activity should be allowed. It isn't mandatory to do it, so those who are very religious can pray at the flag and those who aren't or don't feel like doing it can just go into school and do what they do every other morning. It goes with the Free Exercise clause. The school isn't forcing everyone to do it, you have the choice to participate or not.
I think the school does police us properly and they shouldn't exercise tougher controls. Random locker searches would be good to have every one in awhile, not like all the time. I do not agree with school IDs. They are pointless and no one uses them anyways cause we hate wearing them. If we think administration has gone too far, I don't think there really is anything we can do besides maybe get a big petition signed by alot of people and take it to the governor or something.
@ Rachael: I definitly agree with you on the subject of the pledge and "see you at the pole". People get way too worked up about things, when most of the time, it really has nothing to do with them.
ReplyDelete@ Brook: I do agree that wearing our id tags doesn't really make our school any safer, but i agree generally with what the school is trying to do with them. The purpose really is just so people can't get in without an id, which in the morning it is enforced. Throughout the day its not really an issue or a big deal for teachers, because they know who we are. During the school day, no one can get in unless they go to the front anyway. So really, its only a big deal in the morning.
Scott Tilley Pd. 1
ReplyDelete1. In the handbook, i really have no objections for any of the rules. I have read through the school handbook numerous times out of pure boredom and really haven't thought to myself, "hey that ought to be changed." So i really have no strong feeling about this topic.
2. On the topic of the pledge--IS IT REALLY THAT BIG OF A DEAL?!?!?! I think that people are truly blowing this out of proportion. I think that our school does the right thing by giving the time for the pledge but not having the rule that you HAVE to say it. So those who feel strong about nothing they know about can be happy. (most of them do it for attention, few for reason)
3. I think that the Youth Alive group is doing a bang-up job with the See You at the Pole. They've done an excellent job getting it out there and getting people interested. I think that schools should allow this to go on because it's just showing how people are worshiping and should do it freely and how they choose.
4. Now i believe in the school being a safe place just like everyone else, but i strongly feel that locker searches should only be done if you know that there is something suspicious there, but then again if you do nothing wrong, why should you be worried? Right? School IDs should be kept on your person, but not necessarily around your neck, because, seriously who does that anyway, besides Mr. Hoover. And for the students, you won't win. Administrators know EVERYTHING and of course they are never wrong (HA) so most likely you wont win. The best you could do is send and anonymous note, and maybe they'll think it's a goody-two-shoes freshman and change the rules. In the words of Flavor Flav and Public Enemy, "Fight the Power" but you won't win most likely.
@ nicole lucas- good point with the pledge, that's exactly how i feel. But i think that the students should still have to stand up and participate but they do not necessarily have to say it, but still participate somehow.
ReplyDelete@ mariah- i totally agree with the rules you chose. The jacket rule is stupid. And the cell phone rule should be changed also but it's getting better one dover sized step at a time!!!! =] =] =] haha
@Rachael
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on all your points. I like what you said about the IDs. No one really does check them and they need to be checked when coming into school more properly, it's like we let complete strangers into the school last year, and if the teachers would have looked, they would have clearly noticed their IDs were not Dover IDs.
@ Claire
I agree with you on all your points as well. I like your point about using IDs just to get into school and not having to show them throughout the rest of the day, although most teachers don't check them anymore throughout the day.
Shawn Vincent Pd. 1
ReplyDelete1. The handbook is A-Ok in my eyes in the sense that it doesnt violate any constitutional rights. However, i do think some of the rules are a little bit pointless such as: the I.D tag rule, or the No Texting rule..and the 8 chair limit at the lunch is ridiculous. no one is getting hurt by exceeding that chair limit. The I.D tag rule is hardly even enforced anyway so what's the point of its existence?
2. Eh, i'm on the fence of how i feel about the pledge of allegiance. It just doesn't seem authentic hearing the students mindlessly recite it day in day out. They sound like drones. But i mean, i guess its not a big deal, in the sense that if you dont agree with parts of it you simply don't have to recite it. just pay the respect your expected to pay and move on. the "under god" bit should probably go though, as we are supposed to be living under freedom of religion, and this is singling out christianity or catholicism.
3.You won't see me at the pole but i support it and think it's a great event. all beef aside on religion, it's a good cause and nobodys getting hurt by it. It doesnt even conflict with the shcools schedule.
4. I think the school polices some rules effectively and others not so much. The Id Rule? fuhgettaboutit..but the harassment rule? their aggressive about those rules. locker searches are great for cracking down on drugs and whatnot, but the timing must be appropriate. So maybe, not too much of that. There's really not much a student can do about the mechanisms of the dover school system, however i don't think its going to become a major issue in the sense of dictatorship or anything. Mr. Reidel's a nice guy, he puts his pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else.
Thomas Boyer Period 4
ReplyDelete1.
I OBJECT!! to.... having the school randomly cycle cameras from bus to bus. It says a "checks and balances system" for a students behavior, but that doesn't really make sense... I understand that it is there to catch indecent acts that happen over and over again, but those are usually caught by the bus driver anyways, and most freshmen don't even know that they cycle cameras from bus to bus. This rule is very unconstitutional in my opinion, and it would be fine if they went and explained it the first time coming on the bus, or starting HS.
2.
The way our school, and most schools, have been handling the pledge is fine. Like our school, most schools don't really care, and the pledge is just a sign of respect. If a person really has a problem they can be exempt without complaint, but other than that if the teacher requires it, then the student should just talk it out if they have a problem.
3.
"See you at the Pole" is fine. People are too lazy to use other means of getting the word out, and the announcments just happen to be the easiest and most efficient way. It just happens to be about God, but it isn't mandatory at all, so it isn't passing the line. Passing the line is when you try to teach your ideas to others, or force them to do something.
4.
I believe Dover does well in policing the students, and the only problems are with personal ideas of specific teachers. I believe that they don't need to crack down more on the student body, or do more locker searches. About ID's... I personally forget mine all the time and find ways to get in, but oh well. I believe they are asking too much from young teenagers to not ever forget your ID and giving out these crazy punishments... If the punishments weren't as bad and if they were more forgiving, then it would be fine. If a student believes the administration is going too far, a parent can call in, or they can bring the issue up at the school board meeting. These aren't always very effective, and it sounds even more time consuming.
Shawn Vincent Period 1.
ReplyDelete@ kenny
big lulz for the post, i laughed a lot. I pretty much agree with the majority of what you're saying, and i think the "lameness" you're referring to in the pledge is the monotony and lack of emotion that goes along with it. kudos!
@ Jeff
"courtesy of the red white and blue" is a terrible song and i just feel that what you said about the pledge is only partially true. It shows allegiance to the flag, but it's forced allegiance it seems. It's like your brother saying " i love you" to the red head every ten seconds. it doesnt display true patriotism, it displays the results of routine.
Thomas Boyer Period 1
ReplyDelete@ Abby
Most of these things aren't just common sense things and people all have differing views. Maybe they wear those sorts of clothing at school or etc etc. But even the handbook itself is so vague in things like intimate actions or even the index and pages aren't even numbered right....
@ Kenny
haha, lots of spelling errors, and Heather called you chester again... anyways alot of the rules actually "are" vague if you did read the handbook. and some things can actually be interpreted differently. Terroristic threats or acts can be those that "cause serious public inconvenience". Tripping in the halls in front of everyone and making your books fly in their faces "thwak", is a seriouc public inconvenience... etc. etc. The whole thing isn't that simple, and yes... I read the darn handbook every year.
Stefon Marquette, Pd 4
ReplyDelete1. This is disappointing and mildly frustrating but I have no issue with any rule in the book. Just with people breaking them.
2. What is wrong with the way they handle it now? I think it should stay the way it is where we are required to have time designated for it, but don't necessarily NEED to say it. It is an option. Options are freedom and Americans appreciate freedom.
3. I think I have no comment on the topic of the "God statement". All I had to say about this was said in class today [Monday].
4. Well as minors, I think that it is good for our schools to act in what they, as adults, see as best for us. So far, they are doing an excellent job at protecting us from bodily harm and most major inconveniences.
I don't think that tougher controls are in order, just the increased exercise of protecting and honoring the rules by both staff and students.
Sure, why not more random locker searches? The locker is school property, they are simply allowing us to store our belongings in their locker and the only people worried about their searches are people with something to hide. Unless you are me and you didn't get the luxury of a locker because the freshman class is so huge. [Perhaps more expulsions are called for] ((WHERE WILL I STORE MY CONTRABAND NOW?!?)) Haha
The identification cards are both a win and a fail. Win, they are important for security purposes. Fail, they are hardly worn by anyone but myself and probably that one other person Mme. Shuman also loves.
Do we really have a way to change policy other than to get our parents or some faculty worked up about it enough to change it? I don't think we do, but judging by my parents and most of my teachers, we should probably just get over it.
I would like to part with these words of wisdom that are totally applicable to everyone's daily life:
"Just keep a constant stream of Jews flowing and the neo-Nazi will stay where you need him until the proper authorities respond."
@ACE 11
ReplyDeleteOkay, well let me know how well changing the school board's mind goes.
@Heather
I disagree 100% with your use of 9000%
@Shawn
8 Chairs per table is so we don't violate fire codes. AKA we need a larger cafeteria in order to do away with this rule. It is only because DHS cares... About not paying hefty fines for violating fire codes. Oh, also they might not like it if you burst into flames in their newly painted cafeteria because you tripped over 10 chairs on the way out whilst frantically retreating from your fiery doom. [Note, when you knock those 10 chairs over I will most certainly stop and turn to yell various words at you and none of these words will be nerd.] ((Okay, maybe at least one will be nerd.))
1. I find that in the handbook there isn't really rules that i find are exceptionally bad and should be removed. The rules in there are pretty much accepted by the students and they know what i can and can't get away with. I think the id tags are a terrible idea
ReplyDelete2. Personally, I think to say the pledge is a person’s own concern. If they want to say it, okay, if they don’t, okay. It’s a person’s own choice to say the pledge.
3. I think the See You At the Pole should totally be done. It isnt like you are forcing the school to all go out, stand around the flagpole, and pray.
4. I think DHS polices the student body pretty well. The only problem i see is how long it takes for administrators to actually punish students. It sometimes takes weeks or even months. I see nothing wrong with locker searches. It isn't going to hurt anyone to have someone look inside their locker for one minute. I think by doing searches a lot more people could get caught with weapons and drugs. I think ID's are a good idea, but the hassle to cause can be annoying to both teachers and the student body. However, I think they are necessary in a way. I don't think administrators have gone to far. I think that we are good right where we are.
@ mariah- I agree with the rules you chose. The jacket rule is dumb. And the cell phone rule should be changed also but it's getting better.
@Jamie
I like what you said about the Pledge issue. Now that it is legally not a mandatory thing, why are we still fighting over it?