There was a Black History Month assembly today. I don't need to say much about it; you were all probably forced to go and then were subjected to the same religion-heavy assembly we had a month ago on MLK Day. The same songs were sung. The same dances were performed. The same songs were played by the jazz band, except without Jenny Herzog or Tim Van Riper singing, which was the best part about the MLK assembly (the jazz band did, however, drown Mr. Hudson out when he was trying to make an announcement. Nice work). The controversy about religion was seemingly nearly acknowledged by those involved, with some of the speakers saying "whether you believe in the Bible or evolution" (because those are mutually exclusive) and "by celebrating one culture, we celebrate our diversity. However, they still went on and played a bunch of completely unnecessary religious songs. Yes, religion was a big part of Martin Luther King's life; he was a minister. How are they going to tie it in now? Just because religion is an aspect of the history does not mean it should be made the focus. It doesn't mean you can't say "God" in a song. But when every song is about how The Lord Your Savior is A-Comin' Down From High, and every dance is exactly the same, it starts to get annoying.
Why did we need to have this assembly? And why do they constantly overbook these things? We had 25 minutes of third hour, and I had to take a test that second hour students got a full hour for.
It's also worth mentioning that Mr. White was nowhere to be seen at the second assembly. I hear he was at the first, but what, was he packing for his vacation or what?
Anyways, point is, I liked this assembly better the first time I saw it. In 2005.
2.22.2008
2.21.2008
First PSAS meeting
The first Pioneer Students Against Surveillance meeting was today. I think it could be considered a success-fifteen students showed up, plus Mr. Robert, and there was a lot of good discussion. At this point, with the decision having been made, the focus is changing from educating people about why cameras shouldn't be installed to trying to do something about the installation along with trying to stop similar programs. There's definitely still a reason to meet; 15 people is good for the first meeting, but it'd be great to see more people next meeting; we need to keep growing.
During the meeting, there were methods of protest discussed, along with plans for the future of the club and discussion about why it's still important to have a club like this. Our goal is to become as public as possible with our issues with the cameras. If you've got good ideas, or you just want to help, show up to the next meeting. March 4 (the Tuesday after we get back from break) at lunch in Mr. Robert's room. The facebook group had already been set up by the time I got around to checking, so you can stay informed. Hope I'll see at least a few new faces next time.
During the meeting, there were methods of protest discussed, along with plans for the future of the club and discussion about why it's still important to have a club like this. Our goal is to become as public as possible with our issues with the cameras. If you've got good ideas, or you just want to help, show up to the next meeting. March 4 (the Tuesday after we get back from break) at lunch in Mr. Robert's room. The facebook group had already been set up by the time I got around to checking, so you can stay informed. Hope I'll see at least a few new faces next time.
2.20.2008
Big Important Reminder
PIONEER STUDENTS AGAINST SURVEILLANCE MEETING TOMORROW AT LUNCH IN MR. ROBERT'S ROOM, IN E PORTABLE
see you there.
see you there.
Yet another example of craziness. This time it's serious.
So an alert reader tipped me off to this story a few days ago, and I found the note on facebook. This took place last week, and the letter is written by junior William Penner-Hahn. The excellent letter he wrote to Mr. White follows, along with a brief Q & A after that.
To Principal Michael E. White,
I know what you see when you look at me. You see a smartass
kid who is trying to make your job difficult.
You see a kid who wants to make a big deal out of
everything, and who needs to be dealt with. In short,
you see what you want to see. I would like to tell
you what I see when I look at myself.
When I look at myself, I see a sensitive kid that
tries hard and attempts to be respectful. I see a
good kid whose only crime is asking questions, a skill
that school has nurtured in us from day one. I see
someone who is disrespected, but tries not to let it
bother him too much. I see an A and B student who is
at school to learn.
So, about what happened today. I was on my knees on
a bleacher, talking to my friends and generally
minding my own business. One of the community
assistants came up and told me I had to sit down. I
asked him, fairly politely I think, why that was the
rule. He told me that it was just the rule and not to
ask questions. I asked again, because I have been
taught that asking questions is important, and indeed
the foundation of our society. When he told me that
it was so people didn’t slip and fall, I told him,
again fairly politely, that I didn’t see that as any
more likely than slipping and falling anywhere else.
I then proceeded to ask the community assistant where
the rule was written, as I in fact did not recall
reading this any where. I have since looked it up,
and after extensive searching on the school website, I
found one line that says “student will sit at tables
of their choice but must remain seated. No standing
around in groups, moving from table to table, etc.” I
personally do not view sitting on one’s knees on a
bleacher to be in violation of this rule, but the fact
remains that I merely asked where it was written. I
do not think that this justifies your later reaction.
When asked where the rule was written, the community
assistant said “You want to know where the rule is
written? I’ll show you!” He then took me to the
center of the gymnasium and proceeded to get you,
Principal White. I was standing there, and looked
over at my friends, who waved at me. I waved back,
and gave them a thumbs up. Yes, I may have made a
little fun out of it, but the fact is, and those who
have known me for a long time can attest to this, that
if I don’t laugh about it, I’ll probably end up crying
about it.
At this point, you came up to me. I waved at you,
without any intention of disrespect. You said “You
think this is funny? You think this is some kind of
joke?!?” I then tried to tell you what had happened,
but you just yelled at me. I don’t know if you ever
actually attempted to determine what had happened,
much less ask me for my side of the story. I tried to
ask you what the rule was, and you yelled “I’m not
going to argue with you!” I’d like to take this
opportunity to point out that you were the only one
being argumentative.
I again tried to be reasonable, speaking in as low a
voice I could muster with my somewhat flustered state
of mind, and also the lowest voice that could still be
heard over you. I tried to tell you that I wasn’t
arguing, and you waved your walkie-talkie at me, poked
me in the chest, and told me to “shut my mouth.” Then
you, at the top of your lungs, told me to get out and
leave. I asked you if I could at least retrieve my
belongings, and started in that direction. You and
the community assistant shoved me and forcibly
restrained me from retrieving my belongings. You
yelled the phrase “Leave now or you’re leaving with
the police” at me numerous times.
At this point, I left. You may remember the entire
gymnasium applauding at this point. I know that when
you look at this, you see a bad seed yucking it up for
his friends. When I look at this, I see a student
body, consistently disrespected and treated like
criminals, reacting naturally to an oppressive
situation.
So who was really punished here? It certainly wasn’t
me. I missed some classes, and this is bad, but I am
capable of making up the work. I certainly hope it
wasn’t you. No, the real victim here was
student-faculty relations. I value the positive
relationship I have with my counselor, my teachers, my
class principal. I value their openness and
understanding. How can you expect to be a good
principal if you do not offer the same openness and
respect? I should think it would be difficult.
In conclusion, I felt incredibly abused and
disrespected. I came to school to learn, and by
sending me home, you prevented that possibility. You
verbally abused me, physically shoved me, and
threatened police action for merely attempting to ask
a question.
Principal White, you have said that you enjoy a
hands-on leadership style, and that you value
openness. If pushing and shoving is your idea of
hands-on, and verbal abuse and threats are your ideas
of openness, then I am afraid you are sorely mistaken.
So, I ask you, when does this hands on leadership and
openness begin? I certainly have not seen it yet.
Respectfully yours,
William Penner-Hahn
P.S. Let’s meet and talk about it. I’m ready and
open. The ball’s in your court.
Q & A:
Gold Lion: Did you actually send the letter? If so, did he reply/do you anticipate a reply?
William Penner-Hahn: I did give the letter to his secretary at the end of lunch the day after the icident occured. In the middle of fifth hour, I was pulled out of class (missing Chem Lab, no less) and taken to his office, where I waited until partway into sixth hour. I met with him, and he was reasonable (for once), but if a long letter is what it takes to get him to be reasonable, then I for ome think that's kind of ridiculous. He did apologize, which is more than I expected. However, his apology was more of the "I'm sorry you felt that way" type. In addition, when asked the rationale for removing me from school without taking down any information, he A: blamed Dr. Kinel for not taking down any information and B: justified it as being an "emergency suspension" because I was being insubordinate. I don't know when students asking questions became insubordination and an emergency, but as I was told by the "community assistant": don't ask questions, just do what I say.
Also, even though an apology was made, it does not appear that Mr. White has changed his behavior, as evidenced by his announcement that thursday that students will be kicked out of school for "malingering in the hallways."
GL: Were you eating in the gym for the first time because of the new policy? Do you agree with that policy?
WPH: No, that was not my first time eating in the gym, I eat there most days because I do not enjoy eating in my car everyday, as I do have in fact more than 3 friends that want to talk to at lunch, and also because gas is expensive, and the car is cold without the heat on.
And no, I do not agree with the policy, because I do not think that a school of nearly 3000 students should be forced into two relatively small areas, consituting a near fire hazard, or off campus and in the parking lot, which as the former principal pointed out, is rife with crime.
GL: Did Mr. White actually make contact with you (whether it was with a walkie talkie or a poke in the chest or whatever)?
WPH: Mr. White did make contact with me with a poke in the chest and by forcibly restraining me from retrieving my belongings.
GL: Have you spoken to any teachers about this?
WPH: I have not spoken to my teachers about this except to give them a brief summary of why I was absent from school. The one teacher that I told in more detail, Ms. Fox (a very nice lady), acted as though I was merely a smartass, which is easy to say if you are a staff member and do not see this side of Mr. White.
GL: Have you spoken to the superintendent (or any school board members) about this, or do you intend to?
WPH: I have not yet spoken to any school board members about this, although I do plan on doing so.
GL: Do you think that you could've handled the situation differently?
WPH: I think that I probably could have handled it differently, but I still do not think I did anything wrong. As a student and a minor (that is, disrespected and not treated as having valid opinions) it is difficult to remain reasonable in the face of verbal abuse from staff members, although I did my best. However, as principal, Mr. White's job is to remain reasonable and fair in all circumstances, and he is not cut out for the job if he cannot do so.
GL: Do you think the school/district should respond to this, and, if so, how?
WPH: I think the school and possibly district should respond to this, but I am not sure how. Parents/the school board can at least censure/reprimand Mr. White, something that students are not capable of. However, a reprimand is not what I desire. I want Mr. White to commit to a change in his handling of the school and his treatment of students.
A couple other things: the school's job is to teach kids and to keep them safe. By sending me home without any genuine procedure, and only a short talk with my mom on the phone by Dr. Kinel (which I initiated), they made both of those impossible. In addition, the next day I received an automated call: "A student in your household was absent hours 4 through 7 on tuesday..."
One last point: It's easy for adults to look at this and think that kids are rebelling for the sake of it. That is truly not the case. I ask any adults reading this to put themselves in our shoes-and none of that "In my day" BS. It's not easy being a high schooler, even without an unreasonable principal. I know you think we're overreacting, but try to remember what it was like, and try and remove your nostalgia filter first.
I find all of this pretty ridiculous. One of the biggest issues at this school is that every problem is the fault of the student. Mr. White will admit that mistakes are made, but it's almost always a student's fault; if not, it's Kinel's fault. He made a huge mistake here, and he needs to own up to it. And since I don't have enough faith in him to do so, I plan on writing to the school board. Even if he won't respect us, he'll have to respect the school board.
To Principal Michael E. White,
I know what you see when you look at me. You see a smartass
kid who is trying to make your job difficult.
You see a kid who wants to make a big deal out of
everything, and who needs to be dealt with. In short,
you see what you want to see. I would like to tell
you what I see when I look at myself.
When I look at myself, I see a sensitive kid that
tries hard and attempts to be respectful. I see a
good kid whose only crime is asking questions, a skill
that school has nurtured in us from day one. I see
someone who is disrespected, but tries not to let it
bother him too much. I see an A and B student who is
at school to learn.
So, about what happened today. I was on my knees on
a bleacher, talking to my friends and generally
minding my own business. One of the community
assistants came up and told me I had to sit down. I
asked him, fairly politely I think, why that was the
rule. He told me that it was just the rule and not to
ask questions. I asked again, because I have been
taught that asking questions is important, and indeed
the foundation of our society. When he told me that
it was so people didn’t slip and fall, I told him,
again fairly politely, that I didn’t see that as any
more likely than slipping and falling anywhere else.
I then proceeded to ask the community assistant where
the rule was written, as I in fact did not recall
reading this any where. I have since looked it up,
and after extensive searching on the school website, I
found one line that says “student will sit at tables
of their choice but must remain seated. No standing
around in groups, moving from table to table, etc.” I
personally do not view sitting on one’s knees on a
bleacher to be in violation of this rule, but the fact
remains that I merely asked where it was written. I
do not think that this justifies your later reaction.
When asked where the rule was written, the community
assistant said “You want to know where the rule is
written? I’ll show you!” He then took me to the
center of the gymnasium and proceeded to get you,
Principal White. I was standing there, and looked
over at my friends, who waved at me. I waved back,
and gave them a thumbs up. Yes, I may have made a
little fun out of it, but the fact is, and those who
have known me for a long time can attest to this, that
if I don’t laugh about it, I’ll probably end up crying
about it.
At this point, you came up to me. I waved at you,
without any intention of disrespect. You said “You
think this is funny? You think this is some kind of
joke?!?” I then tried to tell you what had happened,
but you just yelled at me. I don’t know if you ever
actually attempted to determine what had happened,
much less ask me for my side of the story. I tried to
ask you what the rule was, and you yelled “I’m not
going to argue with you!” I’d like to take this
opportunity to point out that you were the only one
being argumentative.
I again tried to be reasonable, speaking in as low a
voice I could muster with my somewhat flustered state
of mind, and also the lowest voice that could still be
heard over you. I tried to tell you that I wasn’t
arguing, and you waved your walkie-talkie at me, poked
me in the chest, and told me to “shut my mouth.” Then
you, at the top of your lungs, told me to get out and
leave. I asked you if I could at least retrieve my
belongings, and started in that direction. You and
the community assistant shoved me and forcibly
restrained me from retrieving my belongings. You
yelled the phrase “Leave now or you’re leaving with
the police” at me numerous times.
At this point, I left. You may remember the entire
gymnasium applauding at this point. I know that when
you look at this, you see a bad seed yucking it up for
his friends. When I look at this, I see a student
body, consistently disrespected and treated like
criminals, reacting naturally to an oppressive
situation.
So who was really punished here? It certainly wasn’t
me. I missed some classes, and this is bad, but I am
capable of making up the work. I certainly hope it
wasn’t you. No, the real victim here was
student-faculty relations. I value the positive
relationship I have with my counselor, my teachers, my
class principal. I value their openness and
understanding. How can you expect to be a good
principal if you do not offer the same openness and
respect? I should think it would be difficult.
In conclusion, I felt incredibly abused and
disrespected. I came to school to learn, and by
sending me home, you prevented that possibility. You
verbally abused me, physically shoved me, and
threatened police action for merely attempting to ask
a question.
Principal White, you have said that you enjoy a
hands-on leadership style, and that you value
openness. If pushing and shoving is your idea of
hands-on, and verbal abuse and threats are your ideas
of openness, then I am afraid you are sorely mistaken.
So, I ask you, when does this hands on leadership and
openness begin? I certainly have not seen it yet.
Respectfully yours,
William Penner-Hahn
P.S. Let’s meet and talk about it. I’m ready and
open. The ball’s in your court.
Q & A:
Gold Lion: Did you actually send the letter? If so, did he reply/do you anticipate a reply?
William Penner-Hahn: I did give the letter to his secretary at the end of lunch the day after the icident occured. In the middle of fifth hour, I was pulled out of class (missing Chem Lab, no less) and taken to his office, where I waited until partway into sixth hour. I met with him, and he was reasonable (for once), but if a long letter is what it takes to get him to be reasonable, then I for ome think that's kind of ridiculous. He did apologize, which is more than I expected. However, his apology was more of the "I'm sorry you felt that way" type. In addition, when asked the rationale for removing me from school without taking down any information, he A: blamed Dr. Kinel for not taking down any information and B: justified it as being an "emergency suspension" because I was being insubordinate. I don't know when students asking questions became insubordination and an emergency, but as I was told by the "community assistant": don't ask questions, just do what I say.
Also, even though an apology was made, it does not appear that Mr. White has changed his behavior, as evidenced by his announcement that thursday that students will be kicked out of school for "malingering in the hallways."
GL: Were you eating in the gym for the first time because of the new policy? Do you agree with that policy?
WPH: No, that was not my first time eating in the gym, I eat there most days because I do not enjoy eating in my car everyday, as I do have in fact more than 3 friends that want to talk to at lunch, and also because gas is expensive, and the car is cold without the heat on.
And no, I do not agree with the policy, because I do not think that a school of nearly 3000 students should be forced into two relatively small areas, consituting a near fire hazard, or off campus and in the parking lot, which as the former principal pointed out, is rife with crime.
GL: Did Mr. White actually make contact with you (whether it was with a walkie talkie or a poke in the chest or whatever)?
WPH: Mr. White did make contact with me with a poke in the chest and by forcibly restraining me from retrieving my belongings.
GL: Have you spoken to any teachers about this?
WPH: I have not spoken to my teachers about this except to give them a brief summary of why I was absent from school. The one teacher that I told in more detail, Ms. Fox (a very nice lady), acted as though I was merely a smartass, which is easy to say if you are a staff member and do not see this side of Mr. White.
GL: Have you spoken to the superintendent (or any school board members) about this, or do you intend to?
WPH: I have not yet spoken to any school board members about this, although I do plan on doing so.
GL: Do you think that you could've handled the situation differently?
WPH: I think that I probably could have handled it differently, but I still do not think I did anything wrong. As a student and a minor (that is, disrespected and not treated as having valid opinions) it is difficult to remain reasonable in the face of verbal abuse from staff members, although I did my best. However, as principal, Mr. White's job is to remain reasonable and fair in all circumstances, and he is not cut out for the job if he cannot do so.
GL: Do you think the school/district should respond to this, and, if so, how?
WPH: I think the school and possibly district should respond to this, but I am not sure how. Parents/the school board can at least censure/reprimand Mr. White, something that students are not capable of. However, a reprimand is not what I desire. I want Mr. White to commit to a change in his handling of the school and his treatment of students.
A couple other things: the school's job is to teach kids and to keep them safe. By sending me home without any genuine procedure, and only a short talk with my mom on the phone by Dr. Kinel (which I initiated), they made both of those impossible. In addition, the next day I received an automated call: "A student in your household was absent hours 4 through 7 on tuesday..."
One last point: It's easy for adults to look at this and think that kids are rebelling for the sake of it. That is truly not the case. I ask any adults reading this to put themselves in our shoes-and none of that "In my day" BS. It's not easy being a high schooler, even without an unreasonable principal. I know you think we're overreacting, but try to remember what it was like, and try and remove your nostalgia filter first.
I find all of this pretty ridiculous. One of the biggest issues at this school is that every problem is the fault of the student. Mr. White will admit that mistakes are made, but it's almost always a student's fault; if not, it's Kinel's fault. He made a huge mistake here, and he needs to own up to it. And since I don't have enough faith in him to do so, I plan on writing to the school board. Even if he won't respect us, he'll have to respect the school board.
2.19.2008
Nobody cares what you think?
You know what bothers me most about all this? About everything at Pioneer? It's that nobody cares. And it sickens me.
How many kids really made statements about the cameras? Yes, plenty, PLENTY, wrote letters to the editor, etc., about cameras. But how many actually came to the meetings? Not many. Now, some of this is a result of the administration's desire to not let you find out. But it's your duty as a student of Pioneer to become actively involved.
Out of all those kids, how many were seniors? There were only two underclassmen at the meetings. I honestly believe that Mr. White has been stopped from larger things because of this senior leadership. The problem is, we'll be gone in four months. Then who will take over?
Fight for your rights. I'm so sick of people saying "Oh, I don't really give a damn about the cameras, they won't affect me." Well, look at what's happening! Mr. White is losing it. He's trying to make rules that are more ridiculous by the day. You cannot let him do this; you can't be complacent and let him walk all over you. You can't let him do whatever he wants. You must make Mr. White answer to you, not the other way around. People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.
So come to the meeting on Thursday. Discuss things on this blog, or with your friends; let other people know. The administration doesn't want you to have information; spread as much information as possible. The administration is doing things that are wrong, and you cannot let them do that. Become involved.
This is not a criticism. This is a challenge. I want Pioneer to care. I know that a good number of high school students are complete morons. Mr. White is counting on that. You must be vocal enough to cover for the rest of them, the ones who refuse to get involved. You must care, and you must make sure everyone knows you care, and you must make other people care.
How many kids really made statements about the cameras? Yes, plenty, PLENTY, wrote letters to the editor, etc., about cameras. But how many actually came to the meetings? Not many. Now, some of this is a result of the administration's desire to not let you find out. But it's your duty as a student of Pioneer to become actively involved.
Out of all those kids, how many were seniors? There were only two underclassmen at the meetings. I honestly believe that Mr. White has been stopped from larger things because of this senior leadership. The problem is, we'll be gone in four months. Then who will take over?
Fight for your rights. I'm so sick of people saying "Oh, I don't really give a damn about the cameras, they won't affect me." Well, look at what's happening! Mr. White is losing it. He's trying to make rules that are more ridiculous by the day. You cannot let him do this; you can't be complacent and let him walk all over you. You can't let him do whatever he wants. You must make Mr. White answer to you, not the other way around. People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.
So come to the meeting on Thursday. Discuss things on this blog, or with your friends; let other people know. The administration doesn't want you to have information; spread as much information as possible. The administration is doing things that are wrong, and you cannot let them do that. Become involved.
This is not a criticism. This is a challenge. I want Pioneer to care. I know that a good number of high school students are complete morons. Mr. White is counting on that. You must be vocal enough to cover for the rest of them, the ones who refuse to get involved. You must care, and you must make sure everyone knows you care, and you must make other people care.
2.17.2008
PSAS
A Pioneer Students Against Surveillance Meeting has been scheduled. It will take place at lunch on Thursday, February 21 in Mr. Robert's room (in E Portable).
2.15.2008
Respekt.
Honestly, after the weird announcements of the last two days, I'm beginning to think that Mr. White cannot handle governing a school as large as Pioneer. He seems to be on a sort of downward spiral. The announcements over the last two days have not been coherent at all (not that the previous ones were, either) and he seems to be making them at completely illogical times; to the uninformed citizen, it might sound like a student had gotten a hold of the PA system and was using it to make the principal sound crazier and crazier. I'm not even sure it's Mr. White anymore; his verb-subject agreement and overall grammar indicate that it could just be a bunch of recordings melded together (credit goes to Dmitri for that one).
Mr. White, if you can still hear me, a word of advice. Principals do not need to be liked. They are, after all, principals. But they must be respected. And to be respected, you must show respect. You have not shown respect for the law (by denying the PSAS club status). You have not shown respect for the parents (by not informing them what is going on at the school they send their children to). You have not shown respect for the students (by not allowing us to have a real say in the policies of the school). This is not "my way or the highway." This is not the Marines. We're allowed to question, and I intend to question until 2:28 on May 23. You must show respect to gain respect. Without respect, you will fail.
And I can not, and will not, and should not respect you.
Mr. White, if you can still hear me, a word of advice. Principals do not need to be liked. They are, after all, principals. But they must be respected. And to be respected, you must show respect. You have not shown respect for the law (by denying the PSAS club status). You have not shown respect for the parents (by not informing them what is going on at the school they send their children to). You have not shown respect for the students (by not allowing us to have a real say in the policies of the school). This is not "my way or the highway." This is not the Marines. We're allowed to question, and I intend to question until 2:28 on May 23. You must show respect to gain respect. Without respect, you will fail.
And I can not, and will not, and should not respect you.
Announcement!
So I walked into Humanities at 7:30 this morning and heard, to my great surprise, an announcement playing. I certainly couldn't hear it in A Hall, and it'd be unreasonable to expect students to be in class at 7:30 when class starts at 7:40. I know teachers who aren't even in class by 7:30. so, of course, i figured this announcement couldn't be important. Well, it was. We're no longer allowed to eat lunch anywhere but outside, the gym, or the cafeteria. Because that'll get rid of all the trash. Also, hats were not allowed for today, because apparently students had been abusing the privilege of wearing hats for spirit days (as in, they were wearing hats not pertaining to the day, although, to be fair, he was yelling at kids for wearing hats relating to the day, too).
Why would he make an important announcement when no one could hear it?
Well, he made the exact same announcement a few minutes into first hour. Why did he bother telling us at 7:30? I think Mr. White is getting too comfortable with the PA system, because he'll go on it whenever he pleases just to tell us his views on whatever might be going on. I'm beginning to enjoy the stream-of-consciousness rants, though.
Also, I'm not eating in the gym. Sorry, administration. Maybe you'll spend your lunch period looking for me, which is actually much more productive than counting all the pieces of trash you find in the hallways (where we're not allowed to eat anyway) and making pointless announcements.
Why would he make an important announcement when no one could hear it?
Well, he made the exact same announcement a few minutes into first hour. Why did he bother telling us at 7:30? I think Mr. White is getting too comfortable with the PA system, because he'll go on it whenever he pleases just to tell us his views on whatever might be going on. I'm beginning to enjoy the stream-of-consciousness rants, though.
Also, I'm not eating in the gym. Sorry, administration. Maybe you'll spend your lunch period looking for me, which is actually much more productive than counting all the pieces of trash you find in the hallways (where we're not allowed to eat anyway) and making pointless announcements.
2.14.2008
Yay! free promotion!
For those of you that didn't get one, try to pick up an Optimist today. We're mentioned on the cover (something I definitely did not expect), and a story was written about our humble little blog here. Hopefully, this will pull in some new readers, as our ill-advised facebook and business card experiments failed in that respect. . .
Good: By my count, this article of the Optimist has five articles tied directly to the camera issue. That's excellent; people really need to know about this issue, and few are very knowledgeable about it. Even more are apathetic; according to the paper, the students leading the charge against it will still be protesting. I'm looking for Pioneer Students Against Surveillance Meetings; I intend to attend. Good coverage of how ridiculously illegal Mr. White's refusal to allow this club to meet is, as well. Bennett Stein also wrote a letter to the paper.
I do have to disagree with the "Optimist Says" portion of the paper, though. While students did fight the cameras, they did not, as the paper says, show that "the community valued student opinions." Or, rather, the community valued them, but the administration just breezed right over student concerns and immediately labeled the students as "wrong."
Finally, on the note of the free publicity we got from the paper, I've been thinking about doing a mailbag-type thing, depending on how many responses we get. So, if you just started reading today, or if you've been reading for awhile, send us a question or a comment at pioneer.uncovered@gmail.com, and I might post them at a later date. Again, it depends on how many questions are sent in. You can ask about a lot of things, our views on this or why we do this or whatever you want. We probably won't tell you who we are, though. Not yet.
Good: By my count, this article of the Optimist has five articles tied directly to the camera issue. That's excellent; people really need to know about this issue, and few are very knowledgeable about it. Even more are apathetic; according to the paper, the students leading the charge against it will still be protesting. I'm looking for Pioneer Students Against Surveillance Meetings; I intend to attend. Good coverage of how ridiculously illegal Mr. White's refusal to allow this club to meet is, as well. Bennett Stein also wrote a letter to the paper.
I do have to disagree with the "Optimist Says" portion of the paper, though. While students did fight the cameras, they did not, as the paper says, show that "the community valued student opinions." Or, rather, the community valued them, but the administration just breezed right over student concerns and immediately labeled the students as "wrong."
Finally, on the note of the free publicity we got from the paper, I've been thinking about doing a mailbag-type thing, depending on how many responses we get. So, if you just started reading today, or if you've been reading for awhile, send us a question or a comment at pioneer.uncovered@gmail.com, and I might post them at a later date. Again, it depends on how many questions are sent in. You can ask about a lot of things, our views on this or why we do this or whatever you want. We probably won't tell you who we are, though. Not yet.
Party in the parking lot. . .
The next entertaining moment of the day was Mr. White's screaming rant near the beginning of fourth hour. The point of it, basically, was that he was going to talk to the other principals about confining kids to the gym, the lunch room, and the outdoors because there was too much trash in the hallways and the classrooms. If he does this, which he most certainly will (Who's going to stand up to him? One of the sheep from the administrative wing? Doubtful), I expect him to run into the same problems as last time; kids can't get help from teachers if they don't go at lunch. It's not like he'll care, of course. Anyways, his announcement was mostly an incoherent rant about how disappointed he was in us (according to my records, it was the first announcement of the school year that he did not end by telling us how proud he was of us) and how, eventually, we might get this policy implemented; he told us nothing. There are no new rules in place. "Students, there's a lot of trash, so you might be moving back to the gym!!!!! ANGRY!!!!"
Whatever. I'll sit right outside the front door if I have to. If he thinks he's herding me in there like livestock, he's mistaken. I'm not a sheep, and I'm not eating with 2000 other kids, not unless I'm encouraged with a cattle prod.
Whatever. I'll sit right outside the front door if I have to. If he thinks he's herding me in there like livestock, he's mistaken. I'm not a sheep, and I'm not eating with 2000 other kids, not unless I'm encouraged with a cattle prod.
2.13.2008
Recommendation Wednesday!
Happy Count Day!
Mr. White sounded pretty desperate to get everyone counted today. He was telling teachers not to mark ANYONE tardy, because buses were late and such, as usual. He was still telling them not to mark tardies in second hour. You're telling me the roads are so bad students can't make it there in two hours? I know the state probably has to have their school budget set by a certain time or something, but it seems to me like it'd be a much better idea to have count day later (or earlier) in the year, so that it isn't during prime snow season. I mean, we do live in Michigan.
Mr. White sounded pretty desperate to get everyone counted today. He was telling teachers not to mark ANYONE tardy, because buses were late and such, as usual. He was still telling them not to mark tardies in second hour. You're telling me the roads are so bad students can't make it there in two hours? I know the state probably has to have their school budget set by a certain time or something, but it seems to me like it'd be a much better idea to have count day later (or earlier) in the year, so that it isn't during prime snow season. I mean, we do live in Michigan.
2.12.2008
Look at the HATS!
I've heard multiple reports of Mr. White asking students to take their hats off this week, even when announcements have told us that we're allowed to wear them if they're related to the spirit day. Apparently, when one girl mentioned this, he told her, "that's a lie."
It's great when members of the administration don't even coordinate with other members of the administration. . .
I hope he doesn't have a problem when this guy shows up tomorrow.
It's great when members of the administration don't even coordinate with other members of the administration. . .
I hope he doesn't have a problem when this guy shows up tomorrow.
2.11.2008
Cold
The Ann Arbor Public School System has the most illogical way of doing things. It was much too cold this morning for learning. I know that 10 of my friends' cars wouldn't even start, and 1 other whose car's battery almost bit the dust. This isn't to mention all of the little kids who had to stand outside in this weather to wait for their busses, well except for clauge of course, and their faulty piping or whatever it was. All more that I have to say is that if tomorrow is anything like today, and we still have school, I will sue!
2.07.2008
Honor Levels of Hell
Well, now seems like as good a time as any to point out that thus far, only TWO seniors have received any sort of award for the honor level system. If you remember, initially, the honor level system was supposed to reward honor levels 1 and 2, perhaps with fun days or something like that. By my count, it's been roughly 12 school weeks since the system was implemented. Notice they didn't say they were going to reward TWO students; they said they'd reward the honor level 1 and 2 students. Why have I not been commended for my exceptional record?
P.S. Apparently, Ms. Thompson-Bert and Mr. White got in an argument over the phone today. I have no idea if this is true, nor do I have any other information about it. Still, spreading unsubstantiated rumors is fun, and I would be thrilled if this was true.
P.S. Apparently, Ms. Thompson-Bert and Mr. White got in an argument over the phone today. I have no idea if this is true, nor do I have any other information about it. Still, spreading unsubstantiated rumors is fun, and I would be thrilled if this was true.
2.05.2008
No news is good news?
There seem to have been a slew of slow news days lately. I believe that administrators from Balas are going to be meeting with Mr. White in the near future to figure out where exactly they will be putting the cameras, but that's not really news. We're kind of in between the camera decision and progress being made on the actual installation process (not that I consider it progress), at least that we're being told about. The cameras have been the main focus here lately, so I'm sort of unaware of any other issues that need covering (so if you have an idea, or just something to complain about, or questions, or comments, email pioneer.uncovered@gmail.com).
2.04.2008
Return of the Gospel Choir
There's a letter in today's Ann Arbor News from Andrew Dorsey, whom I presume is a Pioneer student (a quick yearbook check reveals that he is a junior).
Keep religion out of public schools
I often hear prominent figures talking of the principle of the separation of church and state as one of the defining features to our democracy. In my opinion, the public school is one of the staple parts of the state, and should be separated from any religious experiences.
On Thursday, Jan. 17, Pioneer High School had an assembly celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Attendance was mandatory. The assembly included performances by the Pioneer High School Gospel Choir. Their performance was superb, but I was troubled by the content of their songs. Every song was religious in content, and every one obviously Christian religious content. I have nothing against religion - I am a Catholic myself - but this sort of preaching should not be allowed in our schools. King was religious, but he also preached equality more than anything else. Pioneer is a diverse school, and it is hardly equal for the Jewish, Muslim and other religiously diverse students to have to, for the better part of a half hour, listen to Christian gospel music.
The schools need to learn from King and stop this discriminatory violation of the separation of church and state. The Founding Fathers included the religion clause in the Bill of Rights to avoid events such as this. The school should either make attendance nonmandatory or remove the Christian gospel songs altogether. The public school is the epitome of the state, as it has a huge influence in raising the nation's children, and this institution is becoming religious.
Andrew Dorsey, Ann Arbor
Now, I don't agree with the whole thing; I thought one of the songs was non-religious. That's about it. I didn't really cover this issue, because I was too caught up in the whole camera thing. But the whole thing did seem quite religious. I know that they will never make assemblies non-mandatory; they were blocking the doors so people couldn't leave. But they could certainly come up with more interesting speakers. Like me! I would like to declare my candidacy for keynote speaker for whatever assembly we have coming up (not the pep assembly). Pioneer representatives, please email me at pioneer.uncovered@gmail.com.
Keep religion out of public schools
I often hear prominent figures talking of the principle of the separation of church and state as one of the defining features to our democracy. In my opinion, the public school is one of the staple parts of the state, and should be separated from any religious experiences.
On Thursday, Jan. 17, Pioneer High School had an assembly celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Attendance was mandatory. The assembly included performances by the Pioneer High School Gospel Choir. Their performance was superb, but I was troubled by the content of their songs. Every song was religious in content, and every one obviously Christian religious content. I have nothing against religion - I am a Catholic myself - but this sort of preaching should not be allowed in our schools. King was religious, but he also preached equality more than anything else. Pioneer is a diverse school, and it is hardly equal for the Jewish, Muslim and other religiously diverse students to have to, for the better part of a half hour, listen to Christian gospel music.
The schools need to learn from King and stop this discriminatory violation of the separation of church and state. The Founding Fathers included the religion clause in the Bill of Rights to avoid events such as this. The school should either make attendance nonmandatory or remove the Christian gospel songs altogether. The public school is the epitome of the state, as it has a huge influence in raising the nation's children, and this institution is becoming religious.
Andrew Dorsey, Ann Arbor
Now, I don't agree with the whole thing; I thought one of the songs was non-religious. That's about it. I didn't really cover this issue, because I was too caught up in the whole camera thing. But the whole thing did seem quite religious. I know that they will never make assemblies non-mandatory; they were blocking the doors so people couldn't leave. But they could certainly come up with more interesting speakers. Like me! I would like to declare my candidacy for keynote speaker for whatever assembly we have coming up (not the pep assembly). Pioneer representatives, please email me at pioneer.uncovered@gmail.com.
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