I know many people disagree with the walk out that occurred around the state yesterday. These are my thoughts...
I know many of the kids had no idea about the facts of the crisis we are in - but there were many that are very informed. I think as adults we sometimes under estimate how much kids stay informed about current events. These are young adults - they are on their way out into the world - and they do stay somewhat informed. I think most of us also forget that we weren't so different when we were that age - you come up with a cause and fight for it.
The one way that kids today are different is that they have the ability to have their thoughts touch so many more people than we ever did due to the internet. We only had access to those we saw or could call - they have access to the world.
In reference to the students protesting during the school day - this was a protest that was organized by someone on Facebook and the kids wanted to do it. I truly believe that threatening to hold back and/or punish the entire High School could have lead to disastrous results. Someone could have tried to force their way out - and been hurt or hurt someone else. They could have turned around and planned something worse where things could not be controlled. They would have been angry - and angry teenagers make irrational decisions. Has no one heard of an instance where you told a teenager not to do something - and for spite they went off and did worse??
Allowing them to speak their peace and get back into school within one period was, in my personal opinion, a way of ensuring their safety.
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The only reason it turned into such a large mob was that the administration sanctioned it. Previous rallies for the budget that were posted on Facebook that took place outside of school time generated a turnout of 6 students, and another had a turnout of only 4. Had the administration not endorsed the walkout, I'm sure there would have been only a fraction of the number of kids walking out, and they could have been dealt with (i.e., detention!) Teachers told students it was OK to leave, so many who would not have ordinarily participated packed up their books and took a break! Nobody is arguing that everyone shouldn't have the right to assemble and freedom of speech, but it shouldn't be done on school time.
ReplyDeleteAnnette, would it be OK if a group of us stood outside the high school with Ditch Swanson signs? I think I'll get a group together to do so and tell them that if they don't allow it we might "turn around and plan something worse" or end up making "irrational decisions"
ReplyDeleteSomehow I doubt if other walkouts that were planned went through facebook and were estimating 30,000 kids to be involved. In case you haven't read the news - we are far from the only school that did this. Parsippany kids walked off school grounds and got almost a mile away before they sent a bus after them to pick them up. Our kids were outside of the school for one less than one period, with constant supervision, and quietly went back into class. They spoke their minds, got it off their chest, and continued on with their day. Trying to hold them back and threatening them would have only produced a bunch of unnecessary anger. They can't vote - something like this was their only outlet.
ReplyDeleteIn reference to the second post - are you an adult or a teenager? Why don't you try growing up a bit. They are teens for pete's sake! Apparently you don't have one in your house. Most teens are somewhat rebellious and most parents learned many years ago to choose your battles wisely to get the most benefit in the long run.
ReplyDeleteWell, it does send the kids a message that the administration was afraid to say "No" to them. I know for a fact that many of the kids are actually laughing about this. Also, most of them are sadly ill informed about the issues surrounding the budget. They bought the union line to blame big bad Christie for cutting programs at their schools. If they really knew the facts, they would protest at school board meetings demanding that cuts be made in the top heavy, highly paid administration.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Annette - those of you who critize this don't seem to realize that this was a STATE WIDE organized campaign. So camparing it to "Ditch Swanson", is ridiculous. I don't think thousands of kids all over the state would walk out for that issue. THIS issue is important to the students and affects their futures. Maybe you don't care because it doesn't affect YOUR future. Stop being so selfish, and let the students speak about what DOES affect them.
ReplyDeleteThe kids did not receive the message that the Administration was afraid to say no. They receoved the message that the Administration has respect for them and views them as young adults with opinions about things that effect their lives. I think it is important for these young adults to not feel like they are being treated like children - but feel like there are people who believe in them and are willing to listen to their views.
ReplyDeleteAnnette, I feel the reason why the walk out was planned was because these teens are angry. Most teens are also ill informed about the budget and feel the amount we already have to use will be reduced. We all know that is not true and it's the amount of the suggested increases are the amounts that are being suggested to be reduced. When these teens get into the real world and realize what it takes money wise to survive many will then know that some of the expenses we have in the school systems are excessive.
ReplyDeleteThese teens are much more informed than you (and many others) give them credit for
ReplyDeleteMuch more informed than me? I think not, as you do not know who I am!
ReplyDeleteFor someone who is informed you do not read very well - I said the teens were more informed than you or others give them credit for - not that they were more informed than you. So before you twist my words around please take a moment and read them carefully.
ReplyDeleteSo, in essence what you are saying is that every single student who walked out that day knew exactly the proposed increase amount of the budget was the subject matter and not the existing budget itself. If that is so, then we as a school system; should have higher standardized test results if all of our students are that well informed.
ReplyDeleteDo you remember playing the telephone game as a child? Some how when going down the “phone line” of this game the message is basically the same but words get replaced or omitted. Also, these young adults are teens with emotions that at times over rule logic. And, please do not tell me that no one in the school system (employees or not) did not play on these emotions.
Not every teen understands what is going on - just like every adult understands what is going on even though they may think they do. You seem to think that these students are idiots - but they have been taught well in school, raised in homes where they were taught well, and are now old enough to have their own opinions. I am truly tired of so many in this town talking as if these kids are five - in case you didn't realize, many of the idiots that just graduated are now in the armed forces protecting our country - so your safety depends upon them being adults.
ReplyDeletePlease Annette, I DID NOT say, think, type or indicate in any way shape or form that our students are idiots. I said they protested about the budget because they were angry. People do not protest because they are happy. I just stated that many of our students (not all of our students) have the facts correct and complete. Please do not put words my mouth or think my thoughts. Thank you.
ReplyDelete