I was back at the continuation high school for the first time since September, and I noticed a major change. Every student (practically) had a backpack. Huh?
I mentioned previously that backpacks were not allowed on campus. And one student took exception to that rule. (Please do glance at this post from August. I don't often get to follow up on the results of something.)
Ms. M stopped by her class during the prep period, and I had a chance to ask her about everyone now having backpacks. She told me that it was Juan that got the rule changed.
At a previous staff meeting, Juan presented his argument. Ms. M said it was well reasoned. He brought in a backpack and pulled out the stuff that he said students would want to carry--deodorant (for PE days), food (because they always seem to be eating), pens (which previously no student seemed to carry), and other stuff that students usually carry.
As for students bringing in stuff they shouldn't (like drugs or weapons), Juan agreed that searches could be permitted. (And this meant that the girls' purses would be open to the same searches.) They discussed either random searches or daily searches (like at concerts when they glance through the bags when people enter).
The teachers voted, and they approved allowing backpacks.
And now they're all carrying them. Which is actually good, because now they all seem to have pens with them so they can do their work. (Yep, before basically no one carried anything to write with. It was as big a nightmare as you can imagine.)
Which goes to prove--if you present a well-reasoned well-argued request to the proper authorities, you can effect change.
WTG to Juan for taking his case to the higher ups and for winning it!
ReplyDeletebetty
Sometimes. I'm glad it worked out in this instance, because that's just ridiculous to now allow backpacks. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteUnleashing the Dreamworld
It's great that he's been able to help make a change in the school. I hope that inspires him to continue to that in the future for other things he believes in.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if this is the start of bigger and better things for him.
DeleteI'm glad to hear the backpack thing worked out. Makes life a bit easier, I'd think.
ReplyDeleteI worked in a store where employees were not allowed to bring in regular bags. We were all issued clear plastic backpacks, so the company could be sure we weren't stealing anything.
I can understand why they didn't have pens. I don't know where I'd put them if not in my backpack (there's no way girl's pants pockets are big enough). And I don't think you can hide anything you're not supposed to have in a backpack that you couldn't hide on your body.
ReplyDeleteI used to carry my books and binders in my arms with my pencil case. When backpacks came in, I understood why that would be easier even though their backs have been known to hurt (heard a study about it once). Juan is someone who likes to get things done so points to him for voicing his opinion
ReplyDeleteJuan deserves a civics award :)
ReplyDeleteYay for Juan. That young man may go far.
ReplyDeleteHe may. Then again (see Thursday's post)...
DeleteThe shame of the whole thing is that backpacks had to be banned in the first place. I am curious. Are school authorities allowed to search a student’s pockets? I assume the girls are not permitted to carry a purse either?
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about it until someone posted a picture from my high school and everyone was holding stacks of books but we didn't even THINK about carrying backpacks in the 80s! We carried our books around with our notebooks/folders at the bottom and books stacked neatly on top. But what gets me is how these elementary school kids are carrying backpacks heavier than their own body weight around every day. SO much homework...and that can't be good for their little skeletal systems! Someone told me that they don't have lockers in some schools and some kids are expected to carry all theirr books around all day.
ReplyDeleteIt'll all be on iPads someday anyway--books, their notes, everything, I guess!
Yep, we did the same thing.
DeleteThe other high schools in the district don't have lockers, which is why everyone carries backpacks. But, they don't have to carry books, because each student checks out all their books at the beginning of the year, takes them home, and doesn't return them until June. (Every classroom has a class set of books that the students use while at school.)