Midterm Monday 23 January in class. No make-up without a doctor's note. This is 25% of the marking period's grade.
In class: please respond to two of any of the blog posts as relating to yesterday's article. You will read from yesterday's blog, but post on today's. Due by 9am Saturday for periods 7 and 9.
If you were in third period yesterday, and so at the assembly, please make sure to check yesterday's blog. You need to have both your blog and two responses in by 9 am Monday.
Reminder: there is no credit for blogs received after the deadline.
There will be a new article Tuesday morning.
Tatiana Williams
ReplyDeleteIn response to Helene
“People in Texas are ticketing six-year olds for being SIX-YEAR OLDS! They are children, seriously? Texas is jailing the wrong types of people. Why are the police not out fighting real crimes?” I agree with Helene’s statement, because we are seriously punishing kids for being kids, when there are much larger issues and crimes that ought to be focused on. Especially seeing how Texas is one of the largest problem states in the country in terms of crime, etc. I see this as a waste of time and resources of both the government and the citizens.
In response to Shayla
“Monitoring behavior in schools is very important because it can prevent the other children from learning but a state shouldn’t have the ability to put an elementary student behind bars for class C misdemeanors because this is also valuable instruction time they are missing out on.” I love Shayla’s response because it truly is a detriment both ways in terms of loss of education. So which do we focus on more? Some may say that we should focus on well-being of the majority, but are we really when these poor students enter the Criminal Justice System so young and usually end up remaining in the system as adults, and becoming non-participating citizens of society.
In response to Chelsea
ReplyDelete-JaQuana
I agree with what you are saying. I believe that in this case the teacher handled the situation complately wrong. Instead of punishing Sara to go to jail, she should have dealt with the students that were teasing her. Hundreds of students having to appear in court in front of a judge for minor rule breaks is unexplainable. There is no way an authority person can make me see how this is a good program. How is throwing kids in jail, fining, or having to do community service a help to these students? All this does is start there record really young, for something really dumb.
In response to Niqua
ReplyDelete-JaQuana says
I completely agree with you. Not one kid is perfect or ever will be. We are supposed to teach children right from wrong. By fining them or sending them to jail they are being severely disciplined for what is in their nature. No one is going to be perfect; therefore we mess up from time to time. Spraying perfume is nothing compared to killing someone. I think police officers need to worry more about major crimes, as oppose to a child breaking a school rule. By having more than one or two police officers in a school, that less people on the field to patrol and catch the bad guys (or girls).
Jessica Minllety
ReplyDeleteIn response to Elexus, I completely agree, if the police keep arresting these kids, there will be no one to teach. Why is it so hard for the teachers, to just call a parent or send them to detention. These kids are arrested and mistreated just because they don’t pick up something from the floor or disagree with the teacher. The police are wasting their time, because just simply putting these kids in jail won’t solve anything. Before making assumptions the police should investigate. That kid may have had a bad day at home or something is going on in his life for him to misbehave that way.
Aviva’s response stood out, because the truth is that the kids that are actually getting bullied are not being helped, instead they get arrested for speaking out. The police are not using their powers for good, is like they take it out on the kids. I mean really a 12 year old in jail, it just sounds stupid. It would be a completely different thing if that kid was trying to shoot someone or made a large threat. That’s when police should interfere, not when someone sprays perfume on themselves. Hopefully this system will be gone soon, because it is not working.
Shaundrana says...
ReplyDeleteIn response to Brianna Corbit I agree with her 100%. "Kids will be kids" reguardless of the consequences and it should be expected for some if not most to do wrong. When they do wrong their should be a punishment but only depending on how severe the offense was. Understanding that kids need to learn and mature but both come with time not at the age of ten. The kids in Texas must of had a rough time because these terms and conditions are cruel and uncalled for. Pretty soon the children are going to rebel or either stand up for what they believe in.
In response to Darnell
Your proving my point exactly! why should their be police officers for the little things that teachers and administrators can pretty much solve by themselves. If the teacher can't deal with the situation then the parents need to called upon. This is just simply stupid if you can't solve a problem without calling the police then you yourself need to be removed from your position. CHildren are going to make mistakes but they shouldn't have to live with fear inside them. I mean not picking up some crumbs? seriously is that what our world has come to? if that's the case then half if not all of America should be in jail.
Janiqua says: In response to Calvin I agree with what he says. I agree because kids should not be arrested for just being kids and everyone has done something while in school that would of got them arrested. It is ridiculous for kids as young as ten being arrested and having their permanent record ruined and now having them looked at as a criminal. Kids are always going to be kids and they won’t act like an adult from the start, they can’t just be mature if they are kids. When they are kids being immature is how you start out as a kid. It is jeopardizing their future because it can hurt their changes in life in the long run.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Elexus I agree with what she is saying. I feel that this article was outrageous because it allows police to take kids to prison over simple things. As she says, “I see people committing these crimes every day.” It’s true because everyone does one of the “crimes.” If they arrest them for the things that they do they won’t have anyone to teach and if they don’t have anyone to teach what is the point for teachers to be at school. I also agree with what she said about Sarah Bustamante’s situation, all she wanted to do was to try and stop getting teased because of her smell and she ends up getting arrested which is not fair at all for her.
Newton Watson
ReplyDeleteIn response to Leon Melson
I agree completely that the act of putting the youth in jail is setting them up on a bad foundation. A jail cell is not a place for children. We use jail to contain those that are breaking the law and pose danger or disruption to others. Jails are not meant for petty acts of misbehavior or rule breaking in school. It is true that this is just retaliation to all the violence and crime that has risen over the years, but like you said it is an unreasonable reaction that won't do anything but make things worse for kids in school and parents at home who have to deal with their kids tainted record as well as pay their fines. You are right! Everyone messes up, kids especially. Adults should be more understanding of this.
Latriece says in re In today’s world people often are over the top with everything they do and how they do it. For police to try and suppress the behavior of everyday kids is just that. Police should rather be worried about everyday criminals and the crimes they commit every day. If nothing else to do police can always find a local home, church or even school to volunteer by assisting people that need help with regular work. Pathetically they rather bother and aggrevate students in school at (most likely schools that don’t need it) with their law abiding ideas and tactics. Like Shaundranae agree it’s just not right.sponse to shaundranae:
ReplyDeleteIdalis Miranda
ReplyDeleteIn response to Chelse C, I agree that the “zero-tolerance” policy that Texas has is way over the top and needs to be stopped. Young kids being charged for the silliest things, like spraying perfume because kids were bullying her. Instead of tell the kids to stop making rude comments; the teacher calls the cops on the girl. Texas supreme court justice, Wallace Jefferson, has warned people stating that “Charging kids with criminal offences for low-level behavioral issues is helping to drive many of them to a life in jail” and I agree too. In response to Marissa, I agree with what happened to the verbal warnings and calls home. These low-level behavioral issues are little problems but they can cause these kids to get turned down from jobs, colleges, etc. Like what Marissa said Texas rules are only setting up for these children to fail. I do not think any kid should have to go to court when their young for the littlest things like this.
in response to calvin
ReplyDeletei agree with what your are saying. arresting young children at this age would be throwing away people that could have been great or have made a change in the world. this could even cause them to change the mentality of young children by putting them through this tramatic experience.
In responce to shaela marie i dont agree with you when you say"Okay laws such as the ones down in Texas should be sent up to new York state in some regions." its not right in texas and wont be write anywhere else in the united states. i def. agree with you though when you say that the bullying can bring suicides and much more
Latriece in response to Darnell:Doesn’t teachers have to take a class on how to break up a fight? Then why is police force needed in any situation in school for any type of matter what so ever. Schools now a days are just to paranoid and need to be reevaluated with what their number one priority is exactly. For a teacher to need law force to break up a school fight then it must mean there has to be other issues that a student gets that violent to where trained force (aggressive trained force) is needed to break it up. As stated once before maybe if the police was switched out for more PRODUCTIVE counselors than the fights just might be prevented.
ReplyDeleteNell in response to Briana, police should not even be in schools in the first place unless the school is extremely high risk and unsafe. What age appropriate punishments would officers even implement on kids, let alone if they are even productive enough to deal with the issue? In a state like Texas with all their strict and harsh rules, the officers would mostly ignore what appropriate punishments might be. Cops should only be in the most high risk of schools. Period
ReplyDeleteNell in response to Megan, but arresting kids who are bullying others is also to much of an extreme punishment and doesn't teach the kids anything except that they are bad kids. They need instead to have anti-bullying sessions and be told by teachers that this kind of behavior is not acceptable. Everything thing else i agree with you on.
ReplyDeleteHelene says…
ReplyDeleteIn response to Leon,
“This law doesn’t allow kids to be kids. Sure kids should know right from wrong and should be penalized for their mistakes, but putting them in jail or even giving them a fine for making common mistakes is just idiotic.” I completely agree with this statement Leon made, and myself said something very similar. People shouldn’t be allowed to penalize children for being of their age. I also agree with Leon’s point that there is no adult that in their lifetime was perfect and never made a mistake or goofed-off a little as a child. Making mistakes is how children learn, it doesn’t mean you go to extremes and put them in jail.
In response to Olivia<3,
Just as I agreed with Leon, I agree with Olivia. “This article really helps open your eyes to the ignorance that some people and places have. There are a lot of states and schools that are having problems with enforcing laws, but this is clearly the wrong way to do it. Taking small, childish behavior and creating a big deal out of it is not helping anyone, especially not the children. For one they will grow up hating school and not having any good memories because the police restricted every move they made”. I completely approve of this statement. Personally I know I would hate a school that restricted children in this way and punished them so harshly. I’m surprised so many parents haven’t moved away, and continue to let their children attend such schools. Especially those parents who have children with ADD/ADHD, I bet these officers are running them up a fortune.
In response to Brianna: Brianna showed an understanding for both sides of the issue. I disagree when Brianna said "ten year olds are not infants, they should take responsibility" I think that ten year olds are young enough that other people should share responsibility with them. Brianna argues that spraying perfume or leaving crumbs is not criminal activity. I agree with this. Brianna says that one of the reasons why Texas may be taking these precautions due to wanting to discourage young kids from committing future, more serious crimes. I agree when Brianna says that kids should not be expected to act like adults.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Elexus:
I completely agree with Elexus. She says that this amount of police involvement in schools is ridiculous. I agree when she says that if everyone was arrested for such crimes, like spraying perfume or leaving crumbs; then most classes would be empty. Elexus says that in the case of Sarah, who was punished trying to appease her bullies, it was ludicrous that the girl was punished while her bullies just walked away. Texas should try and find an alternative way to protect the children but still allow for children to have a fun childhood.
In response to Thomas: I agree and disagree with Thomas. I aslo believe that the government had good intentions in both situations but just took things to far and pushed their limit. If parents want the school to be safer they should find a compromise between the overly strict laws and consequences they have now and the crazy, dangerous, and unorganized school from before. I can see both sides of the argument here to. Of course the parents of the kids that get arrested for stupid things are going to be the most upset here and frustrated with the government but also he government will be frustrated with all the unruly kids and the upset parents. The government was just trying to make the parents feel like their kids will be safe at school and now they have to deal with parents wanting less. The police were just overstepping their boundaries and taking the responsibility of keeping the school safe too far.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Leon: I agree. Kids should not have to go to jail for being themselves and doing normal kid things. Not picking crumbs up off the ground is the stupidest thing to go to jail for. Just like leon said, the parents of those kids know they were not perfect when they were little. Kids are going to be kids and you cant punish them and tlel them they’re wrong just because they aren’t doing everything perfect. That’s going to give kids the idea that they will never be perfect and just show them that they will go to jail if they aren’t. That little girl was being picked on and she sprayed perfume to make the kids stop. She shouldn’t have even gotten in trouble for that, and the police definitely should not have been called. The government there is just overreacting and too nervous about all the violence but putting police in elementary schools and arresting kids for not picking up crumbs and for shouting within 500ft of school grounds is not going to help that at all.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Tom. One one side, parents want safer schools and the government wants lower crime rates. On the other, the parents and children who were punished for small infractions are angry and confused why the school and police would do this to kids. There has to be some kind of medium between the both, or else no one will ever be happy with the situation. I believe there should be police in schools, but not serving citations as unimportant as the ones they did. They should be there to protect future victims, and intimidate future criminals.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Shayla Takia Sanders:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you one hundred percent of the way. Little behavioral issues can be dealt by under the jurisdiction of the parents. I mean that is what they are there for right?... I understand that when it comes to committing crimes Texas is one of the most lawful states in America yet, punishing little kids undermines the responsibilities of a parent. If this continues to be the case then after the mother births her child all she needs to do is hand the baby over to the authorities so that they can raise the child.
In response to Carlos:
You hit on several valid points. One has to question if these potentially sound children will be able to get a successful job in corporate America will a rap sheet ten pages long with minor felonies. I think Texas should relax some of their laws because at the end of the day KIDS WILL BE KIDS!
You had to put my whole government out there keke? Lol
Deleten respond to Carlos :
ReplyDeleteI agree with your standpoint totally! it is very unnecessary to arrest children for being kids! I feel that the schools are becoming lazy because they cannot handle child behavior. " I feel there is a much better way to have the kids behave themselves without the threat of being arrested or in some cases almost attacked by police." There are much better ways to handle these situations. The schools are over reacting! One thing that really bothered me was the police carrying guns! What possible threat can six or seven year olds present?
-Amanda
Newton Watson
ReplyDeleteIn Response to Darnell
You're right, most of the problems that kids face in school do trace to issues at home. This is why it's a must that teachers be understanding of children and their situations before jumping to conclusions and having authorities get involved. Having a child in trouble with the law will just make an already dysfunctional family even more dysfunctional. What happened to working with children and their families to sort out issues? Kids shouldn't go to school fearing arrest, and it's not fair to make children hold the guilt their minor mistakes at school can cost their family money. School is a learning environment and a resource for support. This system is not going to give children support in the long run.
Elexus johnson
ReplyDeletein response to Calvin: i completely agree with Calvin. Calvin said "If the police would’ve started this years ago there would be so many great people in this world arrested for what they have done years ago when they were younger " this is 100% true. Everyone that we look up to has been a kid before and as the saying goes " kids will be kids " . these police officers are taking discipline to another level. Come to think of it if this law was around when they were kids these police officers wouldn't have the job they have today.
In response to Calvin:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you standpoint! It’s true, if police would’ve started this years ago many of us would have been juveniles! Child behavior is normal and should not be a crime. “I feel like if the police are trying to discipline these kids and punish them for their actions they can do it in a different way other than ruining the kid permanent record.” Kids are not adults and should not be held accountable to adult punishments. Imagine the potential damage these kinds of arrests can do to a child’s future. This new security system has gone too out of control!
-Amanda
Asia Vanderveen
ReplyDeleteIn response to Elexus:
I agree with you the police involvement in schools are overboard. She stated that if kids got arrested for simple things such as spraying perfume and leaving crumbs the classroom would be empty. The law enforcement should worry about bigger things such as the bullies .
In Response To Maegan :
I totally agree with you 100%. Yu stated that the police should get involved if the student has a weapon and a going to hurt someone, not something simple as spraying perfume. Kids are going to yell, they are going to curse, thats what kids do. A simple call home could of been the resolution. I agree, they should have arrested the bullies.
In response to Leon:
ReplyDeleteI agree, arresting kids for small acts such as spraying perfume is not going to solve any case of discipline issues they’re having, and if anything it’s just going to create more problems. If all of those children end up in jail, which has proved time and again not to be of help to young people then how would the incorporation of police into schools have helped the students. I mean of course it would be of help to the adult who doesn’t feel like being bothered and wants to teach with ease, but it wouldn’t be of help to the student by any means.
In response to Tatiana:
I agree with how you think they should set guidelines for when police should intervene in situations concerning students, because for minor behavioral issues to turn into court cases, it should not occur. The schools should really take a second look at what exactly the police should be used for, outline the job description of the police while in the schools and go from there. Because teachers and administration do have the responsibility to deal with certain disciplinary issues and should also outline what those responsibilities are and the discipline procedures that should be followed in any situation that requires them.
There are certain things that people should be arrested for. However, being normal kids does not and should not fall into that category. To be arrested for throwing a paper airplane, or not picking up crumbs... That is absolutely ridiculous. There is a time when government has too much power, and uses that power for stupid things. This, is one of those times. By allowing this to happen, many kids now have "bad track records" for things that one should never even worry about getting in trouble for. At least not that kind of trouble. The level of punishment to these kids needs to be brought down about ten notches, then it can be acceptable.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Newton: I totally agree with you! How can they treat “disruptive behavior” as criminal offenses? That doesn't seem, to me at least, to be in the same ballpark. To quote the movie Pulp Fiction, “It ain't even the same f#*%@&$ game!!!” I also agree that the entire reason for the police being in schools has been forgotten. Isn't it for our safety? It seems to me that there is more harm being done by the police in some of these schools than is being prevented. At least that's what has been reported. Maybe we're only seeing the negative side but that doesn't make it right.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Lee: First of all... I wouldn't think that it's completely safe to assume that as an adult you will be charged with ACTUAL crimes in Texas. From what I've heard that place is NUTS. “I believe in the death penalty... to show that killing is wrong!” -most Texans. Anyway, I agree with you when you say that there is not a human being on this planet that has never “acted up” or however you want to put it. I agree with the teacher who was saying that kids today are a lot more disrespectful than their parents were back in the '50s, but I don't think that it is every student. Meaning that I don't think it's necessary to go overboard and arrest a girl for spraying perfume.
In response to Tatuana, I agree that the focus is completely off balance. We should not be making what children do in school just as important as to what criminals do on the streets. Majority of te things these kids are being charged for are things everyone does or has done in school. They're doing nothing but taking away childhood and destroying adulthood. Some children might have a very bad record or numerous fines before turning eighteen and not be able to go far with their future.
ReplyDeleteKeiosha Floyd
ReplyDeleteResponse to Kamille
I agree with you 100% Kamille because your right why are these young kids being charged for dumb things. Yes the teachers should be disciplining the kids because that's the right thing to do, not call the police on them and get them arrested. I can't believe these children get tickets and they have to pay for them and then on top of that it causes them to suffer in the future because it's hard for them to get into college because they have a police record and it is crazy. These children get charged for things that adults should be charged for and I don't feel it's fair and I also like the fact that you brought that kids is our future because your correct if they can't even go to college and make something of themselves what are they going to do. These police officers should be ashamed of themselves.
Keiosha Floyd
ReplyDeleteResponse to Monica
Monica you bring up some strong points with your opinion. I like how you talked about the perfume incident, That was totally unfair and I feel that could have been handled a little better than it was. I can't believe that this young girl was arrested and now have a record for just spraying some perfume, and she was doing it to make herself smell good because the other children was making fun of her and saying she was stank. The teacher should of punished the other children for taunting that 12 year old girl, but no she gets this girl arrested for so called distracting her class. I agree with the fact that you feel its stupid and unnecessary for them to arrest kids that are as young as six years old and it make you think like “where is the parents when all this is going on?” and also I'm pretty sure that the police officers have kids of their own so how would they feel if their kids would get arrested for something so absurd??