Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

 

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

 

Amendment XIV

Section 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law.

So it is written. The rights endowed to the citizens of the United States of America. However, are we, the people, allowed to exercise them within the walls of a public school?

Colonial School District Student Code of Conduct: '99-'00

Written unabridged from the pages of the 1999-2000 Colonial School District Student Code of Conduct. Reference, page 10. (Notes from the webmaster will be red, to further understanding of particular statements)

Publications

Pg. 10

Philosophical Basis:

One of the important roles of the school is to provide effective ways in which students may express themselves on a wide range of subjects. Official school publications, such as school newspapers, should reflect the policy of judgement of the student editors and should include viewpoints representative of the entire school community.

Responsibilities

Students have the responsibility

1. To use only those bulletin boards or wall areas designated for use by students and student organizations. Students must also accept responsibility for the effect that the posting, publication, or distribution of literature might have on the normal activities of the school.

2. To refrain from publishing and/or distributing libelous (false) and obscene materials, to seek full information on the topics about which they write, to observe acceptable standards of good taste, and to observe the normal rules for responsible journalism. Principals will suppress or recall literature which they consider primarily commercial in nature or material which could disrupt the orderly operation of the school.

If you write something that causes a riot, and your writing is found to have been even minorly responsible, you will feel the blow, much more than anyone else.

Acceptable standards of good taste? Common sense would provide for such large things. But what about that which you are unsure? When in doubt, censor. See below in Right 2.

Rights

Students have the right

  1. To possess, post, and distribute literature which will not disrupt the school program and which follows the district?s guidelines for responsible journalism.
  2. To be free from censorship of their publications within the guidelines previously agreed upon by students and administrators.

 What are the district's guidelines for responsible journalism? See Responsibility 2, above. Good taste? Well, that depends on your point of view?

The Student Code of Conduct uses manipulative phrasing to portray the idea that students have the same rights that they exercise outside the school. However, this is far from the truth. Observe the highlighted sections.

The real play on words come from the disclaimer. Once displayed prominently on the first page, as in the 1995-1996 Student Code of Conduct, it has gradually shrunk, and been minorly rephrased over the past years.

"This document is not all inclusive nor does it restrict the District's authority to take actions necessary to maintain a safe and orderly educational environment"

However, our quarrel is not with the Colonial School District. It is not with the Student Code of Conduct, which research has shown has not changed dramatically over the past few years. It is with the staff of William Penn High School. The administrators, who abuse their power. The teachers, who refuse information owed us. As the trial of corruption goes higher and higher, it is evident that one is responsible for this dramatic change for the worst.

Note: For privacy reasons, names will not be attributed to quotes.

"It's like living in Communist Russia."

"A newfound tyrannical regime."

"Unfair in everything W.P. used to stand for."

"Un-American."

It is our belief that due to the change in helm at William Penn, the Code is being interpreted differently. Such things that people took for granted are now denied them. Because of the interpretation. Such 'cliff-hangers', as we call them, are strewn about the Code. One excellent example is located in page 12 of '99-'00 Code. Quote,

"Students have the right

To dress and groom as they choose as long as they do not disrupt the educational process or endanger the health and safety of themselves or others as outlined in established school guidelines."

However, established school guidelines as they are called, are never outlined. Are we seeing rights here? Word of mouth has outlawed baggy pants, hats, and has forced women (more importantly, only student women) to wear shirts with collars. Does this interfere with the educational process, or cause harm? No. Yet administrators say they do. Because now they are using the cliff-hanger established school guidelines to abuse their power. Have we heard anything concerning wallet chains, gloves, and accessories including but not limited to:

 

Or anything else that could, reasonably or unreasonably, be considered a weapon? No, we haven't heard a thing. When asked about the guidelines, staff clam up, or inform you that you are causing a disruption. Yet instantly, overnight and by magic, the guidelines are all encompassing to whatever the staff doesn't like. The power granted to the school by the state and district are many. How are we to defend ourselves? No, we can't use non-physical resistance. Against Student Code. Where? Page 42, under General Disruption of the Orderly Educational Process. We cannot boycott, we cannot sit-in, and we cannot walkout. These are disruptions, and will be severely punished if encountered. If a protester desired, one must talk to a principal to set a time, place, and type of protest for you. Do you want to learn about official grievance procedures? Well, let's see. Such actions are outlined in the Code, on pages 13 and 20.

Grievance Procedures

Pg. 13

Philosophical Basis

When a student feels unfairly treated or has not been afforded due process, a grievance may be filed. Schools are responsible for providing a means for students to express and resolve their grievances.

Responsibilities

Students have the responsibility

To try to resolve their complaints through discussion with the person(s) involved before using the grievance procedure. When using the grievance procedure students must state the grievance clearly, follow the established procedures, and abide by the decision that results from this process.

Rights

Students have the right

To a procedure for expressing and resolving their grievances. This procedure specifies lines of communication, time lines, and a method of appeal.

 

Three times is it made abundantly clear that there is an established grievance procedure. Is this for use, or peace of mind? Apparently, the latter. The entire grievance procedure is arduous and, ultimately, confusing to many. I was told by a counselor, when asking about grievance procedures, "there weren't any real grievance procedures." Was he new, unaware about the conduct code he was responsible for following, or just trying to prevent a hassle, that he knew would either go completely unanswered or turn out in favor of the school? Is there no way for us to be heard? Or would they be happier getting us first?

Of course, if they wanted to be crafty, they could try to get you for even viewing this page. That could fit under Conspiracy to Violate Student Code. Of course, we aren't breaking the law writing this, any more than you are by reading. But they would try.

Stories about William Penn are many. Such as my attempt to plea to Mr. Farmer about my gloves. Interrupting me as I was about to question the Code of Conduct's ability to take them, he said, quote,

"Take them off right now or you won't see them again. Right Now."

Also, stereotypes seem to be not only common among the faculty, but also exercised. Whether or not this involves grading procedures (which I believe it does), it does involve several cases regarding teacher bias. (Teacher and place withheld for privacy reasons): Upon calling my name for attendance, saw my dress (wearing all black) and commented on how anger will ruin your life if you let it. This comment was based solely on his view of my clothes. How many other personnel use personal biases, whether they are on gender, race, religion, or any of many differences in our school of 2200 students?

Concerning this, this page is a forum for you to complain about school, to say all that they won't let you. We hope to sign a petition as outlined in the First Amendment to the News Journal about the school policy, and unfairness. Please send in any accounts you have experienced, or been witness to, about school policy and the incidents, which go to further conviction to the school's tyrannical powers. We will review, then post it on another page directly from here. Your words and accounts matter. We need you.

 OTHER PAGES ON THIS SERIES

Grievance Procedures

Expulsion Procedures

MISCELLANEOUS

None

As anything, this page is still under construction. If you wish to E-Mail me with information, comments, suggestions, errors, flames, or just to see if mail works, I highly encourage you to. This will start with the dedication of others.

 

This page was created to affirm and exercise our rights as students in a public school. Exerpts from Student Code of Conduct used without permission. Exerpts are attributed to Colonial School District. All other text copyright 1999, Ashmonein.

Note: It would be in best interest to remain anonymous, just in case the System tries anything funny. E-mail to and from Ashmonein will be answered, but will remain in confidence.