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The NY Times looks at how DeWitt-Clinton High School students walked out and got a sit-down with school officials. And no, it doesn't seem like the walk-out was an excuse to cut because there was a chemistry pop quiz. The students were upset that, being one of the more dangerous schools in the city, they wouldn't be allowed to leave the school during lunch hour, because putting them through the metal detectors was too time consuming. So students circulatd petitions during lunch time and online at Sconex to rally support for a Monday morning walkout. But what probably helped most were the long lines, due to the metal detectors and X-ray machines (think the airport on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving) to even enter the school - for some reason, only two of four metal detectors was used (again, just like at the airport). The Department of Education listened to student demands, including removing security cameras (not gonna happen) and the cellphone ban (can't kids just go back to passing notes?). Gothamist expects students will soon learn that the Department of Education is very good at listening but maybe not so good at doing.
And the next up for a possible walkout: The teachers, who are thinking about striking since they've been without contract for two years.
Photograph from the NY Times
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Yeah, I think that's the part of the equation that the coverage has been dancing around: Whether or not students can influence their peers not to bring weapons to school. AT any rate, this walkout seemed like it was pretty organized and peaceful. And the kids had a purpose, if it's a losing proposition (there's no way the DoE will remove any of the equipment). It must have felt good to feel like they could have a voice. The cynic in me wondered if kids joined the walkout to ditch school, but it's in the long tradition of NYC protest to complain about issues close to home, and given that many of their waking hours are at school, I can't blame them.
If there weren't metal detectors and someone got shot in the school the DoE would be besieged with howls of protest that DeWitt had been shortchanged on security. This is really an intractable problem for everyone involved. The essence of the protest seems to be about not being able to leave the building for lunch. Shoot, I couldn't leave my school for lunch when I was a kid. One either brought a lunch to school or bought one in the cafeteria. That's high school. It sucks; get used to it.
They're upset because they can't leave school for lunch, and they can't use cell phones in class? What a bunch of babies. The school I went to didn't allow that, and none of the teachers I know elsewhere in the US work at schools that allow that. No sympathy for these kids from me.
I think the solution is to really come down hard on anyone who brings weapons or incites violence in school. Not just a suspension, but straight out arrest and lockup. That will discourage the casual offender and the serious one will be filtered out quickly as well.
I was also pleasantly shocked that this whole protest happened. It's amazing in many ways and heartening that the students were able to truly organize themselves to march against something they were passionate about on a local level. Inspiring in a way.
I have to agree with Dave H. and John. Kids are so damn spoiled these days. If all us old farts survived being stuck continuously inside a HS for a whopping seven hours a day, so could these kids. We didn't have cell phones and laptops to distract us, either. Just wait until you get into the real world, kiddies, where you can't use cell phones in the boardroom or more likely when you're slapping together burgers at McDonald's.
Sure. These kids are spoiled. Being screened every single time they enter or exit the school. Yes, there are some bad apples, but the rest of the kids have to go through this degrading spectacle every day. You don't know shit. Back in all of your backwoods Pleasantville high schools, they didn't screen you.
Isn't it about time somebody dropped a house on you, Toto?
We "don't know shit"? We know these kids aren't being screened when they exit the school, which would make no sense whatsoever to anyone with half a brain. It's the re-screening to re-enter the school that the Department of Ed doesn't want to put up with.
Also, Mr. "Don't Know Shit," proudly NYC public schooler right until college, including one of NYC's best high schools. Pot, kettle, black. Back to DeWitt Clinton, Far Rockaway or Adlai Stevenson, wherever got you so steamed about screening.
I go to a high school that was made for no more than 2000 students and we have 4500 enrolled. Thank God I'm a senior and I don't have lunch because the lunch period is always crowded and disgusting. I understand their frustration because when you go to such a crowded high school you want some space and some place to enjoy your food. If the DoE wants to make a better situation for these students (and the school) they should either cut down the population or let them eat outside. Perhaps they can do it in a privelage kind of way; only students who are passing all of their subject classes are allowed out for lunch.
For anyone who is yelling to the students for being lazy or saying that its a case of "tough shit," I would like for you to consider if your boss said to you "We want to make your job more time efficient and due to the irresponsibility of others YOU have to stay inside for lunch. Thanks!" I'm sure you wouldn't be happy either.
I am a Clinton Student and i think that putting scanners and metal decat. in the school is very dumb. Clinton is one of the best High School in the Bronx and i dont think that we need the scanners. Clinton is a very good school and i think that the person in charge of putting the scanners, etc. in the school is very unreasonable and we should have not have captive lunch. the lunch lines are long and have over 500 students for just 1 lunch period.