Judge Memorial Administration Above Zero-Tolerance

 Parker, 

I agree with you completely. At Judge we always have something to complain about and often it's just complaining to complain. Things are somewhat strict, but it could be so much worse. At least people aren't being arrested here for small infractions such as a food fight or being tardy. I think we all need to take a step back and see the big picture, although our rules are tight and enforced, we can deal with them for a few hours a day. Thanks for the post, it highlights an issue very relevant to us here in the student body of Judge Memorial.

-Blake

Parker,

First of all, great post! I like how you brought the issue of zero-tolerance into a new light; it is an issue that garners many complaints but never recieves that much legitimate attention. By incorporating the issue on a national scale into your post, this issue was put in a new light.

When you said, "The point of my post is to point out that we have it pretty easy here, and I think we all need to complain a little less and 'just deal with it' a lot more," it reminded me of my feelings towards complaints concerning the uniform at the beginning of the year. The uniform should not affect a student's ability to learn or their attitude at school. Being mad over the uniform and letting that affect the rest of your day is like being upset because you woke up on the wrong side of the bed. We should spend our time trying to change issues that cause legitimate concern, not trivial ones that shouldn't matter anyway.

I also think that your post brings up something that we take for granted here at Judge: the administration here is much closer to the study body when compared to large public schools such as the ones discussed in the news articles that you cited. Some of these students may have been dismissed, arrested, etc. as a result of zero-tolerance policies without having a chance to state their case because the administration has to operate like this. They may not be able to keep track of all of their students and address each disciplinary case individually. On the other hand, here at Judge, students are often afforded a second chance, even if they are put on contract, depending on the situation. 

Max

Parker,

I admit that i was extremely surprised at these clearly over exaggerated disciplinary measures of the schools you have cited in response to comapartively petty infractions, and while it would seem logical to not push our current school administration too far, for fear we might incur simmilar reactions. However i do not believe that any dean or otherwise at our school would take punishments nearly as far as those other schools, therefore in general i think the students are safe from ridiculous policies.

-John

Parker,

Thank you for putting into perspective the fact that yes, although our policies may not be ideal to the student body, things could be much worse. Believe it or not, there are far worse consequences than spending a couple hours of your saturday morning in detention. I think that one of the factors that plays into our student body's dislike of all the "new" disiplinary tactics is the fact that most of us (especially seniors) can remember a time where the rules didn't seem all that prevelant. We spent two years in short skirts, un-tucked shirts, and serving detentions that included cleaning ceramics wheels for Mr. Betin or watering Ms. McBroom's plants. So of course we aren't going to like the fact that we can no longer find a way to "cheat the system". However, regardless of what Judge used to be like I compelely agree with you when you say "The point of my post is to point out that we have it pretty easy here, and I think we all need to complain a little less and "just deal with it" a lot more." If you don't like interacting with the deans then tuck in your shirt. If you hate spending an hour in silence after school then wake up five minutes earlier. It's a pretty simple concept really, if you follow the rules then you don't have to worry about the consequences.

Great Post,

Emma