I Just Don't Understand
Oct. 7th, 2010 12:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/ronnie_polaneczky/20100930_Ronnie_Polaneczky__Yet_another_round_of_hearings_on_school_violence.html
So, I was reading this editorial, and suddenly I feel like I'm eleven years old again, sitting in the principal's office while she grasps at straws trying to tell me why it's my fault that a few of my classmates are threatening to jump me.
At the time, I was a student in the Philadelphia public district (and my 8th grade teacher wondered why she couldn't talk me out of going to Catholic high school). Thank God, something like this never happened to me, but it could have. And somehow I doubt anyone in power would have. What I don't understand is how the people in charge in Philadelphia can do this. I know some of them have kids of their own; if it was their kid they'd be up in arms over it. But because it's troublesome to worry about this, they do nothing. Oh, they have hearings, but nothing really gets done. And the one time they have an organization that actually makes progress? They cause the district public embarrassment, so they've got to go. And money, of course there's the almighty dollar, but they'd find the cash to upgrade anything to do with a high school's athletic program - especially if it's football.
Are the students who are getting tormented verbally, emotionally, and physically worth less than the district's image or new sports equipment? Apparently so. Which is why I left the district, and it's why people will keep leaving. Clearly, there is a message here, but it doesn't seem to be getting through.
So, I was reading this editorial, and suddenly I feel like I'm eleven years old again, sitting in the principal's office while she grasps at straws trying to tell me why it's my fault that a few of my classmates are threatening to jump me.
At the time, I was a student in the Philadelphia public district (and my 8th grade teacher wondered why she couldn't talk me out of going to Catholic high school). Thank God, something like this never happened to me, but it could have. And somehow I doubt anyone in power would have. What I don't understand is how the people in charge in Philadelphia can do this. I know some of them have kids of their own; if it was their kid they'd be up in arms over it. But because it's troublesome to worry about this, they do nothing. Oh, they have hearings, but nothing really gets done. And the one time they have an organization that actually makes progress? They cause the district public embarrassment, so they've got to go. And money, of course there's the almighty dollar, but they'd find the cash to upgrade anything to do with a high school's athletic program - especially if it's football.
Are the students who are getting tormented verbally, emotionally, and physically worth less than the district's image or new sports equipment? Apparently so. Which is why I left the district, and it's why people will keep leaving. Clearly, there is a message here, but it doesn't seem to be getting through.