Lancet Jades
03-29-2004, 12:35 AM
RYAN BAKKEN COLUMN: Promgate generates feedback both pro and con
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I knew Promgate would be a talker. But the magnitude of the interest stunned me.
Promgate, of course, is about a Hillsboro High School 18-year-old senior who has been prohibited from attending prom because she was caught smoking.
Although she is of legal age to smoke and didn't break any other laws, such as smoking on school grounds, her admitted tobacco use broke school policy. The policy states that any student who uses tobacco, alcohol or drugs faces suspension from school activities, including dances.
When Principal Kevin Coles suspended Leona Fitzpatrick, he was merely following school policy. The question on the minds of thoughtful readers was this: Is this good policy?
The reader response through e-mail was enormous. I received more e-mails on this subject Friday than I did on sexual aids. In other words, a lot.
The Herald's web poll had 72 percent siding with the 18-year-old and 28 percent with the Hillsboro school administration. The response I received was roughly of the same proportion.
But unlike mindless chat room chatter that can be hateful and worse, the response I received was pointed and thoughtful. Here's a sampling:
Point, from M.H.: "She has the right, no matter how bad it may be for her body, to smoke. Perhaps now, with the North Dakota lottery in effect, they should ban all students who decide to try their luck there. You know that gambling can cause great problems in the future with addiction and money loss. These are supposed to be some of the best years of her life, so let her experience them."
Counterpoint, from P.A.: "Being 18 years old, the girl in question made the free-will choice to enroll as a student. By making this choice, she then is acknowledging that she is to be governed by the same school policies that apply to all students of her school, regardless of age."
Point, from J.C.: "All this type of punishment does is create extreme resentment towards authority which has a very lasting effect on future development. One can only imagine the disdain that has been created."
Counterpoint, from K.M.: "Her father is trying to convince everyone that it's her right under the law. There's the problem -- if her parents can't control her, how can the school? If Ms. Fitzpatrick thinks she's spent a lot of money on preparing for prom, it's probably nothing compared to the cost of cigarettes and future health care. My sympathies to all of them."
Point, from J.P.: "I think it's great that Hillsboro is doing so much to try and prevent young teens from smoking. (However), does the staff have the same rules put upon them? If they are caught smoking off school grounds or drinking alcohol, are they disciplined because it is harmful for them?' Please take a long, hard look at the school handbook and revise where necessary."
Counterpoint, from M.J.: "Proms will probably have some 21-year-olds attend as dates. You can drink at 21. Does this thinking mean that it's OK for these 21-year-olds to drink before they come to the prom?"
Sharply barbed point, from B.K.: "As academic achievement plummets, these busybody educators go to great lengths to change the subject. Nothing, obviously, is more important than nagging one adult student about non-threatening, off-campus behavior."
And what do I think?
I think teachers and school administrators are under-appreciated, underpaid, dedicated and well-meaning. I think teenagers need rules and discipline because many don't get enough of either at home. I think NDHSAA rules are needed. I think drinking, smoking and drugs are bad for students -- and adults. I think a lot of schools have similar rules; only Hillsboro is taking all the heat on this issue because the Fitzpatrick family went public.
And I think that Hillsboro school policy should be changed so that 18-year-olds aren't punished for something that the law says is legal. Oh yeah, one more thing: I think it would be great if people would feel just as compelled to share their opinions on matters meatier than Promgate.
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I can understand that rule applying to minors, but she's 18, thus she's an adult. That rule shouldn't apply to her.
DOWN WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM!!!
http://www.grandforks.com/images/common/spacer.gif
I knew Promgate would be a talker. But the magnitude of the interest stunned me.
Promgate, of course, is about a Hillsboro High School 18-year-old senior who has been prohibited from attending prom because she was caught smoking.
Although she is of legal age to smoke and didn't break any other laws, such as smoking on school grounds, her admitted tobacco use broke school policy. The policy states that any student who uses tobacco, alcohol or drugs faces suspension from school activities, including dances.
When Principal Kevin Coles suspended Leona Fitzpatrick, he was merely following school policy. The question on the minds of thoughtful readers was this: Is this good policy?
The reader response through e-mail was enormous. I received more e-mails on this subject Friday than I did on sexual aids. In other words, a lot.
The Herald's web poll had 72 percent siding with the 18-year-old and 28 percent with the Hillsboro school administration. The response I received was roughly of the same proportion.
But unlike mindless chat room chatter that can be hateful and worse, the response I received was pointed and thoughtful. Here's a sampling:
Point, from M.H.: "She has the right, no matter how bad it may be for her body, to smoke. Perhaps now, with the North Dakota lottery in effect, they should ban all students who decide to try their luck there. You know that gambling can cause great problems in the future with addiction and money loss. These are supposed to be some of the best years of her life, so let her experience them."
Counterpoint, from P.A.: "Being 18 years old, the girl in question made the free-will choice to enroll as a student. By making this choice, she then is acknowledging that she is to be governed by the same school policies that apply to all students of her school, regardless of age."
Point, from J.C.: "All this type of punishment does is create extreme resentment towards authority which has a very lasting effect on future development. One can only imagine the disdain that has been created."
Counterpoint, from K.M.: "Her father is trying to convince everyone that it's her right under the law. There's the problem -- if her parents can't control her, how can the school? If Ms. Fitzpatrick thinks she's spent a lot of money on preparing for prom, it's probably nothing compared to the cost of cigarettes and future health care. My sympathies to all of them."
Point, from J.P.: "I think it's great that Hillsboro is doing so much to try and prevent young teens from smoking. (However), does the staff have the same rules put upon them? If they are caught smoking off school grounds or drinking alcohol, are they disciplined because it is harmful for them?' Please take a long, hard look at the school handbook and revise where necessary."
Counterpoint, from M.J.: "Proms will probably have some 21-year-olds attend as dates. You can drink at 21. Does this thinking mean that it's OK for these 21-year-olds to drink before they come to the prom?"
Sharply barbed point, from B.K.: "As academic achievement plummets, these busybody educators go to great lengths to change the subject. Nothing, obviously, is more important than nagging one adult student about non-threatening, off-campus behavior."
And what do I think?
I think teachers and school administrators are under-appreciated, underpaid, dedicated and well-meaning. I think teenagers need rules and discipline because many don't get enough of either at home. I think NDHSAA rules are needed. I think drinking, smoking and drugs are bad for students -- and adults. I think a lot of schools have similar rules; only Hillsboro is taking all the heat on this issue because the Fitzpatrick family went public.
And I think that Hillsboro school policy should be changed so that 18-year-olds aren't punished for something that the law says is legal. Oh yeah, one more thing: I think it would be great if people would feel just as compelled to share their opinions on matters meatier than Promgate.
----------------------------------
I can understand that rule applying to minors, but she's 18, thus she's an adult. That rule shouldn't apply to her.
DOWN WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM!!!