Bullying Response

     Jamie Nobozny's case really struck me. I could not believe someone was really bullied to that extent. I bet plenty of people were gay in that town, yet, poor Jamie was the chosen target for bullies. Being gay is a sexual orientation people are born with. To some, being gay is shameful because that is the belief of their religion. In truth, being gay does not define someone, it is just part of them. It is not a sickness and not contagious. Nothing is wrong with Jamie. These kids were too immature to accept anyone who was different from them. I thought the kids should have harsh consequences, and especially the one who beat him so bad he had to get surgery. The most shocking part was when a former bully, now in jail, went up to the stand. He admitted to all the bullying he had done to Jamie. This made me happy, even though the stuff he did to him was vulgar and hard to listen to, because now he was able to in a way make up for some of the things he did by being honest and helping Jamie win his case. When Jamie won I was proud and happy for him.
     Jeffrey Johnston broke up with a girl in 7th grade, just as many had in their lifetimes. As a result, he was bullied continuously for the next few years. He was bullied online and someone hacked onto his video game and made horrible comments. He grew his hair long only to help out the chairty, Locks of Love. He was also very tall and got bullied for that as well. As a result of the constant bullying, he hanged himself at age 15. Currently, there is a website in his memory helping give resources and helps to make the school environment safe for students. It especially focuses on the dangers of bully and provides ways to help kids. There was a "Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for Students Act" in Florida made in his memory which demands schools make rules to stop bullying and have anti-bullying policies. His mom speaks to schools about her son to try and prevent this from happening to anyone else.
      I have not seen bullying at DHS to be a problem. There is only one specific incident I can recall. I remember when I was a freshamn or sophmore these older kids were being rude to this boy in my grade. This boy is one who sort of picks fights and is a little controversial. Yet, he is very nice. This boy was arguing with these kids calmly and one spit on his face. It was disgusting. I remember I said out loud in front of them that was uncalled for and went over to the kid and asked if he was okay. He was fine but I still thought I should make sure. Other than that incident, I do not remember much bullying. Of course, there are pep rally and days like that where seniors go crazy and joke around to younger kids, but that is all in good fun. It does not go much beyond that. On a typical school day, I never see bullying. I never see cyberbullying either. I talked to Dean Chamberlain because I asked if that really goes on, and he told me I'd be surprised how often it really does go on.
      I think DHS should have a "Challenge Day." As dumb as the show in general seemed, this day actually sounds like a good idea. It would be a way to unite the school. The school is not too cliquey or segreated but, in general, people tend to stick within their own groups. Although this is fine, people should all get to know each other. People judge and make assumptions all the time without even knowing people or what has happened to them. I think everyone should have an experience like that at least once in their lives.

     

Class Discussion- Drug Testing

The other day in class we got punked. We were told Deerfield was going to make everyone involved in extracurricular activities take a Drug test. I had mixed feelings about this information. I thought this would help the drug problem in the school, and that is a positive. At the same time, I felt this was to an extent, a violation of privacy rights. I also felt that if some people should have to drug test, it is only fair that the rest of the school should too. I do not agree with the privacy invasion of how the test is conducted. I do not think it is necessary for people to stand and listen to other people's business. There is no trust if people think that these students would do something to alter the test. At the same time, this policy would help encourage people not to do drugs. This would be great, but many people would quit extracurricular activities in order to continue their drug usage. Also, if one school is required to drug test they all should be. It is not right to single out one school when every other school has these same problems. If one school is drug free playing a team full of kids on steroids the game is no longer fair. All or none should be required to drug test. I think it may be best to leave drug testing to the police and keep it out of the school's hands. I have mixed feelings about this policy.

Fourth Amendment Rights

Fourth Amendment rights are and should be reduced in a school setting. This should be done to protect the privacy and students as well as the safety of the school. School is a protected environment. A search in school is allowed as long as it is "reasonable." I think that this policy is okay and students may be searched with reasonable suspicion, but drug testing must be left to the police. The school has no business drug testing students. Drug testing students goes beyond privacy rights. As we learned in class during the debate, drug testing can seriously alter student and teacher relationships. If a teacher was involved in the test or a part of it, this realtionship could become awkward and uncomfortable. If this teacher suggested the test the student may hate the teacher. It is not the teachers place or responsibility to suggest a drug test. The teacher should talk to the student or go about the issues without violating their privacy. On one hand, it makes sense to drug test athletes and make sure their is nothing being taken to enhance performance or harm them. But if one group of people is tested, it is only fair to test everyone in the school. That becomes a violation of rights. It has been argued by respondants that these tests are said to be confidential, but don't do a good job guarenteeing this. "...the intrusion on students' privacy is significant necause the policy fails to protect effectively against the diclosure of confidential information...the school has been careless in protecting the information..."(pink sheet). This shows that student rights are violated. This test does not have guarenteed privacy. Becasue of this, students should not have to be drug tested in schools. This is the police's job, the school must stay out of this. It is one thing to call the police and have them do it, but another to invade privacy and conduct it themselves.

In the case of the searched cell phone at Pennsylvania high school, a students cell phone was searched. This device is private. As long as no one is being harmed, her cell phone is her own business. On the phone the administrators found nude pictures. This student's rights were violated because those pictures were not intended to be shown and distributed. This is a violation of this girl's privacy. It was okay for the teacher to take the phone when she was using it innapropriately in class. Searching the phone was the action that took everything to a whole new level. Alot of private information is stored on cell phones. If there was a major life or death situation, in which it would be a good idea to search the phone to save lives, a cell phone should never be searched. There was no reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or reasonableness to search the phone. This was wrong of the principal. The principal would not want a student to see these types of  pictures if them, but the feelings are mutual. It is uncomfortable and disgusting that the principal has now seen these pictures, and the principal's own fault. This was a serious violation of privacy and Fourth Amendment Rights.