<p>berurah-</p>
<p>PLEASE tell me that this question is unrelated to the anti-semitism at the school that you have mentioned in previous posts to other threads.</p>
<p>
Yes, kluge, I am wanting the school to be able to exercise more power to restrict the content of the school yearbook. Kansas is one of six states to have statutes that expand the rights of student journalists. Calmom is correct in that I was referring to the Kansas Student Publications Act. I was wondering what might be the best way, if there IS a way, to challenge or change that act.</p>
<p>I suppose that your solution would be to support and elect conservative Republicans to your state legislature in the hope that they would vote to change the law. As Kluge says, “be careful what you wish for” – I am sure that in the state that decided to eliminate the teaching of evolution from the schools, you could probably find plenty of right-wing, pro-censorship zealots to run for office. But you aren’t going to find any allies on the political side of the fence that favors individual liberties, so you can forget about voting for Democrats or Libertarians. And once you have censorship in place, keep in mind that the personal values of the people who are in authority will be the ones who make those decisions.</p>
<p>
ldmom~</p>
<p>Yes…but there is a great deal more to it than simply a layout on pregnant teens. In a nutshell, our yearbook staff decided to tackle “social issues” to the <em>COMPLETE</em> exclusion of anything and everything academic. In the section devoted to academics, entitled “Strive for Excellence, Academics,” there were two-page color displays featuring (and glorifying) teen pregnancy, caffeine addiction, and using “nerdy” kids to cheat from. In addition, in other sections, there was a two-page display on Public Displays of Affection (something with which I personally have no issue, but which our school district expressly BANS), a display on tattoos and piercings in which students advocate that if you cannot get parental permission, you simply “go behind their backs” and get tattooed anyway and in which self piercing is promoted as an alternative to paying the big bucks for one done in a proper sterile way. </p>
<p>Our entire winter formal section was renamed “Wedding Bells” because ONE student decided to get married in early Dec. of her senior year and instead of heading off on a honeymoon, decided to attend the dance and upstage all of the gals who had bought fancy dresses and gotten their hair done for their OWN winter dance. Now, the permanent record of their dance will be a recounting of ONE girl’s wedding day as 3/4 of the text on the page was devoted to that girl. </p>
<p>To add insult to injury, there was not ONE SINGLE page devoted to academics: not Nat’l Merit scholars, not Governor’s Award winners (top 1%), not the various college honors scholars, not scholarship recipients, not Byrd Scholarship winners, not academic departmental award winners…Well, you get the idea, NOTHING.</p>
<p>And the school sanctioned activities/sports/clubs, etc.? Those tiny group shots (about 1" by 3" pics) were shoved carelessly into the index section of the book, right next to the index listings. HUH???</p>
<p>Yes, some of us parents (we have at LEAST 150 names on the petitions so far) were concerned enough with the promoting of risky behavior that we have taken this issue up with the school board. </p>
<p>As much against censorship and FOR free speech and freedom of the press as I’ve always been, it has become apparent to me that left to their own devices, some teens just do not possess the maturity and foresight to fully understand what their peers will want to look back on 30 years from now. For example, the marching band picture is <em>SO</em> tiny and crowded that one cannot make out ONE single face, and yet, a HUGE two-page color display of teenage pregnancy is featured in a VERY glowing light.</p>
<p>Our hands are tied legally, so we simply appealed to the administration to take it a step up from the minimum standard of legal to a better standard involving actual GUIDANCE and responsible instruction. NOTHING in the statute prohibits that…to the contrary, those things are ENCOURAGED by the statute, so that is the route we are taking. Nevertheless, I’d love to see that statute done away with, and I NEVER thought in a million years I’d feel that way <em>sigh</em>. ~berurah</p>
<p>
mafool~</p>
<p>As you can see above, this is totally unrelated to the issue of antiSemitism, but I <em>really</em> appreciate your concern. ~berurah</p>
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<p>The Legislature can amend the act, if they choose to do so. Your first step would be to make your concerns known to your own state representative. Basically, you would need to find a legislator who would be willing to support an act to amend the statute.</p>
<p>How is the yearbook at your school financed?</p>
<p>berurah, I totaly understand your outrage at this! How awful.</p>
<p>Calmom’s question of how the yearbook is financed relates to the first thought I had, which was to say that of course I would simply refuse to pay for the yearbook with that content. If enough people did this, the message would be clear. Of course, that means your son or daughter is denied access to those memories which is a shame, but from what you describe not all that different in fact from what happened anyway, right?</p>
<p>Is there not an academic advisor for the yearbook staff? Where in the world was that person’s head in all of this??? </p>
<p>I am just so, so sorry!</p>
<p>Yes berurah…I do remember your situation. It is a very tough one and though I may slightly disagree (just slightly 
on one tiny issue, it is admirable you are sticking to your convictions and seeing this through. </p>
<p>Btw…my post was to address the suggestion that for some reason you weren’t sharing details…I knew the other thread with open discussion of what occurred at your school was out there for anyone who is interested to read.</p>
<p>ALSO…one thing we do agree about. Focusing on the experiences of one student or a small sector of students to the exclusion of others in a yearbook is wrong. My d was a yearbook editor her senior year and they made radical changes to cut the frothy bs so there would be room for large photos of teams, clubs, band, orchestra. (So nice not to have to get the magnifying glass out to see your kid.) And they worked hard to achieve a well-balanced book that didn’t focus on just jocks and drill team. All clubs were featured equally and a senior scholarship section was included in the back. People squirmed at first, but the book is a hit now.</p>
<p>
I think this will be our course of action down the line, if any of us has the energy left…<em>sigh</em></p>
<p>
Our yearbook is financed through school funds (tax dollars), money from paid sponsors, and parents who pay 50 bucks apiece. Our original letter/petition was intended to go to the sponsors, and it still will. We would like for the local businesses to know what type of thing that their money is supporting. Then, it will be their choice whether or not to have their name associated with the publication. I believe this suggestion came from anitaw on the original yearbook thread, and I am thankful to him/her for that.</p>
<p>
Our yearbook advisor/journalism teacher is new. She is very young and not yet a parent. Her sole mission (as stated through the various journalism students to my oldest D) was to “win awards” for the “cutting edge” yearbook. Unfortunately, in that process, she lost sight of what a yearbook should be, at least in the eyes of many in our community. Kids who devote themselves to all of the practices/time that activities such as football, mentoring, choir and band, etc. require deserve (and EXPECT) more than a 1" X 3" group shot in the index section of the yearbook, while nonschool related and “edgy” subjects are given huge, two-page color displays at the FRONT. </p>
<p>In addition, she has used her teaching position as a sort of bully pulpit for extending HUGE criticism of those of us who have DARED to publicly challenge her. Thus, many of my daughters’ friends have heard some very nasty things about us from a TEACHER at the school. <em>Very</em> unprofessional, especially in light of her staunch support of free speech! 
Guess that free speech only goes one way with her…</p>
<p>Incidentally, this teacher has a little facebook entry, and several of the “friends” on that facebook are students at our school. THAT gives you an idea of how she fancies her relationship with these kids…not as a mentor, but truly as a peer.</p>
<p>
<em>lol</em>…unlike our journalism instructor, I have <em>no</em> issue with disagreement! :)</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>B- the title got my attention. Sorry . I can’t believe y’all have missed the obvious answer. </p>
<p>Just don’t buy the book. They clearly have the right to make the annual in the form they want to make it. Make your own “book” instead. There’s plenty of time to do it right. Have your kid create a new Annual Staff, one that publishes an annual that the petitioner-ers and kids can support and be proud of publishing. I’m sure there is one like minded teacher or employee so that it can be an official club. With digital photography and PC based publishing tools you are in full-color business. IF that is too difficult , why not burn it onto disc media? Save that $50.00 for something else. </p>
<p>I think the kids will get high behind it and you’ll have taught them a valuable lesson about the price of freedom. JMO.</p>
<p>P.S. I make my living giving practical answers to people with legal problems. Let others make the law and the headlines, you go out and help the kids make a “real” Annual that captures their memories. Good luck.</p>
<p>
ld~</p>
<p>This would be <em>my</em> idea of a fabulous yearbook. For the record, I have absolutely <em>NO</em> issue with pregnant teens being featured. My objection is to their being featured <em>SOLELY</em> because they are pregnant. I would <em>LOVE</em> to see a pregnant gal standing in her rightful place in the photo of NMFs or mentors or the debate club. Unfortunately, and true to statistics, these girls are typically NOT the one doing those activities. Since the yearbook is a <em>SCHOOL</em> publication, designed to primarily record SCHOOL events, I am not sure why some of these other things were given <em>SO</em> much emphasis, esp. to the exclusion of positive, school-sanctioned activities.</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>We cross-posted, b. Help them make that fabulous year-book. Start today.</p>
<p>
hey cur~</p>
<p>First of all, thanks for the response and the free advice. Just think, if I am successful in getting a return policy instituted, I can get my $100 back (yes, I bought for BOTH of my h.s. D’s!) and pay you for your advice! :D</p>
<p>We have actually NOT overlooked the obvious answer, and we <em>are</em> planning to put our $ where our mouths are (or…NOT put our $ there?? <em>lol</em>), but we also felt it was important to contact the sponsors as they may not wish to have their names associated with a publication that contains <em>so</em> much questionable material and which does not uphold the mission statement of our school district. </p>
<p>Since the the contents of the publication for our entire school are determined by the yearbook staff only, we felt that it should hear our views on a number of things, including the total absence of <em>anything</em> academic in the publication. Many of us are <em>NOT</em> interested in becoming “JERRY SPRINGER HIGH SCHOOL.” :D</p>
<p>I am intrigued, though, by your idea of attempting to publish or create something more inclusive and appropriate! <em>VERY</em> cool suggestion and one which I will definitely toss by my D’s and their friends!</p>
<p>As to this:
Too late, I’m afraid…In just the past week, we have been contacted by all three local stations and have provided television interviews, I’ve done two radio programs and have been featured on the front page of the local section TWICE. Interestingly, we NEVER approached the media…not ONCE…to the contrary, they approached US each time. Gotta love the dearth of news in Kansas…<em>sigh</em></p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>I went for a weekend with my nephews .We got back to town yesterday evening at 5:00 and saddle-sore. This morning the senior in high school sent me a link to a digital photo album of our trip. Too cool for words. </p>
<p>They can do this. Redirect their energy toward this worthwhile project and away from the negativity. Speaking of the official school annual with its problems, and to paraphrase “what if they gave a(n) annual party (war) and nobody came?” LOL. </p>
<p>The annual the kids do at your suggestion will be the one that that the kids will treasure, whatever the media. It doesn’t have to be professional but I bet they’ll surprise you with what they can do, especially as motivated as you can help them get. </p>
<p>And the lesson in civics is this - freedom of speech means that sometimes the speech we protect is repugnant to our ears. The Klan. Gangsta’ rap. Regis Philbin. But that’s how we know we are still free.</p>
<p>cur~</p>
<p>I’m not totally sure I can get this off the ground for two reasons…1.) Most of the high schoolers <em>I</em> know are “fast trackers” or kids who are already involved in <em>so</em> many worthwhile extracurriculars that they may not have the time/energy to do this, and 2.) None of these kids puts the overriding emphasis on the importance of h.s. as a social event…they have their friends, sure and have a BLAST at various events, both school sponsored and not, but they don’t overly identify with the school itself precisely because of the increasing animosity of our district (and thus many of the kids within it) toward those who choose to achieve academically and otherwise. That said, my oldest D and her best friend (who happens to be my oldest S’s gf) <em>LOVE</em> making videos and such, so they might be tempted. In fact, they are already planning an “emo” version of the school board meeting they attended last night, complete with their rendition of the drinking, drugging, swearing, violent teen mom who spoke to a standing ovation (I TOLD you this was Jerry Springer High!!!). I see shades of “Citizen Ruth” in this whole affair! <em>ROFLMAO</em></p>
<p>With regard to this:
You are right here, of course, but my kids (and their friends) also learned something else…they learned that it’s a POSITIVE thing to stand up and fight for your rights and the reputation of your school district. This stuff has been ALL over the news, and one rap station was bustin’ us pretty good yesterday. I apologized to my 13-year-old son because I knew it was a station that some of his friends listen to occasionally, and I asked him what he would say if they attacked our viewpoint and if he would be embarrassed. He simply replied, “I’m gonna tell 'em, ‘THAT’S MY MOMMA!!!’” And all of my kids (and their friends) have stood by me equally. In fact, if it weren’t for those kids, I’d never have known the content of the yearbook to begin with…THEY were the first ones to be appalled by it!</p>
<p>Anyway…hope your “saddle area” recovers quickly , and I’m glad that you enjoyed your visit with your nephews and that they managed to capture such a great digital photo album of your fun!</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>If she hasn’t gotten tenure yet, I’m betting against her.</p>
<p>
I really hope you’re right. On top of the yearbook faux pas, she has handled the aftermath exceedingly poorly, spouting messages filled with vitriol toward the concerned parents who DARED to question her judgment and leadership skills, while at the same time REFUSING to address any of the concerns (such as why the section devoted strictly to adacemic achievement contained layouts on teen pregnancy, caffeine addiction, and tacit approval of cheating and <em>NO</em> layouts on academic achievement!). The administration has now ordered her not to talk, at least outside of the classroom <em>lol</em> . A bit of an irony, since this whole thing is about the value of free speech! :)</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>
Yes, free speech is a right, but no more equal or absolute than any other rights in the constitution.</p>
<p>I always am surprised by how many people test the limits of their rights and become indignant about how one of their “rights” is not ablsolute when they want it to be ablsolute.</p>
<p>Maybe I’m missing something here, but beyond the basics of how our constitution works, do schools actually teach theory of governanace (i.e. how and why people choose (or have chosen for them) to govern themselves. How in forming a government from anarchy, an agreement is made as to how the rights of individuals and the government are balanced off against each other. Me thinks many people are of the opinion that the government is only there to protect “their” rights and that they must make no sacrifice to order in the society.</p>
<p>This poor teacher certainly doesn’t understand that she is not in charge of what she teaches under first amendment rights. Her “speech” is highly regulated by her employment contract with the school district, whose policies and procedures are set by constitutionally appropriate laws. Our society through its governing structures has determined the content of her yearbook class, little does she know.</p>
<p>Interesting article in the “Eagle”. I wrote a little note (very nice, thank you! ) to Mr. Schofield asking him if he checked to see if other kids’ more "traditional
accomplishments were short slated in order to give these other “cutting edge” stories more room in the yearbook. This writer, at least, seemed to think the whole thing was cool, but it sounded like he just talked to the sponsor of the yearbook as well as the staff. I don’t think he actually has thought about the other kids being “left out”…</p>