<p>"I personally think that there is a happy medium, but hell, if the yearbook can publish what it did, then I’d at least like my 11-year-old to be able to wear her “softball” shorts! "</p>
<p>Absolutely! And regarding the use of the word ‘intercourse’, did you ask what term would they have preferred your son use?? There are many out there. </p>
<p>I have to agree…the inconsistency IS mindboggling. </p>
<p>We actually had a similar situation at ldgirl’s school a few years prior to her editorship. The yearbook was published with a huge spread on cutting and eating disorders. It was the new principal’s first year and the yearbook was not reviewed by administration prior to publication. Needless to say parents were NOT happy with what they deemed to be a ‘celebratory’ treatment of the topics. The next year, we had a new journalism teacher (this was ldgirl’s first year in journalism) and STRICT rules about publications. Nothing was published that didn’t have administration’s eyes on it first. Of course that yearbook was a huge success in the eyes of most. Newspaper was still pushing the envelope, but no huge controversies occurred. (The editor was hauled into the principal’s office a few times for warnings, but that was it.) The following year, ldgirl became one of the yearbook editors and the same rules were in place. I think by that time, the teacher and students were ready for a show of faith from administration which did not occur. As far as I know, the rules are STILL in place. In our case, it’s clear our principal is not about to get burned again. </p>
<p>I don’t know what the answer is. Some student editors are very responsible about exercising restraint and responsibility with regard to content. Clearly some are not. But I do agree, no school should be required to publish what they consider to be contradictory to their purpose. THAT fact alone should be enough to motivate teachers and student editors to honor the boundaries of what is acceptable in their community, without being policed. (I believe I’m speaking of the proverbial ‘perfect world’ though…lol)</p>
YES. What I didn’t understand then, and don’t understand NOW, is WHY <em>THIS</em> is so HARD to understand!!! For example, one of the girls featured in the preggo spread conceived her baby at an age which was prosecutable for statutory rape. IMHO, it is irresponsible for this material to be featured in a SCHOOL DISTRICT sponsored publication (in a rather glowing light, IMHO)…one that is published under its name, with its funds (and funds from unsuspecting sponsors as well). Featured the way it was, the material could easily appear as being condoned That 15-18 year olds who serve on the yearbook committee think this is acceptable is irrelevant. It’s not, and it carries very serious consequences, perhaps for MY sons in the future, kids who COULD theoretically be sittiing in jail cells for having consensual sex with a girl the age of the featured girl. </p>
<p>The yearbook also advocated kids going “behind their parents’ backs” to get tattoos for which parental approval was not given—and advocated the use of a “70-cent needle” for performing self-piercings to save money on the pros. These types of behavior are dangerous (and my committee and I provided plenty of research to the school board to back our positions). </p>
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If there were no further legislation extending the rights of students to publish whatever they wish, then Hazelwood would be the standard, as it should be. That way, a school administrator could decide if material published violates the educational missions of the district.</p>
<p>There are MANY forums available for students be heard, but a school district-published piece should respect the rules and sensibilities of the district.</p>
<p>I realize this is a pretty inactive thread, but I stumbled upon this by pure chance today and thought I’d comment.</p>
<p>I am one of 3 editors-in-chief of my high school’s yearbook in Massachusetts, one of six states that still allows for freedom of speech in student publications. I agree that designating spreads to pregnant girls and piercings is ridiculous. It is clearly bad judgment. However, you cannot expect the principal and town to keep track of what is going into the yearbook. My book is 336 pages packed with words, pictures, captions, etc. and it’s hard for even the staff to keep track. A lot of the responsibility lies in the staff itself and also the adviser. The adviser should have shot down the idea rather than let it go to print. Kids always think of crazy ideas that push the limits, but the adviser should always step in and say it’s a bad idea. They should advise, hence the title.</p>
First of all, I would like to ask you if you’d be willing to leave the great state of Massachusetts and move here to Small Town, KS and take over the editorship of our yearbook??!! You can move in with us! :D</p>
<p>Secondly, I’d like to commend you for your maturity and common sense. In fact, you have a great deal more than our yearbook ADVISER. What has frustrated many of us parents here has been 1.) The lack of guidance offered by the yearbook/journalism sponsor and when challenged, her absolute unwillingness to look at this situation from <em>any</em> other perspective than that of a teacher trying to win awards for being “edgy,” and 2.) The lack of responsiveness on the part of the administration and school board when hundreds of parents brought this complaint before them. They have decided to cower under a poorly understood legal statute rather than respect the sensibilities of this community. The Kansas Student Publications Act, in fact, ENCOURAGES adviser guidance, something which was neither acknowledged nor respected by the adviser, administration, and school board. </p>
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