When Pranks Become Crimes

A disturbing trend in school to student relationships is viewing symptoms of adolescent behavior as crimes. As evidenced by this recent incident in a Chicago middle school, the presence of a cop on campus quickly escalated a harmless food fight to 25 misdemeanor charges with heavy police presence and student arrests. Middle school students spending time in jail for a food fight? What is happening to our common sense with regard to discipline in schools? Perhaps the need to criminalize our kids' behavior stems from the fact that we are asking/expecting them to behave like adults. When they act irresponsibly, more like the kids they are, instead of treating them from an adult to kid relationship with appropriate consequences, we are now locked into an adult to adult consequence, hence the viewpoint that the behavior is criminal. At our own school, I have seen horseplay in the hallway be reported as "mugging". Writing on a desk is "graffiti". A tossed pencil or empty water bottle is a "projectile" and so on. I think we need to evaluate the correlation between adolescent mistakes, pranks and misbehavior and criminal intent quickly before we go completely over the top as they did the other day in Chicago.

Click on the title to read the full NYTimes article.

An Interesting Link on Restorative Practices in Schools

Check out this blog post from Tom Cavanagh's blog: Restorative Practices in Schools. Click HERE.

Scary Article Re: Surge of Runaway Youths with Recession

This is an eye-opening report. Click on the title and watch the video.

The Future of Reading

Interesting article on new ways to get middle school aged kids reading more in the classroom. Click on the title to open the link.

Jim Moulton to speak at GMUHS on Technology in Education and Project Based Learning

August 26, 2009 5:30 - 7pm, GMUHS

Jim Moulton will present information on the interactive, collaborative, project-based learning through wide use of technology that will be transforming our Middle School classrooms this year. The staff and administration are very excited about this and interested parents are invited to attend.

Please call GMUHS at 875-2146 for more information

Vote Yes to Support our School & Students

On May 5th our budget will be decided by the voters of Andover, Chester and Cavendish. GMUHS students and teachers need community support and collaboration as they travel on the vital pathway of middle school and high school. This journey transforms our children into responsible adults. The programs we offer are shaping our future communities. Send our kids the message that we care about their future.

VOTE YES - SUPPORT GMUHS!

Open Positions for GMUHS Town Budget Committee & Chester Town School Board

Anyone interested in being a member of the Chester Town School Board or the GMUHS Town Budget Committee should attend our annual meeting tonight at Green Mountain Union High School. If interested, you will need 6-8 supporting votes so bring your friends. This is a great chance to become informed about our school and have input into our budget Both of these positions meet a few times a year and are a wonderful way to get involved with your school community.