My review of the Howell Public Schools Code of Conduct

After one of my High School teachers was punished for supposedly violating a student's first amendment rights, I decided to take a look at the School district's code of conduct. Mr. McDowell removed a student from class for stating "I don't accept gays" on a day designated to wear purple in opposition to bullying and the recent increase of gay teen suicide (see previous post). One student's rights end where another's begins. Here is a link to the support page for Mr. McDowell who was suspended for punishing the student: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-Jay-McDowell/155578927816489. 

As a student in Howell Public Schools, I signed the Code of Conduct every year and was expected to abide by the rules as outlined in the Code of Conduct. Teachers are expected to uphold the Code of Conduct, as is the Administration and the School Board. 

Below are my thoughts on the Howell Public Schools Code of Conduct in relation to the actions taken by Mr. McDowell and the Howell School Board.

The following is an excerpt from the Howell Public Schools Code of Conduct. It specifically addresses the issue of Constitutional rights.

"BEHAVIOR, STUDENT

The primary objective of Howell Public Schools is to assist each student to

develop into a responsible, self-disciplined individual willing to assume his/her

role as a productive member of society. An important aspect of this learning

process is learning to respect the rules and regulations that are established for

the protection of the rights of all members of the school community.

It is not the intent of Howell Public Schools through these policies to infringe

upon students' exercise of constitutionally guaranteed rights. However, when a

student's behavior presents a risk to his/her own well being, interferes with the

right of others, or becomes disruptive of the educational process, parents,

teachers, staff and administration must take corrective action through the Code

of Conduct.

The rules and policies of the Howell Public Schools apply to any student who

is on school property, or school-affiliated transportation, who is in attendance

at school or at any school-sponsored activity, or whose conduct at any time or

place interferes with the operations, discipline, or general welfare of the

school, regardless of location, date, or time. Students, staff and parents

should note that, where a range of consequences is specified, the nature and

severity of the offense shall determine the consequences assigned at the

discretion of the responding administrator. It should also be recognized that

any student who is an accomplice in the commission of an offense shall be

subject to the consequence guidelines." (Howell Public Schools Code of Conduct, Pg 13, http://www.howellschools.com/files/filesystem/HowellCodeWeb.pdf)

1. "The primary objective of Howell Public Schools is to assist each student to

develop into a responsible, self-disciplined individual willing to assume his/her

role as a productive member of society. An important aspect of this learning

process is learning to respect the rules and regulations that are established for

the protection of the rights of all members of the school community."

Stating that you do not accept a group of people, whether that person is of another race, gender or sexual orientation, is not RESPECTING anyone. It is not respecting the rights of all members of the school community (which include homosexual students)

2. "It is not the intent of Howell Public Schools through these policies to infringe

upon students' exercise of constitutionally guaranteed rights. However, when a

student's behavior presents a risk to his/her own well being, interferes with the

right of others, or becomes disruptive of the educational process, parents,

teachers, staff and administration must take corrective action through the Code

of Conduct."

The Howell Public Schools do not intend on infringing on the constitutional rights of any student, this includes freedom of speech. HOWEVER, "when a student's behavior interferes with the rights of others, or becomes disruptive of the educational process" it the teacher's responsibility to take corrective action. This is meant that while students do have the rights given to them in the Constitution, one student's rights end where another student's rights ends. The Code of Conduct recognizes a student's right to an education in a safe learning environment in a letter as signed by ALL members of the Board of Education. (Howell Public Schools Code of Conduct, Pg 3)

"ASSAULT, VERBAL

Verbal assault is defined as any statement or act, oral or written, which can

reasonably be expected to induce in another person an apprehension of

danger of bodily injury or harm.

Verbal Assault Upon Another Student

A student who verbally assaults another student will be subject to

disciplinary action, the extent of which shall be determined by the principal

and/or hearing officer.

Verbal Assault Upon A School Employee, Volunteer or Vendor

Any student in grade six or above who verbally assaults a school employee,

volunteer or vendor shall be expelled up to 180 school days." (Howell Public Schools Code of Conduct, Pg 8)

3. "Verbal assault is defined as any statement or act, oral or written, which can

reasonably be expected to induce in another person an apprehension of

danger of bodily injury or harm."

When a student expresses that they do not accept a person because of the characteristics, that student may have an apprehension of danger of bodily injury or harm, which may also apply to harm of ones' mental state.  

4. "HARASSMENT, VERBAL

Student who uses language to berate or publicly impugn the person (status,

race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, etc.) or reputation of another. Up to

ten days suspension; possible referral to central office assistant

superintendent for possible suspension and/or expulsion." (Howell Public Schools Code of Conduct, Pg 48)

When a student declares that they do not accept a group of people because of their status, race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, etc. as outlined by the Code of Conduct, they are committing a form of harassment.  The Code of Conduct accepts sexual orientation as a characteristic that cannot berated or publically insulted.

5."BULLYING

Students who engage in, or encourage intimidating behavior will face

disciplinary consequences." (Howell Public Schools Code of Conduct, Pg 13)

While it is deplorable that the "Bullying" section of the Howell Public Schools Code of Conduct is this vague and brief, it leaves the description open to interpretation. To declare that you do not accept a person for a characteristic that is unlike your own is a form of intimidating behavior. If students are constantly declaring that they do not accept homosexuals in the school, homosexual students will feel threatened and unprotected, just as any other student would. 

I would also like to remind ALL School Board member, even those whose terms are ending that they must comply to the rules of the School Board including:

0144.3	Conflict of Interest
	Board members shall perform their official duties in a manner free from conflict of interest. To this end:
	A.	No Board member shall use his/her position as a Board member to benefit either himself/herself or any other individual or agency apart from the total interest of the School District.
	B.	When a member of the Board determines that the possibility of a personal interest conflict exists, s/he should, prior to the matter being considered, disclose his/her interest (such disclosure shall become a matter of record in the minutes of the Board), and thereafter shall abstain from participation in both the discussion of the matter and the vote thereon. 0145 Discriminatory Harassment The Board of Education’s intent is to provide an environment that fosters the respect and dignity of each person. To this end, the Board is committed to maintaining an environment free of harassment and intimidation. Sexual harassment includes all unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and verbal or physical contacts of a sexual nature whenever submission to such conduct is made a condition of employment or a basis for an employment decision. Other prohibited conduct includes that which has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, discriminatory, or offensive environment on the basis of gender, religion, race, color, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation and/or any other legally protected characteristic. *(Under this clause a School Board member is not allowed to speak offensively toward a person or group based on their sexual orientation) The harassment of a student, staff member, or third party (e.g. visiting speaker, athletic team member, volunteer, parent, etc.) is strictly forbidden. Any person who is found to have violated this policy will be subject to discipline in accordance with law.

"Snooki wants Smoosh Smoosh" 'South Park' and 'Jersey Shore'

Last night 'South Park''s new episode poked fun at the New Jersey craze. The most notable of their slams was on the cast of 'Jersey Shore', especially Snooki. In fact, they created a creature and called it a "Snooki." It was pretty much amazing and I didn't stop laughing through the whole episode. Snooki's creature was decked out in a bikini top, fuzzy slippers, carrying a cocktail, eating pickles and of courses adorning the infamous hair poof. The best part was she ran around making a sound quite similar to the popular "waaaah" of the real Snooki and demanding "smoosh smoosh" from everyone's favorite South Park characters. According to TMZ.com today, Snooki is just taking this as another sign of her growing fame (and she's probably right). South Park's depiction was epic in every sense of the word. I do have to admit that I am a viewer of 'Jersey Shore,' and I find something fascinating about shows that embellish the New Jersey culture. There of course was a clip with "The Situation," (who by the way was just voted off of 'Dancing With the Stars' Tuesday night for his insult on dancing.) I was slightly disappointed that they didn't pick on him a little more. The characters kidnapped him and were interrogating him and e sat in a chair holding up his shirt. I was also a little sad that they didn't spend more time on J WOWW or any of the other characters, but it was only a 30 min episode (maybe should have been a movie...) Kyle discovered that his mother was from Jersey (refereed to as "S-WOWW Titty-bang) and in his first 2 months as a fetus they lived in New Jersey. This created the character Kyley-B (after Pauly-D) which was a good edition to the episode. He had the famous Pauly-D blow out and ripped his sleeves off. He also used his Jersey attitude to save Cartman from the Snooki. The plot of the episode is that New Jersey is taking over, and the residents of South Park must stop the people from New Jersey so that they don't become West Jersey. The characters recruit Osama Bin Laden  to crash plans into the New Jerseyians and then shoot him in the end (as not to offend too bad).

Many people may not have caught another Jersey show reference, but the Jersey hair salon wa sa direct reference to a show called 'Jerseylicious' about a New Jersey hair salon, the Gatsby Salon. In fact, the hair dressers were cartoon copies of the actual attention-getters on the show Tracy and Olivia.

In the same scene there was also a very noticeable jab at the 'Real Housewives of New Jersey.'

Notable quotes from last night's episode:

Cartman: :You’re a ginger, you’re a Jew and you’re from Jersey – Strike Three, Kyle, you’re out!"

Kyle’s Mom: "You can take the fetus out of Jersey, but you can’t take the Jersey out of the fetus."

Kyle (as jersey Kyle): "Put that cabbage in your f'in muff!"

With this sudden increase in New Jersey related TV Shows, it was only a matter of time before South Park was all over it. 

Single Friends

I have always been the "single friend." I have friends that are also the "single friend." Some of my friends are never single. I have a friends who married her high school sweetheart. I have a friend I call the serial monogamist, because she is always in a long-term relationship. There are those friends who date but are never in relationships, those friends that are always in short-term relationships and single friends.

Like I said, I am normally the single friend. Yes, I've dated, and yes, I've been in a few serious relationships, but for the most part I am the single friends, the third wheel, the fifth wheel, the tag along, the one who is ALWAYS down to hang out. In the past I am always available to hang out, because frankly, I never had a man taking up all my free time. Honestly, there is nothing like just sitting at home with your man, doing not a damn thing. Couples know what I'm talking about. Why go out when you have someone to talk to right in front of you?

Being the single friend, I also was always the bitter friend. Why can't you hang out? Why are you always with your boyfriend? Why does your boyfriend always have to come along? Can we just have a "girl's night?" Every single girl knows what I'm talking about, why do your taken friends always bring their boyfriend everywhere??? The best way to avoid that is to request a "girl's night," but that doesn't always work out because some guys are always around and for some reason that automatically exempts them from not being present on girl's night. Plus there are those couples that live together, so if you want to hang out, he is always there. The best way to know you are not spending enough time with your single friends is that they request a girl's night. It's code for "you're spending too much time with your boyfriend. I want to hang out without him there for once." I know what all this is like, because like I said I am normally the single friend. Your couple friends want to include you but they also don't want you to feel like the odd man out, so more often than not you hang out with your other single friends or you get stuck at home with a carton of cookie dough ice cream watching reruns of law and order.

I am no longer the single friend. I have been in a relationship for a year and half and we live together, so now I'm no longer me, I am we. We come in a package. When I go somewhere without him, people always ask where he is. People invite me out, anticipating that my man will also be there. In fact, most people don't even remember what I was like before I was a taken girl. So now I am "that" friend. You ask for me, you get both of us, we are a packaged deal. This does not mean that I am opposed to an occasional girl's night, but if you want to come over, guess what? He's here too. So now I know how annoying I was as a single friend. I always thought my friends were being selfish and needy for always wanting to be with their men. Frankly you can't leave them at home by themselves or they get themselves into trouble...or the pout. Boys don't want to admit it but they don't like to be left out either. They also hate when you go out with your girls and then come home and fight with them about something they did months ago, only because you just spent the last three hours complaining to your girlfriends and listening to them complain about their men. Most of the time you bring him a long because your other taken friends do the same thing, and then he has someone to talk to. Honestly, we are always together but that doesn't mean we are always "together." Let me explain. We go to the bar, we might not even talk to each other for most of the time. We might not even sit next to each other. So even though we come as a package, we still carry on separately.

Sometimes my single friends annoy me, just as I'm sure I always annoyed by taken friends. They want to hang out, but honestly sometimes I just want to sit on my butt at home. It's easy, it's convenient, and if I want to talk to someone, HEY! there is someone there right next to me doing the same thing. No effort whatsoever. People in relationships are lazy, we don't go out as much because we are not looking for a man, and plus we hate getting dressed up to impress when we already have someone, and he sure as hell doesn't care, he sees you when you wake up, and we all know that's scary. So let's just say my complacency with being in a relationship has strained a few friendships. Some understand and some don't. Those that don't...they're single. Surprised? You shouldn't be. Friends in relationships are doing the same thing as you, sitting at home. Single friends either want to get out of their lonely apartment or away from their parents.

I love my single friends. I love girl's night. I love sitting at home with my man. I don't hate on single girls, I was there too, I understand. Girls in relationships just need to remember to a time when you were a single friend, and single girls just remember someday the tables will probably be reversed. :)

Increase in Teen Suicides

Over the last month there has been a disturbing amount of teenage suicides, primarily gay teen suicides. With an increase in bullying awareness, why is it that homosexual students are falling through the cracks? Many people were bullied as teens, including myself. Whether it's your height, your weight, your hair color, how much money your parents have or who you're dating, the fact of the matter is that kids are mean. It doesn't matter who you are, even if you are their friend, kids will find something to harass you about.

When I was in high school at Howell High School in Howell, MI, proposal 2 was passed my junior year in 2004. Proposal 2 banned gay marriage in the State of Michigan. Coming from a conservative town, my friends and I found out repulsion to this proposal in the minority. Now we were probably a little out of line, but we hung a rainbow flag in our school hallway. Let me mention that we had the approval of the administration, I have no idea how we ever received that permission, but we had it. Within the hour the flag had been torn down and stolen. This created a huge controversy in our high school. We were able to recover the flag and had it permanently placed on the wall in our hallway with a logo for our Diversity Club that we belonged to. After we graduated in spring of 2006 it came down, but the point was that we felt we had won a small victory for the time being.

The same year this happened, an openly gay student in our high school had experienced many verbal attacks during a school play. A few theater students decided to spray paint "LOVE" all over the sidewalks and on a giant rock in front of the school (that the students were given permission to spray paint). These students were suspended and forbidden from participating in Senior activities because of their vandalism. The students agreed to pay for the removal of the spray paint on the sidewalks. What started out as a loving gesture for their friend turned into another controversy for the high school. In the past students were known to spray paint on the sidewalk when fellow students had been killed, without repercussions. The students did not expect that they would be punished so harshly for their gesture.

Where am I going with this? I am not homosexual, but I, like many of my peers, was bullied in high school. I was called a "fag", I had things thrown at me in the hall way. One time I had a gingerbread house thrown at me on the bus, thankfully it hit the kid behind me. My friends and I experienced a lot of ridicule for the way we looked, dressed and acted. However, the administration never did anything to stop it. I made it through high school and went to college and graduated and now I have a great job working for a State Representative. The point is, what happens to you in high school does not represent what is going to happen to you in life. No matter what happens to you or what they say to you, nothing can be worth losing your life. I can't sit here and tell you that I never thought about taking my own life. Whenever I thought about it, I thought about how I would effect the lives of my loved ones. Not only would I end my own life, but I would ruin the lives of the people who actually love and care about me.

Those people exist.

Everyone has somebody that cares about them.
Somebody who would cry if you were gone.
Somebody who would never be able to forgive themselves if you ended your life.
Somebody who loves you.

There has been an increase in teen suicide, especially gay teen suicide. Something needs to change. School administrations need to stand up for their student's right to be who they are. School is supposed to be a safe environment. I may have never made it through high school without the help of my guidance counselor, a few great teachers and my closest friends. Students need to find that confidant and school leaders need to make themselves more available for their students. Recently a college student, only a few years younger than me, killed himself because his roommate posted videos on the internet of him performing sexual acts with another male. What is wrong with these kids? Don't you know that your actions do not make you a better person? You are hurting someone, someone who just may end their life over your actions. The student council president at the University of Michigan is being harassed by a person who calls himself the Assistant Attorney General. This man is a public servant, and employee of the State of Michigan and he is carrying on like a teenager. He is posting inappropriate things online and stalking the openly gay student council president. You are entitled to your beliefs, just as I am, but are you trying to push this kid over the edge? Do people do these things because they want gay students to kill themselves? This is disgusting. Mathew Shepard was killed because he was gay. What is wrong with today's society that people can hate so much that they want to end the life of someone because of their sexual orientation, something that doesn't even effect them??

Many celebrities are speaking out about the recent teen suicides. There is help out there.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
http://www.thetrevorproject.org/